Best camp stoves for cooking in a power outage (2026)
When the power's out, a camp stove means hot food and boiled water. Here are reliable propane and butane stoves compared on fuel, burners and output. Read the safety box: they are outdoor appliances.
By PreparedStates editors · Updated October 22, 2026 · 5 products, prices indicative
Our picks
Coleman Triton
Cook real meals outdoors in an outage
Gas One butane stove
Cheap single-burner backup
Gas One GS-3400P
Runs on whichever fuel you have
All 5 compared
| Stove | Fuel | Burners | Output | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Propane · 2 · 22,000 BTU Cook real meals outdoors in an outage | Propane | 2 | 22,000 BTU | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Two burners and 22,000 BTU on standard propane cylinders: proper cooking, outdoors, when the power's out. Best for Cook real meals outdoors in an outage Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a stove to carry on foot. | ||||
Butane · 1 · 7,650 BTU Cheap single-burner backup | Butane | 1 | 7,650 BTU | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A light, low-cost single burner on 8 oz butane canisters, with a carry case. Best for Cheap single-burner backup Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you cook outside in winter: propane works better in the cold. | ||||
Propane or butane · 1 Runs on whichever fuel you have | Propane or butane | 1 | — | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched One burner that takes butane cartridges or propane cylinders, so you're not stuck if one runs out in a long outage. Best for Runs on whichever fuel you have Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to cook two things at once. | ||||
Isobutane-propane canister · 1 Boils water fast for freeze-dried meals | Isobutane-propane canister | 1 | — | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A compact system built to boil water quickly, which is all a freeze-dried pouch needs. Packs into its own cup for a go-bag. Best for Boils water fast for freeze-dried meals Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to fry or simmer. | ||||
3.5 | Butane | 1 | — | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A basic single burner with a case, good for 1.25 hours on high per canister. Best for Simple tabletop burner Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you'll cook in freezing temperatures. | ||||
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Before you buy
Propane works better in cold weather than butane, which can struggle near freezing.
Two burners let you cook a real meal; one burner is enough to boil water for freeze-dried food.
Stock fuel to match: standard 16 oz propane cylinders, or 8 oz butane canisters.
A fast-boil system like Jetboil suits go-bags; a two-burner suits sheltering at home.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
Can I use a camp stove indoors during a power outage?
No. Ready.gov says camp stoves should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, because of carbon monoxide.
Propane or butane?
Propane handles cold weather better and uses widely sold cylinders. Butane stoves are cheaper and compact but weaken near freezing.
How much fuel should I store?
Check burn time per cylinder (Coleman says about an hour on high for the Triton) and plan for a few meals a day.
What's best for boiling water for freeze-dried meals?
A fast-boil system like Jetboil, or any single burner.