Camping without cooking dinner feels like it’s missing an important chunk of the whole experience, even for backpackers. Since taking a regular gas stove with you requires a lot of hassle, you need a lighter and efficient stove to keep cooking on the road. You need an alcohol stove for backpacking! This stuff is light, compact, and designed to cater to the needs of backpackers. Here are our best recommendations!
How To Choose The Best Alcohol Stove for Backpacking
Finding the best alcohol stove for camping can be a feat that causes headaches if you aren’t prepared beforehand. They can look very similar to each other and every little features matter. To help you navigate among the seas of products, we have compiled several pointers to guide you.
Weight
The thing that separates common campers and backpackers is that backpackers are highly mobile so they need to put up a camp on several points in their trek. They need to travel light or they need to sacrifice their precious time and energy. Thankfully, many alcohol stoves are compact and lightweight. Titanium is a great material due to its durability but if you the type who takes good care of your stuff, get the brass-made ones instead.
Fuel Type
Mainly, your main fuel for your alcohol stove for backpacking is alcohol-based – and they come in different shapes! We highly recommend you to get an alcohol stove that can utilize different kinds of fuel. Maybe a heating chamber that can hold liquid alcohol and solid alcohol tablets? That’d be awesome! Just be careful not to use harsh fuel such as petrol or gasoline. They’re unsafe because they can explode upon contact with fire!
Are you looking for a dependable igniter? Here are the best fire starters in the market!!
Design and Construction
Durability is an important matter if you’re going to take a tool into the outdoors and it goes hand-in-hand with the usability of the construction. Does it have a proper heating surface and good stability to support your camping mugs? Does it have good stability? These are some things you need to address before buying an alcohol stove for backpacking. The review section has abundant information about the product of your choice so make sure you visit them first!
Are alcohol stoves any good?
It’s great especially if you love packing light. Alcohol stoves are so easy to use that it’s hard to fail. Though it might need more time to boil water, the portability and usability are worth the time.
Can alcohol stoves be used indoors?
Alcohol is generally safer to use indoors than most fire fuel like liquid gasses. They are flammable but won’t cause an explosion.
Which alcohol is the best fuel?
Ethanol, methanol, butanol, and propanol are great as fuel. They’re easy to control and burn odorless, perfect for camping foods.
Vargo Titanium Decagon Stove
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Vargo Titanium Decagon Stove is a great alcohol stove for backpacking because it’s lightweight and stable. It’s also easy to use with a wide center hole so you pour the alcohol fuel without spilling here and there. It’s a great little stove for a light backpacking trip where you’re familiar with the field and looking for some casual getaway.
The stove has a sturdy one-piece titanium construction you can depend on. The best setting of this stove is to have the pot sitting directly on top of it. It takes a little bit of time for it to bloom, especially in colder weather. But once it blooms, the stove is fuel-efficient for a longer cooking session. You need not worry your pot will tip over because the bottom support will provide a stable ground for the pot.
What We Love
A lightweight stove with improved stability.
Pros:
- Titanium
- Lightweight
- Rust-proof
- Stable
Cons:
- Perfect for a day trip where you don’t need to store some alcohol
Keweis Portable Outdoor Mini Alcohol Stove
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Keweis Portable Outdoor Mini Alcohol Stove is a portable alcohol stove for camping for longer days in the wilderness. In such a small size, this stove will provide you stable flame to help you cook. It consists of 2 apparatus: the stove and support where your pot or pan stands on. It’s a practical combination that doesn’t require much space in your carrier.
The support is made of a strong aluminum alloy to provide good support while keeping things light. The stove is made of brass which gives it a nice yellowish color. Upon your purchase, you’ll get the main furnace, a fire cover with a foldable handle, and a sealing cover to store the remaining alcohol in the furnace. It’s equipped with an adequate o-ring so it won’t spill while you travel. It’s a good entry-level stove for a more serious backpacker.
What We Love
A lightweight stove set you can count on.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Aluminum alloy
- Has a flame regulator
- Leak-proof cover
Cons:
- Prone to dents
Out-d Stainless Steel Alcohol Stove
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Should you need a faster heating action, look no further than Out-d Stainless Steel Alcohol Stove. While some backpackers prefer to opt for a fuel-efficient alcohol stove for backpacking, some love to have impromptu cooking where you don’t need to set up the stove too much and have a quick, hot meal. if you fall into the latter category, then this stove is the one for you.
This stove has spring-loaded legs to give you solid ground while cooking. It has a built-in cooking rack to accommodate your cup or even larger pots without tipping over. Once properly bloomed, this stove can boil 16oz of water in less than 6 minutes, give or take. The construction itself is sturdy since it’s made of stainless steel. It isn’t as light as brass or titanium-made ones, but it’s certainly lighter than gas canisters.
What We Love
A compact backpacking stove for large pots.
Pros:
- Stainless steel
- Comes with a frame
- Good for larger pots
- Cools down fast
Cons:
- Not very suitable for ultralight backpackers.
Kuvik Titanium Alcohol Stove
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It may seem that Kuvik Titanium Alcohol Stove made it personal to provide their customers a high-quality backpacking stove that will last for a long time without the price. This affordable stove is a solid unit to take on your next backpacking trip. It’s super lightweight, portable, and works fantastic! It’s a perfect item to have in your bug-out bag, knowing that it’ll always work.
The construction is entirely made of titanium. This material is known for its strength and longevity compared to other materials like aluminum alloy or stainless steel. No more dented stove for you! It also comes with a removable rack so you can use bigger pots or a frying pan. This is a fuel-efficient stove; meaning it has a more relaxed but stable flame. Get this while it’s available because it sells out fast!
What We Love
It’s a well-made titanium alcohol stove that’ll last for a long time!
Pros:
- Titanium
- Super light
- Comes with a rack
- Fuel-efficient
Cons:
- Not very suitable to use in extremely cold temperature
Evernew Ti Stove DX Set
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Cooking your meal on a windy day is not an easy feat without Evernew Ti Stove DX Set in your arsenal. This set not only has what could be the best alcohol stove for backpacking in the market, but it also gives you some peace of mind that even on the windiest day, you won’t get a headache for just making yourself a cup of warm coffee. The stove protector will keep the flame going as long as there’s fuel!
This stove set has the Evernew Ti Stove, a stand, a wind protector, and a turbo plate. The whole construction makes cooking with larger pots and frying pans possible without tipping over. The turbo plate is interesting in itself as it also acts as a platform for other fuels such as solid alcohol. If you don’t mind carrying a little extra weight, this stove set is a great investment for your longer backpacking trips!
What We Love
A practical stove for a longer backpacking journey.
Pros:
- Titanium
- Comes with a pot stand
- Fuel-efficient
- Accommodates different fuels
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with means of storing remaining fuel
Lixada Camping Stove
8
Lixada Camping Stove starts to get some traction among avid campers and backpackers for its versatility and thoughtful practicality. Not only durable but this stove set is also made of lightweight material so it won’t burden your shoulders. You know what, this stove set works amazing with Lixada Cookware for Camping Set!
The stove is made of copper alloy for maximum heat conductivity – it’s one of the most reliable materials to build cookware. You will also get a putout lid that you can use to regulate the flame. The stand slash stove is an amazing addition for those who like to prep. If you ever run out of your fuel, use the stand to make a simple wood stove. Use the tinder you can find around and your dinner will be done in time!
What We Love
A versatile handy alcohol stove for backpacking.
Pros:
- Hardened stainless steel
- The foldable stand is also a wood stove
- Good stability
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- The set may take some extra space
Vargo Triad Multi-Fuel Stove
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It’s small, it’s powerful, it’s the Vargo Triad Multi-Fuel Stove! This mini stove may look tiny but it’s actually mighty! It packs amazingly small into your gear so you can pack lighter or maybe add more items to your gear. It’s great for an ultralight backpacking trip or a quick bushcraft camping. The size is so compact you can slip it into your pocket!
Though small, it’s designed thoughtfully with outdoorsmen in mind. This stove has folding legs you can use to firmly support the stove – and later, the cooking pot. You can stick these legs into the ground to keep it from moving. The legs at the top act as a rack for your cup or pot. Pour the alcohol into the center hole to start burning, or turn the stove upside down to accommodate fuel tablets. Don’t you love some versatility?
What We Love
A mini-max alcohol stove for camping.
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Built-in pot holder and legs
- Multi-fuel construction
- Titanium
Cons:
- It needs a windshield on windy days
Trangia Ultralight Stove Kit
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Trangia Ultralight Stove Kit made it easy to design an alcohol stove for camping that fits into the hearts of backpackers. From the size, it’s clear that the set wasn’t intended for ultralight packers or bushcraft packers. But if you’re traveling with a companion, this set is the perfect cooker without a doubt. It’s perfect for 2 people and it’s enough for 3.
Engineered and made in Swedia, the quality is well-known among outdoorsmen. This set consists of two parts windshields, a legendary stove burner, several pots and pans, and a lid to make cooking more efficient. With the windshield system, this alcohol stove is completely stormproof. When not in use, you can pack what you carry into a nice bundle of cookware tied with a nylon strap.
What We Love
Everything you need to cook a decent meal when camping.
Pros:
- Burner has a regulator lid, stores alcohol, and fuel-efficient
- Burner is made of brass
- Stormproof
- Anodized aluminum accessories
Cons:
- Though the set is lightweight, it takes quite a space
Whitebox Alcohol
5
Whitebox Alcohol Stove isn’t a regular alcohol stove for backpacking for sure. Although the appearance seems unassuming, wait until you see it in action. By the time we were writing this piece, we were still in awe by how this tiny stove produces that big of a flame. Just as you might think, this unit isn’t the most fuel-efficient stove in the market, but we guarantee it will let you cook things a lot faster!
This stove was made for heavy-duty uses or for those who don’t compromise with time. It can boil 2 cups of water in a mere 4 minutes! As the flame goes wide, you should pair this stove with wider cups so the flame won’t lick the sides of your cup. Get a handle, too, so you won’t accidentally burn yourself. This stove isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for a well-designed and effective burner to provide you with robust flame, you can’t go wrong with this one!
What We Love
A powerful mini stove!
Pros:
- Simple construction
- Ultralight
- Huge flame
- Fuel-effective
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a way to store fuel
Redcamp Mini Alcohol Stove
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Redcamp Mini Alcohol Stove is the blueprint of many lookalikes out there. If it isn’t for the effective design, campers and backpackers love its lightweight and durable properties. It’s also one of the most efficient burners in the market where users appreciate the ability to store unused alcohol inside the burner when not in use. The o-ring on the screw cap is enough to create a non-leaking seal to prevent spilling and evaporation.
The stove, or burner, is made of heat-conducting brass that can last for a long time. It has a fire cover with a foldable handle so you can put out or regulate the fire without injuring yourself. The stove is paired with an aluminum alloy base that you can set up in several ways according to your needs. You can use it upward or downward and as a base or as a stand – it accommodates different pots and pans!
What We Love
A foolproof stove for avid backpackers.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Comes with a stand
- Cap regulator
- Aluminum alloy base
- Versatile base
Cons:
- Burns slowly
Esbit 5-Piece Lightweight Cook Set
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Esbit 5-Piece Lightweight Cook Set is a cooking set that’s built to last. This 5-piece set has everything you need when you’re on a long backpacking journey or a longer bushcraft session in the woods. It has an alcohol stove for backpacking, 2 cooking pots with foldable handles, and a windshield stand for the burner. They look beautiful when they’re set. You can tell it’s very well-built and thoughtfully designed!
All pieces pack neatly into the included mesh pouch with pull strings. You set it up by taking out the stand and install the platform. This platform makes it possible to use other fuels like solid alcohol. Then, you put the brass stove on top of this platform. The brass stove has a regulator slide lid and sealable screw cap so you can store the remaining alcohol. Now after you ignite the stove, you can put the pots on the stand and starts cooking.
What We Love
Long and gruesome backpacking track? This is the stove you can depend on!
Pros:
- Brass stove
- Aluminum stand and cook pots
- Durable build
- Packs neatly into a pouch
Cons:
- The foot may sometimes fall out. Fortunately, it’s easy to replace!
Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove
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Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove is the alcohol stove for camping for those who know what they’re doing. Backpacking trips often need you to pack light so you don’t suffer while hiking and make too many stops. This stove is perfect for that since it doesn’t take too much space and weighs next to nothing. It’s perfect for a solo traveler who frequently hikes on the weekends.
This titanium stove has plenty of jetting holes to create the most effective flame for cooking. It’s perfect to pair to most stand since it’s properly sized. It produces a stable jet flame and can boil 2 cups of water in 6 minutes (mid-high elevation). There’s a huge center opening on this stove if you notice, that’s because this stove also accommodates solid fuels to work. Get this stove for more effective cooking!
What We Love
A fuel-effective stove that weighs almost nothing.
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Accommodates different
- Durable
- Titanium
Cons:
- Can’t store fuel
Solo Stove Alcohol Burner
1
Solo Stove Alcohol Burner is currently the best alcohol stove for backpacking in our book. Not only lightweight and well-made, but this amazing stove is also one of the most fuel-efficient camping stoves in the industry. As the name implies, this stove is the best you can get for solo traveling. It can boil 32oz of water in 5-7 minutes depending on the elevation. It’s also properly sized so you can easily pair it up with any stand you already have.
The stove itself is made of solid brass to produce the most heat possible. Burners will eventually be covered in soot as you use them, and like a good stove it is, it will make the stove perform better for cooking! This stove has a putout lid that you can also use as a flame regulator. Remember to use the foldable handle as you can burn yourself because of the flame. When you got some spare alcohol inside the burner, use the screw cap to seal the burner. No need to fumble around, rehousing the leftover alcohol!
What We Love
The long-standing alcohol stove you must-have in your backpacking gear.
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Fuel-efficient
- Screw lid to store alcohol
- Tiny but mighty
- Simmer lid (flame regulator)
- Brass
Cons:
- Prone to dents
