While you may be able to get by with just protein bars and trail mix on a backpacking trip, there’s nothing quite like a hot meal at the end of a long day. There are dozens of stoves out on the market that can get the job done, and picking the right one can be daunting. That’s where we come in.
Gear Editor Chelsey Cook has over 20 years of experience backpacking and has spent six years working as a professional mountain guide in Alaska. She cooks over a backcountry stove for over a third of the year, whipping up meals for up to 10 people in all sorts of conditions, from epic snowstorms on Denali to endlessly rainy backcountry trips in Alaska’s Arctic. She has experience with almost every backpacking stove on the market and knows the importance of having a reliable, easy-to-use stove that’s designed for your needs and weather conditions.
She put the stoves in this guide through their paces, cooking with them at 17,000 feet, brewing her morning coffee while on the road, and making carbonara for 10 under a tarp while a storm raged outside. Throughout her testing process, she considered boil time, weight, reliability, and their ability to function in harsh weather.
Our Picks for the Best Backpacking Stoves
- Best Overall Canister Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe
- Best Overall Liquid Fuel Stove: MSR Whisperlite International
- Best Budget Backpacking Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket 2
- Best Backpacking Stove System: Jetboil Flash Cooking System
- Best Stove for Windy Conditions: MSR Reactor Stove System
- Best Stove for Expeditions: MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel
- Best Stove with Simmer Control: MSR Dragonfly
- Best Alternative Fuel Stove: Solo Stove Lite
Best Overall Canister Stove:
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe
Features:
- MSR’s lightest, smallest stove, made for ultralight backpacking
- Push-start ignition doesn’t require a lighter
- Precision flame that goes from torch to simmer
- Broader burners improve wind resistance
Why we like it: Ultralight and packable, quick boil time for the size
What we don’t like: Best for small pots, very little wind protection
Fuel type: Canister | Burn time: 60 min. per 8 oz. canister | Time to boil 1L water: 3.3 min. | Weight: 2.9 oz.
MSR’s iconic Pocket Rocket stove has been a favorite among backpackers for over 20 years, thanks to its miniscule size and comparatively powerful output. Chelsey has been cooking with the Pocket Rocket on backpacking trips for over 10 years and even keeps one in her truck to boil water for roadside coffees on her long Alaskan drives. MSR upped the ante with their Pocket Rocket Deluxe ($85), adding a piezo lighter to their tried-and-true Pocket Rocket 2 for easier ignition. The burner is also broader on the Deluxe, spreading the flame rather than concentrating it under the pot. This doesn’t affect the boiling time (the Deluxe still boils water faster than the Pocket Rocket 2) and lets you cook real food without scorching it. MSR also added a small lip to the burner, increasing wind resistance.
The updates only add 0.3 ounces to the Pocket Rocket Deluxe, over the Pocket Rocket 2, and the stove still fits in the palm of our hands. It’s ridiculously easy to use, especially with the piezo lighter, and our pick for the best canister stove for almost all of your needs, from backpacking trips to day hikes to quick roadside hot drinks.
Best Overall Liquid Fuel Stove:
MSR Whisperlite International
Features:
- 20 years of proven field use
- Folds down and fits inside most MSR pots
- Rugged stove with self-cleaning Shaker Jet™ technology
- Capable of burning white gas, kerosene, and auto fuel
Why we like it: Reliable, durable, burns most fuels
What we don’t like: Prone to carbon build-up, doesn’t simmer well
Fuel type: Liquid | Burn time: 1 hr. 50 min. per 20 oz. white gas | Time to boil 1L water: 3.5 min., white gas | Weight: 11.2 oz.
The MSR Whisperlite has long been the best-selling liquid fuel stove. The MSR Whisperlite International ($160) offers the same reliability, with the incredible versatility of being able to burn white gas, kerosene, and auto fuel. We’ve used the Whisperlite International on Denali, on thru-hikes, and in the Andes of Peru, and we love its reliability, durability, and easy field maintenance
It is significantly more expensive than most canister stoves (and the price doesn’t include a fuel bottle), but the price is well worth it if you require a stove for cold temperatures, longer backpacking adventures, or international trips. You also won’t have to replace your Whisperlite anytime soon, so it’s money well invested. Chelsey’s been dragging the same Whisperlite around for over 15 years and it still fires right up. Just keep in mind that, like any liquid fuel stove, there’s a bit of a learning curve to using it. It also requires some basic stove maintenance and upkeep to keep it running well, but it is easy to disassemble and clean right in the field.
Best Budget Backpacking Stove:
MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Features:
- Precision flame control that goes from torch to simmer
- WindClip® windshield boosts efficiency in breezy weather
- Folding pot supports make for a tiny packed size
- Comes with an ultralight, hard-carry case
Why we like it: Reliable, ultralight, easy to use
What we don’t like: Lacks some of the features of the Deluxe, like the push-start ignition and broader burner
Fuel type: Canister | Burn time: 60 min. per 8 oz. canister | Time to boil water: 3.5 min. | Weight: 2.6 oz.
The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 ($50) was Chelsey’s go-to canister stove right until she got an MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe. Reliable and lightweight, the Pocket Rocket 2 has been the classic canister stove for years and is beloved by thru-hikers, alpine climbers, and first-time backpackers alike. It’s also surprisingly affordable, at less than half the price of a Jetboil Flash Cooking System, and considerably cheaper than the Pocket Rocket Deluxe.
This low price point means that the Pocket Rocket 2 doesn’t have many frills or features. There’s no push-start ignition or integrated pot. But it boils water fast, packs down to a tiny size, and is the lightest non-alternative fuel stove in this guide. No frills also mean it’s easy to use (making it a great choice for first-time backpackers), and very little can go wrong with it. Chelsey’s been using the same Pocket Rocket stove around for 10 years, tossing it in backpacks and truck beds, and it has yet to fail her or require maintenance.
Best Backpacking Stove System:
Jetboil Flash Cooking System
Features:
- Includes a 1L insulated cooking cup
- Push-button igniter eliminates the need for a lighter
- Color-change heat indicator lets you know when water’s ready
- Compatible with other Jetboil products, like a coffee press and skillet
- Includes fuel canister stabilizer
Why we like it: Easy to use, integrated, insulated pot, quick boil time
What we don’t like: Relatively small pot
Fuel type: Canister | Burn time: 42 min. per 8 oz. canister | Time to boil 1L water: 4.2 min. | Weight: 13.1 oz.
The Jetboil Flash Cooking System ($130) is one of the most popular stove systems amongst backpackers, especially newer backpackers, and with good reason. Everything you need for camp cooking, besides the canister, comes with the system, including a stove, pot, stand, cup, and lid. All of it nests easily together and weighs under a pound. It’s also ridiculously easy to use, with a push-button igniter, a pot that locks firmly onto the stove, and a heat-indicating sleeve that lets you know when water is boiling, helping prevent dangerous boil-overs and fuel waste.
The main downside is that you’re constrained to cooking what you can fit in the integrated, one-liter pot. This isn’t too much of an issue if you’re cooking for one or two, and mostly eating freeze-dried meals, but you’ll want a different stove if you’re cooking for a larger group.
Best Stove for Windy Conditions:
MSR Reactor
Features:
- Integrated stove and cookware system, with different-sized cookware available
- Outperforms most stoves when boiling water, boiling 0.5L in 1.5 minutes
- Heat exchanger encloses burner, eliminating effects of most wind
- Stove and fuel canister nest inside the pot
Why we like it: Incredible wind protection, simple to use
What we don’t like: Expensive, pot doesn’t fit snugly on the stove
Fuel type: Canister | Burn time: 80 min. per 8 oz. canister | Time to boil 1L water: 3.5 min. | Weight: 14.9 oz., with 1L pot
The MSR Reactor ($309 for 2.5 L) is one of the fastest, most fuel-efficient stoves on the market, and was specifically designed to withstand windy, harsh conditions. Chelsey brings one on most of her mountaineering trips (though keep in mind, canisters don’t fair well below 11˚F) and it’s the first thing she fires up in the morning. She appreciates its simple design, fast boil time, and sturdiness in windy conditions when she’s trying to get that vital first round of coffee going for her climbing partners. She usually uses the 1L version, but the Reactor also comes in 1.7L and 2.5L versions.
That said, the Reactor isn’t the lightest stove system on the market, and don’t expect it to operate on anything but “full blast”. This stove is designed to boil water fast in windy conditions, and lacks some of the frills, like simmering, that fair-weather backpackers might want. It’s a great choice for people venturing into the alpine, or mountaineers and backcountry skiers.
Note: MSR has released a voluntary recall for some of their cooking pots, including the pot that comes with the Reactor. The pot handle can potentially come loose, causing the contents to spill.
Best Stove for Expeditions:
MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel
Features:
- Trusted by mountaineers for over 35 years
- Nests inside a 1.5L MSR pot
- Retractable legs and supports create a secure platform
- Easy to field maintain; Shaker Jet™ cleans fuel jet with a simple shake
- Capable of burning white gas, kerosene, autogas, and diesel
Why we like it: High out-put, built for extreme conditions
What we don’t like: Very loud, overkill for most trips
Fuel type: Liquid | Burn time: 1 hr. 49 min. per 20 oz. white gas | Time to boil 1L water: 3.5 min., white gas | Weight: 13.5 oz.
The MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel ($210) is an absolute snow-melting machine, combining the wind resistance of the MSR Reactor with a liquid fuel system that continues to be a powerhouse in cold temperatures and at high altitudes. It’s our stove of choice on winter or glaciated expeditions, where efficiently melting snow for drinking water is crucial. It can also burn white gas, kerosene, auto gas, and diesel, making it a fantastic choice for international expeditions, where your usual fuel source may be hard to come by.
While the EGK is bulkier and a few ounces heavier than the Whisperlite, it packs down to a surprisingly small package thanks to the flexible fuel line and retractable legs. It is impressively loud and doesn’t simmer well, thanks to its incredible output, so it’s a bit overkill for most backpacking trips. But if you spend a lot of time on snow or at altitude, it’s a reliable, powerful stove choice.
Best Stove for Simmer Control:
MSR Dragonfly
Features:
- Dual-valve design for precise simmer-to-boil control
- Extra wide pot supports comfortably hold 10″ wide pots and fry pans
- Easy to field maintain; Shaker Jet™ cleans fuel jet with a simple shake
- Folds to 1/3 its size and nests within 2L MSR pots
- Burns white gas, kerosene, auto fuel, diesel, and jet fuel
Why we like it: Best simmer control on the market, very stable
What we don’t like: Bulky, noisy, and takes some getting used to
Fuel type: Liquid | Burn time: 2 hr. 6 min. per 20 oz. of white gas | Time to boil 1L water: 3.5 min., white gas | Weight: 14.1 oz
The MSR Dragonfly ($190) is our go-to stove for backpacking trips when there’s more on the menu than freeze-dried meals. A dual valve design provides incredible flame precision, letting you both simmer complicated meals and boil water. There are also extra wide pot supports, providing stability for large pots and skillets. Chelsey’s used a Dragonfly for three seasons of guiding backpacking trips in Alaska and has cooked everything from carbonara to breakfast burritos on it. The pot supports are large enough to easily hold a five-liter pot, letting her cook meals for up to 10 people at a time.
Like most MSR stoves, the Dragonfly comes with a windscreen, a fuel pump, and a field repair kit. It can also use the widest range of fuels in this guide, including white gas, kerosene, auto fuel, diesel, and, incredibly, jet fuel. Like the EGK, it is very noisy when on full power, though significantly quieter when simmering. We also like how the simmer option lets you be more fuel-efficient.
Best Alternative Fuel Stove:
Solo Stove Lite
Features: 
- Ultra-efficient at burning twigs and kindling to create a hot cook fire
- Designed to increase airflow, making it easy to start and maintain fires
- Double-walled design reduces smoke
- Lifetime product warranty
Why we like it: Doesn’t require you to carry fuel, more sustainable with no canisters to recycle
What we don’t like: Stove itself gets very hot, making it hard to pack away, and requires effort upfront to find fuel
Fuel type: Wood, alcohol | Burn time: Endless, depending on wood/alcohol supply | Time to boil water: 8 to 10 min. | Weight: 9 oz.
The Solo Stove Lite ($70) is a great option for those looking for a lightweight alternative fuel stove. The stove burns small sticks and twigs for fuel, and the design not only increases airflow but also reduces smoke, making it a painless, easy stove to use even for beginners. It’s also relatively light, especially considering you don’t have to carry any fuel with you to use it. The flame isn’t quite as hot as those produced by other backpacking stoves in this guide, so cooking times will be a bit longer.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a substantial pile of sticks to cook with. If you’ll be backpacking somewhere that doesn’t have a lot of wood available, like the desert or the tundra, you may want to pair your stove with the Solo Stove Alcohol Burner ($20). The Alcohol Burner runs off denatured alcohol and nests inside the Solo Stove Light. It also has a flame regulator for more precise cooking.
About our testing process
Backpacking in Alaska means you’ll generally be cooking far from your tent to keep your tent safe from bear-attracting smells. Photo: Chelsey Cook
The ExplorersWeb team collectively has untold decades of experience cooking meals in the backcountry, both for themselves and the hundreds of clients they’ve guided throughout the world. From quick and easy meals on a thru-hike of the Scottish Highlands to elaborate, multi-course meals made from scratch in Utah’s canyons, they know their way around a backpacking stove and have extensively used most stoves on the market these days.
Gear Editor Chelsey Cook started this guide in June 2024. She’s been a professional mountain guide in Alaska, Washington, Peru, and Tanzania for over six years and has been backpacking and mountaineering for two decades. She’s cooked just about every meal on every stove at this point and routinely has to cook carbonara, hashbrowns, and skillet scrambles for up to 10 hungry guests. As a mountaineering guide, she’s also spent an incredible amount of time cooking at high altitudes, in winds gusting to 40mph and temperatures as low as -30˚F. As a Denali guide, she likes to joke that she’s actually a professional snow melter; on a busy day, she spends upwards of four hours in front of a stove, making water for climbers. And it’s not all work. When Chelsey isn’t on the clock, she’s cooking herself elaborate meals in the backcountry (including, famously, a chicken pot pie from scratch during a three-week canyoneering trip), or brewing herself some coffee with her Pocket Rocket while on the road.
Safe to say, she knows a good stove when she sees — or hears — one, and is always looking for the best stove to suit her needs. Above all, she values durable, fuel-efficient stoves that can put out a lot of power when needed.
Chelsey has decades of experience with most of the stoves on this list. She’s spent a dozen years cooking with her Whisperlite (she still uses her original stove), over seven years with the Reactor and XGK EX, three seasons of backpack guiding with a Dragonfly, and well over a decade using Pocket Rockets for her daily coffee when living in her van. Beyond her field experience, she also put the stoves through their paces at home, evaluating their packability, burn time, how fast they boiled water, and how easy they were to use.
Things to consider when buying a backpacking stove
Liquid fuel stoves are generally larger than canister stoves, and sit directly on the ground. Photo: Chelsey Cook
Type of stove and fuel
Canister: Canister stoves, like the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe, screw directly into a fuel canister that is filled with a mix of isobutane and propane. They are extremely easy to use and generally don’t require much maintenance. However, because the canisters can’t be refilled, they are very wasteful and can become bulky on longer backpacking trips with higher fuel needs. Canisters also don’t do well in the cold, as isobutane loses significant performance below 11F.
Liquid fuel: Liquid fuel stoves, like the MSR Whisperlite International, connect to refillable fuel bottles. They generally run off white gas, though some stoves can also operate on gasoline and kerosene. This makes them a great option for international travel, as canisters are often hard to find in remote areas. They’re also great for cold temperatures, as white gas will burn down to -40˚F. Liquid fuel stoves are often a bit finickier to use than canisters; most require priming before lighting them, and they are more prone to needing maintenance. Most come with a stove repair kit, and we recommend carrying it with you on your trips and teaching yourself basic stove maintenance.
Alternative fuel: This ever-growing category of stoves runs on different materials, from alcohol to fuel pellets to wood. If you choose an alternative fuel stove, make sure the fuel is readily available in the area you’re backpacking (for instance, don’t use a wood-burning stove in the Alaskan tundra), and that you’ve practiced with the fuel before heading out into the backcountry.
Integrated versus non-integrated canister systems
The Jetboil Flash is an integrated canister stove, and comes with a pot that locks onto the stove. Photo: Chelsey Cook
Some canister stoves come with integrated cooking pots. The burner screws into the fuel canister, and then a twist-on cooking pot fits onto the burner. Examples include the Jetboil Flash Cooking System and the MSR Reactor. These stoves are incredibly easy to use and are designed to boil water quickly and efficiently. However, they’re also heavier and more prone to tipping than non-integrated canister stoves. Depending on the brand, they may not be compatible with a wide range of other pots and skillets, limiting the function of the stove if you lose the included pot, or want to cook using a frying pan.
Size and weight
The stoves in this guide weigh anything from under 3 ounces to nearly a pound. Some can fit in the palm of your hand, while others are the size of a softball or larger.
Integrated canister stoves are often the bulkiest options. However, you can generally nest the burner and canister inside the integrated pot. Liquid fuel stoves like Whisperlites and Dragonfly also take up more space, though their legs collapse into each other, and they have flexible fuel lines that you can tuck in. We usually store them in their stuff sack and then put them inside our pot to keep them safe and compact.
Smaller stoves are great for backpackers who are interested in cutting ounces, while larger stoves are often better suited for harsh conditions and cooking for large groups.
Intended cooking purpose
The type of cooking you’ll be doing in the backcountry will affect your choice of stove. If all you’re interested in is boiling as much water as fast as possible to rehydrate backpacking meals, a stove like the MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel, the MSR Reactor, or the Jetboil Flash Cooking System may be the choice for you. They’ll put out a ton of heat, boiling your water quickly and efficiently. Don’t expect them to have a lot of finesse, though.
If you prefer more complex backcountry meals that involve cooking ingredients at low heat or different heat, you’ll want a stove that has a simmer function, like the MSR Dragonfly or even the MSR Whisperlite International. We’ve managed to cook scrambles, noodle stir-fries, pot pies, quiches, and pancakes on both stoves.
Performance in harsh conditions
If you’re mostly a fair-weather backpacker, a stove like the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe is likely plenty for your trips. You can also always couple it with a windscreen in harsh conditions. However, if you frequently backpack in cold winter conditions or above tree-line or are a mountaineer, you’re going to want a stove that can handle the elements. Remember, if you’re going to be in conditions regularly below 10˚F, don’t bring a canister stove. And, if your canister does freeze, never try to heat it with another stove or strong heat source. Canisters have and will explode by doing this.
The tried and true stoves for trips up Denali and in Alaskan winters are the MSR Reactor, the MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel, and the MSR Whisperlite International.
Backpacking Stove Advice
A typical Alaska Range cook setup, with Whisperlites, windscreens, and large pots for melting snow. Photo: Chelsey Cook
Liquid fuel or canisters?
If you’re heading out on a quick backpacking trip in moderate temperatures, a canister stove like the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe is likely the simplest, most efficient stove for the job. Canister stoves are very user-friendly; simply connect the stove to the canister, light it, and start cooking. They can also boil and simmer and are lightweight and compact.
However, they do have their drawbacks. Canister stoves don’t excel in cold weather, and the canister itself is bulky, which can be a problem if you need to carry fuel for an extended backpacking trip. You also can’t fly with canisters, and they can be hard to find in some countries.
We recommend using a liquid fuel stove, like the MSR Whisperlite International, for cold-weather trips, trips that are longer than a week, and international trips. Liquid stoves take some getting used to; they take more set up than canister stoves, require priming, and often need field maintenance with long-term use. They’re also bulkier, heavier, and more expensive than canister stoves. However, they can burn a variety of fuels — everything from white gas to auto gas to jet fuel — all of which do a lot better in the cold than isobutane and are far more readily available internationally and in remote areas. You can also purchase liquid fuel in bulk, reducing your waste and making it easy to top up your fuel bottle. Just make sure you play with your new liquid fuel stove before taking it to the backcountry, and keep a basic stove repair kit with you.
Cooking at altitude and in the cold
There’s a reason you don’t see many canister stoves when climbing Denali; with altitudes reaching over 20,000 feet and temperatures generally well below 10˚F, canister stoves are mostly ineffective on the upper mountain. Instead, climbers choose to use liquid fuel stoves, as white gas and other liquid fuels continue to work long after isobutane quits from the cold. The fuel pumps on liquid fuel stoves also let you regulate the pressure of your fuel bottle, ensuring you have a strong flow of fuel to the stove. Canisters often depressurize in the cold or at high elevations, providing a weak flow to your stove.
Cooking will always, unfortunately, be slower at high altitudes. Water has a lower boiling point at higher elevations, so you’ll need to compensate by increasing cooking time. Chelsey likes to give her meals a boost by using high-powered stoves like the MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel, and will often stick two to three stoves under one large pot when she’s cooking for larger groups. If you’re cooking on snow, keep in mind that your stove will naturally melt the snow around it and could create an unstable surface. Chelsey generally brings a small, thin piece of wood, known as a stove board, to put under her stove when cooking on snow.
Wind resistance and windscreens
While Pocket Rocket stoves aren’t the best choice for wind, the Pocket Rocket Deluxe has a larger burner and lip, making it the better choice of the two versions. Photo: Chelsey Cook.
Wind and backpacking stoves do not get along. Strong winds can tip over your stove system and put out your burner altogether. Windscreens, often sold separately, are vital if you’ll be cooking in windy conditions. They’re lightweight, bendy metal screens that you can wrap around your stove to protect it from gusts and speed up your water boiling time.
If you frequently cook in gusty conditions, you may want to purchase an integrated stove system like the MSR Reactor. In integrated stove systems, very little of the stove is exposed, and you won’t need a separate windscreen to protect it. Avoid alcohol and wood-burning stoves, as it can be extremely hard to get a consistent flame from them in windy conditions.
Staying safe while cooking
Believe it or not, one of the most common injuries in the backcountry is a scald from spilling hot water. To keep yourself and your partners safe, follow basic stove safety when cooking in the backcountry.
- To avoid tipping over, set your stove up and cook in the flattest place possible. Flat rocks are a great choice.
- Don’t overfill your pot, and watch out for the water boiling over.
- Never grab a pot with your bare hands. Many pots come with pot grippers or handles; make sure you use them.
- Never cook inside your tent or vehicle. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer, and the deadly gas can easily build up in small, enclosed spaces without warning. If you’re often backpacking in wet conditions. consider carrying a small tarp for a kitchen shelter.
Calculating Fuel
Determining how much fuel you should bring on a backpacking trip is an important part of your trip planning. You’ll need to consider the length of the trip, the number of people, the altitude and weather, and what you’ll be using the stove for and how frequently. How efficient your stove is also plays a part. As a baseline, bring at least 1.5 ounces of fuel per person per day on most backpacking trips. As you learn your stove and your fuel needs, you’ll be able to dial this to your own specific cooking needs.
If you’ll be cooking at altitude or in cold temperatures, and especially if you’ll be melting snow for drinking water, you’ll have to bring even more fuel per person. Alaskan outfitters recommend at least 2 oz of white gas per person per day during the Denali season, but on midwinter arctic expeditions, when you might be melting -40˚snow instead of 0˚F snow, you’d need even more.
It is always better to have fuel left over at the end of a trip rather than run out. This is especially true on remote backcountry trips that require a bush plane pick-up. Weather often shuts down flights, and you may end up staying in the backcountry longer than you expected, waiting on a weather window!
Recycling canisters
One of the biggest downsides to canister stoves is how difficult canisters are to dispose of, let alone dispose of sustainably. Canisters, unlike fuel bottles, are a one-use-only item and can’t be refilled. You can, however, transfer fuel from one to another using something like the FlipFuel. The FlipFuel lets you consolidate your used canisters together, so you’re not left with a bunch of half-used canisters at the end of the backpacking season.
It is possible to recycle canisters, though it isn’t easy. You’ll have to empty the canister completely and then puncture it with a sharp object like a screwdriver. Most curbside recycling programs don’t handle mixed metal, let alone fuel canisters, so you’ll have to drop them off a a mixed metal recycling center. For more information, check out MSR’s recycling guide.
Flying with Backpacking Stoves
If you’re going on an international trip, chances are you’re going to want to bring your backpacking stove with you. TSA allows backpacking stoves in carry-ons and checked bags, as long as they are empty of fuel and thoroughly cleaned of all residue and fuel vapors.
You won’t be able to fly with canisters, but you can fly with clean, empty liquid-fuel bottles. If you’re taking a bush flight into the backcountry, most air taxis let you fly with full liquid-fuel bottles that are properly sealed with their caps, not their fuel pumps. Be sure to talk to the individual air taxi about their specific policies.
Frequently asked questions about backpacking stoves
How is a backpacking stove different from a camping stove?
Backpacking stoves are smaller, lighter, and more packable than camping stoves, and are designed primarily to boil water. They are also less stable than camping stoves and often have a slight learning curve because they are quite different than your cooktop at home.
What type of stove is best for backpacking?
Canister stoves are ideal for shorter backpacking trips that don’t require much cooking. Canister stoves are also generally easier to operate than liquid fuel stoves. If you’re going on a longer trip or will be operating your stove in very cold conditions, a liquid-fuel backpacking stove like the MSR Whisperlite International is the way to go.
Can I cook inside my tent?
We don’t recommend cooking inside of your tent, as backpacking stoves produce deadly carbon monoxide. There have been numerous injuries and deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning due to cooking inside a tent. If you absolutely must cook inside your tent, only do so in the vestibule, and ensure that you have the door unzipped and the most ventilation possible.
