What’s the Best Fuel for a Portable Stove?: A Breakdown
Portable stoves, especially folding portable stoves, offer a great deal of value and are an excellent addition to any bug out bag or collection of disaster preparedness essentials. They enable you to cook anywhere, and can also provide a modicum of light and heat, depending on the fuel type. Speaking of that, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is in terms of what type of fuel you want your portable stove to accept. There are a few options; we will cover the main ones here, along with their selling points and any applicable detractors.
Gas Fuel (Propane or Isobutane)
Some portable stoves accept fuel canisters, most of which are either filled with propane or a special mix called isobutane, which is used because it performs better in the cold than regular butane.
Advantages :
Both propane and isobutane are reliable and will light up no matter how wet the conditions are (though they can be unreliable in the cold, see below). They are convenient and lightweight, and can be very effective at reaching quick boiling times. They’re also not messy and produce no waste, and you can recycle the canisters once they’re spent.
Disadvantages :
One of the main problems with fuel gas canisters is that they are not reliable in the cold; all of the other options here are much more effective in extremely cold temperatures, say below 10℉. Moreover, gas fuel canisters are just one more thing to carry, and if you run out of gas, there’s no way to convert the stoves to accept other types of fuel.
Advantages :
Both propane and isobutane are reliable and will light up no matter how wet the conditions are (though they can be unreliable in the cold, see below). They are convenient and lightweight, and can be very effective at reaching quick boiling times. They’re also not messy and produce no waste, and you can recycle the canisters once they’re spent.
Disadvantages :
One of the main problems with fuel gas canisters is that they are not reliable in the cold; all of the other options here are much more effective in extremely cold temperatures, say below 10℉. Moreover, gas fuel canisters are just one more thing to carry, and if you run out of gas, there’s no way to convert the stoves to accept other types of fuel.
Pellets or Tablets
Some portable stoves are designed to accept special pellets or tables, sometimes made of compressed fibers impregnated with other fuel types like wax.
Advantages :
Most of these fuel pellets are fairly light and don’t take up a lot of space. Moreover, if you ever run out of the fuel pellets, you can often use alternative fuel sources, like wood in the form of sticks or twigs that you scavenge from your surroundings.
Disadvantages :
Like most portable stove fuel types, pellets and tablets are just another thing to carry which will add space and weight to your pack (even though they are generally packable-friendly). On top of that, unlike gas fuels, pellets and tablets will create soot and ash that will need to be cleaned out.
Advantages :
Most of these fuel pellets are fairly light and don’t take up a lot of space. Moreover, if you ever run out of the fuel pellets, you can often use alternative fuel sources, like wood in the form of sticks or twigs that you scavenge from your surroundings.
Disadvantages :
Like most portable stove fuel types, pellets and tablets are just another thing to carry which will add space and weight to your pack (even though they are generally packable-friendly). On top of that, unlike gas fuels, pellets and tablets will create soot and ash that will need to be cleaned out.
Alcohol as a Fuel Source
Some portable stoves accept liquid fuel in the form of alcohol, which is clean burning and efficient, as well as effective in basically all temperatures.
Advantages:
Alcohol is easy to light, burns very pure and clean, and effective in nearly all conditions (except extreme cold). It can also produce a hot flame, which can be effective for cooking.
Disadvantages:
Alcohol is likely the heaviest fuel source mentioned here, which means it is not effective for ultralight setups. The containers that carry it can also leak. Alcohol burns with a very faint flame which is difficult to see, making it ineffective for lighting applications.
Advantages:
Alcohol is easy to light, burns very pure and clean, and effective in nearly all conditions (except extreme cold). It can also produce a hot flame, which can be effective for cooking.
Disadvantages:
Alcohol is likely the heaviest fuel source mentioned here, which means it is not effective for ultralight setups. The containers that carry it can also leak. Alcohol burns with a very faint flame which is difficult to see, making it ineffective for lighting applications.
Wood (Whatever You Can Find)
There are also some portable stoves that are not expressly designed for a specific fuel type - they just accept whatever you can stuff in them and burn. Generally, users scavenge twigs and small sticks as a fuel source, which offers quite a number of advantages (along with a few drawbacks).
Advantages:
The greatest advantage of using scavenged wood scraps as a fuel source for your portable stove is there is no fuel to carry at all. You just look around for fuel where you can find it, as needed. Wood is also an excellent fuel source, reliable in all temperatures and conditions (provided the wood is dry) and burns with a bright, hot flame. It’s also appealing to “leave no trace” backpackers and campers as it doesn’t produce any unnatural waste (such as empty canisters, etc).
Disadvantages:
Despite the advantages of the “take what you find” method of fuel sourcing, there are a few important drawbacks. One is that you can’t always find fuel when you need it. Also, if you operate in a chronically wet area, finding good fuel wood can be quite difficult. Moreover, these stoves produce ashes that will need to be responsibly and safely disposed of.
Advantages:
The greatest advantage of using scavenged wood scraps as a fuel source for your portable stove is there is no fuel to carry at all. You just look around for fuel where you can find it, as needed. Wood is also an excellent fuel source, reliable in all temperatures and conditions (provided the wood is dry) and burns with a bright, hot flame. It’s also appealing to “leave no trace” backpackers and campers as it doesn’t produce any unnatural waste (such as empty canisters, etc).
Disadvantages:
Despite the advantages of the “take what you find” method of fuel sourcing, there are a few important drawbacks. One is that you can’t always find fuel when you need it. Also, if you operate in a chronically wet area, finding good fuel wood can be quite difficult. Moreover, these stoves produce ashes that will need to be responsibly and safely disposed of.
What to Look for in a Portable Stove
In addition to fuel type and source, consider the following in your choice of a portable stove:
- Power: How powerful is the stove, and how quickly can it heat a meal or boil water?
- Design: Whether or not it folds.
- Size and weight: How much does the stove weigh and how much space does it take?
- Material: How durable is the design of the stove, and is it corrosion resistant?
- Overall complexity: All else being equal, a simpler design is less prone to failure.
- Controls: If the stove has controls, what degree can you exert over the flame height and power?
- Other features: Does the stove in question have any protections against wind, safety features, or other niceties?
Remember, though the pointers mentioned in this article can help you choose a portable stove, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “best” model. What works best for you will revolve around your needs and preferences - so get the model that seems to check the most boxes.
Gear Up Here
Getting ready to pull the trigger on a new portable stove? Take a look through our full collection and don’t miss a chance to check out our other camping supplies and other disaster survival gear here - and contact us if you have any questions.
Getting ready to pull the trigger on a new portable stove? Take a look through our full collection and don’t miss a chance to check out our other camping supplies and other disaster survival gear here - and contact us if you have any questions.