We talk a lot about kitchen appliances and gadgets but what about when you need to take the kitchen to the great outdoors? If you like camping or just want to enjoy a meal out on your deck or in your backyard then you will need a good portable stove.
Luckily there is a wide variety of quality portable stoves to choose from. And having these handy will mean that you can take your kitchen anywhere you may want to go. So let’s take a look at 7 of the best portable butane stoves.
Gas ONE Propane or Butane Stove
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
Most portable stoves rely on butane cartridges as their fuel source. But should you ever find yourself without a butane cartridge, this would be a handy model to have. It comes with a propane tank connector so you can operate it with propane and butane.
Like many of the small portable stoves that we will feature on our list, this Gas One model features electric ignition so you don’t have to use matches. Simply turn the dial to max, wait for the click and you’re ready to go.
Coleman Portable Butane Stove
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
Our next butane gas stove is from a brand that you are familiar with if you are a camping enthusiast. This Coleman portable butane stove features a rack that fit up to 10 inch pans or griddles. And with an 8 ounce butane cartridge, you get 1.25 hours of cooking.
The rack is coated with porcelain so its easy to clean and will last for a long time. The dimensions of this portable butane stove burner are 20 x 12 x 4 inches so it can fit in most large backpacks.
Iwatani 35FW butane stove
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
Iwatani makes some of the most high quality, powerful portable stoves for commercial and home use. This particular Iwatani portable butane stove is capable of putting out 15,000 BTU’s.
And the high-tech regulator that automatically kills the flow of butane if the pressure in the canister gets too high makes this an ideal indoor butane stove. The burner is made of solid brass so you know it will last a long time too.
Iwatani of America ZA-3HP Portable Butane Stove Burner
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
If you are looking for a more affordable Iwatani butane stove then look no further. The ZA-3HP is also made of aluminum and can put out a max of 12,000 BTU’s. It also uses a Piezo electric match-less ignition.
And even with the sturdy aluminum construction this Iwatani butane stove weighs under 4 pounds so it’s perfect for backpacking, camping, tailgating or any situation where you need a portable stove.
Chef Master 90019 Portable Butane Stove
Editors’ Choice: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
This Chef master model features a very large cooking rack so it can accommodate a wide variety of cookware. There is also a double wind burner guard so it will hold up in strong winds or in well-ventilated indoor spaces.
The dimensions of this portable stove are 11.2 x 13.2 x 4.5 inches. But don’t let the compact size fool you. This Chef Master stove still puts out an impressive 15,000 BTU’s of heat at the max setting.
Camplux Dual Fuel Camping Stove
Editors’ Choice: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
As the name implies, this is another model that can be fueled by butane cartridges or connected to a small propane tank. This stove can also detect the amount of pressure in the butane cartridge to prevent dangerous blowbacks.
With a standard 8 ounce butane canister (the only size that will fit) you can get about an hour and a half of cook time on high heat.
TECHEF – AGNI Portable Butane Gas Stove Burner
Editors’ Choice: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
If you are looking for a small butane burner that won’t take up much space in your closet or cabinets or one that sports a unique design, our last entry will be of particular interest to you. This portable stove features a very low profile cooking rack which gives it a sort of post-modern look.
But it’s not all about looks. You still get 11,500 BTU’s from this stove. The heating panel also emanates heat very well so it allows for fast and even cooking of all kinds of foods and liquids.
Portable Butane Stove Buying Guide
You should look for different features when shopping for the best portable butane stove depending on what you intend to use yours for. For example:
For Camping
If you do intend to use your portable butane stove mostly outdoors, a double wind guard will help maintain the flame in windy conditions.
For Indoor Use
For indoor use, we would recommend a less powerful model because if the flame is too strong, it could generate a lot of smoke which can set off your smoke detectors and produce a lingering smell in your house.
For Emergency Kits
Portable stoves are handy to have around in case of an emergency. But if you do plan to add one to your emergency kit, try to get one that can bu run with both butane and propane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are butane stoves safe to use indoors?
A: Yes but you must make sure the room is well ventilated
Q: Where can I buy butane for a stove?
A: You can get butane canisters at most hardware and department stores with a camping/outdoors section.
Q: How much do butane canisters cost?
A: Single cartridges are typically pretty cheap – around $3 for 8 ounces.
Final Advice
No matter where you intend to use your portable butane stove, you should always make sure it has safety shutoff features. Also, practice safe operation habits when using one and make sure the area is very well ventilated.
And when you are ready to start shopping, be sure to start with our list of the best portable butane stoves!
