How to Choose the Perfect Stove for Backpacking and Camping

Compressed Gas vs. Liquid Fuel Stoves

One burns more fuel than the next. This one weighs less, but this boils water faster. You’ll be in windy, sub-zero temperatures at the top, but basecamp is in the desert and you want one stove to do it all. Or, one for each. In this video, Mountain Safety Research (MSR) and Tahoe Mountain Sports talk with Tahoe Rim Trail Guides about the various camping and backpacking stove options, edited down to everything you could ever want to know in 12-minutes:

Key Benefits

Compressed Gas
Lightweight and compact. No spills means no cleaning. Best flame control. No fuel odors or priming/pumping required.

Liquid Fuel
Greater heat output. Unaffected by altitude or cold temperatures. Most affordable. Reusable and easily disposable. Widespread fuel choices.

Key Drawbacks

Compressed Gas
Empty canisters must be packed out and disposed of (check with your local recycling center). Difficult to gauge fuel level (pack an extra canister). Performance decreases as canister empties. Usually less stable.

Liquid Fuel
Heavier/bulkier. Require pumping/priming. Fuel lines can clog. More field maintenance required. Leaking fuel requires wiping. Soot builds up on cookware.

Best For

Compressed Gas
Ultralight backpacking.

Liquid Fuel
Group camping. Winter camping & melting snow. High altitudes. International travel.

Key Notes
– Use a windscreen with liquid fuel stoves to enhance performance, but be careful doing so with canister stoves because they can overheat and explode!
– Always pack an extra lighter and/or waterproof matches.

Comparison Chart

Product	Fuel Type	Weight (oz)	Boil Time	Burn Time (200 ml/gm)	Heat Output (BTU)	Retail
Snow Peak Gigapower	Canister	3.75	3 min 48 sec (1 Liter)	50 min	10,000	$49.95
Snow Peak LiteMax	Canister	1.9	4 min 25 sec (1 Liter)	50 min	11,200	$59.95
Jetboil Flash	Canister	14	2 min 30 sec (.5 Liter)	120 min	4,500	$99.95
Jetboil Sol Titanium	Canister	10.5	2 min 15 sec (.5 Liter)	120 min	4,950	$159.95
MSR Pocket Rocket	Canister	3	3 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	60 min	10,000	$39.95
MSR Reactor (1.7 L)	Canister	17.5	3 min (1 Liter)	104 min	9,400	$199.95
MSR Dragonfly	White Gas	14	3 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	42 min	10,500	$139.95
Kerosene	14	3 min 54 sec (1 Liter)	51 min
Diesel	14	3 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	46 min
MSR XGK-EX	White Gas	13.2	3 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	37 min	10,500	$159.95
Kerosene	13.2	2 min 48 sec (1 Liter)	33 min
Diesel		4 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	57 min
MSR Whisperlite	White Gas	11	3 min 54 sec (1 Liter)	46 min	9,500	$89.95
MSR Whisperlite Universal	White Gas	11.5	3 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	110 min	9,500	$139.95
Kerosene	11.5	4 min 24 sec (1 Liter)	155 min
Canister	9.5	3 min 48 sec (1 Liter)	75 min
MSR Whisperlite International	White Gas	10.9	3 min 30 sec (1 Liter)	110 min	9,500	$99.95
Kerosene	10.9	3 min 24 sec (1 Liter)	155 min

*Did we miss any important features you think shouldn’t have been overlooked? Please let us know in the comments section (below).