Before you buy a camping stove, check which gas it takes. Stoves are built around one type of cartridge or cylinder fitting, and cartridges from different systems are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on how many people you cook for, how far you carry the stove and how cold it gets.
For a day by the river or a quick brew on a walk, a small stove that screws onto a threaded cartridge is light and simple. For family camping, a double burner with a windshield runs on larger cartridges or a gas bottle and copes with real meals.
In cold weather, the gas matters. Pure butane struggles near freezing, while cartridges with propane or isobutane in the mix keep working better.
The main cartridge types
| Type | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Threaded (screw-on) valve | Cartridge with a self-sealing valve and screw thread, often a butane and propane mix | Lightweight stoves for walking, fishing and backpacking |
| Click-on valve | Brand-specific valve that clicks into compatible stoves, such as Campingaz CV cartridges | Campingaz stoves and lanterns |
| Pierceable | Cartridge without a valve, pierced by the stove when fitted, such as the Campingaz C206 | Older and budget stoves; must stay attached until empty |
| Slim butane canister | Tall aerosol-style butane can, often 220 to 250 g | Portable “lunchbox” stoves with a slot-in fitting |
| Gas bottle with regulator | Refillable steel or composite cylinder | Larger stoves, camp kitchens and barbecues |
Read the stove’s manual for the exact cartridge it takes. Using an adaptor between systems is not recommended unless the stove maker approves it. Cartridges and stoves from Campingaz, Coleman, Cadac and Kampa are among those in the camping and outdoor range.
Butane, propane and mixes
The gas inside a cartridge must turn from liquid into vapour to burn. Each gas does this at a different temperature:
- Butane boils at around 0 °C. On a frosty morning a butane cartridge loses pressure and the flame weakens or dies.
- Isobutane boils at roughly minus 12 °C, so it copes better with cold.
- Propane boils at around minus 42 °C and works in very cold conditions, but needs a heavy steel cylinder because of its high pressure.
That is why many threaded cartridges contain a butane and propane or isobutane mix; the Coleman C500 cartridges, for example, are sold as a 70/30 butane and propane mix. For an early start on a cold bank, keep the cartridge in your jacket or sleeping bag overnight and shield the stove from wind.
Single burner, double burner or camp kitchen
- Single burner, cartridge top. The burner screws straight onto the cartridge. Small and light, good for a flask refill or a simple meal for one or two. Less stable with a large pan.
- Portable “lunchbox” stove. A single burner in a case, using slim butane canisters. Stable and cheap to run, but butane only, so best in mild weather.
- Double burner. Two rings, often with a grill and windshield. Runs on cartridges or a gas bottle and suits families on a campsite.
- Camp kitchen. A stand with storage and a windshield, holding a double burner. Useful for longer stays.
Check the output in kilowatts if you cook for several people, and look for a piezo ignition, a pan support wide enough for your pans and a built-in windshield. If you need to compare brands, the brands page lists the shops and brands on the site.
Using a stove safely
- Cook outside, never in a tent or awning. Stoves and barbecues produce carbon monoxide, which builds up quickly in enclosed spaces. Public health bodies warn that a barbecue, even one that has gone out, should never be brought into a tent or awning.
- Set up on a flat, stable surface, clear of grass, leaves and the tent.
- Change cartridges outdoors, away from flames, and check the seal before lighting.
- Never leave a lit stove unattended, and keep children and dogs clear.
- Let the stove cool before packing it away and before removing a cartridge.
- Store cartridges cool and upright, out of direct sun and never in a hot car for long periods.
- Carry empties home and recycle them according to local rules; do not puncture or burn them.
Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea and drowsiness. If anyone has them, get everyone into fresh air and seek medical help urgently.
Cooking kit that helps
A heavy based pan spreads heat and burns less food. A lid boils water faster and saves gas. A flask filled in the morning saves lighting the stove for every brew, which is useful on a long fishing session. Mugs, pans and flasks are in the camping range, and a warm waterproof jacket makes an early breakfast outdoors more bearable.
Plan your kit list with the sleeping bag guide and tent guide.
Quick checklist
- Stove and cartridge from the same system.
- A butane and propane or isobutane mix for cold mornings.
- Single burner for one or two; double burner for families.
- Windshield, stable pan support and a lid.
- Spare cartridge for longer trips.
- Cook outdoors, never in a tent or awning.
- Cartridges stored cool and taken home when empty.
Common questions
Can I use any gas cartridge with my stove?
No. Stoves are designed for a particular fitting: threaded, click-on, pierceable or slot-in. The stove’s manual or the label on the stove says which. Using the wrong cartridge or an unapproved adaptor can cause leaks.
Why does my stove go weak in cold weather?
Butane barely vaporises at around 0 °C, so pressure drops and the flame weakens. Use a cartridge with propane or isobutane in the mix, keep the cartridge warm until you need it and shelter the stove from wind.
Is it safe to cook in the porch of my tent in the rain?
No. Carbon monoxide can build up in a porch or awning, and a flame near tent fabric is a fire risk. Cook outside under a separate tarp or shelter with open sides, or eat cold food until the rain eases.
