At the heart of gourmet camp food preparation is your camp stove. Just like those tree stumps perched by the firepit pretending to be cutting-edge, ergonomic, campsite furniture – some camp cookware doesn’t allow us to extend our cuisine dreams much beyond refried beans or tinned spaghetti!
The right cooker will support your sunset alfresco dining dream, and deliver – but the wrong stove could see your ideal, straight-from-a-magazine meal become a bowl of blackened, off-balanced bitterness! With the extensive range available on the market, choosing a camp stove to bring that spark to after dark cooking can be a complicated task. You need a stove that sizzles in all the right places, simmers for all the right dinners, and takes care of that suppertime snacking.
To crank the heat, we’ve listed our ten best-selling camp stoves over the last 12 months, kicking off with number ten…
The right cooker will support your sunset alfresco dining dream. Image: Coleman
10. Gasmate Classic 2-Burner Stove
The Gasmate Classic 2-Burner Stove is lightweight, ergonomically designed, and easy to transport.
With burners producing 10,000 BTUs each, you’ll be cooking faster than your beer boils in the Aussie summer. The fine burner controls enable both simmering and cooking two dishes at once, while the removeable heavy-duty chrome-plated cooking trivets allow for easy cleaning.
To top it off, like a pat of butter on a hot potato – the Classic 2-Burner is affordable, and the hot-to-go stove for all experience levels.
Gasmate Classic 2-Burner Stove
9. Coleman Triton Instastart 2-Burner Stove
From the hot breakfasts that bolster our cold, tired bodies, to the campfire dinners by lamplight – the Triton Instastart 2-Burner Stove by Coleman is the classic camp kitchen companion.
With two independent steel burners – fully-adjustable and rust-resistant – this stove boasts an output of 22,000 BTU, plus Coleman’s Instastart ignition for easy lighting. The removable grate and aluminised cooktop enable easy cleaning after evening feasting, while the built-in handle on the underside makes for easy transport. Plus, foster the flame thanks to the wind-blocking system for a consistently fierce heat.
The durable design features a hose with a 3/8 fitting, and a run time of up to 6 hours – so you can easily carry the heat from the back seat to every outback retreat.
Coleman Triton Instastart 2-Burner Stove
8. Zempire 2-Burner Deluxe Stove & Grill
This unit from Zempire enables the heat control to take your sauce from simmering to boiling point. Its twin burner heads allow space for both boiling and frying simultaneously, while the piezo ignition makes for easy lighting – free of flimsy matches. Raised off the ground, the burners’ heat is prevented from burning the surface the stove is sitting on.
A powder-coated steel construction allows easy cleaning and rust-resistance, while the rear and side windshield prevents cold air from weakening the flame.
Zempire 2-Burner Deluxe Stove & Grill
7. Companion Proheat 2-Burner Low-Pressure Stove
The Proheat 2 Burner Low-Pressure Stove is the must-pack camp tackle for your road trip kit – also available in a high-pressure model.
A lower profile design enables neat and tidy storage in the camper or RV kitchen, while its cooking allows the use of two large pots simultaneously on heavy-duty pot trivets. Boasting a total output of 18,000 BTU, easily adjust heat and get cracking on the crackling sooner thanks to a dual electric and piezo ignition. LED lighting allows for better visibility, while built-in windshields protect in breezy conditions. Plus, a low-pressure hose and regulator are included with every unit.
Companion Proheat 2-Burner Low-Pressure Stove
6. Gasmate Travelmate II Single Stove
Like a school lunchbox, without the bruised bananas – the Travelmate II Single Stove by Gasmate is compact, portable, and affordable!
With a high-temperature powder-coated steel construction, vitreous enamel drip tray, and pot support – the Travelmate also boasts high-quality brass gas fittings and numerous safety features. The stove operates on disposable butane canisters, with a single burner and control knob featuring rotary piezo ignition. From hot breakfasts at the cold crack of dawn, to campsite dinners at sundown – this stove generates enough heat for the sizzle of a meat slab or the bubbling boil of potatoes.
Gasmate Travelmate II Single Stove
5. Companion 2-Burner High Output Stove
Bolster the hot-pot casseroles and dinners made for the bigger bowls, with the Companion 2-Burner High Output Stove.
Featuring two 25000 BTU burners with superior simmer control, this stove is also equipped with piezo ignition. Large format burners with built-in windshields support the bigger pots, offering a wide and even distribution of heat across the base. Beneath the burner heads sits a stainless steel drip tray, working hand in hand with the removable grate to enable easy cleaning.
Companion 2-Burner High Output Stove
4. Coleman 3-Burner EvenTemp Stove
An all-in-one solution, with powering options across both disposable propane and LPG gas bottles – the 3-Burner EvenTemp Stove by Coleman has officially entered your outback eatery.
Boasting two round 11500 BTU burners on each side for pots and pans, the EvenTemp also features one rectangular burner blazing a massive 5000 BTUs. With all three in use, heat is distributed evenly across the stove – perfect in conjunction with the included griddle for those pan-seared, flatly-fried, or patty-cake suppertime snacks. Better still, it arrives complete with electronic piezo ignition, compatible with its own bag for protection in storage. For more information, check out our product review video here.
Coleman 3-Burner EvenTemp Stove
3. Zempire 2-Burner Deluxe and Deluxe Wide Camp Stove
Blazing 12000 BTUs per burner (yep, a total of 24000 BTUs) – the Zempire 2 Burner Deluxe Stove packs a fire-cracking punch!
Each burner features a control knob and piezo ignition, surrounded by a stainless steel drip tray for easy cleaning. The exterior of the stove is a powder-coated steel that folds closed for transport, tucking in the fold-down toaster too. From the barbecues out the back, to the get-togethers off the grid – this stove caters for most campsite setups.
Zempire 2-Burner Deluxe Camp Stove
With simmer control, and enough pot and pan space to sizzle snags for the masses – the 2 Burner Deluxe Wide Stove from Zempire delivers unbeatable grub on every family getaway.
Crank that heat using the push-button piezo ignition, and cook double the dinners in half the time with the two 12000 BTU burners from full power to a flickering simmer. A true tea-and-toast host, the design features a convenient drop-down toaster too. Grease and grime is a given after a family degustation – mediated by a durable, easy-to-clean, stainless steel drip tray to catch spills! The wrap-around windshield protects your flame too, while the fold-around locking legs, carry handle, and lid enable easy, convenient carrying.
Zempire 2-Burner Deluxe Wide Stove
2. Companion Single and Double Burner Wok Cookers, and Gasmate Single and Double Wok Cookers
With two brands of wok cookers in second place – similar in both design and features – Companion are a longer-standing brand than Gasmate, and sell more of their models too.
Gasmate’s Single Burner Wok Cooker is as versatile as it is accommodating. Featuring a dual-ring brass burner with cast iron inner, this cooker is ideal for high-speed cooking. A stainless-steel body, fascia, and drip tray are easy to clean, while the enamel-coated trivet is removable. With piezo ignition and a full-adjustable flame, its powerful heat output of 17,800 BTU provides 22 hours of cooking time on high – plus, a 900mm hose with a regulator is included too.
Gasmate Single Burner Wok Cooker
The Double Wok Cooker by Gasmate is a tough cooker, made to last. Constructed from stainless steel, its cast iron and brass burners with steel caps are designed to last, while a powerful heat output of 35,600 BTU using a 9kg LPG cylinder provides 11 hours of cooking time on high! Boasting Piezo ignition, and fully-adjustable flame output to suit your needs – just like its single burner associate, it also comes equipped with a 900mm hose and regulator.
Gasmate Double Burner Wok Cooker
Also available as a double, this cooker is popular across a multitude of uses – from the rustic campsite setups, to outdoor catering and food stalls.
Particularly favoured among caravanners, this stove can be connected (with an optional hose) to an already-regulated gas supply. It features two large 13500 BTU burners, plus control knobs with built-in rotary piezo ignition. The absence of windshields has it accommodating large pots and pans, while the pot supports are wok-friendly. Though not as simple to stash in the back of vehicle like most folding stoves, the Wok Cooker is capable of slotting into any dedicated storage space of a caravan or camper trailer.
Companion Single Burner Wok Cooker
For the camp cooks who like to crank the heat when they’re told to simmer down – the Double Wok Cooker is the hot-to-go stovetop traveller with plenty of space and power. A benchtop design is strong and reliable, providing a whopping 12,800 BTUs per burner for quick-smart dinner prep. With space to suit pots, pans, woks and BBQ plates, this cooker has an integrated ignition for easy use too. Plus, it comes complete with a 1200mm hose, LCC27 fitting, and regulator.
Companion Double Burner Wok Cooker
Fun food fact: Cam uses the Companion Double Burner Wok Cooker to create some of his dishes in our YouTube series Camp Cooking with Cam. Check out all his frequently-used equipment in our Season Wrap-Up here:
1. Coleman Hyperflame FyreCadet and FyreKnight Camping Stoves
The HyperFlame FyreCadet gas camping stove takes campsite cooking from a soft yellow flame to a burning blue blaze. Your true camp kitchen henchman, its streamlined design features a secure lid latch, anti-skid feet, and independently adjustable flame control with a total output of 22,000 BTU’s – for the culinary campers who like to fire up at sundown.
Coleman Hyperflame FyreCadet Camping Stove
Beside its Cadet brother in first place is the Coleman HyperFlame FyreKnight stove – built for bolstering that unbeatable outback grub off the grid. A heavy-duty latch and a pivoting handle provide comfortable carrying from the backyard to the outback, while shock-absorbing bumpers on the corners further protect from the rough and tumble of off-road retreats.
Coleman Hyperflame Fyreknight Camping Stove
Both the FyreKnight and FyreCadet boasts a robust construction with pioneering technology, and a WindBlock pot support to cater for the more full-bodied pots in your camp kitchen clobber! Hot on quality, they crank the heat on efficiency and effectiveness with flame control of 24,000 BTUs (FyreKnight) and 22,000 BTUs (FyreCadet) across both burners, designed for the campers who like to live large when they’re limited. Removable pan supports make for easy cleaning, while Coleman’s SwapTop system enables the use of various cooking surfaces at once.
What to Watch:
2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Stove
While not currently available, we’re holding hope that the Dual Fuel Powerhouse stove will be manufactured again soon.
Providing superior performance in windy conditions, this stove runs on unleaded petrol, Shellite, or Coleman camp fuel, where one tank will have it operating for 2.3 hours on high. Its durable steel case and heavy-duty removeable grate makes for easy cleaning, while wind baffles shield the flame from wilder weather too. Fully adjustable – one burner produces 9,000 BTUs while the other does 8,000, capable of boiling a litre of water in just 3.5 minutes!
Coleman 2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Stove
We’ve got to mention this one…
JetBoil Genesis Basecamp Stove System
Costly, but cool – the JetBoil Genesis Basecamp System tantilises your tastebuds beyond the dining table.
An all-in-one, all-star camp champ – this set comes complete with a Flux Ring 5L Camp Pot, System Carry Bag, and 10-inch Fry Pan coated in non-stick ceramic to allow a super simple, post-chomp clean-up! Boasting a 10,000 BTU heating system, crank the heat and pack compactly into the included carry bag for a snug fit ahead of your next outdoor endeavour.
Construct, create, and consume with the JetBoil Genesis Basecamp System! Image: JetBoil
Thinking of upgrading your camping stove?
When it comes to camping, hiking, travel and adventure – the Snowys team have all the expert advice, guides, and tips on everything outdoors.
Great post! Camping gas stoves are the unsung heroes of outdoor cooking, and your blog beautifully highlights their significance in making camping meals a delightful experience. Have you seen these models https://www.awardrv.com.au/camping/stoves/ ?
I use a Iwatani (brand) 15,000 BTU single burner stove, heats up water or anything really fast 🙂
LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yckbyhy3
Unfortunately most of the elcheapo $24 and $35 one burner stoves are only about 2,000 to 3,000 BTU.
Note: N0 gas powered item should be used in a confined space like a tent or caravan!!
Hey Snowys, is there any cooktop coming out with flame failure built in?
At the moment, the only one you sell is Bromic and it is overly expensive and doesn’t have piezo ignition.
From October 2022, any bbq or cooker connected to bayonet on caravan or camper must have flame failure (weber will be updating their bbqs end of this year I’ve been told). Otherwise it’s illegal. This law is already in place but they will be cracking down on it from October 2022.
I know most of your cooktops aren’t compatible with caravan bayonet, but it means the ones that are (i.e. companion wok cooker) can’t be used either (it’s illegal even now, depsite working with gas bayonet).
G’day Ted, thanks for flagging that one for us mate. As far as we’re aware, the legislation is on stoves manufactured specifically for caravans and campers, as opposed to the portable camp stoves we’ve got. I’ve double-checked with our team to see if anyone knows about further changes and if or when they’ll affect us, but we haven’t heard anything conclusive from our suppliers. It sounds like there’s a fair bit of movement going on in the gas world at the moment. We do know that the old POL fitting is slowly being phased out and replaced with a new gas connection called LCC27, so it’s possible that the AGA is bringing in other regulations to coincide with this, and manufacturers are given a date to work towards. We’ll have an article about the POL to LCC27 change early in the new year, and perhaps we’ll know more about built-in flame failures by then. Sorry, we’re not able to offer more insight mate. Cheers
Why is there no mention of a Weber. I have been camping for Over 40 years and the main problem cooking outdoors is wind. No problem with a Weber. Much better than most of the ones you have mentioned.
G’day Steven, Webers are a terrific unit however, we’re not a Weber stockist and use our sales figures to determine what is in most demand to offer a well-rounded list. The closest product we have to a Weber is the Voyager BBQ from Gasmate which didn’t make it into our 2020 list but certainly, the wings on many of the other units do a decent job of sheltering the flame from wind. We’re yet to update this blog for 2021 and who knows, maybe we’ll see the Voyager in there..? Thanks for your feedback, mate.
I’m a big fan of Zempire 2 Burner Deluxe Stove, cost less than $100 and it has plenty of flame, sturdy and compact design and is easy to clean, perfect for long weekends camping.
Thanks Chris, I’m considering the Zempire wide version so your opinion is helpful.
Too bad you couldn’t figure out how to give the gas consumption figures in MJ’s. Australia has only been metric since 1972. Cant rush these things
Hi,companion 3 burner deluxe,can i fit a bayonet fitting to it
G’day Darryl, are you hoping to fit a Companion Deluxe 3 Burner Stove to your caravan or camper? Unfortunately, that setup won’t work with this stove but here are the links to the cookers that can be fitted using an additional hose without a regulator. Hope that helps, cheers.
https://www.snowys.com.au/voyager-portable-bbq
https://www.snowys.com.au/double-burner-cooker
I also have the Coleman Powerhouse works fantastic in the extreme cold weather and also the hot running on shellite , I do have another attachment made by Paulin for the duel fuel stove that will allow you to run on propane as well, great stove that i can run on 3 different fuels .
I am currently fitting out a Merc Sprinter as a camper and looking at installing gas for cooking. To save getting a cooktop permanently mounted like most new caravans have, can i use one of the above cooktops (preferably with a grill) inside my camper?
All of these stoves are designed for outdoor use only Mick with plenty of ventilation, so we couldn’t really recommend any of them for use inside your van. Sorry we couldn’t be of more help.
Powerhouse does work well not just in cold weather but at high altitude where most gas units have problems.
Hello
As I scrolled through the list, I was hoping that progress had not relegated the Dual Fuel to the museum. You’ve restored my faith in good marketing. The Dual Fuel because of its high BTU output, performs quite well in windy conditions, compared to gas units which don’t really cut it. Reference to the DF performing well in cold as against gas, also applies at higher altitudes, which I guess can sometimes be the same thing!!
Cheers
Richard
Great to see the Coleman Powerhouse 2 Burner stove is mentioned once again. I bought mine in 1994 and have had absolutely no issues over these years. I even cooked bacon and scrambled eggs this morning for a self-isolating backyard camping expedition with my daughter. Tough as nails, great control with the flame and use both burners to cook pasta at the same time without a problem. I’m sure it will keep me going for another 26 years!
Wow Carty, that’s incredible that it’s been going for over a quarter of a century! Also great to hear you’re still enjoying being outdoors despite the restrictions going on at the moment ~ Cheers!
We used this stove in New Hampshire when we went camping in 1967…these petrol stoves are as old as the hills…old technology…that works. I think it is positively tragic that these are not stocked here along with the single burner Coleman 533.
HI, I have an Motor home with an outside gas connection, what Gas stove/ BBQ can I use. I have limited space and weight is a factor.
We only have a couple of options, this is a range we are working on expanding at the moment. You need a low pressure i.e. regulated stove, your options are the Companion Wok burner (https://www.snowys.com.au/double-burner-cooker), the Companion RV stove (https://www.snowys.com.au/rv-stove-and-grill), and the Gasmate Voyager (https://www.snowys.com.au/voyager-portable-bbq).
For each of these, you will also need a hose with a bayonet fitting and no regulator (assuming your campers supply is regulated), of which we have only just received in stock and will have online in the next few days.
Lets talk about the Companion Single Burner Camp Stove.
I am certain that it is a great product, but any retail who cares to sell it, should provide a real list of sites that can fill the small gas bottles it attaches to. I know I can connect it to a bigger bottle with a connecter, but that is not the point.
Rant over!
Hi Simon.
We both sell and fill the gas bottles you are referring to. Ideally, these fit on top of a 3/8″ gas bottle which come in sizes from 1.25kg up to about 4kg, see this one for example – https://www.snowys.com.au/38-bsp-camping-gas-cylinder-2-kg. These are better than using a 90-degree adaptor for a POL bottle as they can spin around once there is weight on top of them.
As for gas fills, as I mentioned, we can do this for you, and just about any hardware store will be able to help too. Alternatively, you can use a site like this to find your closest refill location – https://gasbottlerefills.com/.
Oops, contrary to my comments, I see the Companion 2 burner high output is listed but the picture is incorrect – that is of a lower output stove from their camping stove range.
None of the stoves above can exceed 20,000 BTUs per hour. If you want a serious stove that also has a very fine incremental adjustments for simmering, you can’t go past these two:
1. Gasmate Turbo 2 Burner stove – which is so similar in it’s construction to the famed Campchef Summit two-burner camping stove (not available in Australia). Comes with 1 year warranty, circa $139
or
2. Companion 2-burner high output stove. 3 year warranty, circa $149 to $199 (Tentworld, Snowys, Anaconda)
These are all Made in China, with fairly thin metal construction (easily dented), but if you want your billy to boil quickly, or your stew to simmer very gently, they are the bees knees due to their superior burner design.
Following on from this I think you need to do an article on gas bottles and how to transit them safely in a vehicle. There are not many carry options out there. My best option was to buy the Rhino bottle holder and modify to suit my mesh floor roof rack. The 3 kg gasmate squat bottle from Snowies sits well on the Rhino cylinder mount and my load profile height is good and keeping weight to minimum. However the Rhino strap is a bit too long in adjustment to be a really good fit as its made for a 4 kg bottle. Rhino don’t supply U rubber for the gas bottle base or dome head M8 bolts – that was needed too. No wonder many people must be just chucking their bottles inside closed vehicle spaces. Thanks for good help at Adelaide Snowies store – we tried several 3 kg bottles – same make – but different base diameters! Base rim size is critical to get the bottle to sit right on the holder bar.
Thanks for the feedback on what content you’d like to see on the blog, David. You’re right, there aren’t a lot of options out there for transporting gas bottles safely so I’ll definitely pass that onto the team. It’s fantastic to hear that you had a good experience in the Adelaide store as well. Cheers – Emily.
I am so dissapointed with my Coleman Fyrelight stove that I bought from Snowys. It may boil water like a rocket, but trying to cook using a frypan or saucepan is appalling. It simply produces too much heat from the burners and can’t simmer, or operate on reduced output. I rang Coleman to try and get a smaller jet, hopefully to reduce its output a bit but no, they don’t sell jets, don’t import any. Tried various plumbing and camping shops but Coleman has a different thread to most common alternative units. So, the Coleman Fyrelight just sits in the shed gathering dust, an expensive piece of junk.
Sorry to hear about your disappointment with your FyreLight stove, Frank. I agree that they are not the best for simmering, but if you need a stove purely for boiling water fast or barbequing a few snags in a hurry, then the HyperFlame stoves are a good choice. ~ Ben
I found a you tube video that fixes the low output on the fyreknight and other colemans. The valve wont stay put on low is the problem
Its an easy fix – remove the valve and it has some lubricant on the rubbers, wipe it clean and the you tuber says to use silicon lubricant, but my silicon lub says it may damage rubber, so I used wd40 instead. Here is the vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vREI5oG6RyM
I also have the fyreknight – search you tube for a video explaining using some silicon paste lube available at Supacheap etc to lubricate the valve. It is acase of the valve is sticky rather than the jet too big. Mine simmers wonderfully now. Sorry Snoweys – purchased from the other guys though..
Agree!! We are really disappointed with the Coleman -it only cooks on very high heat. Don’t try cooking pancakes, or bacon & eggs, chicken .. or anything really! Its exterior looks nice but it burns your food unfortunately.
Hey Frank, that stove of yours is actually really good. It’s just the control knobs that are sticky with grease.
It’s been a massive issue.
Some cleaver dude shared a video online on how to very quickly resolve the problem.
When the stoves were manufactured, they put a bit too much of the grease around the O-ring and spigot.
Just unscrew the control knob spigot, clean, lightly lube and refit!
Mate, I was disappointed with the stove too at first!
But now… it’s the bees knees when it comes to cooking!! Hot and fast, low and slow!
Try it, if in doubt look it up on utube!
Cheers and happy camping 👍
Coleman hyperflame great for boiling. Far too hot for simmering fry or grilling. Gas control only quareter trun between off and full on
The #7 even temp much better option and control over heat output.
My Hyperflame for sale..minimally used. Bought previously from Snowys
I agree it’s not the best for simmering. There is a fine point where the flame will turn down a little, but it’s hard to find. The Eventemp has long been a good all rounder and may be a better choice for family cooking, but if you’re only interested in boiling water then the Hyperflame stove won’t keep you waiting around for long.
The Coleman Hyperflame Camp Stove is brillant if you to boil water
Totally hopeless to grill as far too hot.burns the steak. The gas control knob only 1/4 turn between low n full on. Why did coleman make it such a small range..stupid in my opinion .the coleman even temp @ #7 in the list MUCH better at grill or frying. Better camp stove
Total fire bans prohibit the use of solid or liquid fuels, so you can’t use the Coleman powerhouse on total fire ban days.
Not necessarily, as it depends in which state.
According NSW RFS the rules seem to apply only to BBQ’s, Ovens (E.g. Pizza), and open fires. I don’t think any of the appliances in this article would be considered BBQ’s or ovens.
Gas is not necessarily allowed. For example in SA, which covers both BBQ’s and gas appliances, which cannot be used unless “within 15 metres of a domestic premises, OR on a coastal foreshore”. So that cancels out your use of gas cookers while camping in the bush in SA on Total Fire Ban days.
The important thing is to check the rules in your state or where you plan to do most of your outdoor cooking.
Might just be safest to stick to ham sammos on Total Fire Ban days regardless of the cooking mechanism you own 😉
Companion gas wok cooker is the only thing I have cooked on for 5 years plus a small $79 oven! Absolutely the best thing ever
I have had all sorts of stoves over the years, usually the gasmate/primus style ones. Wait till the jet blocks – then fiddle trying to clear it, or put a new one in or even GET a new one! SO… the last one that died on me in the middle of a meal I buried. Yep, right where it was. I went and bought a Coleman Guide Series Powerhouse Stove. Three burners. No jets – regulated pressure so it attaches straight to a 4.5k bottle. No Piezo to stop working. i use matches, a gas lighter, a ciggy lighter or a flint to light it. First time, every time. I spilt a heap of food on the burners once. Actually, more than once.Pulled it apart (phillips head screw on the burner and my multitool), cleaned it and back cooking in 5 minutes. This series of stoves, made in the USA, not anywhere cheap, are THE BEST. Not the cheapest, but i HATE cold curry and stew. Hope this helps!
Thanks for this Peter. We do sell the Powerhouse Stove – https://www.snowys.com.au/2-burner-dual-fuel-powerhouse-stove, but the stoves we get in Australia run on liquid fuel i.e. shellite and Coleman fuel. I wasn’t aware that there was a version that was compatible with LPG gas bottles, which is what I assume you are referring to. You are right though, these powerhouse stoves are more field maintainable, they also perform better in a wider range of climates and just keep on keeping on, so they are worth the extra coin. Thanks again for your feedback.
I am a long term user of LPG camping gas stoves as well and the first thing that springs to my mind, the same as you, are the bad memories of blocked jets. I did not bury my stove right there but transported it home for the hard rubbish collection.
I now use the big heavy cast iron LPG single gas ring that does not have a gas jet.
I bought the Primus high output 2 burner stove and I can assure you it doesn’t have a simmering problem. Since purchased it has made me look good as camp chef/Dad! From simmering porridge on low without burning the milk through to using the 3 burner hotplate for eggs&toast, lamb cutlets, backstrap and steaks, through to stir frying chicken and veg. This is your highest output stove at 25,000 BTU per burner and it has the horsepower to do anything including boiling 1.5 litres of water in 4 mins! The only critisim is it’s heavy on gas (we use on avg 3.7kgs in 14 days – that’s breakky, lunch, dinner and 5 x 1.5 litre Billy’s per day) and its top and wind walls are a touch flimsy. But it is strong where it matters, heavy gauge grate, quality burners, stainless drip tray and first time start every time. Doesn’t look as flash as the Coleman’s but it’s become my favourite peice of camping gear and I’ll back this to last for years. It’s also rated by your own reviews as being awesome for simmering and was ranked #1 overall by another online camp stove review. Best selling doesn’t mean best product in my honest opinion. Also love your work snowys – the effort you guys put into before and after sales correspondence with your customers is top notch. Great people with passion!
This is great feedback, thanks Jesmond. First-hand experience like this is super valuable to anyone looking for a camp stove. Thanks for the kind words about Snowys too, we love what we do.
I have a two-burner primus stove I bought in London in 1976 that still works fine. Basic design similar to modern stoves but different burners and no piezo ignition. That’s probably bad news for Snowys because it seems like these things will last forever!
I don’t think it’s bad news Rossmcg, we don’t like selling products that won’t go the distance to anyone. There’s always more camping gear you can buy anyway 🙂
I have found the regulated Coleman stoves (like your #1 pick) to be very unreliable. The regulator develops a leak which reduces the heating power of the stove & results in your gas running out very quickly – and if you forget to turn your stove off at the gas bottle all your gas will leak out. This has happened to me twice, both times at remote camps. Coleman have told me that the regulator is a replaceable part and that they do fail from time to time. I would not recommend people buy this stove, and for those that do own it, that they only use it close to a camping shop or buy a spare regulator now in anticipation of future failure.
This is a fair comment Dan.
We have had the occasional issue with the regulator on the Coleman Stoves. I guess the purchaser could go one of two ways. Stoves that output lots of heat are a little more complex and it would be best to go prepared with spare parts or a backup option, in your case the only spare part would be the regulator you mention. On the other hand, you could go for a stove with less heat output but a very simple design that is practically failsafe.
Can I also add here that the HyperFlame is number one purely based on sales volume. These are not the cheapest stove on the market and we don’t push customers into buying one stove over the other. In fact, the Primus High Output stove is similar in performance and has the occasional regulator issue also, but the limited pot space is probably what pushes people to the Coleman option.
For customers who like the features and specs of the HyperFlame stoves, you can grab a spare regulator from our website here.
You state that the Powerhouse Stove is field maintainable and runs on unleaded or diesel fuel — however on the sales website for Snowys it says Runs on Unleaded petrol, Shellite or Coleman fuel
Does it really run on diesel??
Hmmm, thanks for picking up on this MarkO, I had to double check things here. It will run on diesel fuel but this won’t be as efficient and also be a little dirtier (sootier) than the cleaner fuel options. Coleman actually state in their user guide not to use kerosene, and diesel would be under the same banner. I’d recommend using clean fuel wherever possible, and relying on the diesel in an emergency. I’ll update our copy for clarity. Thanks ~ Ben.