When spending one night (or many) in the backcountry, a warm dinner at night and hot beverage in the morning can make all the difference. For many backpackers, that means using a stove of some sort—but which one?
Stove technology has been around for decades, but new tech is making them lighter, more efficient, and more dependable than ever before. Here’s a rundown of the different kinds of backpacking stoves:
How they work: These lightweight stoves screw directly onto a pressurized fuel canister containing a blend of isobutane and propane.
Pros:
Easy to use—just twist on, open the valve, and light.
Lightweight and compact, perfect for short to medium trips.
Fuel is widely available in outdoor stores, hardware stores, and even big box stores.
Cons:
Fuel canisters can be expensive and aren’t always recyclable.
Performance drops in very cold temperatures or at high altitudes.
Hard to know exactly how much fuel is left in a canister.
Many stoves lack a way to precisely control heat output.
Best for: Weekend backpackers, thru-hikers, or anyone who wants a balance of convenience and efficiency.
How they work: These stoves combine a burner with a specialized cooking pot that locks in place, often with built-in heat exchangers for efficiency. Popular examples include Jetboil and MSR WindBurner.
Pros:
Incredibly fast boil times.
Wind-resistant and fuel-efficient.
All-in-one design reduces packing fuss.
Cons:
Bulkier than standard canister stoves.
Usually better for boiling water than for real cooking.
Higher upfront cost.
Best for: Solo hikers, cold-weather backpackers, and anyone who prioritizes speed and efficiency.
How they work: Most burn white gas, while some can also use fuels such as unleaded gasoline or kerosene. They use a refillable fuel bottle pressurized by a pump.
Pros:
Work well in extreme cold and high altitude.
Fuel can be widely available, especially for multi-fuel stoves, making them useful for international travel.
Refillable bottles can be more sustainable than disposable canisters.
Cons:
Heavier and more complex than canister stoves.
Require priming and regular maintenance.
Not as compact.
More potential for leaks or fuel-handling issues.
Best for: Winter trips, international travel, mountaineering, and long expeditions where reliability matters most.
How they work: These ultralight stoves burn denatured alcohol, HEET, or Everclear. Often made from soda cans or titanium cups, they’re a favorite of DIY backpackers.
Pros:
Inexpensive and easy to make yourself.
Super lightweight and simple.
Fuel is often cheap and easy to find at gas stations or hardware stores.
Cons:
Slower cooking times.
Note concerns about flammability.
Not efficient in cold or windy conditions.
Flame can be hard to see, which can be a safety issue.
Best for: Ultralight backpackers, minimalist hikers, and those on a budget.
How they work: These compact stoves burn small fuel tablets, often from Esbit or Esbit-style fuel tablets.
Pros:
Extremely light and compact.
No moving parts, no maintenance.
Tablets are easy to carry and store.
Cons:
Slow cooking and limited heat output.
Can produce odor and leave a residue.
Tablets can be expensive.
Best for: Emergency kits, ultralight hikers, or short trips where weight savings are critical.
How they work: These small stoves burn twigs, pinecones, and other natural fuel found on the trail. Some feature fans for added efficiency. Always check local regulations, fire restrictions, and Leave No Trace guidance before gathering wood or using a wood-burning stove.
Pros:
No need to carry fuel—nature provides it (provided you’re in a place where gathering firewood is legal).
Creates a campfire feel without a full fire ring.
Great for long trips where resupply is tough.
Cons:
Dependent on dry fuel sources (hard in wet weather).
Slower cooking and more smoky than gas stoves.
Not allowed in some areas due to fire restrictions.
Best for: Long-distance hikers, minimalists, and those who like a more natural camp experience.
Your perfect backpacking stove depends on the kind of trips you take most often:
Weekend hikers: Canister stoves are the sweet spot.
Thru-hikers: Many forgo stoves in favor of cold soaking; those that use them tend toward integrated canister systems to save weight and time.
Winter adventurers: Liquid fuel stoves thrive in the cold.
Minimalists: Solid fuel or wood-burning stoves keep it ultralight.
Other things to consider:
Number of people you’re cooking for
Whether you’re primarily boiling water or actually cooking
Expected temperatures and elevation
Fuel availability
Stove, fuel, and pot system weight
Fire restrictions
The used gear store in Durango, Durango Outdoor Exchange, has many kinds of new and used backpacking stoves as well as several sizes of low-priced fuel canisters. Stop by today to see them in person and learn more about backpacking stoves.
For many hikers, summiting one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks is a lifetime achievement. Others make it their entire personality, working for years and even decades to climb all of them. Some make a goal of climbing them all in a single season while others try to ski them all.
Summer is here, and Durango and the rest of Southwest Colorado and the greater Four Corners is your playground. Accessible just a short drive from Durango is everything from low-desert rivers to high-alpine tundra, and there’s just about everything in between. If you’re into outdoor rec, this is the spot for you, and Durango Outdoor Exchange is here to help make it happen.
This is your ultimate field guide to outdoor recreation and the gear you need for a summer in and around Durango. In it you’ll find a rundown of local recreational opportunities and the gear each sport requires, plus recommendations for staying safe and dry.
