Elements to Consider:

• Simplicity → set up & use, field repairs
• Efficiency → fuel, boil time, wind protection
• Packability → weight, pack-down size
• Cooking Complexity → burner size, flame regulation, stability
• Fuel Options → availability in small towns & internationally, cost, impact

Canister – The All-Rounder

1. Screws on, that’s it!
2. Fast, less windproof & less efficient in the cold
3. Small burner, can balance medium pots
4. Stove is tiny, depends on canister size
5. Canisters are common, hard to recycle

Extra notes:

• Refill adapters allow canisters to be re-used!
• Remote canister stoves add stability.

Liquid & Multi-Fuel – The Expeditioner

1. Learning curve involved
2. Best in cold & solitude
3. Awkward shape & heavier
4. Best for large group cooking
5. Universal models take any liquid fuel (some can attach to canisters).

Alcohol – The Ultralighter

1. Impossible to break, easy set up
2. Long boil times
3. Tiny, lightweight
4. Small pot only, fancier models can regulate a little with metal cover on top
5. Cheap, everywhere, low impact

Stove System – The Trendy One

1. Simple, fast
2. For the “must-have coffee” folks
3. Middle of the pack
4. Water & easy meals only
5. Canisters are common, hard to recycle

Also a canister.

Wood – The Lumberjack

1. Impossible to break, have to make a fire
2. Wind & rain affected, slow to start
3. Free & low impact, heavily reliant on weather & local environment
4. Light, packs flat
5. Active monitoring for heat stability

Tablet – The Never Heard of Her

1. Impossible to break, just light it
2. Slow to boil
3. Light, packs flat
4. Small pot only, no regulation
5. Hard to find outside gear shops (do not fly with tablets)