Stoves, real cooking hobs or cookers suitable for camping and hiking

Whether gas, petrol, multi-fuel or wood-burning, a stove is an essential piece of equipment for all outdoor activities: camping, hiking, bivouacking, fishing, hunting and so on. You can use it to cook hot meals and boil water, without having to look for an electric socket near your tent!

The different types of gas stoves or "burners

There are several types of gas cooker, from the classic cooker to the most advanced models, each with its own advantages depending on the intended use.

The cartridge stove

This is the most common model for camping and hiking. Powered by gas cartridges (butane, propane or a mixture), they are compact, easy to carry and easy to use. Some models have a piezo ignition system to eliminate the need for matches.

Gas bottle stoves

These stoves are more powerful and designed for prolonged use. They can be connected directly to refillable gas cylinders, providing greater autonomy. They are ideal for campers in a van or semi-fixed installation.

The multi-fuel gas stove

Ideal for family or group campers, this type of stove has several burners, so you can cook several dishes at the same time. It often works with large-capacity gas cylinders.

How do I choose a gas stove?

The choice of a gas stove for camping is based on a number of criteria, including its intended use, power, autonomy and ease of transport (including weight...). By taking these factors into account, you'll be able to enjoy your outdoor meals to the full while guaranteeing your safety.

Here are the criteria for choosing one model of gas cooker over another:

The type of activity, from bivouac to trekking or camping

• Hiking or trekking: a compact, lightweight canister stove is ideal.
• Camping with the family or in a van: a bottle or multi-fire model is more appropriate.
• Intensive outdoor use: opt for a robust model with good battery life.

The stove's use and capacity: 1 or 2 burners?

The number of people you have to feed and the size of the dishes you want to cook will affect your choice of capacity. You'll need to look at the volume of litres of water to be heated, the size of your saucepan and the number of burners you need: depending on your uses, you can certainly choose different models of cooker, from the simple burner to the gas cooker or even the portable plancha...

Power and range required

• The power of a stove is expressed in watts and determines the speed of cooking: with a gas stove, you can feed a flame that is more or less bright depending on your needs and the type of cooking required for your dishes.
• Autonomy depends on the capacity of the gas cartridge or bottle used. Depending on the model of cooker you choose, make sure you have enough cartridges or cylinders in your equipment to ensure that your gas cooker works... and that you'll be eating hot for the rest of your camping holiday!

The weight and size of the stove

If you're going on a bivouac, opt for an ultra-light, foldable model that will fit easily into your rucksack. If, on the other hand, you want to use it on a permanent campsite, the weight criterion is less important. When calculating the weight of a stove, don't forget to include the weight of the gas bottle or cartridge...

Stability and safety

A good stove should be stable on a variety of terrain and have a reliable safety system to prevent gas leaks and fire hazards. If you only plan to use it on your camping table, the risk of a lack of stability is low, but if you use it in front of your tent, pay attention to the ground on which you place it.

Stove equipment

To use a gas stove, a number of accessories are required or strongly recommended:

• Gas cartridges and cylinders: valve cartridges are easy to change, while refillable cylinders are more economical in the long term. The choice between butane and propane depends on the temperature of use.
• Regulators: some stoves require a specific regulator to regulate the gas pressure, especially for cylinder models.
• Windscreens: essential outdoors, they optimise combustion and prevent heat loss.
• Stands and tripods: these give the stove greater stability on uneven ground.
• Pipes and fittings: useful for connecting certain stoves to large-capacity cylinders.

Choosing a brand of cooker: Campingaz and the others

In France, several brands offer quality gas stoves. Naturally, to promote domestic industry, we are highlighting the producer Campingaz :

• Campingaz: French company with a production plant in the Rhône region. It is known for its reliable, affordable stoves, as well as its wide choice of compatible cartridges.
• Primus: Swedish brand offering top-of-the-range stoves for adventurers and expeditions in extreme conditions.
• MSR (Mountain Safety Research): American company specialising in outdoor products, offering ultra-light, high-performance stoves for the high mountains.
• Optimus: This Swedish brand is renowned for its compact, gas-efficient stoves, ideal for trekking.
• Foker: Italian manufacturer of robust, powerful stoves, often used for intensive and professional use.

Safety and operating instructions for your portable stove

A gas cooker is easy to use, but a few precautions need to be taken:

• Install it on a stable surface and keep it away from flammable materials.
• Never use it in an enclosed space to avoid the risk of poisoning.
• Always check the condition of fittings and cartridges before use.
• Protect the flame from the wind for optimum efficiency, for example with a windscreen.

Frequently asked questions about Campingaz stoves

Which gas bottle for a camping stove?

The choice of gas cylinder depends on the type of stove you are using.

For small portable stoves: Campingaz offers pierceable and valve cartridges that are easy to carry and ideal for hiking or light camping.

For more powerful, fixed stoves: Campingaz refillable cylinders are more suitable. They are connected using a regulator and offer longer autonomy.

Example: A classic Campingaz Base Camp stove works with an R904 or R907 cylinder.

How long does a camping gas cylinder last?

The duration depends on the size of the bottle/cartridge and the consumption of the stove.

Disposable cartridges: a valve cartridge containing 450g of gas lasts around 4 to 6 hours, depending on the intensity of the fire.

A pierceable cartridge containing 190g of gas lasts approximately 1,5 to 3 hours.

Refillable cylinders: an R907 cylinder (2.75 kg of gas) can be used for up to 20 hours on a small stove.

Example: A Campingaz Party Grill stove 400 CV consumes around 145 g/h, so a valve cartridge containing 450g of gas lasts around 3 hours at full power.

How much does a bottle of Campingaz cost?

Prices vary depending on the model and whether you buy the full bottle or just the refill.

Disposable cartridges :

• A cartridge costs around €3 to €5 for the most basic models.
• Depending on their capacity, valve cartridges cost between €6 and €12.

Refillable bottles :

• R904 (full): around €40 to €50, refill alone around €20 to €25.
• R907 (full): around €55 to €70, refill alone between €30 and €40.

Tip: Campingaz cylinders are available in many camping shops and service stations in France and Europe, making them easy to replace.

Have you chosen your gas stove? Then enjoy your camping and your meal!