The Two Main Types of Backpacking Camp Stoves

There are two main kinds of camp stoves suitable for hiking and camping; liquid fuel stoves and cartridge or cylinder stoves.

The two types of camping stoves are further divided into different varieties according to design and type of fuel. The alcohol stove is a type of liquid fuel camping stove but doesn’t perform as well as the others.

Camping stoves now have the ability to simmer, burn better than they used to and have canisters than can be recycled.

Liquid fuel stoves have refillable tanks either as integral parts of the camping stove or separated from the camping stove by a tube.

Integrated liquid fuel stoves are of the older generation of camping stoves. This type of camping stove is almost extinct and for good reason.

Their downfall comes down to the fact that heat from the burner is needed to pressurize the fuel so the tank have to be close to the flame which pose some dangers.

To make it safer, the tanks need to be sturdy and thick enough to distribute heat and that means that liquid fuel camping stoves are heavy even they are small.

Constant heating and cooling breaks the O-rings and gaskets that are a means for safety and this type of camping stove is known to blow up when it is not maintained properly.

As another safety precaution, the integrated liquid fuel camping stoves are enclosed in a heavy steel box. As you can see, it’s not really the ideal camping stove for hiking or backpacking.

The newer type of liquid fuel camping stove uses a length of tubing to distance the tank from the burner. Since heat is no longer available to pressurize the tank, a pump is needed. The fuel tube is routed through the burner to vaporize the fuel.

The pump is fitted to the fuel tank and the popularity of liquid fuel camping stove is restored due to its amazing performance.

The XGK model from MSR was one of the first to successfully apply this principle. Other camping stove makers are quick to follow in its footsteps.

Cartridge type camping stoves in general use a blend of pressurized butane and propane in an interchangeable metal canister. The reason for the mix is that it burns hot and maintains pressure without being too volatile.

Camping stoves that use butane only are the safest because butane doesn’t vaporize as easily. The downside is that is doesn’t perform well in cold weather but is popular for summertime camping.

Neither does a propane/butane mix perform well in cold weather but it can be easily fixed by warming the cartridge under your armpit before connecting it to the stove. You can also use a heating pad to warm the cartridges.

Among the two types of camping stove, the liquid fuel stove has been a standard for backpackers for a very long time. The cartridge stove is lighter and appeals more to beginners and even some of the experienced.

The advantages and disadvantages of both of these types of camping stoves will be discussed in another hub.