Which camping stove and fuel are right for you? That depends on what you’re cooking.
WHITE GAS & LIQUID FUELS
If you don’t mind pumping your own gas, stoves that use liquid fuel like MSR’s Whisperlite ($80) offer dependable performance in any weather and the benefit of easily refillable tanks. The tanks are not pre-pressurized but gain the pressure by a manual pump in the line. This means a little bit more effort from the cook, but a greener option because you won’t be left with canisters or tanks in need of disposal. While these stoves aren’t as stable with large pots as the propane stoves, they are usually sturdier than their canister cousins. Liquid fuel stoves can also require a little more maintenance to keep lines clear.
Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart ‘ $100MULTI-FUEL STOVES
Some stoves, like the Primus Backpacking Stove ($155), give campers an “All of the Above” option. Such stoves can run on canisters, white gas, kerosene, gasoline and even diesel fuel. These stoves should be a priority for international travelers who may never know what will be available when and where they need to refuel.