Purchasing a good quality, budget-friendly camping stove is a top priority for many first time campers and purchasing a Coleman camp stove might seem like the right choice. But is it?
Over the years, I’ve owned and used many Coleman camping stoves. From liquid fuelled backcountry stoves, to butane and propane burner stoves for car and family camping.
So, when it comes to performance, cost, and ease of use, how good is a Coleman camping stove compared to other brands? Should you buy a Coleman camping stove? And, if you do, which Coleman camping stoves are the best?
Well, let’s dive into the the pros and cons of Coleman camping stoves so you can make an informed decision!
Article Contents:
- 3 Types of Coleman Camp Stoves
- Which Type of Coleman Stove is the Best? [Tested]
- Are Coleman Stoves High Quality?
- Do Coleman Stoves Include a Warranty?
- Best Coleman Stoves [Top 3]
Pro-tip: Just looking for a quick recommendation? Check out the table below for some quick facts about a few popular Coleman stove models to see which one works for you.
| Stove Model | Primary Use | No. of Burners | Fuel Type | Weight (lbs) | Stove Cost (USD) | 1 Cup Water Boil Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Backcountry, Alpine, Canoe Camping |
1 |
Liquid |
2.4 |
$90 |
181 |
|
|
Car, Cabin, Traditional Camping |
2 |
Liquid |
12.2 |
$190 |
n/a |
|
|
Car, RVs, Canoe, Picnics |
1 |
Butane |
4.9 |
$65 |
230 |
|
|
Car, RVs, Group / Family Camping |
2 |
Propane |
11.7 |
$80 |
140 |
3 Types of Coleman Stoves
Coleman is a fairly large outdoor equipment manufacturer. From tents to lanterns, Coleman produces a lot of camping gear at fairly competitive prices. This includes a wide selection of camp stoves.
Over the years, Coleman has expanded and refined their camp stove designs. But, we can narrow them down into three distinct categories – liquid fuel, butane, and propane stoves.
Coleman Liquid Fuel Stoves
If you’ve ever seen old photos of people camping, you’ve probably seen them using a liquid fuel camping stove. The obvious give-away is the liquid fuel reservoir and manual pump mechanism attached to the stove itself.
- Liquid fuel camping stoves are popular because they are versatile when it comes to outdoor temperatures and fuel availability.
- Liquid fuel camping stoves are able to operate in cold climates and high altitudes.
- Liquid fuel is more widely available than butane and propane gas canisters worldwide.
Coleman liquid fuel camping stoves are designed to operate as dual fuel, using either “white gas” or unleaded gasoline. White gas is actually a liquid and comprised of petroleum products.
There are two models of Coleman liquid fuel stoves – a single burner stove for backcountry camping, and a dual burner stove for more traditional camping. In either case, the use of the stove is nearly identical.
- Liquid fuel (white gas or gasoline) is poured into the reservoir section and capped shut.
- A built-in, manual pressurization pump is then unscrewed, which resembles a mini basketball pump.
- The pump pressurizes the fuel reservoir which allows for flow of liquid out through the fuel line into the burner.
- A fuel flow valve is modulated to increase or decrease the flow of fuel to the burner.
- Some stove models include an ignition switch to light the burner, however a lighter or match can be used.
Coleman Butane Stove
A butane camp stove is a great way to cook while camping. There’s no need to fuss with complicated liquid fuel lines or fuel pressure as is the case for liquid fuel stoves. Just pop in a butane canister, push a lever to lock it in place and turn the fuel knob to ignite.
- A Coleman butane camping stove uses butane, a highly flammable, liquefied gas, to fuel a burner and provide a consistent heating source for cooking.
The key advantages of a butane camping stove are the butane canisters themselves, which are ultra-convenient, and how reliable and safe these stoves are to use (kid friendly).
The drawbacks for using a butane stove include the inability to use the stove below freezing temperatures, the weight of carrying multiple canisters (full and then empty), the high cost per cooking hour, and its low availability outside of North America.
The other drawback is butane stoves are single burner only – one fuel canister per burner. So, if you’re looking to cook multiple things at once, a butane stove isn’t right for you.
Pro-tip: For more information, check out How to Use a Butane Camp Stove. I detail how long each canister lasts, and how to properly use the stove with step-by-step instructions.
Coleman Propane Stoves
Similar to butane, propane stoves are extremely popular with campers in Canada and the United States. My very first camping stove was a two-burner propane fuel stove that I purchased from Canadian Tire!
Propane stoves are very easy to use. Just screw on the propane bottle, turn the fuel valve, and ignite the gas. They are compact, lightweight, and can be quickly set up for cooking.
Propane stoves are meant for car and canoe camping, road trips, campervans and RVs, outdoor festivals, picnics in the park and backyard cooking. They are not necessarily suitable for backpacking or alpine adventures. The reason is the propane fuel bottles.
- Portable propane stoves are typically fueled by small, 16 oz. (1 pound) bottles you can pick up at outdoor, hardware, or grocery stores.
- If you have a propane fuel line hose adapter, you can connect the stove to a large 20-pound, BBQ sized propane tank for longer duration trips.
Coleman makes a variety of propane stoves, usually dual burner models. Currently, we have the Coleman Classic 2-Burner Propane Stove variant which we bought during an Amazon Prime sale for dirt cheap – $64 CAD total!
There’s also the Coleman Hyperflame Fyersergeant 2 Burner Propane Stove which our friend has. It has a few more features including a built-in igniter, handle, included grill-top, and innovative burner design which doesn’t require wind protection.
Which Type of Coleman Camping Stove is the Best? [Testing Performance]
Between liquid fuel, butane, and propane, which type of Coleman camping stove is the best?
Well, since I own all three types of stoves, I’ve put them head to head (to head) in a battle-royale style performance review.
Below I detail the cost, size, time to boil, fuel costs, ease of use, portability and maintainability of each type of camping stove – so you can see which one is right for your needs!
Cost Comparison
The first factor that dictates whether a stove is right for most people is price. Sometimes, the most budget-friendly camping stove is the one you’ll end up using, at least initially.
So, for a first time buyer, what is the difference in cost between the major Coleman camping stoves?
Well, the table below ranks the cost of each stove from lowest to highest. I’ve also normalized the cost on a per burner basis.
| Stove Model | Stove Cost (USD) | Cost per Burner (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
$55 - $80 |
$28 - $40 |
|
|
$60 - $65 |
$60 - $65 |
|
|
$80 - $90 |
$80 - $90 |
|
|
$180 - $190 |
$90 - $95 |
Not surprisingly, the Coleman Classic Propane 2-Burner Stove has a relatively low overall cost, and a very low cost per burner. For a first time camper, this is your best value.
In second place is the Coleman Bistro Butane 1-Burner Stove. Because of its simple and compact design, it has a low cost which makes it perfect for individuals who want something that is inexpensive yet easy to operate and carry.
Size Comparison (Portability)
Next, let’s compare the size of each Coleman stove, specifically looking at the overall pack dimensions and weight. This should indicate how portable each stove actually is.
Portability is a large factor when it comes to different types of camping.
For example:
- A stove that is highly portable makes sense for backcountry, alpine and canoe camping trips.
- A stove that is less portable would be fine for car camping or backyard activities, since it doesn’t need to conform to size or weight restrictions.
- If you plan on traveling via vehicle or plane, some stoves would be more suitable for that.
The table below outlines the pack size and weight (without fuel) of each Coleman stove. I also indicate which stoves are good for traveling, and the type of outdoor trips.
| Stove Model | Primary Use | Weight (lbs) | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Backcountry, Alpine, Canoe Camping |
2.4 |
6” x 5” |
|
|
Car, Cabin, Traditional Camping |
12.2 |
5” x 23”x 14” |
|
|
Car, RVs, Canoe, Picnics |
4.9 |
14” x 12” x 3.5” |
|
|
Car, RVs, Group / Family Camping |
11.7 |
3.5” x 21” x 12” |
The most versatile Coleman stove from a portability perspective is a 2-burner propane stove. Its slim profile makes it ideal for car camping and moderate backcountry trips.
However, for over 10 years I’ve used a Coleman single burner butane stove and found it portable enough for canoe camping trips here in Ontario.
For hard-core backpacking and hike-through camping trips, the Coleman Sportster liquid dual-fuel stove is ultra-portable and the superior choice.
Pro-tip: For outdoor adventures outside of North America, finding butane canisters and propane bottles might be a challenge, so a liquid fuel stove is a better option.
Time and Fuel to Boil 1 Cup of Water
Another important factor when choosing a camping stove is cooking power and heat output. Camping stove manufacturers typically list heat output in BTU. The higher the BTU the more powerful the stove is (in theory).
But, what does that actually mean as far as cooking power and efficiency?
- A stove can have a high BTU output, but if it’s not directed properly into the cooking surface it won’t actually transfer heat energy well!
A practical way to compare the power and efficiency of each Coleman stove is to see how long it takes for each burner to boil 1 cup of water, and measure the fuel consumption.
- I tested boil time for each stove in both real-world, outdoor conditions as well as ideal, no-wind controlled conditions (i.e., a garage).
- I also measured the amount of fuel used and converted the mass of fuel into cost.
So, which stove do you think did it the fastest? And, which stove can boil water for the lowest fuel cost?
Check out the results below, rated fastest to slowest for boil time, and lowest to highest for fuel cost.
| Stove Model | 1 Cup of Water Boil Time (minutes) [Outdoors] | 1 Cup of Water Boil Time (minutes) [Controlled] |
|---|---|---|
|
140 |
110 |
|
|
181 |
132 |
|
|
230 |
123 |
| Stove Model | Fuel Cost to Boil 1 Cup of Water [Outdoors] | Fuel Cost to Boil 1 Cup of Water [Controlled] |
|---|---|---|
|
$0.11 |
$0.076 |
|
|
$0.13 |
$0.073 |
|
|
$0.14 |
$0.087 |
Interestingly, the purchase price for each fuel type is nearly identical at $0.015 USD per gram of fuel. So, it all depends on how the fuel performs.
If you’re looking for speed, efficiency, and low cost, the Coleman 2-burner propane stove is excellent.
- The built-in metal panels help to block wind to ensure even heating and cooking
- Its cooking efficiency is great for longer duration trips where cooking costs can start to really add up.
Ease of Use
The final factor we can look at when comparing Coleman camping stoves is the ease of using them.
Let’s face it, the more complicated our camping gear tends to be, the less likely we are to use them consistently. In fact, I’d go as far as to say the less user-friendly camping gear is, the less likely we are to go camping.
So, how does each Coleman stove stack up when it comes to ease of use? Although I’ve been using each type of stove since I was in high school, I’ll assess the ease of use for a novice camper who is just getting into camping.
The key criteria I’m looking at include:
- Set-up time → Easy or Hard
- Ignition → Built-in or External Flame
- Temperature control → Fine or Coarse
- Changing fuel → Easy or Hard
- Cleaning and maintenance → Easy or Hard
- Kid-friendly → Yes or No
| Stove Model | Set-up Time | Ignition | Temperature Control | Changing Fuel | Cleaning / Maintenance | Kid-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Easy |
Built-in |
Fine |
Easy |
Easy |
Yes |
|
|
Easy |
External Flame |
Fine |
Easy |
Hard |
Yes |
|
|
Easy |
External Flame |
Coarse |
Hard |
Easy |
No |
|
|
Hard |
External Flame |
Fine |
Hard |
Hard |
No |
From an ease of use perspective, the Bistro Butane Stove is the clear winner. The Classic 2-Burner Propane Stove is a close second.
Are Coleman Camping Stoves High-Quality?
Coleman has been an industry leader in the sale of outdoor equipment for decades. Coleman products are well-made, with good performance, at competitive prices.
Yes, there are rival manufacturers who might produce higher-end products, but, when it comes to pure value, you really can’t beat Coleman. For most first time campers, a Coleman camping stove would be perfect.
A Coleman stove blends good quality materials, simple design, consistent reliability, and low price.
For the most part, when you purchase and use a Coleman stove, you are using a piece of equipment tested and used by many other campers.
- Collectively, over the decades, Coleman has received feedback, refined their designs, and created more robust products.
And just like any other piece of outdoor equipment, proper usage and maintenance will allow you to use your Coleman camp stove for many years and countless adventures!
Do Coleman Stoves Include a Warranty?
Most Coleman camping stoves include a standard 1-year limited warranty. The warranty ensures the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship [Reference].
- The warranty is only valid for the original purchaser, with the original sales receipt, and is valid from the initial date of purchase.
- If the stove is deemed defective out of the box and does not perform as advertised, or there is a material issue with the stove, it can be covered under warranty.
However, normal wear and tear is not covered under the warranty. For example, damage due to excessive use, or improper care is not covered.
As a comparison, other popular camp stove manufacturers such as Jetboil, MSR, and Eureka! offer a similar limited warranty, but for 1-year [Reference], 3-years [Reference], and the “product lifetime” [Reference], respectfully.
Having said that, it’s up to individual companies to determine whether a product is covered under warranty, not you…
Best Coleman Camp Stoves [Top 3]
If you’re in the market for purchasing a good quality camping stove but only have a limited budget, a Coleman stove might be your best bet.
However, as described in detail above, not all Coleman camping stoves are designed and perform equally. Some stoves are more suited to certain types of camping adventures than others.
It’s best to match your needs with the right Coleman stove, so it can perform well enough to match your environment and expectations.
So, the following are the 3 best Coleman stoves I highly recommend when it comes to quality, value, and type of camping adventure.
Best Budget Coleman Camping Stove
Perfect for your first camping trip, the Coleman Bistro 1-Burner Butane stove is a good quality and inexpensive stove for most campers.
- The use of butane canisters makes this stove quick to deploy and easy to use, even for a first-time user.
- The built-in igniter, large temperature control valve and simple design is very user-friendly, even for kids!
One drawback is the lack of any built-in wind protection. So, on especially windy days, expect cooking time to take longer.
However, you can purchase a folding wind screen to keep your stove cooking more evenly in less than ideal conditions.
The Coleman Bistro Stove is a perfect, low cost stove for car camping, festivals, picnics, and campers of any level!
Best Family or Group Camping Coleman Stove
Large families require a lot more cooking real estate to ensure everyone is fed at the same time. Thankfully, Coleman has a wide selection of family-friendly and group camping stove options.
The Coleman Classic 2-Burner Propane Stove is one of the best options for such occasions.
- Its dual burner design is tailor-made for cooking multiple things at the same time.
- The large surface can be used for griddles, large fry pans, or pots.
- The built-in windscreen help block wind gusts from interrupting cooking temperature.
- The simple design is easy to set up, change fuel, and clean.
Overall, this stove is great for family car camping trips, cabins, campervans and RVs, and outdoor festivals!
Best Backpacking Coleman Stove
For individuals and small groups looking to explore the backcountry on a budget, the Coleman Sportster II 1-Burner Dual-Fuel Stove is a great option.
- The compact, lightweight design is easily packable and can be carried in a backpack.
- The liquid dual-fuel design allows for maximum flexibility when camping in remote regions of the world and extreme climates where butane and propane might not be a viable option.
Compared to other Coleman stoves, the Sportster is light-weight and versatile making it perfect for all sorts of backpacking or alpine adventures!
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