Hiking and wild camping stoves: lightweight, compact and efficient

Our stoves for hiking, camping, expeditions and even sailing are compact, lightweight and efficient. You can use them to heat water or a meal, or to cook from scratch. They’re easy to carry in a rucksack, whether you’re heading out alone or with others. The range includes gas, liquid-fuel, multi-fuel, wood-burning and alcohol-fuelled stoves, including models that use Firedragon fuel.

Types of stove

There are many types of stove. The gas stove is probably the most popular: it’s easy to use, powerful and cooks food quickly. It’s the most common cooking system for trekking and hiking. It also suits all kinds of outdoor activities, from sailing and mountaineering to camping.

A wood-burning stove uses branches, pine cones or wood for fuel. It’s both environmentally friendly and economical, with no need to carry gas canisters. This cooking option is popular with bushcraft enthusiasts and self-sufficient trekkers. Wood is plentiful along many hiking routes, making it easy to find fuel.

Alcohol stoves are better suited to heating food than cooking it. Most work with both solid and liquid alcohol fuel. They’re popular with the military because they work in all weather and throughout the year. They’re also very light and compact—ideal for ultralight backpackers.

There are also multi-fuel stoves. They run on liquid fuels, such as petrol or kerosene, or on gas canisters. They combine the power of a gas stove with the all-weather usability of an alcohol stove. They’re ideal outdoor cooking equipment for expeditions!

Finally, there are solar cookers and self-heating systems. They’re less common, but still quality options. A solar cooker uses energy from the sun, making it an environmentally friendly choice for picnics and summer trips outdoors. A self-heating system needs only water to heat your meal: a simple chemical reaction does the rest. Simple and practical.

Top brands: Jetboil, MSR…

There are dozens of stove brands, but they’re not all equal in quality. At Freezedried & Co, we take care to stock equipment that has already proved itself. That way, you can be confident that every stove on our site is durable and performs well.

One of the best-known brands is Jetboil. This American outdoor brand is known for its portable all-in-one gas stoves. They often include a burner, a pot support and a cooking pot or cup. Optimised heat distribution improves efficiency, allowing you to boil 1 litre (about 1.8 imperial pints) of water in under 3 minutes. Jetboil stoves are popular with sailors, van lifers and bivouac enthusiasts.

For gas stoves, there’s also MSR and Optimus. Both brands offer a wide range of high-performing models: ultralight gas stoves, regulated stoves for more efficient gas use, remote-canister stoves for better stability, and stoves with an integrated cup, like those from Jetboil. These are quality brands you’ll regularly come across on trails such as the GR20 and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Other well-known brands include Esbit, a German brand whose alcohol and solid-fuel stoves often feature in military rations. Toaks makes ultralight titanium stoves that are highly sought after by hikers. Finally, the BRS stove is a great choice for minimalist hikers.

Accessories to make life easier

At Freezedried & Co, we sell a wide range of accessories compatible with leading stoves. These include coffee presses—ideal for waking up on a bivouac trip—pot supports and hanging kits for suspending your stove from a vehicle or a branch. We also sell windshields, gas lighters and gas canister adapters (see Campingaz above). In short, everything you need for a more comfortable trip without adding unnecessary bulk or weight.

We also care about giving products a second life. That’s why we do our best to repair them before deciding they’re beyond use. We offer a range of spare parts that may save you from having to buy new cooking equipment.

Which activities call for a stove?

Any activity where you need to cook outdoors. Our stove range covers hiking, trekking, mountaineering, bivouacking, bushcraft, van life, sailing, ultra-trail running, bikepacking, climbing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, packrafting, camping and more.

The days of heavy, bulky stoves are over. Discover optimised stoves that are both compact and lightweight—small enough to carry in a small rucksack. Enjoy a tasty meal away from home and add variety to your food. Dehydrated and freeze-dried meals are easy to prepare with a stove: just boil water and rehydrate the food. You’ll have a hot meal to restore your energy after a demanding day and warm you up during a winter outdoor adventure.

Buy your stove with ease

To help you choose, Freezedried & Co offers several useful resources. Start with our comprehensive guide to the different types of stove.

Next, read the product description. We aim to give every product a clear, detailed description. Each product page also has a table of key stove specifications, so you can check what’s included, the warranty, materials, boiling time and more.

If you need more help, try our comparison tool. Like both the MSR PocketRocket 2 and the Optimus Crux Lite but can’t decide? The tool shows you the differences between them. And if you still have questions, our advisers are available by email, phone or social media.

How to choose a camping stove for your activity

The right stove depends mainly on the trip you have in mind. For a versatile option that heats up quickly, a gas stove from a brand such as Jetboil or Optimus is the simplest choice, ideal for hiking or a weekend camping trip. For longer self-supported trips in the mountains, a multi-fuel model from Optimus or MSR gives you more flexibility by accepting several types of fuel. Alcohol and solid-fuel stoves from brands such as Esbit and Toaks Outdoor stand out for their very low weight—a plus for ultralight trips or survival situations where every gram counts. Wood-burning stoves let you cook without carrying fuel: simply gather twigs along the way.

Gas canisters: what you need to know

• The valve: most camping stoves use threaded gas canisters. Check compatibility before you set off.
• Capacity: a small canister is enough for a solo weekend; choose a larger one for a trek or a group trip.
• Flying: gas canisters are prohibited on aircraft, both in cabin and hold luggage. Buy them locally when you arrive.
• Empty canisters: take them home and dispose of them at a suitable collection point.

Save fuel when camping

• Cover the pan: water boils faster with a lid.
• Shelter the flame: a windscreen or rock can save valuable time.
• Heat only what you need: the amount of water stated on your freeze-dried meal, plus enough for a hot drink.
• Test it before you go: measure your fuel use on a short trip to work out how much gas to take on a long trek.

Eat hot food without a stove

To lighten your pack further, or when fires are prohibited, our self-heating meals heat their contents without a flame or fuel. Some freeze-dried meals can also be rehydrated with cold water. Explore all our outdoor cooking gear, our top ultralight gear and our full range of camping equipment.

💡 FAQ: Camping stoves

❓ Which stove should you choose for a typical camping trip?

A gas stove is usually the best choice. Easy to use, quick to light and powerful, it suits most camping and hiking trips.

❓ Where can you find a gas stove on the site?

This page brings together several gas stove models from established brands such as Jetboil and Optimus. Use the filters to find them among all the stoves available.

❓ What’s the difference between a gas stove and a multi-fuel stove?

A gas stove runs only on gas canisters. A multi-fuel stove can also use petrol or other fuels, making it more versatile on extended self-supported trips.

❓ Which stove is best for survival or ultralight use?

Alcohol and solid-fuel stoves, such as those from Esbit and Toaks Outdoor, are the lightest and most compact options—ideal for keeping pack weight down.

❓ Can you use a stove without carrying fuel?

Yes. Wood-burning stoves run on twigs gathered on site, making them an economical option for trips into the great outdoors.