Backpacking Stoves that are Good for Your Bug Out Bag

backpacking stoves

Spring and summer are just around the corner and many of us will do some camping.  This is a great time to try out some of the equipment that we have been accumulating. This last few summers I have been able to try a number of different backpacking stoves. 

I have had the chance to try out quite a few different types of backpacking stoves and have narrowed it down to the styles that I like.  Personally, I like ones that use available biomass for fuel.  I have avoided the ones that use various camp fuels and butane or propane.  In an emergency, it will be hard to get additional fuel.

backpacking stove
The Solo Stove with wind screen

After playing with quite a few different stoves over the past few years the stoves that I prefer are the The SilverFire Scout Biomass Stove and The Solo Stove.  Of the two, I think that I prefer the SilverFire by a slight margin.  However, the windscreen made by Solo is the best I have ever found.  It can be purchased separate from the stove.  Both of these stoves are very efficient and will get the job done.

Solo Stove Titan - 2-4 Person Lightweight Wood Burning Stove
  • Compact Camp Stove Kit for Backpacking, Camping, Survival. Burns Twigs
  • No Batteries or Liquid Fuel Canisters Needed
  • Great for 2-4 People
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

The only backpacking stove that I would use other than one that burns biomass is one that uses alcohol for fuel.  Two stoves that I  have found to work well are the Esbit Alcohol Stove A Review of the Esbit Alcohol Stove and Cook Set and the Trangia Swedish The Trangia Alcohol Stove.  Both of these are good stoves and will put out a lot of heat for the amount of fuel you need to carry.  They burn denatured alcohol.  This can be found in most auto part and hardware stores.

Trangia Spirit Burner with Screwcap
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Recently I heard of a counterfeit Trangia that was manufactured in China fail by melting.  If you decide to purchase one of these backpacking stoves make sure you get the real thing.  A lot of the ones on Ebay are counterfeit.

Howard

A Must Read
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

4 thoughts on “Backpacking Stoves that are Good for Your Bug Out Bag”

  1. gonewiththewind

    There are a bizillion backpacking stove options. I like the jet boil. Very efficient, reasonably compact and reasonably light. It’s what I carry for hikes up to a week long. If I were going out for a much longer period I would carry a small titanium pot/cup and cook on coals.

    1. The jetboil is great ONLY if you have ready access to more fuel, and if temperatures are above freezing. Just before freezing, the fuel becomes heavier than the propellant, and you end up burning the propellant off and are left with a useless half full canister.

      If you want a petroleum fuelled stove, the MSR models are the best for versatility and ruggedness. The XGK will burn anything that is petroluem based. The DRAGONFLY will burn 99% of those- but both are very loud.

      The WHISPERLITE INTERNATIONAL, and UNIVERSAL models will burn 90% of fuels, with the UNIVERSAL having an additional hose that allows the attachment of isobutane (jetboil etc) cannisters- and they can be flipped upside down in the cold.

  2. Thanks for the advice,
    I have been thinking of giving the silverfire scout a try, and am looking for a good windscreen.
    My 30+ year old trangia stove is still going strong and I love it, but it cannot burn wood. I have been having great fun lately with the slightly larger solo stove, the titan, and firebox stove’s 5 inch firebox.
    These, like the ones you mentioned, are simple, well made, and can use wood and the trangia burner.
    Take care
    Ben

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top