CampStoves and Cooksystems

If you’ve spent any time in the outdoors you’re familiar with a camp stove While portable cooking devices are widely available and come in a range of sizes and designs to accommodate different cooking needs, they also need to meet the needs of multi-day river users. Traditionally people want compact and lightweight appliances that allows campers to cook meals and boil water efficiently without the need for campfires. Our priorities change a bit on the river though so let’s take a look at what it takes to make a good rafting campstove.

Top Recommendations for Camp Cook Systems

Fuel Sources

1. Propane: Propane is one of the most common camping stove fuels. It's readily available in small, portable canisters and offers a clean and consistent burn with good heat output. Propane stoves often come with built-in regulators for safety and efficient fuel usage.

2. Butane: Butane is similar to propane but has a lower boiling point, which means it might not perform as well in very cold temperatures. However, it is still a popular fuel choice for many campers due to its portability and ease of use.

3. White Gas: White gas, also known as Coleman fuel, is a liquid fuel commonly used in liquid-fuel camping stoves. It provides a high heat output and performs well in various weather conditions.

4. Wood: Wood-burning camp stoves use twigs, sticks, and other biomass as their fuel. They are a sustainable and eco-friendly option, as you can find fuel in the surroundings, reducing the need to carry additional fuel. However, some camping areas may have restrictions on open fires, so check local regulations before using a wood-burning stove.

5. Solid Fuel Pellets: Solid fuel pellets are compact and easy to transport. They are small, pressed pellets made from materials like hexamine or trioxane. While they are not as powerful as other fuel sources, they can be a lightweight and convenient option for short trips.

6. Charcoal: Charcoal can be used in some specialized camping stoves designed for charcoal grilling. These stoves are bulkier and heavier than other camping stoves but provide the option to grill food with the smoky flavor of charcoal.

Burners or open flames

Burner: If you need precise temperature control and efficient cooking, a burner is generally the better choice especially for larger groups on the river.

• Stability: A camp stove with a burner provides a stable and flat surface for cooking pots and pans. This stability is especially useful when cooking with larger or heavier cookware.

• Efficiency: Burners are generally more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and heat distribution. They offer better heat control and prevent heat loss due to wind, making them ideal for precise cooking.

• Safety: Burners are enclosed, reducing the risk of accidental fires and making them safer to use, especially in windy or crowded camping areas.

• Cooking Versatility: Some burners come with multiple adjustable burners, allowing campers to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.

Open Flame: If you want a simpler, more rustic experience and have the ability to gather wood, an open flame might be suitable. Keep in mind that some river corridors may have restrictions on open fires due to wildfire concerns. Always check the local regulations before using an open flame for cooking.

• Traditional Camping Experience: Cooking over an open flame can provide a more authentic camping experience and a connection with nature.

• Adaptable Fuel Source: If you're using a wood-burning camp stove or cooking directly over a campfire, you can gather fuel from the surroundings, which can be convenient in remote areas or where fuel canisters might not be readily available.

• Visual Appeal: The dancing flames of an open fire can add ambiance and a cozy atmosphere to the camping experience.

Safety Features

You want to make sure that your cook system has some sort of safety features, this includs a way to elevate the system like legs, wind shields, fire pans, gas cutoff, or even a fireproof blanket. Cooking in windy conditions without a wind shield for example can be super dangerous. The wind might blow the flame around, potentially causing accidents or burns. With a wind shield in place, the flame remains contained, reducing the risk of mishaps and making the cooking process safer. All of these safety features are critical to not only preventing burns but preventing a forest fire…which would lead to a whole slew of other problems.

FirePit + System - BioLite

MSRP $ 299.95

Enjoy the warmth, smell, crackle, and feel of a wood campfire, without the smoke you’re used to. Create mesmerizing flames with BioLite’s patented combustion and get a full unobscured view thanks to X-Ray mesh body. Folding legs and packable footprint make FirePit+ highly portable. Bonus: doubles as a charcoal grill with included grate.

• Burn Time:

  Fan Low: 30 Hours
  Fan Medium: 14 Hours
  Fan High: 7 Hours

• Fuel: Firewood or charcoal

• Dimensions: Legs Unfolded: 27" w x 13" d x 15.8" h (68.6 x 33 x 40.1 cm), Legs Folded: 10.5" h (26.7 cm)

• Weight: 19.8 lbs (8.98 kg)

Pi Pizza Oven- Solo Stove

MSRP $ 519.99

The pizza oven for everyone. Make wood-fired pizzas that impress, or bake with propane by adding on the gas burner. Pull good moments fresh from the fire with authentic design reinvented for the modern backyard.

• Fuel: Wood or Propane

• Diameter: 20.5 in | 52.07 cm

• Height: 15.125 in | 38.42 cm

• Weight: 30.5 lbs | 13.83 kg

Camp Stove Complete Cook Kit - BioLite

MSRP $ 274.80

A packable outdoor kitchen perfect for the campsite. Generate electricity and create smokeless flames with the award-winning CampStove 2+ while cooking up your meals with the lightweight Portable Grill, KettlePot, and CoffeePress accessories. Bonus FlexLight included to illuminate your cooktop at night.

• Boil Time: 4.5 minutes to boil 1 liter of water. Boiling times vary by strength of fire

• Fuel: Renewable Biomass (twigs, pinecone, wood pellets, etc.)

• Dimensions: Height 8.25 inches (209.6 mm), Width 5 inches (127 mm)

• Weight: 33 oz (935 g)