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The Best Camping Cookers

Cook your favourite food anywhere
Light Weight Cookers
CAMPINGAZ Camp Bistro 2 Stove-min
The Campingaz Bistro 2​

Other retailers available, see review for list of stockists.

Family Cookers
CAMPINGAZ Camping Chef Folding Compact Stove
Campingaz Camping Chef Folding Compact

Other retailers available, see review for list of stockists.

Camping Fire Pits
OUTWELL Cazal Fire Pit
The Outwell Cazal Fire Pit

Other retailers available, see review for list of stockists.

How We Found the Best Camping Cookers

Experts Interviewed

Real Users Opinions

Products Tested

The Best Camping Cookers

Roughing it, or so to speak, requires you to have all mod cons on the go from the comfort of your tent – and one of the most essential pieces of kit you’ll need for any camping trip is a powerful, portable cooker.  Here’s our rundown of the best camping cookers 2019 has to offer.

Like with the Best Sleeping Bags, it was extremely close, so for each category I have also done a runner up. Sometimes it was extremely close.

How We Chose

We grouped them into 5 different categories:

  • Family Cookers
  • Light Weight 
  • Camping Stoves (for wild camping)
  • Trangias 
  • Fire Pits

Best Light Weight Cookers

Portability is key– meaning that you’re going to need to look for a cooking stove that’s easy to pick up and carry.

Light Weight Cookers

CAMPINGAZ Camp Bistro 2 Stove-min

The Campingaz Bistro 2

One of the most popular camping cookers
Pros

It’s very affordable, and it’s extremely compact – and it does the job perfectly. A great choice for extended trips, too.

Cons
You’ll need to keep topped up on those gas cartridges – and again, for bigger groups, you’re going to need a bigger or more powerful option.

Why we chose it

A more traditional light weight stove from Campingaz – this is your traditional camping hob that’s built to last.  It’s a massive space-saver.

Runner Up

The Campingaz Twister Plus

 This cheap and compact stove from one of the most trusted brands on the market for camping cooking comes with everything you need.

  • Good Points: It’s extremely affordable and it’ll likely last you a long time – plus it’s amazingly portable and easy to set up, too.
  • Bad Points: It’s not huge – and compared to some other models, you may find it a little awkward. Good for individuals and couples.

Best Family Cookers

For a larger group or a family trip, you’ll need a more extensive or powerful stove to heat things up.  Here’s our pick of two from the best!

Family Cookers

CAMPINGAZ Camping Chef Folding Compact Stove

Campingaz Camping Chef Folding Compact

Great family cooker
Pros

That carry case!  Surprisingly light weight and ready to go, you can just unclip the case and start cooking.

Cons

It’s not exactly the most affordable camping buddy on the market – but you absolutely get what you pay for.

Why we chose it

This great-looking, compact model does everything you want and need a portable family stove to do – twin hobs and grill come fitted as standard, and it’s built into a snazzy carry case!

Runner Up

The Gas Double Burner 

This double twist on the classic hob does everything you need it to – it’s likely to be the first choice for anyone aiming to extend their existing unit.

  • Good Points: Very affordable, and it does exactly what it says on the box – no frills, no hassle.
  • Bad Points: It’s a bit unwieldy – not the easiest hob to transport around and store, but it certainly does the business. Cheap and cheerful.

Best Camping Fire Pits

For big groups, you really can’t beat a good fire pit – grilling on a larger scale is always possible, and with these units, you’ll be able to get cooking for several campers at once in no time at all.

Camping Fire Pits

OUTWELL Cazal Fire Pit

The Outwell Cazal Fire Pit

A fire pit is a must have when camping
Pros

Portable, durable, and large enough to cater to big groups looking for good old camping barbecue food.

Cons

Not many that are obvious!  It not the cheapest, but you really get what you pay for.

Why we chose it

This large model of fire pit is a real stonker when it comes to cooking lots on the go at once – and what’s more, it’s surprisingly portable as it folds right down!

Runner Up

The Outwell Cazal Portable Grill

This is a different type of grill from Outwell – while avoiding the traditional circular pan style, this rectangular unit is perfect, again, for large groups – and as its name suggests, it’s also pretty portable.

  • Good Points: Amazingly portable – it flattens right down and even has a handle – and it’s expansive enough to cook for several at once. It’s also amazingly good value
  • Bad Points: Again – hardly any! It’s perhaps not as stylish or as capable as the fire pit listed above – but it really works its little grill off.

Best Wild Camping Stoves

If you’re really roughing it, you’re not going to want to have to muddle around – you’re going to need a simple utility that’s easy to pop out and use whenever you need it.

The Vango Folding Gas Stove 

Complete with a snazzy case, this is a folding gas unit which can plug into a variety of gas bottles and supplies.

  • Good Points: Very affordable – it retails usually at £30 and it’s even an award winner. Remarkably efficient, too – no hassle here.
  • Bad Points: As with all wild stoves, you’re likely going to struggle if you’re feeding a large group.

The MSR Whisperlite International

Fancy name, fancy stove.  This model allows you to cook wherever you are in the world providing you have access to fuel – even unleaded petrol. 

  • Good Points: International portability and almost universal use – again, providing you have the fuel, you’re well away.
  • Bad Points: It’s fairly expensive, at least compared to the Vango model above. Expect to pay £105 RRP for this at the absolute most.

Best Trangias

The Scandinavian Trangia cooking stove has really caught on in recent years – it’s small, neat, and very compact – and it uses alcohol to get things heated up.

The 27-8 Hardanodized Stove with Kettle

Need access to a kettle as well as a stove?  Lucky for you, everything’s right here in one unit – pop it out and you’re good to go!

  • Good Points: Comes with a kettle and pans to allow for quick, easy cooking wherever you may be.
  • Bad Points: Not ideal for larger groups – it’s not the cheapest option on the market!

The Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System

This great-looking compact cooking solution is ideal for a handful of trekkers or campers – just plug in and brew drinks, cook freeze-dried food and more.

  • Good Points: It looks great and is super easy to set up and use on the go. Brilliant for a quick brew!
  • Bad Points: It is another model that’s a little pricey – £110 RRP – but it’ll see you right for several trips!

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