Tips on buying a camping stove

A camp stove can really make or break a camping trip. Nobody really understands how useful they are until they find themselves with out. A quick perusal of your local outfitter will reveal numerous options but there are some things to keep in mind that will help you narrow down your search results. If you are on a budget you will still be able to find good camping stoves. Prices usually range from about $25 - $250.
The very first thing to think about is how complex you want to cook and how many people you are cooking for. The more complicated the meal is, for example making the timing work, the fancier your stove will need to be. Of course, we're talking about camping here, so fancy is all relative. Stoves come with one to three, sometimes four burners. You can also buy a stove that has a combination of burners and grill space, just in case you can't grill over the fire, like this one by Century Tool. If you are backpacking then you simply need the one burner stove because you don't want to be caring around more weight than you need. Alternatively, it is much easier to cook for a family of four on a stove with three burners if you make full meals while camping. Personally I prefer a slim and streamlined two burner stove.
The next big decision in the stove buying process is which type of fuel you want to use. If you already have camping equipment, such as a fuel lantern, you will want to stick with the same fuel type so you don't have to buy two different kinds. The two most popular and widely available fuel types are white gas, such as Coleman, or propane. Using white gas will require you to pump in order to get enough pressure built up to actually use it. Propane is a lot easier for camp stove novices because there is no pump as propane is already pressurized and ready to go. All you have to do is hook it up and light it. However, propane his a lot heavier than white gas so avoid this if you are backpacking. Also, propane does not work well in extremely low temperatures. White gas burns hotter, and therefore uses less fuel during same length of time. Coleman fuel is also cheaper and some Coleman brand stoves are advertised as "dual fuel," meaning they can burn either white gas or unleaded gas. I would only recommend unleaded gas as a very last resort. Coleman makes a good backpacking stove that uses butane.
A few other basic things to consider and then you will be ready to purchase your camping stove. Most cook stoves are made of aluminum, but check just to make sure. Stainless steel is another great option and is easy to clean. For igniting your stove you may have two options: electronic or pump. Depending on where you will be camping, you might consider buying a stove that has a stand or folding legs, especially if you will be backpacking or camping where there are no picnic tables. You don't want to set the stove on the ground to cook. If you know you will be cooking at high altitudes you will want to make sure you find a stove that will be compatible with high elevation. If you think you will be exposed to wind then you need a stove that has a shield on it, rather than an open burner.
Remember, this can be as simple or luxurious as you want it to be. Whether you just want to heat up a can of soup after a long day on the trail or prepare a gourmet breakfast for your sweetie you are sure to find something for your needs.