9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves – Cook Delicious Meals on the Go!

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

We conducted 11+ hours of research to conclude that the Solo Stove Lite is the best wood-burning camp stove.

Everyone loves that delicious, smoky taste of dinner cooked over an open fire.

But you know what everyone doesn’t love? Finding out there’s a fire ban or realizing it’s impossible to build a traditional campfire.

Enter wood-burning camp stoves. They provide all the benefits of a campfire, except they’re portable too!

We searched the available models to pick the Solo Stove Lite as our favorite. Achieving the optimal balance between function, size, and price, the Solo Stove Lite is ultra-portable, produces a super hot flame, and requires no setup!

Comprehensive Buyer Guide – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

We’ve compiled a comprehensive buyer guide showing you how to pick the best wood-burning camping stove.

Product NameWeightCooking Surface SizePriceNotable Features
Solo Stove Lite9oz3.8 x 3.8”$$No assembly required, reduced smoke generation
Emberlit Titanium UL 5.4oz4 x 5.5”$$Titanium build, folds down to nearly a credit card’s width
Camping Stove Ohuhu0.8lb5.3 x 5.3”$Midsize for an affordable price
BioLite Campstove 22lbs5 x 5”$$Capable of charging USB powered devices
REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove5.5lbs10.6 x 7.8” $Easy unfold assembly, includes a grill
Fltom Camp Tent Stove37.9lbs15.75 x 9.85”$$$Plenty of room to cook while winter glamping
WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove4lbs15 x 9”$$$$Lightweight, allows you to heat your tent and cook
BAFADA Wood Burning Camp Stove2lbs7.3 x 3.9”$Budget friendly, accommodates large pieces of fuel
Spitfire Rocket Stove 11lbs8 x 8”$$Accommodates large cookware while remaining extremely stable
Table of Contents

1. The Solo Stove Lite – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The Solo Stove Lite
  • Overall performance (30%) – 9/10, rave reviews, hot burn, minimal smoke
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 9/10, 9oz weight
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 8/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 8/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 9/10, none required!

Best for: a backpacker looking for a no-fuss stove that strikes the perfect balance between function, size, and weight; $$

There’s no doubt that the Solo Stove Lite is a fan favorite. And with good reason too! 

Despite its munchkin size of just under 4” tall and a weight of 9oz, this stove packs a lot of performance into a little package.

It has a unique double wall construction and venting system that produces hot, concentrated heat. This heat is capable of boiling water in 8-10 minutes.

Not only that but that unique design has the added benefit of drastically reducing smoke generation. Now you don’t need to deal with smoke in your eyes while preparing your meal!

Additionally, the Solo Stove Lite is incredibly hassle-free. There’s no setup involved at all! Remove it from its included carry bag, remove the cooking ring, and add fuel. That’s it!

Pros – The Solo Stove Lite

  • The small size of 4” and 9oz weight doesn’t compromise on performance.
  • 8-10 minute water boil.
  • Doesn’t generate much smoke at all.
  • Included carrying bag.
  • No assembly is required!
  • Rugged stainless steel construction.

Cons – The Solo Stove Lite

2. The Emberlit Titanium UL – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The Emberlit Titanium UL
  • Overall performance (30%) – 8/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 9/10, 5.4 oz and incredibly thin folded profile.
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 8/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 7/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 6/10, requires some assembly.

Best for: a thru-hiker looking for the ultimate portable, lightweight beast; $$

Calling all ultralight hikers! We’ve got the perfect stove for you!

The Emberlit Titanium UL is a tiny but mighty champion, boasting insane packability and what some campers call bombproof reliability.

Weighing in at a mere 5.4 oz, you don’t need to worry that your “luxury item” stove will add to your pack weight. 

And with its crazy thin foldability – down to nearly a credit card’s width – you can take the Emberlit on any adventure.

Just keep in mind that it does require some assembly. In fact, connecting the separate panels feels a little like playing with an old Lego set!

Lastly, since this stove is primarily geared toward backpackers, it’s not the biggest on the market. In other words, don’t plan on stacking your largest 11-inch pans on it.

Pros – The Emberlit Titanium UL

  • Astonishingly light at 5.4 oz
  • Folds down to nearly the profile of a credit card
  • Titanium is strong and durable
  • Quickly boils water in 10 minutes
  • Easy cleanup

Cons – The Emberlit Titanium UL

  • A bit of assembly is required 
  • The small size means it’s not the hottest burning stove ever

3. The Camping Stove Ohuhu – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The Camping Stove Ohuhu
  • Overall performance (30%) – 7/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 8/10, 0.8lb and includes a convenient carrying bag.
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 8/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 6/10, mixed feedback regarding stability.
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 7/10

Best for: a backpacker on a budget seeking a durable, compact way to prepare smaller portions of food; $

If the prices on some of the portable wood-burning stoves are upsetting your wallet, consider the Camping Stove Ohuhu. It is affordable while still offering plenty of bang for your buck.

First, this stove has received the stamp of approval from backpackers. Weighing only 0.8lb, it’s light enough to toss in a pack and forget. 

Plus, the 5.3” dimensions make it large enough to cook adequate portions while not being bulky.

Campers have praised the Ohuhu’s durability, saying they’ve dropped multiple stove parts without damage. This isn’t surprising when considering it’s hardy stainless steel construction.

But users did express a little concern about the stability of the three arms which the pot sits upon. So keep that in mind and handle it with care.

Pros – The Camping Stove Ohuhu

  • Lightweight at 0.8lb
  • Includes a grill 
  • Comes with a carrying case for easy portability and storage
  • Minimal assembly; all parts nestle together 

Cons – The Camping Stove Ohuhu

  • Have to remove pots and grill to add fuel
  • Campers were a bit concerned about the stability of the three arms that hold the pot

4. The BioLite Campstove 2 – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The BioLite Campstove 2
  • Overall performance (30%) – 8/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 8/10, 2lbs is reasonable for most campers.
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 7/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 7/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 7/10

Best for: a car camper who needs to stay connected to their electronics even when off the grid; $$

Wow, the BioLite Campstove 2 is the perfect gadget for anyone who can’t live without their tech toys.

This little guy is not only a competent, fully functional wood-burning stove, but it can also charge any USB powered device. 

So feel free to cook dinner while charging your smartphone, tablet, or camp lantern!

The BioLite Campstove 2 accomplishes this feat by converting some of the excess heat generated by the fire into electricity. It then stores that electricity in its onboard battery. 

That battery is detachable, meaning you can charge your devices even without a fire! When you do have a healthy fire burning, users can get a 10% charge in a half hour.

Regarding its stove functionality, campers report it can boil water in 5 minutes. 

In fact, its heat generation is almost too good. Some users warn that if you don’t watch it carefully, it’s really easy to burn your food.

Pros – The BioLite Campstove 2

  • Dual function stove and charging combo; keep your devices powered up in the wild
  • Charge devices even without heat; detachable battery stores power
  • Boils water in 5 minutes

Cons – The BioLite Campstove 2

  • The heat is so intense that it’s easy to burn food; beware!
  • Some campers don’t like the small size of the chamber/fuel hole

5. The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove
  • Overall performance (30%) – 8/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 7/10, 5.5lbs is okay for car campers
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 7/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 7/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, easy unfold

Best for: several car campers looking to serve up mid to larger-sized portions at a very budget-friendly cost; $

The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove might be your next cooking solution if you’re in need of a larger stove for a not-so-large price.

Featuring 10.6 x 7.8” of available cooking surface, you’ve got plenty of room for two smaller pots or one large pan. It also comes with a grill, so feel free to dump your food right on for some char-flavored perfection!

Another perk we enjoy about the REDCAMP is the front-loading fuel system. Now you won’t need to move all your food off the top when it’s time to add fuel to the fire.

For the setup, you don’t need to worry about fussing with tiny parts and pieces. Simply unfold and attach the grill. That’s it!

And finally, when it’s time to pack it up, the entire piece folds to 1.5” thick. REDCAMP throws in a bonus carrying case to simplify the moving process further.

Pros – The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove

  • Mid-size stove offers 10.6 x 7.8” cooking surface
  • 5.5lbs is reasonable for car campers
  • Easy unfold assembly
  • Front-loading fuel system

Cons – The REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove

  • Some users warn they cut themselves handling the metal edges; handle with care. 

6. The Fltom Camp Tent Stove – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The Fltom Camp Tent Stove
  • Overall performance (30%) – 8/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 6/10, 37.9lbs and not terribly portable
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 7/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 9/10, plenty of room to cook; a little over 15×9”
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 5/10, plenty of setup is needed

Best for: glampers camping in the cold who want a way to not only cook their meals but heat their tent; $$$

You can’t go wrong with the Fltom Camp Tent Stove for cold-camping glampers and camp chefs alike.

Users love the extra large cooking surface area of just over 15×9”. Plus, the two added shelves provide even more space to prep your food before tossing them on the grill.

Unlike many other stoves, the Fltom Camp Tent Stove is robust enough to bring on your coldest camping adventures. 

Why? Because the heat output is enough to warm an entire tent! Just be sure your tent is fire retardant and capable of accepting the included chimney flume.

As an added bonus, it features a tempered glass window for easy viewing of the fire. After cooking your amazing dinner, snuggle up on chilly winter evenings and watch the dancing flames!

Just be careful of making the heater too hot. Some campers mentioned creating a fire so hot that the coating started flaking. So keep an eye out for any potential damage.

Pros – The Fltom Camp Tent Stove

  • Extra large cooking area; just over 15×9”
  • Includes 2 shelves for preparing food
  • Runs hot and heats a tent, perfect for winter glamping
  • Features a glass window to watch the fire

Cons – The Fltom Camp Tent Stove

  • Feedback here and there warning of heating the stove up too much
  • 37.9lbs is rather heavy

7. The WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove
  • Overall performance (30%) – 8/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 9/10, 4lbs for a stove like this is almost unbelievable
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 9/10, sturdy titanium build
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 9/10, 15×9” is a lot of room for cooking
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, instant setup

Best for: a winter camper searching for a lightweight, premium stove and heat source; $$$$

Let us introduce the premier wood-burning stove for winter camping: the WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove.

It may sound like we’re being a little dramatic, but we really aren’t. This stove is worth the fuss.

But first, let’s address the elephant in the room: the WINNERWELL is incredibly expensive. It’s able to command such a price thanks to its premium features.

To start with, the entire stove is built with titanium. This results in a rock-solid kit lasting a lifetime and an astonishing 4lb total weight.

The stove itself is crazy spacious: 15×9” is available for whipping up your tastiest meals. 

When it comes to heating your tent, one camper, in particular, mentioned how their tent went from 47 to 77 degrees in 15 minutes. So there’s no need to worry about the freezing forecast; the WINNERWELL’s got you covered.

Pros – The WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove

  • Dual functioning stove; heat and cooking
  • 15×9” surface area
  • Entire stove weighs 4lbs and folds down nearly flat
  • Instant setup; no parts to attach besides the chimney

Cons – The WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove

  • Premier price will instantly eliminate this stove for most campers

8. The BAFADA Wood Burning Camp Stove – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The BAFADA Wood Burning Camp Stove
  • Overall performance (30%) – 7/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 8/10, 2lb and low profile
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 7/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 8/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 6/10, some setup required

Best for: the extremely budget-conscious camper or a beginner looking for a cheap way to jump into the world of wood-burning camp stoves; $

We get it: camping is expensive! 

Thankfully, there are alternatives to plunking down an arm and a leg’s worth of cash. The budget-friendly BAFADA Wood Burning Camp Stove is one of these alternatives.

In spite of it’s crazy affordable price, there’s a lot to love about this camp stove.

For one, you’re getting a lot of stoves. With a length of nearly 8” and a width of nearly 4”, it can handle several pots and pans simultaneously. 

The BAFADA features plenty of air vents, so starting your fire is easy. They also throw in a handy windshield to protect the baby flames when you’re getting started.

You won’t need to constantly feed this thing either, thanks to the abnormally large side opening that can accommodate some seriously large logs.

Regarding storage, the BAFADA folds down flat to about the size of an iPad. This low profile, coupled with its weight of just over 2lbs, makes it easy to bring on most adventures.

Pros – The BAFADA Wood Burning Camp Stove

  • Wildly budget-friendly; most affordable on our list
  • Large size despite its price; plenty of servings
  • Can accommodate large logs so you don’t need to fuel the fire constantly
  • Adjustable height of the fire grates
  • Low profile and 2lb weight

Cons – The BAFADA Wood Burning Camp Stove

  • Requires some setup

9. The Spitfire Rocket Stove – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
The Spitfire Rocket Stove
  • Overall performance (30%) – 8/10
  • Weight & portability (25%) – 6/10, 11lbs is a little hefty
  • Build quality and durability (20%) – 7/10
  • Stability/surface area (15%) – 9/10, campers praised its stability and large area
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 6/10, some setup needed

Best for: car campers who want to be able to cook up a lot of food in a short amount of time; $$

If you’re tired of seeing small, single-serve stoves, the much larger Spitfire Rocket Stove is sure to please.

Standing 20” tall and offering an 8” cooking surface diameter, you can easily place larger pots and pans on the Spitfire Rocket.

And not to worry about stability, either. Campers have confirmed it’s quite stable, even though the Spitfire pictures look unconvincing!

In fact, one user, in particular, had no trouble placing a heavy 12” cast iron dutch oven on this stove. 

Finally, a bit of assembly is required when it comes to critiques. But campers generally agree that it takes less than 5 minutes.

We also would have liked to see a grill included, especially for this price. But unfortunately, you need to buy that separately.

Pros – The Spitfire Rocket Stove

  • 8” cooking diameter can accommodate large pots and pans with ease
  • Reported to be stable, even when loaded with larger pieces of cookware
  • Efficient fuel consumption
  • Included carrying bag, packs down relatively small

Cons – The Spitfire Rocket Stove

  • A bit of assembly is required; might be a learning curve for newbies
  • Would have liked to see a grill included for this price

How to Choose the Best Wood-Burning Camp Stove – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

Wood-burning camp stoves offer all the benefits of a traditional campfire…but in a convenient, portable box! 

However, there’s plenty of models to choose from, and the process can feel pretty daunting.

So let’s walk through considerations you’ll want to consider when choosing your wood-burning camp stove.

Type of Camping Trip – How to Choose the Best Wood-Burning Camp Stove

Camp stoves can vary wildly in size and function, so it’s critical that you solidify basic details about your camping trip before you buy.

For instance, are you planning an epic backpacking trek across the country? If so, you’ll want an astonishingly lightweight stove like the Emberlit Titanium UL.

Or if mobility isn’t an issue, a much heavier stove like the Fltom Camp Tent Stove would be ideal for car campers and glampers.

If, after considering your options, you’ve decided a wood-burning camp stove doesn’t make sense, don’t panic! We’ve got a list of 13 alternatives to campfires just for you.

Size, Weight, and Portability – How to Choose the Best Wood-Burning Camp Stove

Remember how we said wood-burning camp stoves could fluctuate in size and weight? Well, we weren’t exaggerating.

A typical range can begin at the insanely ultralight 5.4 oz and go up to 38 lbs!

So consider how much weight you’re willing and able to carry.

In addition, keep in mind the available space at your campsite.

A small stove such as the Solo Stove Lite is just under 4 inches in diameter. In other words, you can set it up in the most compact areas.

On the other hand, a traditional stove like the Fltom Camp Tent Stove is bulky, taking up a larger surface area. This particular stove has a stove jack, which means your tent needs to be equipped with a stove jack hole.

Finally, it should go without saying that some wood-burning camp stoves will be more portable than others. 

Consider that the Emberlit Titanium UL  and the REDCAMP Wood Burning Camping Stove can be folded flat for ultimate portability and storage. 

In contrast, the Fltom stove has a more prominent profile, even when disassembled.

Stability/Support – How to Choose the Best Wood-Burning Camp Stove

You don’t want your delicious dinner ruined because your pot fell off the stove!

So to prevent this, it’s wise to pay attention to the support offered by the camp stove.

Remember the available diameter of the stove and your cookware’s diameter.

Don’t try to put a full-size 11-inch pan on a 3-inch stove. Things might not end well!

Instead, purchase a smaller stove if you plan to cook smaller portions of food or boiling water.

The 15-inch WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove might make more sense if you need a larger capacity. Plus, it’s completely flat, meaning there’s no stands for your pots and pans.

Remember the available diameter of the stove and your cookware’s diameter.

Materials – How to Choose the Best Wood-Burning Camp Stove

Many wood-burning camp stoves are built with ever-popular stainless steel. For reference, the Spitfire Rocket Stove is made of stainless steel.

And it’s earned its popularity too. Stainless steel is a go-to for anyone who’s rough on their gear. It resists scratches and rust and is quite cost-effective.

A lesser-known choice for a camp stove is titanium, seen on the WINNERWELL Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove. While just as strong and durable as stainless steel, titanium is superior in the lightweight market. 

In fact, it’s one of the lightest metals available when it comes to cookware and stoves.

Remember that you’ll pay a price for those lost pounds, as titanium is much more expensive than stainless steel.

Setup – How to Choose the Best Wood-Burning Camp Stove

How important is a fast setup to you? 

If you’ve been hiking all day and want a warm fire to cook dinner, look for a no-fuss, cylinder stove. 

The Solo Stove Lite is a simple solution you whip out of your pack and toss some fuel into – no assembly required!

(Oh, and if you want to speed up the process even more, brush up on your fire-making skills with us as we walk you through the easiest way to build a campfire.)

Or on the other hand, a stove like the Emberlit Titanium UL folds down and separates into several “plates.” You then have to re-connect them, which may take a moment or two longer than a cylinder stove.

Conclusion: Final Verdict – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves
9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

To conclude, we loved the Solo Stove Lite. It packs a lot of value into a conveniently sized, take-anywhere package. 

The special double-walled construction concentrates the heat of the flames while doubling as a way to eliminate pesky smoke generation. 

Not to mention, there’s no hassle involved with the setup. You remove it from your pack and light it up!

Finally, the stove brings you all these features at a reasonable price.

Frequently Asked Questions – 9 Best Wood-Burning Camp Stoves

1. What Factors Should I Consider When Purchasing a Wood-Burning Camp Stove? – FAQs

When selecting a wood-burning camp stove, consider weight, size, portability, ease of use, sturdiness, and whether or not it has any additional features, such as a grill or oven.

2. What Important Safety Features Should I Look for in a Wood-Burning Camp Stove? – FAQs

Safety features such as heat shields and spark arrestors should be sought to ensure safe operation.

3. What is the Difference Between an Open-Fire and an Enclosed Wood-Burning Camp Stove? – FAQs

Due to increased ventilation and air exposure, an open-fire wood-burning camp stove is less efficient than an enclosed version, resulting in higher fuel consumption.

4. How Long Does It Take to Put a Wood-Burning Camp Stove Together? – FAQs

Depending on the model, a wood-burning camp stove takes about 10-15 minutes to set up.

5. Are There Other Fuels that can Be Used in a Wood-Burning Camp Stove? – FAQs

Many types of solid fuels can be used with wood-burning stoves as long as they produce enough heat when burned and do not necessitate any special handling or safety precautions beyond those required for any other fire source.

6. How Do I Keep a Wood-Burning Camp Stove in Good Working Order? – FAQs

Routine maintenance entails cleaning ash from the combustion chamber and ensuring that all components are in working order and properly secured before each use.

7. Can I Use My Wood-Burning Camp Stove Both Inside and Outside? – FAQs

Because of the potential health risks associated with burning solid fuels indoors without proper ventilation systems, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, wood-burning camp stoves are generally only suitable for outdoor use.

Ben Wann- Tent Camping Expert
AUTHOR

My name is Ben Wann, and I’m a lifelong tent camper and backpacker who jumps on every opportunity to get out and enjoy nature! I created this site to inspire others to get outside and to make the process easier for you.