Find the best camping stoves in Australia for any budget and burning capacity. Take these car camping, within a campground or even down to the beach!

 

Australia’s love for camping may have been dampened somewhat in the COVID years, but renewed interest in the great outdoors is driving fast-growing demand for all types of camping gear.

The number of caravan trips hit a record 14 million in 2019 before dipping to just 10.6 million in 2020. In 2021 it bounced back to 12.6 million trips. That’s a lot of people taking the opportunity to put up tents and bang out some snags in the great outdoors!

With interest in camping and caravanning once more on the rise, Australia’s adventurers are also likely to be on the lookout for those home-away-from-home creature comforts, starting with a camping stove.

Portable camping stoves allow you to eat healthy, homemade food and avoid processed staples that can easily become the default when on the go.

We’ve scoured the market for what could become your perfect camping stove, and compiled a list of different models at different price points to suit your needs and budget.

The list includes stoves by global manufacturers that can be easily shipped to Australia, as well as Australian-made gas camping stoves you can buy from a local store right now.

1. Dometic CSG103

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • 2 burners
  • 20,000 BTU output 
  • Pressed steel construction
  • Integrated grill below cooktop

Reasons to buy:

  • Can shrink to a compact size when not in use
  • The handle and grill tray are removable and easy to wash

Reasons to avoid:

  • Impractical for solo campers

Price: $210

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Let’s start off with the most popular type of portable camping stove — the two-burner unit. The Dometic CSG103 is an excellent option for an easy-to-use and reliable stove. It has two burners that can be controlled independently, allowing you to cook two dishes simultaneously. Another appealing feature of the Domestic CSG103 is the grill under the cooktop.

When you’re done cooking with the Domestic CSG103, close the lid to shrink it to a compact, easy-transportable size. If you want to wash it quickly after a meal, the handle and grill tray can be easily removed. The Domestic CSG103 is great for traveling with friends and family. If you’re a solo camper, however, and need just a small camp stove with one burner, the Dometic CSG103 might be too much.

Want to get one? The Dometic website has a ‘Find a dealer’ section that will show you the closest outlet that stocks the model.

2. Companion High Output 2 Burner Stove

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • 2 burners
  • 25,000 BTU output
  • 590L x 280W x 110H (mm)
  • 5 kg

Reasons to buy:

  • Large enough to hold two large pots
  • High wind protection

Reasons to avoid:

  • Unnecessarily large if you’re planning to cook just one meal at a time

Price: $149.99

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If you’re looking for a two-burner unit that’s cheaper than the Dometic CSG103, consider the Companion High Output 2 Burner Camping Gas Stove Stove. While it lacks a grill, this budget stove is very easy to use, with two control knobs for independent cooking tasks. 

The Companion High Output 2 Burner Stove is made of stainless steel and has a tough enamel finish, which makes it durable and long-lasting. Gas consumption per burner is 534 g/hour, which is quite fuel efficient.

This camp stove uses propane or ULPG gas cylinders with a screw fitting and has a 3/8″ BSP left-hand male-threaded regulator connection.

The Companion High Output 2 Burner Stove weighs 5 kg.

 3. Campmaster Deep Dish Grill Stove

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • 2 burners
  • 8,000 BTU output
  • 165 g/hour per burner
  • 29L x 42W x 12H
  • 6 kg

Reasons to buy:

  • Custom carrying case
  • Low maintenance
  • Easy to clean

Reasons to avoid:

  • The glass lid can break easily

Price: $99

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Unlike the other gas camping stoves on our list, the Campmaster Deep Dish Grill  Gas Stove has a non-stick deep pan with a tempered glass lid. This can be seen as a drawback considering the higher risk of breakage. On the other side, the glass lid also creates a comfortable home kitchen feeling.

The Campmaster Deep Dish Grill Stove is easy to set up and use. Just open the lid and rotate the control knob to start cooking. The burner camping stove comes with two stages of overpressure shut-off devices. The first one is for cartridge eject, and the second one is for gas flow cut-off. It’s very fuel-efficient, with gas consumption as low as 165g/hour per burner. However, this also results in a low BTU of 8,000.

If you’re looking for a gas camping stove that will provide you with a home kitchen feeling and plan to cook light meals, this camp stove offers great value for money.

The Campmaster Deep Dish Grill Stove can be found in many local retail stores or can be bought online.

4. Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System

 

Features: 

  • Modular stove system
  • Packed size: 29 x 29 x 19 cm
  • 4.1 kg
  • 10,000 BTU
  • Included 5-liter FluxPot and 10-inch ceramic-coated nonstick fry pan
  • Integrated ignition
  • Regulator for cold weather

Reasons to buy:

  • High build quality
  • Included pots and pans pack well with the stove
  • Powerful
  • High performance in cold weather

Reasons to avoid:

  • Quite expensive
  • Packability might not be necessary for your needs

Price: $649.95

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The Jetboil Genesis seeks to reinvent the camping stove in the same way their modular hiking stoves changed the game. With an included pot and pan that pack into a foldable stove system, the Jetboil Genesis is one of the most well thought out stoves we’ve ever seen for car camping.

Despite its packable size the Genesis still has a high output and can boil water in 3 minutes running on standard propane. The two burners allow you to boil (or simmer) and fry at the same time, ensuring a hearty meal before a day of adventures without compromise (even if you have a small car!).

Our Explorer Ben checked out the Jetboil Genesis and you can read more about it in this article.

It’s worth noting that the Genesis is one of the more expensive options on this list, and although we expect it to last a very long time, it might not be right for everyone.

5. Companion Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • Combination of oven and stove
  • 540L x 391W x 458H (mm)
  • 15 kg
  • 3,600 BTU oven
  • 10,600 BTU stove
  • 78.5 g/hour per burner oven
  • 116 g/hour per burner stove

Reasons to buy:

  • All-in one solution combines all the cooking equipment you need
  • Can be heated up to 250°C

Reasons to avoid:

  • 15kg makes it difficult to carry
  • Does not compress to compact size for transport

Price: $399

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The Companion Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop is an excellent option if you’re looking for more than just a camp stove. If you want to take your kitchen with you and cook or bake anything on the go, this is one of the best options. 

Of course, this level of comfort comes with drawbacks. The Companion Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop weighs 15 kg, rather heavy considering most of the other gas camping stoves on our list weigh no more than 5-6 kg. Another drawback is the price — it’s around three times more expensive than the Campmaster Deep Dish Grill Stove.

But for that weight and price the Companion Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop is one of the best camping ovens and cooktops on the market, and has everything you may need for comfortable cooking in the great outdoors. We’d recommend buying this gas stove if you absolutely want to have every cooking convenience on hand, want the comfort of your home kitchen and don’t plan on changing camping locations often. 

Remember, though, that transporting the Companion Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop is not really suitable for campers traveling in a small car. It’s designed either for groups with at least one large car, or a big camper van.

6. Coleman Powerhouse Dual Fuel Gas Camping Stove

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • 2 burners
  • 8000/9000 BTU
  • 14.5W x 7.1H
  • 6.12 kg
  • Works with Coleman liquid fuel

Reasons to buy:

  • 5 -year warranty
  • Also works with unleaded gasoline

Reasons to avoid:

  • Ignition is manual

Price: $349.99 (RRP 499.99)

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The Coleman Powerhouse Dual Fuel Gas Camping Stove is one of the most durable and reliable models in the market. Campers who use this Coleman model confirm it also works perfectly in cold weather, in contrast with most camping stoves, which have issues with efficient gas consumption and performance in wintertime.

The camping gas stove has two burners and uses Coleman Liquid Fuel, but can also use unleaded petrol if there is no alternative. The BTU rating is not very high, ranging between 8,000 and 9,000. However, it heats up quickly and cooks food evenly. It has two burners, very high wind protection, and weighs 6.12 kg. It’s slightly heavier than other camping stoves on our list, but still light enough to carry with you in a car or on a bike.

The Coleman Powerhouse Dual Fuel Gas Camping Stove is easy to set up and use. Fill the tank with fuel, pump it up, then light the camp stove. Note that you need to ignite this gas stove manually.

7. Gasmate Travelmate II Stove

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • Single burner
  • Solid steel construction
  • 8,500 BTU output
  • 183 g/hour per burner
  • L340 x W280 x H85 (mm)
  • 2 kg

Reasons to buy:

  • Comes with carry bag
  • Affordable
  • Lightweight

Reasons to avoid:

  • Not suitable for traveling with a large group
  • No wind protection

Price: $30-50

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The Gasmate Travelmate II Stove is an excellent choice for campers hunting for a practical, compact and lightweight burner camping stove. It’s one of the most popular models on the market, and campers often choose it because of its low weight (1.65 kg) and small size. This camp stove can even fit into a backpack, which could be a good call for a cookup on a day hike!

The Gasmate Travelmate II Stove uses butane gas and has an output of 8,500 BTU, like many of the other gas camping stoves on our list. It has one burner and is ideal for campers who are not looking for advanced features, but want a practical compact single-burner stove for cooking light meals on the go.

If you buy this model, keep in mind its purpose is to meet basic cooking needs and is not for large meals or feeding groups on the move. This gas camping stove also doesn’t have a lid that opens to provide wind protection, so it’s not the best option for cooking outdoors in windy weather.

The Gasmate Travelmate II Stove is available in many Australian stores, from Bunnings to Repco and more, and is easy to find. The price can vary depending on where you find it, but regardless of where you buy it you’ll still get one of the cheapest gas camping stoves on the market. That’s why the Gasmate Travelmate II Stove is easily our best budget camping stove.

 8. Companion Deluxe 3 Burner Stove

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • 3 burners
  • 8,600 BTU from 2 burners
  • 6,400 BTU from 1 burner
  • 590L x 280W x 95H (mm)
  • 5.6 kg

Reasons to buy:

  • More cooking opportunities with three burners
  • Weighs the same as some two-burner models

Reasons to avoid:

  • Larger than most models

Price: $149.99

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The Companion Deluxe 3 Burner Stove is a top choice if you want a more advanced camping stove. It has three burners, giving you options for cooking more than one dish at the same time. Meanwhile, it weighs almost the same as other gas camping stoves with two burners on our list and costs about the same.

The Companion Deluxe 3 Burner Camp Stove has a sizeable cooking area, built-in wind protection, and solid folding legs. As a result it’s wind-resistant and stable on different surfaces. The burners have different capacities, with the two larger ones delivering 8,600 BTU that help cook food faster. This gas camping stove also has a convenient built-in ignition system.

Despite the high capacity of its three burners, this camping stove is very fuel-efficient. The smaller burner consumes 136 g/hour, and the large ones consume 180 g/h. Fuel comes from LPG gas cylinders.

One drawback of the Companion Deluxe 3 Burner Stove is that it’s larger than other models. If you aren’t worried about space this is no trouble, but if you’re tight on space ask yourself if you really need three burners.

 9. 360 Degrees Furno Stove and Pot Set

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • L210 x W130W x H145 (mm)
  • 11,900 BTU output
  • 254 g/hour
  • 358g
  • 1 year warranty

Reasons to buy:

  • Convenient to carry
  • Lightweight
  • High burning capacity
  • Pots and other utensils included

Reasons to avoid:

  • Manual ignition
  • Less comfortable than modern stove designs
  • Is not suitable for cooking big meals and feeding large groups

Price: $59.90

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The 360 degrees Furno stove comes with a set of pots that can be used to cook and it all packs away together, nice!

This camp stove design is a simple hiking design that’s best for boiling water and maybe some light simmering or frying. It comes with an all-in-one kit, including an 850ml pot and a mug/bowl that doubles as a lid. The set is also very lightweight and easy to take with you on a trip. 

The downside is that this burner camping stove is not good for cooking big meals or feeding large groups, as it has only one burner. It’s also not the best option for cooking outdoors in windy weather, as the wind can easily blow the pot over. Last but not least, you need to ignite it manually. It’s a simple stove, but it’s cheap and might be all you need to get out there!

 10. Devanti 3 Burner Portable Oven

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • 5,300 BTU output burners
  • 3,500 BTU output oven
  • L535 x D300 x H460 (mm)
  • Silver and black

Reasons to buy:

  • Non-stick cooking surface
  • All-in-one solution with high capacity

Reasons to avoid:

  • Glass window can break
  • Not compact for transportation

Price: $639.90

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The Devanti 3 Burner Portable Oven combines all the advanced features a campsite cooking solution can have. The oven is made of stainless steel and has three burners with a mid-range burning capacity of 5,300 BTU. This camp stove is also equipped with an ignition system.

If you don’t like the idea of cleaning the camping gas stove after each cookout, you’ll be happy to hear the cooking surface is made from non-stick material and is very easy to clean.

With the Devanti 3 Burner, you also get an oven with two removable racks. The oven’s tempered glass window means you can track how your favorite dish is coming along without having to open it. The window is also double layered to retain heat further. This is an excellent feature if you want to bake something at the campsite. 

To sum up, the Devanti 3 Burner is your all-in-one solution for cooking four dishes simultaneously (three on the stove and one in the oven), knowing your dishes will be properly cooked in any weather conditions. The model has powerful wind protection, and can be used safely in windy weather.

The Devanti 3 burner has a glass window, which is more risky to take to the outback because of the risk of breakage. It’s also not compact for easy carrying like some of the other items in our list. 

11. Camp Chef Explorer 2 x 14” Stove Cooking System

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

Features: 

  • Two burners
  • 30,000 BTU output
  • L356 x W813 (mm) cooking area
  • Weight 16.3 kg
  • 1-year warranty

Reasons to buy:

  • Removable legs for easy portability
  • Allows for griddle, BBQ box, steam pot

Reasons to avoid:

  • Expensive
  • Heavy

Price: $399

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With a height of 737 mm, this camping stove is comfortable to use standing or sitting. The two burners deliver up to 30,000 BTU each. The high cooking power makes this camp stove attractive for campers cooking big meals or feeding large groups. However, if you’re only planning to do some light cooking on the go, the Camp Chef Explorer isn’t the stove for you due to its price and weight.

While the Camp Chef Explorer is quite tall when assembled, removable legs shrink it for easy storage and transport. This camping gas stove takes up very little space when folded, and can be brought along in its own carry case. You can also use this gas stove as a griddle, which is excellent if you want to cook pancakes or bacon for breakfast.

This camping stove is heavier than many similar options, weighing in at around 16.3 kg. As a result it can be a challenge to carry it over long distances.

12. Camp Chef Rainier

11 Best Camping Stoves in Australia in 2022, SODP

 

 

Features: 

  • 2 burners
  • L711 x D228 x H406 (mm)
  • One 8,000 BTU tube burner and one 10,000 BTU burner
  • 7.3 kg

Reasons to buy:

  • Can cook and grill simultaneously
  • Higher BTU than many similar models

Reasons to avoid:

  • Relatively heavier than other models with the same BTU

Price: $340

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The Camp Chef Rainier is an easy-to-use and compact camping stove. As you might notice, some models weigh 1.5-2 kg less, but Camp Chef Rainier has a grill/griddle included — for some this will more than make up for the inconvenience of having to carry more weight . A grill is a great addition if you want more cooking options and to diversify your meals when camping.

The griddle is from non-stick aluminum, making it easy to clean. The camp stove also has an ignition system. The grill is comfortable for cooking breakfast staples like eggs and bacon, while the stovetop is perfect for lunch or dinner.

With the Camp Chef Rainier you won’t have to buy the grill separately, which makes it a great investment. On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of grilled food, you may want to consider another option from our list.

How to Choose the Best Camping Stove

Before spending on a camping stove, take the time to consider your specific needs, camping duration and style, and food preferences. Let’s look at several factors that will include your selection.

Number of Burners

The most popular camping stoves come with two burners, but you can also find models with up to four. Before you start to look, determine how many burners you need. The number of burners determines the gas  stove’s weight, compatibility, and price. It largely depends on the size of your camping group, the frequency of cooking, and the dishes you want to prepare.

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

BTU is a unit of measurement that defines the amount of heat a camp stove produces: more BTUs = more heat. However, you don’t necessarily need the highest BTU stove. It all depends on the type of food you want to cook.

If you plan to simmer soups or boil water, a burner camp stove with lower BTUs will do the job just fine. Buy a camping gas stove with high BTUs if you’re planning to do a lot of cooking that requires high heat, like frying.

Fuel Type

It’s preferable to have a camping propane stove that works with universal fuels like propane. You may not always have easy access to a unique type of fuel to run your gas camping stove in the wild.

Also pay attention to your camping stove’s fuel efficiency. Avoid the ones that need a lot of fuel, as it will be rather expensive to use them regularly.

Final Thoughts

Picking the right camping stove comes down to a bunch of requirements. You can pick something that does almost exactly what your home oven does, or a smaller but practical camping stove that will simply provide the basics, or nearly any combination of features in between. It’s important to think about what you’d like to cook and ways you can make it work with smaller, more efficient and packable setups.

Once you’ve picked the best cooking stove for your needs, you’ll have solved a major part of your camping gear puzzle. We’d suggest checking out our list of camping coffee makers, another essential component of any Australian outdoor adventure, to find your favourite.

 

Feature image thanks to @headwerkn