Hikers and back packers need to consider many things when choosing a camping stove, most notably, size, weight, and fuel source. These factors can make all the difference between an enjoyable camping trip and being so uncomfortable that you’ll never go hiking again.
This article gets to the heart of what’s important in a camping stove, and compares the best multi fuel camping stoves that can be easily carried by back packers and hikers.
To be eligible for this list all the stoves must be;
- Multi fuel type stoves, only stoves that are designed for using at least 2 different fuel types, either solid fuel, gel, alcohol, tablets, or gas are included.
- Light and small enough to be carried by hikers in a back pack.
- A popular choice (by numbers sold).
- Rated highly by many real users.
Short on Time – Here’s our Top Recommendations
Haven’t got time and just need to know which of the top selling multi fuel camping stoves to buy now, here’s our winner’s.
Overall Winner – Top Recommended
The Tomshoo Portable Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove is our pick as the best multi fuel camping stove for backpackers and hikers.
Best Flat Folded Camping Stove
If you need a stove that fold’s flat when stored, we recommend the Atapi Ultralight Titanium Wood Burning Stove.
Best Light Weight Camping Stove
If you’re looking for the lightest weight solid fuel camping stove, we recommend the Bushcraft FireDragon Multi-Fuel Cooker.
What to consider when buying a backpacking camping stove – Our review criteria
The criteria for reviewing and ranking these multifuel stoves is selected to provide the best information that any prospective backpacker and hikers would look for in a multifuel camping stove. We look at operational and storage size, weight, performance in windy conditions, hardiness, sturdiness, and easy of use. See below for full description of these criteria.
Scoring system – How we rate these multifuel camping stoves against each other.
We rate each stove by the criteria above, relative to each other. There are 8 stoves in this list, therefore if a stove performs the best for that criteria it gets 8 points, if a stove performs the worst for that criteria it gets 1 point.
As there is 7 criteria and a maximum score of 8 points per criteria, the maximum score attainable is 56.
We used manufacturer specifications and real user reviews when rating these stove against each other.
TOMSHOO Camping Stove – Portable Foldable Stainless Steel Backpacking Stove for Outdoor Hiking
Fuel – Wood, Alcohol.
Material – Stainless Steel
Operational Size – 5.4 x 6.9 inches, 13.8 x 17.5 centimeters.
Storage Size – 5.4″ x 2.8″, 13.7 x 7.1 centimeters.
Storage volume – 2.9 cubic inches, 48 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 1 pound, 453 grams
Wind performance – Good
Hardiness – Good
Sturdiness – Great
Easy of use – Good
Not only is the TomShoo Portable Foldable Camping Stove the number 1 best selling multi fuel back packers and hiking stove sold on Amazon, it was also rated our top portable camping stove, and for good reason.
When we rated this stove against all its competitors it was not outstanding in any criteria except for storage size, it was however a solid performer in all criteria. The Tomshoo has no clear weakness, and does everything you need it to well.
The Tomshoo’s main advantage is that it takes up significantly less storage space in your backpack than every other stove. At 2.9 cubic inches (48 cubic centimeters) it takes up less than half the space of the next smallest storage size of stoves in this list.
Because the Tomshoo multi fuel stove is a collapsible design the size of the firebox is much larger than its storage size. It also has a secondary burn system which means low smoke and soot, and high heat to where you need it most.
Other features are that it is relatively light, and quick and easy to setup, and has a wide mouth that can accept wood while keeping you cooking or boiling going. Thankfully, and unlike many other stoves the Tomshoo wide mouth is not so large that it can’t shield the fire from the wind.
Overall the Tomshoo is a great solid fuel camping stove that we highly recommend.
ATiAP Ultralight Titanium Camping Stove WS009ST-Ti
Fuel – Wood, fuel tablets.
Material – Titanium.
Operational Size – 4.92 x 4.92 x 6.3 inches, 12.5 x 12.5 x 16 centimeters.
Storage Size – 4.92 x 6.3 x .25 inches, 12.5 x 16 x 0.6 centimeters.
Storage volume – 7.3 cubic inches, 120 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 7 ounces, 200 grams.
Wind performance – OK
Hardiness – Good
Sturdiness – Good
Easy of use – OK
Just missing out on top spot by 1 point, is the Atapi Ultralight Titanium Wood Burning Stove. Before putting this list together this is the stove expected to outshine all others and sit at the top of the list.
The Atapi has 2 standout features compared to other stoves on this list, its operational size, and its weight.
When setup the Atapi is one of the largest camping stove of all stoves on this list, meaning that it can house a large fire. The Atapi will easily hold a large kettle or frying pan, and build a large fire.
Made from strong titanium the Atapi weighing in at 7 ounces (200 grams) is the second lightest stove on this list.
Other notable features are that it is a flat foldable design. It takes up a small amount of space in your back pack. Storage space was a very close criteria and the Atapi performed well and was only narrowly beaten by the many much smaller collapsible cylinder types stoves on this list.
We highly recommend this stove for back packing, it is light, takes up minimal space, and can build a large fire. Great for hiking in the woods, where natural firewood like twigs, leaves, pine cones, and branches are plentiful.
Domaker Wood Burning Camp Stove – Backpacking Stove with Mini BBQ Grill
Fuel – Wood, fuel tablets.
Material – 430 Stainless Steel (Food Grade)
Operational Size – 8.3 x 5.9 x 5.5 inches, 21 x 15 x 14 centimeters.
Storage Size – 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches, 21 x 15 x 2.5 centimeters.
Storage volume – 48 cubic inches, 787 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 1.9 Pounds, 861 grams.
Wind performance – Excellent.
Hardiness – Good.
Sturdiness – Great.
Easy of use – Great, easy to setup.
Coming in a number 3 and tied on points with number 2 on this list of the best multi fuel backpacking stoves is the Domaker Wood Burning Camp Stove. This was a surprise that this stove performed so well against such good competition. We rated it below the Atapi in a tie breaker simply because it weighs more, and when back packing that extra weight adds up over time.
The standout feature of the Domaker is its operational size, it is the largest of all stoves on this list, and by a significant margin. If the size of a fire is the most important thing for you then the Domaker is the stove you need. There are 2 different sizes, we have reviewed the smaller unit here, as the larger Domaker is significant larger and heavier and not as well suited to backpackers or hikers, although it would be a great addition for car camping.
The Domaker comes with a grill, so if you plan on taking food on your hiking trip that doesn’t need to be cooked in a pan, you can save hauling that space and weight in your backpack.
Additionally the Domaker is designed around hinges making setup and dismantling a breeze. And with that firebox size, a warn fire is just around the corner.
Lastly the design is great for keeping the wind out, when you combine a large fire with wind protection, this is a great unit to keep a fire going.
Bushcraft FireDragon Solid Fuel Camping Stove
Fuel – Solid Fuel (Hexamine), Gel Fuel
Material – Aluminum
Operational Size – 3.31 x 4.49 x 1.02 inches, 8.4cm x 11.4 x 2.59 centimeters.
Storage Size – 3.31 x 4.49 x 1.02 inches, 8.4cm x 11.4 x 2.59 centimeters.
Storage volume – 15.1 cubic inches, 248 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 4.23 Ounces, 120 grams. Very light.
Wind performance – Good, wind shield virtually eliminates wind from 3 sides.
Hardiness – Average
Sturdiness – Good wide base
Easy of use – Great, very simple to setup and dismantle.
One point further back, and in a three way tie for fourth place is the Bushcraft Firedragon Multi-fuel Cooker. Although this is primarily a solid fuel camping stove, it is also a great option for anyone looking for a gel fuel camping stove.
We were able to separate this stove from the next couple of stoves because the Bushcraft is incredibly light, incredibly simple, and incredibly cheap.
In fact, even though it is rated fourth in this list, it would not be out of place in the number one position at the top of this list.
Its standout feature is its light weight. Its box type design very cleverly opens up to reveal a fire box, where the lid then acts as support stands for you pot or pan, and doubles as a wind break to protect the fire. By adjusting the support stands, large pots to small cups can be placed on top of the fire.
When finished the lid closes creating a great place to store fuel gel, or hexamine solid fuel tablets.
Although you could certainly use firewood in a pinch, we recommend the sold fuel tablets that come with the Bushcraft FireDragon as the best fuel source.
überleben Stoker Flatpack Camping or Backpacking Stove
Fuel – Wood, Fuel Tablets.
Material – 304 Stainless Steel
Operational Size – 5.5 x 5.5 x 6.25 inches, 14 x 14 x 15.8 centimeters.
Storage Size – 6 x 6 x 0.25 inches, 15.2 x 15.2 x 0.6 centimeters
Storage volume – 8.4 cubic inches, 138 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 14.5 Ounces, 411 grams.
Wind performance – OK
Hardiness – Good
Sturdiness – Good
Easy of use – OK, requires a small degree of care to fit tabs together.
Second place in our three way tie for fourth place (totally makes sense) is the überleben Stoker Flatpack Stove.
As per the Atapi this is a flat folding back packing stove, but is is slightly larger and twice as heavy as the Atapi.
In fact, the überleben is so large when setup that it is the second largest stove on this list, so if you’re after a good size fire from a easy to stow and carry design, then the überleben may be the better choice for you over the Atapi.
CANWAY Camping Stove for Backpackers and Hikers – Size 2
Fuel – Wood, Alcohol.
Material – Stainless Steel.
Operational Size – 5.25 x 7.87 inches, 13.3 x 20 centimeters.
Storage Size – 5.5 x 3.38 inches, 13.3 x 8.6 centimeters.
Storage volume – 3.4 cubic inches, 57 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 1.17 pounds, 530 grams
Wind performance – Good, can hold a relatively large fire, so wind is less of a factor when burning lots of wood.
Hardiness – Good
Sturdiness – Great
Easy of use – Good
Number 3 best seller on Amazon.
Canway stoves are very popular, and as with other collapsible stoves the Canway incorporates a secondary burn function. Secondary burning provides a hotter burn from your firewood which reducing smoke and soot. No smoke and no soot to clean off your pots and pans make camping that little bit easier.
A great feature of this design is the stowing size, taking up just 3.4 cubic inches (57 cubic centimeters) the Canway will fit easily into a backpack and produce a nice size fire.
CANWAY Camping Stove for Backpackers and Hikers – Size 1
Fuel – Alcohol, wood.
Material – Stainless Steel.
Operational Size – 5.35 x 6.1 inches, 13.6 x 15.5 centimeters.
Storage Size – 5.5 x 3.38, 13.3 x 8.6 centimeters.
Storage volume – 3.4 cubic inches, 57 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 16 ounces, 453
Wind performance – Good
Hardiness – Good
Sturdiness – Great
Easy of use – Good
Number 2 best seller on Amazon.
This is the smaller of the two Canway camping stoves reviewed in this article, it also happens to be the second best seller of all stoves on this list.
The Canway stoves are know for the good value and build quality, and this is no except, probably whey they are both so popular.
As with both Canway stoves, this collapsible stove opens up to hold a good size fire and uses secondary burn technology for a clean hot burn.
Storage size is great, and it is relatively light weight.
The Canway backpacking stove comes with all parts to build a fire from biomass (wood), or alcohol.
QuickStove Portable Cook Kit – Multi-Fuel Stainless Steel Stove with Pot and Fuel
Fuel – Wood, fuel tablets.
Material – Aluminized Steel
Operational Size – 6 x 6 inches, 15.2 x 15.2 centimeters.
Storage Size – 6 x 6 inches, 15.2 x 15.2 centimeters.
Storage volume – 7 cubic inches, 115 cubic centimeters.
Weight – 2.34 Pounds, 1.06 kilograms.
Wind performance – OK
Hardiness – Good
Sturdiness – Good
Easy of use – Excellent, very simple, and versatile.
The Quickstove Portable Cook Kit may round out our list, but that doesn’t mean that it is not worthy of a spot in your back pack.
The Quickstove kit is actually a full camp stove setup, and includes all necessary accessories to be able to make hot water or cook a meal. Accessories include; the Multi Fuel Stove, 2 Fuel Disks, Stainless Steel Pot, Pocketknife Utensils, Food, Matches, and even a solar flashlight. This makes it ideal for those with an unreliable cooking source, such as cabins or anywhere with unreliable power or gas supply.
As per the Bushcraft stove this is a box type stove that doubles as a storage container for cedar fuel pucks, which is the recommended fuel.
The Quickstove is the only stove on this list to come with its own pot. The pot doubles as a storage container for the stove, making this a neat solution for the minimalist hiker.
Setup for different needs is easy and very handy. The top of the Quickstove burner can fold out to hold a large pot, or fold in and be used as a cup warmer. If closed in the top can be used as a grill.
FAQ
When read in context of the buyers guide criteria, the following FAQ’s may be of some benefit to help you make an informed choice about the right multi-fuel back packing camping stove for your needs.
How we created this list and sorted the best stoves
This details how we rated these popular stoves, note we have selected only multi-fuel stoves that sell well and have a high percentage of good reviews. So we are starting with the best camp stoves for backpackers and hikers we can find.
There is no question that all of these stoves are quality products, but the intent of this article is to rate the best against each other by analyzing each of them against the essential criteria.
The ratings provided for each stove are based on facts and summaries of multiple real user experience.
Our scoring system works by giving the poorest rated stove in the list for any given criteria is giving a score of 1, the next best 2 and so on. The score of each criteria is then added for a sum total. A low score does not mean the stove is not a good product, it just means that there overall performance is not equal to the other stoves on this list.
As price can be a major effect on the final product and price is a variable for individuals taste, price is not included as a rating criteria.
Rating Criteria – What to look for when buying a multi fuel camp stove
Fuel type – See the section below on different fuels. We did not rate any of the stoves in this list based on the fuel type, as this will be your preference based on your needs.
Size – Storage size smaller the better. We also look at operational size, in this case the larger the better.
Weight – Light weight is rated higher, obviously carry a heavy camping stove around is tiring after a while.
Wind performance – Wind can have a dramatic effect on performance of any small fire. We review the design & user experience to help rate this essential criteria.
Hardiness – Strong construction material and design help create a strong stove that will withstand the rigors on numerous camping trips.
Sturdiness – Again we look at design to see if each stove can support heavy, small, or large loads, and what’s it’s susceptibility to topple is.
Easy of use – Lastly we take a look at how easy it is to use. Sometimes you are fumbling around in the dark, or are cold and wet. This rates takes into consideration how much is required to setup, dismantle, use, clean, and stow.
What is biomass fuel?
Most back packing camping stoves will be able to use biomass. Biomass the original fuel source, simply put bio mass is natural fuel such as wood, plant matter, charcoal, coal etc.
What are the advantages of bio mass?
The advantage of bio mass for back packers is that most camping areas it will be very easy to find something to place into the stove to burn, meaning less weight has to be carried.
What are the disadvantages of bio mass?
The disadvantage of bio mass is when it becomes wet, it can be difficult to light.
Compared to gel fuel, it may take some time to build a sustainable fire, i.e., you need to start with paper, then kindling before heavier logs will catch fire.
What is gel stove fuel?
Gel fuel is an alcohol (ethanol or methanol) based fuel. The alcohol when mixed with Calcium Acetate forms a flammable gel.
What are the advantages of gel stove fuel?
There are many advantages of gel fuel. Relative to solid fuel, gel fuel is easy to light, relatively light weight, does not take up much space, and burns without smoke of other by products. Once the fuel supply is exhausted there are no ashes to clean up.
What are the disadvantages of gel stove fuel?
Gel fuel can be difficult to control the size and therefore changing temperature of the fire relative to solid or gas camp stove fuel.
Gel fuel is highly flammable (and although safe when used properly) must be kept away from ignition sources.
What is alcohol stove fuel?
The most common types of alcohol fuel for stoves are made from ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, and denatured alcohol.
These are liquid fuels carried in a simple liquid tight container.
What are the advantages of alcohol stove fuel?
Liquid stove fuel is easy to light, and once ignited is producing full heat very quickly.
Alcohol camp stoves are very simple and very light, and usually relatively low cost.
Most alcohol fuel burns very clean, will leave little to no soot on pots and pans.
What are the disadvantages of alcohol stove fuel?
Alcohol is highly flammable, if a leak occurs in a back pack that can be a dangerous situation.
Additionally alcohol can be difficult to see if it has ignited, care should be taken when refilling an alcohol stove.
Alcohol can take precious space and weight in a backpack, relative to other fuel types.
Alcohol and alcohol stoves are susceptible to wind.
Alcohol can be spilt, again a major safety concern.
What is gas stove fuel?
Gas fuel for use in stoves is commonly referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). LPG for camp stoves can be either butane, isobutane, or propane.
These substances are stored in liquified form in containers under pressure, but when vented the liquid gasifies and can be easily ignited.
What are the advantages of gas stove fuel?
Gas stove fuel is ready to cook the moment it is ignited.
Gas can be easily adjusted for temperature.
Gas burns very clean.
What are the disadvantages of using gas stove fuel?
Limited fuel supply, when camping.
Canisters are not normally recyclable, and they take up valuable space in a back pack.
Gas fuel is usually the most expensive of all the stove fuel types.
What are solid fuel camping stove tablets?
Fuel tables are a dry shaped (usually cube) substance made from hexamine. Hexamine is a flammable substance made from formaldehyde and ammonia.
What is the advantage of solid fuel fuel tablets in a camping stove?
Fuel tablets are light weight and do not take up much space. They are easy to ignite, and provide a good amount of heat.
Fuel tablets burn very clean and leave no residue or ash.
What are the disadvantages of using solid fuel tablets in a camping stove?
Burning Hexamine will release noxious fumes.