The Best Propane Stove For Van Life In 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Best Propane Stove For Van Life
Best Propane Stove For Van Life

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Gas One GS-3400P Propane Stove

This stove features an automatic Piezo electric ignition, adjustable heat dial and is easy to use. It also comes with safety features such as a pressure regulator, stainless steel braided hose and a heat resistant cover for added protection. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Camp Chef Explorer Burner Stove

With its detachable steel legs, it's easy to set up and take down in minutes. The appliance-style temperature controls let you find the perfect cooking heat for your meal every time. Plus, its easy-to-clean design makes cleanup a breeze. Enjoy great stability and portability with this must-have camping stove from Camp Chef! Read Review

3. Best Adjustable: Coleman PowerPack Propane Stove

With its full-size cooking surface and Pressure-control technology, you can enjoy consistent performance even in extreme conditions. Its PerfectHeat Technology ensures an even heat distribution for more efficient cooking, while its easy-to-clean design makes cleanup a breeze. Read Review

4. Best Convenient: Campy Gear Portable Propane Heater Stove

This lightweight and easy-to-use stove provides rapid heating with high adaptability, allowing you to adjust the flame for perfect cooking. Its compact design makes it easy to store and transport, so you can take it with you wherever your adventures lead. Read Review

5. Best Easy To Clean: Coleman Camp Propane Stove

This powerful 2-in-1 design offers cooking power, pressure-control technology for consistent performance even in extreme conditions and temperature control so you can cook your meals to perfection. The easy to use push-button ignition makes it simple to light and get started cooking. Read Review

Van life has become an increasingly popular lifestyle choice for those seeking a life of adventure and freedom. Outfitting your van with the best propane stove will help make your experience living on the road much more enjoyable. A quality propane stove will provide reliable and efficient heat and cooking, allowing you to make the most of your time in your van.

Whether you’re looking for something lightweight and compact, or something with more power and features, there are plenty of options to choose from. From single burner stoves to multi-burner stoves, each one has its own unique benefits and features. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best propane stoves for van life and help you find the perfect one for you.

We think the product that comes highly recommended for the best propane stove for van life is Gas One GS-3400P Propane Stove. This stove features Pressure-control technology and perfect heat technology to ensure consistent cooking performance, even in extreme conditions. With a full-size cooking surface and easy to clean surfaces, you can cook up a feast for your family or friends in no time. Consider Camp Chef Explorer Burner Stove as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are definitely worth considering, and we've put up a useful shopping guide to help you decide!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Gas One GS-3400P Propane Stove
Our Score:
9.8
Gas One

Automatic Piezo Electric Ignition - Piezo-Electric Ignition That Eliminates The Use For Lighter/Matches In Order To Ignite Flame, No Need For Lighters Or Matches With This Stove

Duel Fuel - Compatible With Both Butane (Fuel Not Included) And Propane Fuel (Fuel Not Included), Operates On A Single Butane Cartridge 8 Oz Or A Propane Cylinder 16.4 Oz , Propane Converter Regulator Included

Safety Features - Built In Pressure Sensor Cartridge Ejection System And Gas Flow Cut Off Mechanism (Butane), Will Eject Cartridge When Irregular Pressure Is Detected

Easy To Use - Our Gs-3400P Is Easy To Use With Adjustable Heat Dial And Automatic Piezo-Electric Ignition

TOP Choice #2 Camp Chef Explorer Burner Stove
Our Score:
9.6
Camp Chef

Includes detachable steel legs and 3-sided wind screen

Two 30,000 BTUs/Hr. cast-aluminum burners

Appliance-style temperature controls

Propane tank not included

Includes 3 ft. hose and regulator

Compatible with most 14 in. Camp Chef accessories

TOP Choice #3 Coleman PowerPack Propane Stove
Our Score:
9.4
Coleman

FULL-SIZE COOKING SURFACE: 1 burner fits up to a 12 in. pan

COOKING POWER: Up to 7,500 total BTUs

RUNTIME: Up to 3 hours on high on a 16.4 oz. propane cylinder (sold separately)

PRESSURE REGULATOR: Pressure-control technology for consistent performance, even in extreme conditions

EASY TO CLEAN: Removable chrome-plated grate

PERFECTHEAT TECHNOLOGY: More efficient cooking with less fuel`

3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

4 Campy Gear Portable Propane Heater Stove
Our Score:
9.2
Campy Gear

【About Us】Campy Gear offers you a 2-in-1 heater/stove that keeps you fueled and warm during backpacking, camping, ice fishing and hunting. We pride ourselves in great products and proudly offer a 1-year warranty along with 24-hour world class customer service to ensure all your needs are met

【Rapid Heating & 360°Radiant Heating】With a maximum output of up to 9000-10000 BTU propane heaters with the designed 360° radiant heating will warm you within seconds when you enjoy your outdoor lifes

【Adjustable Flame】Equipped with adjustable flame control to satisfy various cooking purposes, and the collapsible pot stands can support pots range from 3.9 inch to 12 inch

【High Adaptability】The Campy Gear 2-in-1 Heater & Stove is compatible with 110g & 230g butane / isobutane / propane fuel canisters (of most of brands) that can be nested inside the stove, or to connect with the 1 lb propane cylinder for a longer usage by an extension hose or adapter

【2 in 1 Portable Heater & Stove】Campy Gear honorably presents you this 2-in-1 heater & stove that serves the purpose of cooking and heating for your outdoor adventures. Take this practical heater stove combo with you for camping, fishing, ice fishing, picnic, hunting, hiking, traveling, etc.,

5 Coleman Camp Propane Stove
Our Score:
9.0
Coleman

WIND-BLOCKING PANELS: Shield burners from wind or fold down for use as side tables

3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

2 ADJUSTABLE BURNERS: For precise temperature control

PRESSURE REGULATOR: Pressure-control technology provides consistent performance, even in extreme conditions

COOKING POWER: Up to 20,000 total BTUs

PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION: For matchless lighting

2-IN-1 DESIGN: Use grill and stove at the same time; stove fits a 10 in. pan; 130 sq. in. grilling area

RUNTIME: Up to 1 hour on high on one 16.4 oz. propane cylinder (sold separately)

6 Barton Deluxe Propane Stove
Our Score:
8.8
Barton

Black glass finish body, 20,000 BTU per burner; Overall Dimension 28-1/2"(W) x 15-3/4"(L) x 4"(H), Includes regulator and hose

Ceramic Infrared Burner - Ceramic infrared burner, provide infrared flame, no open flame. It won't be extinguished by wind or water

Dual Infrared Burner - Infrared burner, stronger flame, more energy-saving, longer service life, Heats up and cools down faster than conventional cooking ranges. It is fast, efficient, safe to use and easy to clean.

Wide Application - Portable double stove is great for using outdoors, campsite, hunting lodge, cabin, backyard, tail gates party, frying fish outside and much more

Easy Cleaning - Easy to maintain and polish, the Barton Glass Top Double Burner's surface makes dried food scraps and smudges a problem of the past. Straight-forward to wipe down & extremely efficient, the Double Glass Top Burner provides users the best of simple outdoor cooking

CONVENIENT PORTABILITY – A portable butane stove with versatility and easy portability in mind, Gas One’s new Spyder Stove is the perfect fit for campers and backpackers alike. Roughly the size of a 32 oz water bottle, Gas One’s Spyder Stove utilizes its sleek compact design without sacrificing the fire power of a large size portable stove at 8000 BTU

INCLUDES - Stove and 4 Butane fuel

EASY SETUP – Gas One’s Spyder Stove can be easily set up (directions with pictures on the box) with minimal directions: first, open the cover and rotate the body to a 90-degree angle. Pull the middle grate outwards, extending the grates to its ready position. Insert a butane canister in the empty butane compartment and close the cover

QUALITY MATERIAL AND DESIGN – The Spyder Stove has a durable brass burner head, an easy-to-clean enamel coating, as well as ventilation holes to keep user’s stove safe and reliable. Its thoughtful design allows for the stove to fold into a small space for storage and portability while being able to support pots and stoves when fully extended outwards

AUTO IGNITION AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL – Gas One’s Butane stove has an electric piezo auto ignition along with a durable push and turn control knob so users can fully manage their cooking experience

【Auto-ignition system】With Automatic piezo ignition, you can easily start up without lighter and ignite more than 10 thousand times.

【Safe to Use】The gas stove features cartridge ejection, safety lock, and auto shut-off for secure operations when cooking or boiling.

【High Heat Output】Durable aluminum single burner with porous annular design delivers up to 7800BTUs for boiling 4 cups of water in 5 minutes.

【Dual Fuel Design】Works efficiently with both 8oz. butane canisters and 1lb propane tanks. Come with adapter hose to meet all your fuel needs.

【Highly Portable】Includes black carrying case provides easy portability and storage during transportation, making it super handy for camping. The porcelain-coated grate is removable for easy cleaning.

9 Cybring Camping Propane Stove
Our Score:
8.0
Cybring

Refund Guarantee 30 Days no hassle, just get it for your outdoor life

3 GAS TANK FIT| It can use 14oz propane, 20lb OPD valve propane, ISO butane

3 BURNERS| Two stainless steel flame stoves and 1 grill stove for your different needs.

FOLDABLE DESIGN| It is 21.85*11.4*2.76 inch after folding, portable gas stove burner easy to take.

GOOD FLAME| It has a high altitude pressure regulator to ensure the flame stable.

10 CAMPLUX ENJOY OUTDOOR LIFE Dual Fuel Propane Stove
Our Score:
7.9
CAMPLUX ENJOY OUTDOOR LIFE

Portable - 3.31LB, 3.14*12.99*11.22", lightweight and compact. Including a carrying case, easy to carry

Safety Protection - Portable gas stoves have CSA Certification requirements for North American safety. Built-in overpressure protection and gas leakage protection device

Easy to Use - The portable stove use piezo-electric ignition, no need to use matches or lighters. Lock the gas canister position and turn the control knob to the end with a clicking voice

Dual Fuel Design - The propane stove can connect an 8 oz butane canister (7,200 BTU/HR) or 16.4 oz propane canister (6,500 BTU/HR)

Included Components - CSA certification gas regulator to connect 16.4oz propane cylinder(not included), carrying case, instruction manual

For your safety, a leakage test is required before use. Test with soap and water on all joints. If you see any bubble or even hear any gas leakage, don't use it and contact us. If you don't know how to do it, please search for such videos on YouTube!

What to Look For in a best propane stove for van life?

You may know that shopping is one of the essential activities in a human being’s life. Selecting the best product will affect your daily life. However, which factors can make this purchase effective? If you are looking for best propane stove for van life for your demands, you will waste your time with incorrect data. But it would be best if you weren’t so nervous about that. We have a group of experts to research best propane stove for van life, and they’ve given reliable information.

There are lots of essential things you should keep in mind. On the other, just some of them are most focused. Here are the critical factors related to buying best propane stove for van life you may want:

Number Of Burners

A two-burner camp stove is a good choice if you plan to spend at least 2-3 months camping each year, even if your household is small. You can cook with two burners, so you have both the option to use a pan and a pot, or make one main dish while cooking for a family of four.
Two-burner stoves remain the norm. There are many options for single-burner stoves, as well as a handful of three-burner models.

BTUs

BTU is the British Thermal Unit. It's basically a measure of heat and energy. On average, a gas stove that you would find in your home uses 6,000 to 8,000 BTUs.
Lower BTUs are good for light and simmering cooking. Higher BTUs, which are above 10,000, indicate high heat cooking. This is great for longer cook times as well as for quick boiling of large quantities of water.

Ignition: Strikers Vs. Matches

Sometimes called piezo incendiers, or auto-igniters, strikers are buttons that use electricity to excite a spark and ignite a stove. It's similar to the button that lights up the pilot light in your home stove.
Metal and flint are other options for sparking. A camp stove with an integrated igniter is my preference. As long as it works well, I will always use this option.
A match is your last choice for lighting your camp stove. Matches can prove to be wasteful and fragile. They also don't all hold up well in harsh weather. As an alternative, you can always take flint and some matches.

Time To Boil

Camping is a great way to get out and enjoy nature. Yes, camping also involves enjoying the outdoors and good food. A camp stove must be able to boil water.
While some stoves boil in three minutes, others can take up to 10 minutes. A stove with the highest boiling time is considered a good stove. However, it doesn't always mean that the stove will be the most efficient. You may need to give up some boiling time if you want certain features like a lighter stove or an igniter.
The stoves that we tested were all able to light/start and heat the water in less than 8 minutes.

Fuel Types And Capacities

As you can see, the majority of stoves in this article use propane canisters up to one-pound. Some stoves use butane as an alternative fuel. It all depends on the time it takes to cook meals, and on what temperature your burner is set. A one-pound canister usually lasts three to four meals.

Weight And Packed Size

The biggest difference between stoves in this category is their weight. These stoves can be carried around in your car, but they are designed for camping. Weight might not be as important if you are looking for a strong and reliable two-burner.
Packing size is what matters more. You have a limited amount of space at your campsite or in your vehicle. You should check to make sure the stove can fit into a bag, is covered, and where the grill and fuel lines are stored. Are all the pieces stored in one place? Are accessories taking up more space than the main item? All these factors should be considered for your individual preferences and needs.

Performance In Wind

Consider how frequently and in what circumstances (such as cold weather) your stove will be used. You will have more chances to experience wind and harsh weather if you travel further.
It's not something that you should learn while on a 10 day camping trip along the New England coast. You can check the specifications, find out if your stove offers windscreens, and review customer experiences.
You can make your stove more efficient in colder areas by purchasing extra BTUs if you live in windy regions.

Simmer Control

Because boiling water doesn't always work, we did extensive testing on the simmer control. You need to not only be able boil water, but you also have to cook, bake, stir fry, stew, or grill in order to make a camp meal that is chef-worthy. To see the stacking of the burners/stoves, we measured their simmering temperatures.

FAQs

What type of propane stove should I use for van life?

There are many different propane stoves on the market that are suitable for van life. When choosing a stove, consider your needs, such as the amount of space available, the size of the group you are cooking for, and your cooking style. A two-burner stove is usually the most practical option for van life, as it gives you the flexibility to cook multiple dishes at the same time.

What safety precautions should I take when using a propane stove for van life?

Always use your propane stove in a well-ventilated area, as propane gas is highly flammable. Make sure to keep the stove away from any sources of heat, and be sure to turn the gas off when you are finished cooking. Also, check to make sure the propane tank is properly secured and not exposed to any heat sources.

What is the best way to store a propane stove for van life?

When storing your propane stove for van life, make sure to store it in a cool, dry place away from any sources of heat and moisture. Make sure to turn the gas off and disconnect the tank before storing it. Additionally, check the tank for any signs of damage or leaks, and replace any faulty or worn parts.

How do I set up my propane stove in my van?

Make sure to follow all safety precautions when setting up your propane stove. First, you’ll need to install a propane tank in your van. Then, connect the tank to the stove with a propane hose and regulator. Finally, make sure to test the stove to ensure that it is working properly.

Overall, the statistics we described here are not all of them. Instead, we always freshen it up continually as the data is updated and available. It would be best to remember things we mentioned above, including brand’s value, product’s value, product’s highlights, important specs, customer ratings & reviews. 

Our readers, you guys, are always respected and treated with top priority so that you are supposed to receive the most up-to-date information on our site. You should feel free to contact us for support with the product’s problems. Thanks for reading, and we wish you a happy shopping.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio