Product Review: The Best Gas Cooktops For Camping

Cooking on the road is one of the great joys of caravan travel, but finding the right gas cooktop can make or break your outdoor culinary adventures. Whether you’re whipping up a quick breakfast before hitting the road or preparing a feast at a remote bush camp, having a reliable gas cooktop gives you the freedom to cook anywhere without relying on powered sites or dodgy camp kitchens.

The market is flooded with options ranging from lightweight single burners perfect for solo travellers to robust three-burner units that can handle family meals. Some excel at wind resistance for exposed campsites, others prioritise portability for day trips, and the best premium models offer restaurant-quality flame control that’ll have you cooking like a pro under the stars.

Single Burner Gas Cooktops

Single burner cooktops are the workhorses of minimalist camping. Perfect for solo travellers, couples who cook simple meals, or as a backup burner when your main cooktop is occupied. The best models balance portability with serious cooking power.

The MSR WindBurner ~$169 deserves special mention for its integrated windshield design. While technically a canister stove, it connects to larger gas bottles and delivers consistent performance in challenging conditions that would extinguish other single burners.

Double Burner Gas Cooktops

Double burner cooktops hit the sweet spot for most travellers. You can boil water for coffee while cooking breakfast, or simmer a sauce while grilling protein. These models range from basic camping gear to serious cooking equipment that rivals your home stovetop.

For serious cooking, the Coleman Triton Series 2-Burner ~$119 offers excellent value with its PerfectFlow technology that maintains consistent output even in cold weather. The removable grease tray makes cleanup easier after cooking bacon and eggs.

Triple Burner Gas Cooktops

Triple burner units are for families or groups who take their camp cooking seriously. These substantial cooktops let you manage multiple dishes simultaneously, making elaborate meals possible even in remote locations.

The challenge with triple burners is finding space to store them and keeping them stable on uneven camp surfaces. The Partner Steel 3-Burner ~$459 solves this with its heavy-duty construction and adjustable legs, though it’s definitely overkill unless you’re feeding a crowd regularly.

Wind-Resistant Models

Wind is the enemy of efficient gas cooking. A good windshield can mean the difference between a quick meal and burning through gas while your pasta water refuses to boil. These models prioritise wind resistance above all else.

For extreme conditions, the Primus Kinjia 2-Burner ~$249 combines a full windshield with recessed burners that create a natural wind break. It’s particularly effective in exposed beachside camps where other cooktops struggle.

Ultra-Portable Compact Cooktops

Sometimes you need cooking capability away from your main camp setup. These ultra-portable models are designed for day trips, beach cooking, or when you want to cook outside your annex without dragging your main cooktop around.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 ~$69 deserves mention as the ultimate backup burner. Weighs just 73 grams but delivers serious performance when your main cooktop fails or when you need to cook away from camp.

Premium Feature Models

High-end gas cooktops bring features like electronic ignition, precise flame control, and build quality that’ll last decades of hard use. These models cost more upfront but deliver superior cooking performance and reliability.

For the ultimate in cooking versatility, the Weber Q1200 ~$379 technically isn’t a cooktop but functions as one with its optional pot trivets. The cast aluminium construction provides excellent heat distribution, and the build quality is legendary.