What is the Best Stove for Car Camping

I came home one day from 3rd grade and my dad called me into the kitchen. Not sure if I was in trouble or not, but he pulled me over to the fridge and showed me some papers that were stuck there and said, ‘Do you want to do soccer or Cub Scouts?’

I can’t imagine how different my life would be if I would’ve picked soccer that day, but with my rekindled flame for the outdoors, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

That being said, I don’t even think I camped until I was in the Boy Scouts. But was THAT an adventure in of itself. We were so free to do whatever exploring we wanted; it was some of the best times of my life. And also for my dad and stepmom because that’s where they met.

Anywho.

When it came time to cooking there were only a couple of different ways we make food at the campsite: Silver turtles on the dutch oven and cooking food in the pan on the best stove for car camping: The Coleman two-burner stove.

The cast-iron dutch oven is a classic mainstay for car camping, but the options are definitely limited. The Coleman stove on the other hand has not only been churning out great campsite food for decades, but its simplicity in design and use also make it the best stove for car camping.

So for clarity, I’m not talking about backpacking. What I mean is, camping at a park where you pull up your car and unload your gear.

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But let’s get real. The green Coleman propane stove is the best stove that ever was AND ever will be. (There are other Coleman stoves, for sure, but I’m talking about that OG green one).

The ease of use makes this amazing to bring along, but the additional items you can bring for it make it so much better. I have a two-burner griddle that’s amazing for eggs and pancakes. There are other accessories like a carry case and additional propane tanks.

How to Set Up

The amazing thing about the stove is how easy it is to use. You need a flat surface to lay the stove on, and when you do you’ll unhinge the lever in the front.

Inside you’ll see two flat panels on either side with a metal loop that will fit into the corresponding slots once the lid is opened. These are the wind panels that will help, well, block the wind.

The valve for the propane tank is stored under the grate when in storage so you’ll need to pull in out and screw it into the side. The smaller end goes into the stove and you’ll screw in the propane canister into its opposite end.

Once this is completed and you’ve checked that all screws for the canister are tightened all you need to do is turn the stove knob on, and if it’s a basic model, light the propane. (I definitely recommend an elongated utility lighter. ) The higher-end models have the click start on the burners that will ignite the gas from the knob.

I usually turn my knob a little higher to see the flame before turning it back down. Once this is completed you’re ready to start cookin’!

Additional Car Camping Stoves

White the heritage Coleman stove is fantastic, it would be a disservice if there weren’t some honorable mentions: