Best Survival Stove for Emergencies

When venturing into the great outdoors, having the best survival stove can make all the difference when it comes to cooking and boiling water. Whether you’re on a thrilling camping trip or facing survival situations, a reliable and efficient stove becomes an essential tool for preparing meals and ensuring hydration. There are plenty of brands of survival stoves to pick from, with different types of fuel, varying efficiencies, and a range of durabilities.

This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best survival stoves, put them to the test, and now the results are in: the overall best, an ultralight option, and a folding pocket pick. If you need to cook some food or boil some water, one of our picks will bring the heat.

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Portable gas stoves are ideal for most survival situations. Yes, they do rely on fuel, but they can quickly and reliably cook and boil. This model from Gas One is one of the least expensive dual-fuel models you can get, increasing the versatility.

Specifications

• BTUs: 8,000
• Fuel: Butane or Propane
• Materials: Steel construction
• Size: 14″ W x 11″ L x 4.5″ H
• Weight: 3.1 pounds (without fuel)

For being stamped steel, it’s also surprisingly durable. There is not much to go wrong with the simple construction, and the carrying case gives it a bit of padding, too. One downside is that the swing-open fuel attachment lid can warp easily, making it not stay closed all the way. It’s easy to bend back, but still not ideal.

The accessories all work great: it is easy to pop in butane canisters or screw on the fittings for the propane bottles. The ignition lights consistently, but high winds could cause issues if you don’t have a windscreen. I like having precise control over the amount of gas being used, which many of the other survival stoves aren’t as great at (especially the cheap ones).

The burner is big enough to support a large pot, but also small enough to put my 1-liter stainless steel water bottle on for boiling. While this stove is fine on a camping trip, it really works at its best when it is used for power outages or other emergencies where you need a backup cooking stove.

With good fuel versatility and reliable efficiency at an affordable price, it’s easy to see why the Gas One GS-3400P Stove is the best for survival.

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The PocketRocket has been around for a while and is well-known by backpackers and campers. It boils water in 3 1/2 minutes, so it gets hot quickly. This allows you to heat and eat, pack it back up into its incredibly small shell, and get going again.

Specifications

• BTUs: 8,200
• Fuel: Isobutane
• Materials: Aluminum construction
• Size: 2″ W x 2″ L x 3″ H
• Weight: 2.6 ounces (without fuel)

I put off getting the MSR PocketRocket 2 for a while, and after firing it up and testing it out, I regret waiting so long. It gives you precise gas control, letting you heat a pot extremely fast or tune it back down to be efficient with your fuel. It’s lighter than everything else with its aluminum build, and the quality is apparent when you take a close look.

The downside of the PocketRocket is the high price. Still, it’s not worth getting a knockoff even if they do include a piezo ignition. I found the competitors to have subpar quality and poor efficiency in how much gas they used up. If you plan on using the stove much at all, you’ll end up losing the difference in isobutane and headaches.

This stove is ideal for bug out vehicles or other larger survival kits where you may have room for both a stove and fuel, but not a lot of room. I don’t keep one in my bug out bag because of the fuel size, but plenty of preppers do.

If you are looking for an ultralight and reliable camp stove, the MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Stove is what you need.

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Sometimes you need to just go with what works. A small folding firebox will get the job done and stashes away in the smallest of pouches for convenient carry. The FireDragon folds down to nothing, takes some abuse, and you don’t need a small loan to afford.

Specifications

• Fuel: Solid
• Materials: Steel construction
• Size: 4.5″ W x 3.3″ L x 1″ H
• Weight: 3.9 ounces

There are a bunch of these folding boxes on the market that all followed Esbit’s lead. While I didn’t test every single one, the FireDragon is still my favorite with the smart venting and included back panel that adds structure. The downside of that backpanel is that it can rattle around inside when you fold it up, making a bit of noise. I fix that by stashing a bit of tinder inside with it to hold the panel in place.

I don’t just keep this little guy in my bug out bag- I keep it inside my fire kit, which is inside my bug out bag. It’s so small when it’s folded up that it fits right in the pouch with my lighters, ferro rod, and tinder.

If you are looking for a wood-burning survival stove, get a Bushcraft FireDragon Multi-Fuel Cooker.

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Comparison Table

Survival Stove	Recommendation	Price*	Fuel	Weight	Best Feature
Gas One GS-3400P	Best Overall	$35	Butane/Propane	49.6 oz	Efficient
MSR PocketRocket 2	Best Ultralight	$49	Isobutane	2.5 oz	Light weight
Bushcraft FireDragon	Best Pocket-sized	$8	Solid	3.9 oz	Compact size
AOTU Ultralight		$7	Isobutane	3.3 oz	Inexpensive
Coghlan’s Folding		$9	Solid	10.1 oz	Widely available
Esbit Ultralight Pocket		$16	Solid	3.2 oz	Proven performance
Fire-Maple Greenpeak		$20	Isobutane	3.1 oz	Light weight
Redcamp Wood Burning Stove		$22	Solid	30.4 oz	Steel grate
Coleman Classic 1-Burner		$39	Butane	82.4 oz	Classic
Kuvik Titanium Wood		$40	Solid	6.8 oz	Titanium material
Grill Boss Dual Fuel		$60	Butane/Propane	46.4 oz	Dual fuel
Coleman Triton+		$90	Propane	190.4 oz	Dual burners
Camp Chef Everest 2X		$142	Propane	192.1 oz	Quality construction

The Stoves We Compared

Our research narrowed the field down to several brands and types of stoves that we compared: MSR, Coleman, Fire-Maple, Jetboil, Solo Stove, Canway, Grill Boss, Toaks, Esbit, and more.

You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.

We considered a huge range of stoves using a wide range of fuel types. We did not consider electric stoves or large installed stoves, or grills (regardless of fuel source). Those can come in handy for survival, but we focused on portable solutions.

We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a survival stove that you swear by, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can try to get it in the next roundup and see if it will beat out our top picks.

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What to Look For

The best survival stoves have several important features to look for:

1. Value
2. Functionality
3. Durability
4. Size & Weight
5. Versatility

When you get the right blend of these, you can find a camp stove that you can rely on in survival situations. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the survival stoves that truly set themselves apart.

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something like a portable cooking tool shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. There is a wide range of price points when it comes to camp stoves, mostly related to their size/weight and fuel type.

You never want to spend too much money on one thing when it comes to gear for your kits. It’s better to diversify your gear and budget to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.

Functionality

How well a survival stove functions is a combination of several factors, including the fuel types it uses, how efficiently it runs off of that fuel, and how much heat it can produce.

Fuel Type

There are many ways to power a survival stove, including solids, gas/liquid, electric, and even solar:

• Twigs, Sticks, and Logs – Wood-burning stoves are the tried-and-true survival stove and don’t require lugging fuel around. The downside (of course) is that you have to gather dry fuel.
• Solid Fuel Tablets – Usually Hexamine, Trioxane, or Sterno- these prepackaged fuel cubes make cooking convenient and compact.
• Propane – Widely available and used for camp stoves and grills, propane is a reliable choice.
• Butane – Mostly used for lighters, butane is a great lightweight alternative fuel choice.
• Isobutane – With more energy packed inside at a lighter weight, Isobutane is the fuel of choice for lightweight backpackers.
• White Gas – More rare these days, the original Coleman camp fuel is an LP mixture of liquid fuel.
• Electric – Viable with power supplies or generators in an emergency, but not practical for widespread use.
• Solar – A great renewable way to cook, the downside is pretty large if the sun isn’t out.

Each fuel type has strengths and weaknesses, which is why we highlighted the best of the main fuel types: solid, dual-fuel canister, and lightweight isobutane.

Efficiency

To measure stove efficiency, I weighed the fuel before and after achieving a boil to see how much fuel the stove used up to get there.

Durability

If you pull out your survival stove just to find it broken, it’s not going to help much. A few of the collapsible stamped stoves we tested didn’t fare so well durability-wise. You especially want your fuel stoves to be durable since you don’t want to mess with a fuel leak.

Size & Weight

When you are using a survival stove, you are typically on the move. Whether you’re setting it up for an emergency or using it straight out of your bug out bag in a survival situation, it needs to be portable and compact.

You’ll need to factor in the fuel used for the stove in its size and weight. Isobutane is the most efficient fuel as far as size and weight go, if you are excluding solar and natural kindling.

Versatility

Versatility in a stove is a measure of how useful it is in a wide range of scenarios. You’ll mainly want to be able to cook food and boil water, so it needs to put out enough heat even if it’s in cold, wet, or windy conditions. There are many variables that go into meeting this goal, from capacity to BTU output, cook time to ease of use.

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How to Use a Survival Stove

Be sure to use common sense and stay safety-minded when using a survival stove. You can catch things on fire, melt your gear, or even start wildfires if you don’t use it properly. Here are the general steps to using a survival stove:

1. Fuel: Determine the type of fuel your survival stove requires, such as wood, solid fuel tablets, alcohol, or gas canisters. Ensure you have an adequate supply of the chosen fuel.
2. Assembly: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the stove properly. Ensure all parts fit securely and that the stove is stable on a flat, non-flammable surface.
3. Ventilation: Set up the stove in a well-ventilated area to prevent the buildup of harmful gases. If indoors, ensure there is sufficient airflow and consider using a carbon monoxide detector.
4. Ignition: Use the appropriate method to ignite the stove based on the fuel type. This may include using a lighter, matches, a flint and steel, or an integrated ignition system if available.
5. Flame Control: Learn how to adjust the flame intensity on your stove. Some stoves have adjustable valves or dampers that control airflow and flame size. Experiment to find the optimal setting for your needs.
6. Cookware Placement: Place your cooking pot or pan on the stove’s designated cooking surface. Ensure it is stable and secure to avoid accidents. Use a pot gripper or tongs to handle hot cookware.
7. Cooking Time and Monitoring: Be aware of the cooking time required for your specific meal or beverage. Keep a close eye on the stove while cooking to prevent burning or overcooking.
8. Extinguishing the Stove: When you’re finished cooking, turn off the fuel supply or close the valve/damper to extinguish the flame. Allow the stove to cool down before handling or storing it.
9. Cleaning and Maintenance: Regularly clean the stove to remove any residue or buildup that may affect performance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper maintenance and storage of your specific stove.

Luke does a pretty good job of showing how to use a PocketRocket with applicable advice for any survival stove:

It's a Rocket! - MSR PocketRocket 2 - Review

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Who Needs a Survival Stove?

Cooking is an important part of preparedness, but a survival stove is not something we consider essential. You can get by with a stand-alone campfire in many cases, but a survival stove makes everything much easier and more reliable.

For that reason, we suggest you add a survival stove to these kits:

• Home Survival Kit
• Bug Out Bag
• INCH Bag
• Bug Out Vehicle

Survival stoves are also great for camping, hiking, and backpacking. At the very least, they can also assist with power outages (a common disaster type) if you typically rely on an electric range for cooking.

Sources and References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival stove are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:

Hosgood, H., et al. (2008). Portable stove use is associated with lower lung cancer mortality risk in lifetime smoky coal users. British Journal of Cancer. Issue 99. Pages 1934–1939. (Source)

Thomassen, O., et al. (2004). Carbon monoxide poisoning while using a small cooking stove in a tent. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Volume 22. Issue 3. Pages 204-206. (Source)

Valmiki, M., et al. (2011). A novel application of a Fresnel lens for a solar stove and solar heating. Renewable Energy. Volume 36. Issue 5. Pages 1614-1620. (Source)

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The Final Word

Cooking and purifying water are a few of the most important survival tasks you’ll need to be able to do. A survival stove will help you do both. Getting one that you can rely on will make surviving any situation that much easier.

Here are a few other guides and reviews our subscribers have found helpful:

• Best Survival Lighter for Practical Preppers
• Best Survival Water Bottle for EDC and BOBs
• Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials

We presented quite a lot of information, but as always, if you have any questions, let us know, and we would be happy to help. Our research and testing found the Gas One GS-3400P Stove to be the best option given its value, fuel type, versatility, size/weight, and durability.

Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.

See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.

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