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The 7 Best Camping Stoves for Car Camping in 2022

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One distinct advantage of car camping is that you can pack so much more gear and, let’s be honest, better food than when you are backpacking. With all that great food to cook up, you need a stove or grill that can cope. The right camping stove makes whipping up an excellent outdoor meal so much easier, thanks to multiple burners and a more powerful energy output. From freestanding to tabletop stoves, these picks will round out your camp kitchen set up. Along with all the extra camping cooking gear you can take, these stoves give you the ability to cook up so much more than hot dogs night after night. Your camping companions will certainly thank you.

best camping stoves camp chef explorer
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Camp Chef Explorer

The Camp Chef Explorer offers the most value at a lower price than that of the Camp Chef Everest stove. The Explorer model can power up to 30,000 British thermal units (BTUs), 10,000 more BTUs than the Everest model, at the same price range. Another added bonus is that this option is freestanding rather than tabletop. That means you don’t have to worry about packing a table if you are trying to save space. You won’t, however, be able to take this two-burner stove from the car due to its hefty weight of 36 pounds, which could be too cumbersome for camping beyond the car. This is perfect for those who want to do some serious cooking thanks to its powerful capabilities.

Coleman Triton on a white background.
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Coleman Triton

Those looking for something more practical for camping farther than just outside the car will love the Coleman Triton. This versatile pick weighs just 10.2 pounds and is very reasonably priced. This durable two-burner stove can heat up to 12,000 BTUs and offers steady control for simmering. Though slightly more expensive than the tried-and-true Coleman Classic, this stove is more reliable, offers some resistance to wind, and a higher level of power. Its tabletop design also allows it to be very compact and easy to transport.

Jetboil Genesis on a white background.
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Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System comes at a premium price, but it is an efficient and reliable system that is extremely compact. The two-burner tabletop stove weighs in at just 9.31 pounds and is very durable. The large cooking space provides ample room for pots and pans which are included with the stove. To top it off, everything packs down well and easily slides into the carry bag. A push ignition makes it incredibly easy to get cooking at a moment’s notice, too. While expensive, this is an option that will last a long time and can go almost anywhere you roam.

Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System
best car camping gear eurekaigniteplusstove
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Eureka Ignite Plus

The Eureka Ignite Plus 2 is a great value for a two-burner tabletop camping stove. Each burner can reach up to 10,000 BTUs which means it isn’t the most powerful stove on the market, but it will certainly do the trick for most cooking needs. The stove offers excellent control over the flame, too. With a push-start ignition, the Eureka Ignite Plus 2 is easy to operate and can even be linked with another stove to a single fuel source if you need more cooking space. Those who have Instagram on their mind when shopping will definitely love this vintage-inspired option, as well.

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Camp Chef Everest

The Camp Chef Everest is one of the very best camping stoves for sale these days. Its solid build and design give the camp’s cook everything they might need to cook an amazing meal. The tabletop two-burner stove includes burners that reach up to 20,000 BTUs each as well as great protection against wind. The durable stove works consistently and provides good control over the flame. Just press the ignition button and you’ll be cooking in no time.

Camp Chef Everest 2
Camp Chef Everest
best camping stoves gsi outdoor selkirk
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GSI Outdoors Selkirk

Those looking for a reliable stove that can do it all at a relatively low price should look no further than the GSI Outdoors Selkirk. The stove is both compact and durable yet it has enough power to efficiently cook and is quick to bring water to a boil. It even includes the always popular push-button ignition starter that so many campers like. At 9.8 pounds, this stove is also a rather lightweight camping stove that’s also very easy to care for. For a stove without tons of features, this is a great starter stove.

GSI Outdoors Selkirk Camp Stove
GSI Outdoors Selkirk
best camping stoves coleman classic
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Coleman Classic

The Coleman Classic is a classic for a reason. The 9.8-pound stove is a reliable option that comes at a great price. Those looking for a simple way to cook on a tabletop without any new features will find the Coleman Classic can accomplish most basic cooking tasks. The burners reach 10,000 BTUs but the ignition relies on matches to light. The stove is made with great windshields, but the simmer control is lacking. So if you are looking for a great starter stove for a good price that covers all of the basics, the Coleman Classic is an optimal place to begin.

Tom Kilpatrick
Former Contributor
A London-born outdoor enthusiast, Tom took the first ticket out of suburban life. What followed was a twelve-year career as an adventure sports guide. This took Tom on cross-Scotland canoe trips, white water adventures in Nepal, sea kayaking in Norwegian fjords, mountain running in the Alps, and many more adventures. Tom is currently living back in the Scottish Highlands, spending as much time as possible exploring the endless rivers and ridgelines that make the country so special to him. Send all editorial inquiries HERE. Read Full Bio
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