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?