Camping stoves - The Camping Air Conditioner

Top-4 Camping Grill-Stove combo to easily cook DELICIOUS meals!

When it comes to camping, having a good-quality stove is essential for preparing your meals. While stoves are excellent options for heating soups and preparing stews, a grill is an unbeatable choice if you want to prepare a good piece of meat or roast some corn!

Also, grilling provides a unique flavour and generally cooks food quicker. By now, you are probably thinking – Oh God, Do I need to bring another piece of gear to prepare my bbq and roast my vegetables?

Fortunately, no! These days many options combine grill and stove in one device, and we have picked the top-4 options available in the market to help you make the best decision according to your needs.

These handy devices allow you to cook food in several ways, making them perfect for your outdoor days – enough of words, let’s jump in into the reviews below!

By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Best camping grill stove combo - Review summary

In a hurry? Need some quick answers? Fret not! Go through this brief review (a detailed assessment of each product is shown in the next sections).

Budget-Friendly

Coleman 2-in-1 Camping Grill/Stove

Budget-Friendly

9.2

Check Price

Best for backpackers

CAMPMAX Wood stove-grill combo

Lightweight and extremely affordable

9.1

Check Price

Best for family camping

Camp Chef Big Gas Stove-Grill

Multiple burners

9.5

Check Price

Most Versatile

Coleman Hyperflame Stove-Grill Combo

Versatility to change from grill to stove is second to none!

9.3

Check Price

Model	Our Opinion	Weight	Cooking Power BTU	Number of Burners	Price
Coleman 2-in-1 Camping Grill/Stove	Budget-Friendly option	14.35 Pounds	20,000	2	$
CAMPMAX Portable Folding Camping Wood Stove	Best For Backpackers	5.5 Pounds	Wood type fuel	1	$
Camp Chef Big Gas Grill	Best for Family Camping	85 Pounds	90,000	3	$$$
Coleman Hyperflame – Grill/Stove Combo	Most Versatile	21.6 Pounds	22,000	2	$$

Camping Grill and Stove Combos - Detailed review

This segment is all about helping you choose the best product for you, regardless whether you are camping by yourself, with a family, or just going for a short-term hike.

We have covered the product description, features, and pros and cons to make it easier for you to decide.

Coleman gas camping grill-stove combo - Budget-friendly option

With two burners and a cooking power of 20,000 BTUs (10,000 per burner), this Coleman camping 2-1 stove grill combo is an excellent option for those on a budget, costing less than $150 at the time this post is being written.

Both burners work independently and have separate adjusting mechanisms, making it easy to control each flame according to your needs.

It already comes with a windshield, which helps a lot during windy conditions (by the way, if you want to check some options of camping kitchen stands with windbreaks, read this article).

The unit is also very portable and made of alloy steel, weighing just over 14 pounds and offers a grilling area of 130 square inches, enough to cook 2 to 3 stakes at once.

When it comes to durability and quality, don’t worry – you are buying a Coleman product! As for the down-sides, we highlight the following:

10,000 BTU might not be sufficient for this grilling area (overall, it is recommended between 75 to 100 BTU per square inch)
Grilling is fragile
Fixed arrangement – you cannot turn the grilling area into a stove (and vice-versa).

Overall, this is our recommendation if you want something that fits a tight budget. It is not a top-notch product, but it delivers the service as required!

Pros

Budget-Friendly and good value for money
Lightweight
BTU output for
Comes with an integrated wind protection
Independent burners

Cons

BTU output for grill is not ideal (but works)
Stove-grill arrangement is fixed
Grill is fragile

Coleman Gas Camping Grill/Stove

Budget-friendly option

Material: Alloy Steel
Item Dimensions: 25.5 x 8 x 17.3 inches
Weight: 14.35 Pounds

Check Price

CAMPMAX portable camping stove-grill - Best for Backpackers and Hikers

The CAMPMAX portable wood stove-grill combo is your go-to option for those who like to hike or backpack. This unit is lightweight, weighing only 5.5 pounds, and foldable for easy portability – it will easily fit your bag without hassle for transport.

It does not require any burning fuel, as it t uses wood as its flame source. This is both an advantage and drawback: while you do not need to carry bottles of propane and butane around, you will need to make sure that you find suitable firewood to use it properly – if you want to check what type of firewood is the best for camping stoves, read this article.

It is made of stainless steel (very durable) and comes with a specific bag to help you store the pieces of it when it is folded. Also, it is extremely affordable, and the largest version costs less than 50 bucks.

What are the problems? You will rely on the type of wood that is close to your camping area and might be unable to pick some hardwood species, which are ideal for cooking with wood stoves.

It might also be challenging to handle these devices during rainy weather with wet firewood (check this article for intelligent hacks to cook while camping in the rain).

Obviously, it also has a limited cooking area, and you will only be able to prepare small portions.

Pros

Lightweight
foldable
Extremely cheap
Does not require fuel

Cons

BTU/Heating output is uncertain (depends on quality of wood)
Limited cooking surface
Take sometime to set up
Not ideal for rainy weather

CAMPMAX Portable Folding Camping Wood Stove

Backpacking / Hiking Option

Material: Stainless Steel
Item Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 10.6 inches
Weight: 5.5 Pounds

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Camp chef big gas grill

Camp Chef Big Gas Grill is ideal for camping with big groups, family, or long-term camping as it offers an impressive 90,000 BTUs of cooking power – don’t worry – you can cook almost anything with this outstanding heating output.

It also comes with three burners and can cook multiple items at once. However, the unit is huge and heavy, measuring 7″ H x 24″ W x 15.75″ L and weighing 85 pounds.

Made of alloy steel, Camp Chef comes ready to connect with gas bottle and an ample cooking surface, where you can easily prepare barbeques and roast any food.

It also has a side shelf for extra prep space. If you’re looking for a powerful and feature-packed option, this could be your best camping grill stove combo option.

The drawbacks? Size and Portability.

Pros

Outstanding BTU output
Ample cooking surface/area
Ideal for long term camping and family camping
Sturdy and heavy-duty structure

Cons

Low portability
Requires gas to run
Higher investment

Camp Chef Big Gas Grill

Highest BTU output

Material: Alloy Steel
Item Dimensions: 15.75 x 24 x 7 inches
Weight: 85 Pounds

Check Price

Coleman hyperflame grill-stove combo - Most Versatile

Coleman has many options, but this is probably the one that we like the most. The Coleman hyper flame grill-stove comb is an excellent option for those who want maximum versatility – you can easily change the arrangement set up to make it a wide grilling area or use the burners as a stove.

It also has a matchless igniter for easy lighting and adjustable heat control. This unit is also very portable, weighing in at just 21.6 pounds.

Running from propane, this unit provides 10,000 Btu per burner, and the hyperflame system is designed to decrease the impact of wind on your flames significantly.

It is easy to transport and maintain, with top areas being easily removed for cleaning.

Disadvantages? Honestly, we don’t see any problems with this option, apart from it being slightly more expensive than the Coleman camping 2-1 stove grill.

Pros

Hyperflame system - optimal performance during windy conditions
High-quality product
Easy to transport
Maximum versatility - setup includes grill-only, grill-stove, or stove only

Cons

None identified apart from being slightly more expensive than other 2 burner options

Coleman Hyperflame Grill-Stove Combo

Best 3-in-1 option

Material: Steel
Item Dimensions: 11.64 x 6.17 x 6.22 inches
Weight: 21.6 Pounds

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What you should consider when buying a camp grill stove combo?

BTU Output and Grilling Area

Always consider how many BTUs you need for both stoves and grills. As a rule of thumb, we recommend the following:

For grills, from 75 to 100 BTU per square inch
For stoves, check the table below – for more details, read this article.

Camping	How many BTUs for a camp stove (per burner)	Notes/Tips
Backpackers and hikers	At least 7,000 BTUs	Choose a foldable/lightweight stove (propane models are more efficient) If you want only to boil water, JetBoil might be the best option Burners with less than 7000 Btu might lead to long cooking times
Medium-sized groups (up to 5-6 campers)	At least 10,000 BTUs (	Pick a two burner stove w/ 10,000 Btu each If camping in winter, choose a propane stove Consider bringing a kitchen stand with windshield
Large Groups or long-term camping	More than 20,000 BTUs	At least 2 burners (recommended 3) Might not be suitable for short trips (oversized)

Ignition style

There are two main ignition systems for camp grills: push-button and match light.

Push-button ignitions are the most convenient, as they allow you to start your grill with the push of a button.

Match light ignition is not 100% reliable and preferably avoid these devices.

Size and portability

A small portable camping stove combo is ideal for backpacking and hiking trips.

If you’re car camping or RVing, size isn’t as much of an issue. However, you’ll still want to consider how easy the grill is to set up and take down.

Wind and altitude performance

Some camp grills are specially designed to perform well in windy or high-altitude conditions. If your next camping site is in a windy or high-altitude location, you’ll want to make sure to choose a device that can handle the elements.

We recommend sticking to propane-powered options, as they perform much better in temperatures below 0 Celsius degrees than butane options (if you want check a detailed explanation, read this article)

Fuel type

Most camp grills use either liquid propane (LP) or butane canisters as fuel. Each option comes with some advantages and disadvantages, as detailed below (read this article for a detailed comparison)

Comparison	Butane	Propane	Notes
Boiling Temperature	30°F (-1° to 0°C)	-43.6°F (-42°C)	Prefer propane in cold weather camping
Flames and Heating Output	21,640 BTU / lb	21,564 BTU / lb	No significant difference
Weight	Lighter	Propane Canisters are heavier	Butane is ideal for backpackers (in summer)
Cost	More expensive	Cheaper alternative	Price vary drastically (according to crude oil price)

Ease of cleaning

After a long day of cooking, cleaning a messy grill is the last thing you want to do.

Look for a device that is easy to clean and maintain, with removable grates and preferably with an integrated grease management system.

Budget

Lastly, you’ll want to consider your budget when choosing a camping grill stove combo.

Several options are available at several price points, so find one that fits your needs and budget.

FAQs

How much does a camping grill stove combo cost?

Camping grill stove combo prices can typically range from $100 to $500. It all depends on features, size, brand, and quality.

Is a grill stove combo suitable for group camping?

Yes, a grill stove combo is ideal for group camping as it offers the versatility of being able to cook multiple items at once. Just make sure to choose a model that is large enough and has enough BTUs to accommodate your needs.

Verdict

Well, the best option depends on your camping needs and requirements – personally, our pick is the Coleman hyper flame grill-stove comb because of its versatility and great value for money.

Coleman Hyperflame Grill-Stove Combo

Best 3-in-1 option

Material: Steel
Item Dimensions: 11.64 x 6.17 x 6.22 inches
Weight: 21.6 Pounds

Check Price

However, it might not be ideal if you are travelling with a large group of friends, where options like Camp Chef Big Gas Grill will suit much better.

How to take eggs camping? (and NOT BREAK or SPOIL them!)

Camping stoves, Camping Tips

Camping is an exciting way to spend quality time and get acquainted with your family, friends, or workmates. However, one of the aspects that many campers do not adequately consider is the importance of having a healthy diet when you are out in the bushes, especially if you are planning to stay for more than a couple of days and go for long hikes.

Many hikers focus too much on carbohydrate and sugar intake on their trips but forget to consider their protein needs. According to Mayo Clinic, a healthy diet should include approximately 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, and about 10% to 35% of your calorie intake should come from protein.

Eggs are known for being highly proteic and nutritious and are an essential part of a balanced diet. For example, boiled eggs contain approximately 13 grams of proteins, while fried eggs contain about 14 grams per 100g. They are an excellent option to meet your nutritional needs. However, how to take eggs camping?

This article will help you understand how to carry eggs and keep them fresh before your next camping trip and how to have a healthy diet. Here are the four most common alternatives campers use:

Option #1 – Fill empty water bottles with cracked eggs – Break the egg and put the content in an empty bottle.
Option #2 – Freezer food bags or a cooler box – storing eggs at a low temperature keeps them from rotting. Use a reclosable quart freezer bag or a ziploc bag to store eggs in an portable refrigerator or cooler box.
Option #3 – Use a compact egg holder – small plastic holders.
Option #4 – Bring dehydrated eggs – no special storage requirements (apart from keeping away from water/moisture).

Keep reading below for a detailed explanation of each option, as well as its pros and cons.

How to pack and carry eggs for camping? Step-by-step and pros and cons of each option

Before jumping into the explanation of each option, it is good to remind you that you can pack and take eggs camping in 4 different states (and each of them comes with some advantages and disadvantages – see table below):

The whole egg (raw)
Cracked egg
Dehydrated egg
Hard-Boiled eggs

Egg State	Advantages	Disadvantages
Whole Egg (raw)	Freshness Extended life	Risks of cracking or breaking Limited options to carry
Cracked Egg	Lightweight Less spacious Fit easily in containers, bags, and bottles	Risk of spilling Spoil faster
Dehydrated / Powdered Egg	Durable Lightweight Easy to carry	Loss of freshness / flavor Easily affected by water/moisture
Hard-Boiled Egg	Ready to eat Do not break	Fast spoiling (max. 2 hours) Re-heating can be challenging, (bring a camp stove)

Option 1 - Using empty water bottles

Recommended for: Whole Eggs, Cracked Eggs, Powdered Eggs (if sealed) and Hard-boiled eggs.

You have three alternatives if you consider using empty water bottles. You can carry the eggs whole, cracked, and hard-boiled (powdered eggs only if it completely sealed).

We recommend you to take pre-cracked eggs because it is the easiest way to carry and save some space. Overall, the process is pretty simple:

Crack the eggs and pour the content inside a recycled bottle, then tightly seal the bottle’s lid to avoid any leaks
Store in cooler or cold water and do not let it be exposed to hot areas.

Pros

Single bottle can carry multiple eggs
Lightweight and easy
Cheap

Cons

Risks of spill
Need of keeping eggs cool
Eggs can spoil

Editor’s note: Pick a bottle with a wide bottleneck to avoid breaking them while putting and removing from the bottle.

Option 2 - Using Freezer food bags or a cooler box

Recommended for: Whole Eggs (raw), Cracked Eggs and Hard-boiled eggs.

If you are bringing cooler boxes or using freezer food bags, you just need to:

Place the eggs in a cardboard holder, bottle, or bag.
Ensure your cooler has a low temperature. If not, add ice cubes (worth checking Icybreeze V2 pro – dual-use: cooler and tent air conditioner)
Put the eggs at the top of the cooler to avoid breaking (or with protection against impact)

Pros

Eggs can stay fresh longer
Can take many eggs
Cooler box provides plenty of space

Cons

Cooler box is not ideal for hikers
More camping load

Option 3 - Using an egg holder

Recommended for: Whole Eggs (raw) only.

You can simply take your eggs for your next trip with plastic holders. There are plenty of options in the market (check different sizes and shapes on amazon), and make sure to choose one that is sturdy and will absorb impact.

Pros

Protection against impact
Different sizes and shapes (fits hikers and family camping)
Very cheap and sturdy

Cons

Only carry whole eggs (raw)
Eggs can break and spill

Option 4 - Bringing Powdered / Dehydrated Eggs

Recommended for: Hiking and backpacking trips

Powdered eggs are 100% dehydrated but still, keep the nutritional benefits of this food. You can buy them in the supermarket, such as Judee/s dried eggs, or make it at home (cheaper solution – check this guide)

The benefits of dried eggs are many and include a high concentration of nutrients, longer life (if kept dry, it can last for months), less storage space, and bacteria growth inhibition (because of the lack of water), making this option ideal for backpackers and hikers.

On the other hand, some people complain about the loss of freshness and taste, as loss of certain cooking properties, such as aerating and foaming power.

Pros

Long life span
Lightweight
Easy to carry
Inhibits bacteria growth

Cons

Pre-made products are expensive
Takes time to prepare (if DIY)
Loss of taste

Judee’s Dried Egg

No additives and a low calorie protein powder.
Gluten-free facility and shipped in a standup, resealable pouch to ensure freshness
Ingredients: 100% Dried Egg White Powder

Check Price

Important tips to take eggs camping

We have prepared some special tips to help you pack, take and cook eggs on your next trip, such as:

Always carry and store eggs at temperatures below 40°F to keep them fresh – If you are using an ice box, add ice cubes to it to keep the temperature low and prolong the life and freshness of your eggs.
Make sure that the eggs that you are buying are clean and uncracked. Otherwise, you are risking getting Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria that can be present on an eggshell and can cause intestinal infection and diarrhea.
Make sure your egg supplier always keeps them refrigerated.
If you are using dried eggs, always make sure to tightly seal the package after using it – its long life span can be gone if the product is in touch with water.
Consider bringing a portable wood stove for tents or a propane stove to cook or boil the egg and prepare delicious meals.

How do you know if an egg is rotten while camping?

If you are in doubt about whether your egg is rotten or not, do the following:

Snif the egg: This is the most obvious way of checking if an egg is rotten. A foul smell is a clear indicator not to eat the egg.
Check the discolouration: Check for any discolouration on a cracked egg. A fresh egg should either be orange or yellow.
Do a Float test: Do a float test with water in a bowl at room temperature. If the egg sinks, then it is okay. But if it floats, then it is not good for consumption.

How long do cracked eggs last, and how do you keep them fresh while camping?

At room temperature, pre-cracked eggs can last two days. But it is important to keep eggs in an airtight bottle or Ziploc. Also, it is necessary to keep the eggs away from direct sunlight.

Carry eggs at temperatures lower than 40°F. Coolers and freezer backs are two refrigeration alternatives to consider. If you do not have a cooler box, use ice cubes instead.

What are the other refrigeration alternatives to store eggs while camping?

Use a container filled with cold water or rice to store eggs to maintain their freshness.

You can also consider a 12-v camping fridge, such as the Bodega 12v refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

Having warm and delicious scrambled eggs in the morning while camping is great way to start your day. Nonetheless, understand how to safely pack and ggs for camping to enjoy this experience.

Remember that incorrect packing techniques can lead to food poisoning while camping. Fortunately, you can efficiently carry eggs whole, cracked, powdered, or boiled for camping after reading this article.

Use the above information to prepare and pack eggs for camping and enjoy every breakfast moment.

4 Camping Kitchen Stand with windshield to cook EASILY!

Camping Accessories, Camping stoves

Camping can be a lot of fun, but it’s also important to be prepared. A camping kitchen stand with windshield will help protect your food from the wind and keep it at a safe temperature. Plus, it makes cooking outdoors much easier!

Check out this guide to learn more about the best camping kitchen stands with windshields available in the market.

In a hurry? No worries! Read below for a quick summary.

Image	Product	Features	Price
Best Overall	Giantex Stand	Best Overall Material: Aluminum Dimensions: 57.5 x 18 x 44 cm Weight: 21 pounds	Check Price
Lightweight	CampLand Stand	Best compact option (lightweight) Material: Aluminum Dimensions: 35.83 x 20.31 x 17.32 cm Weight: 10 pounds	Check Price
Best for Family Camping	Happybuy Stand	Best for Family Camping Material: Aluminum Dimensions: 69 x 19.5 x 43.5 cm Weight: 30.5 pounds	Check Price
Budget Friendly	VBENLEM Stand	Budget Friendly Material: PVC/ Aluminum Dimensions: 57.5 x 18 x 44 cm Weight: 21 pounds	Check Price

By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Before knowing the detailed specifications of each of these products, let’s first understand more about camping kitchen stand and their benefits, features, drawbacks, and more.

What is a camping kitchen stand?

Camping enthusiasts know that a successful camping trip requires the right gear and part of that gear is an efficient kitchen set up.

A camping kitchen stand with windshield is perfect for campers who want to cook with your camping stove without worrying about the wind getting in the way and affecting flames and food temperature.

Apart from providing a work surface, many variants also come with storage space for utensils and dishes. Or they might even come equipped with shelves and drawers that can be used to keep food items organized.

Where can you use camping kitchen stands?

Camping kitchen stands are very convenient to set up and easily portable. Here’s a list of places where you can set up your camping kitchen stand!

On the campsite: The most obvious place to use a camping kitchen stand is on the campsite itself! If you have a large camp, you can set up the stand in the middle of the site so that everyone has easy access to it. Set it up near a tent or RV if the campsite is smaller.

At the beach: A camping kitchen stand is also great for days spent at the beach. You can use it to store food and drinks and cookware and utensils. Additionally, it can provide a place to sit and enjoy a meal.
In the park: Most camping kitchen stands come with shelves or drawers, allowing you to keep all of your picnic supplies organized in one place. It also provides a level surface for food preparation and keeps your supplies off the ground.
On a hike: Who said a camping kitchen stand could not be your hiking buddy? Whether you’re hiking for a day or a week, a camping kitchen stand can make your trip more convenient, even on uneven terrains.

Camping kitchen stand with Windshield: Our top recommendations

After reviewing various options for camping kitchen stands with windshields, we selected these four models as the preferred recommendations:

Giantex Folding Grill Table – Best overall (For Medium and Large Tents)
CampLand Folding Cooking Table – Best for camping and Barbeques
Happybuy Camping Kitchen Table – Best for Bigger Gatherings
VBENLEM Outdoor 2-Tier Kitchen – Budget-friendly option for small outdoor parties

Giantex Folding Grill Table - Best Overall

The Giantex Folding Grill Table comprises a sturdy steel frame and heat-resistant aluminum. This ensures the toughness and excellent build quality of the table.

It is an excellent choice for medium and large gatherings as the 26-inch main tabletop ensures optimum storage space. The table can easily hold your cooking equipment, grill, etc.

The table comes with 2 side tables, 1 lower shelf, a windshield, and 1 storage organizer zipper bag. Setting up and breaking down this folding grill table is extremely simple and hassle-free.

The Giantex Folding Grill table features a durable MDF board, detachable steel windscreens, and a PVC bag, which increases its shelf life. The non-slip buckles to prevent slipping of the stove is another reason to buy this stand.

Pros

Made up of stainless steel and heat-resistant aluminum
Easy to set up and sturdy design
Lightweight and Durable
Affordable option

Cons

Not enough space for a Propane tank

Giantex Folding Grill Table

Best Overall

Material: Aluminum
Dimensions: 57.5 x 18 x 44 cm
Weight: 21 pounds

Check Price

CampLand Folding Cooking Table - Best for compact camping

The Campland Folding Cooking Table is an all-in-one camping kitchen stand with windshield made up of stain-resistant aluminum. You can adjust the height of its legs without any difficulty, thanks to its 25.2 inches fully extendable legs.

It weighs only 10lbs and could hold up to 66lbs of weight. This folding cooking table with windshields is a perfect companion for campers and barbeque lovers. The assembling and disassembling are quick and don’t require any additional tools.

The CampLand Folding table is sturdy and water-proof despite being lightweight and compact. Another advantage is that it has an intelligent design and is extremely simple to fold.

Pros

Lightweight and compact
Easy to fold and clean
Waterproof and stain-resistant
Extendable legs
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Pricey as compared to other similar-sized cooking tables

CampLand Folding Cooking Table

Best for BBQs

Material: Aluminum
Dimensions: 35.83 x 20.31 x 17.32 cm
Weight: 10 pounds

Check Price

Happybuy Camping Kitchen Table - Best for Bigger Gatherings

Happybuy Camping Kitchen Table is the best choice for outdoor party lovers. It comes with an aluminum body with a PVC coating and sturdy aluminum pipes.

The table includes three steel windshields for effective burning in outdoor areas and an adjustable height option. Along with the big main table, there are 2 side tables and 3 zip-locked storage boxes to provide ample storage.

It has a sleek design and comes with easy-to-fold legs. This is a must-have outdoor kitchen with windshield, loaded with almost every quality.

Pros

Value for money
Durable and easy to clean
Superb storage capacity

Cons

Not waterproof
Some concerns around durability

Happybuy Camping Kitchen Table

Best for Family Camping

Material: Aluminum
Dimensions: 69 x 19.5 x 43.5 cm
Weight: 30.5 pounds

Check Price

VBENLEM Outdoor 2-Tier Kitchen - Budget-friendly option

If you’re on a budget but still looking for a sturdy camping kitchen stand with windshield, this would be the best option for you. VBENLEM outdoor 2-tier kitchen table has a unique hassle-free assembly fold design that makes it portable and easy to set up.

The steel windshields and robust design protect the tabletop from tiny creatures and dirt. Along with a durable design, the table kitchen has a heat-resistant rooftop. All the metal parts are anti-rust powder-coated, which is super easy to clean.

Storage is never a concern with this kitchen table with non-slip buckles and a large capacity zipper bag. Thus, it is the best consideration for a budget-friendly camping kitchen unit with shelves and windshield.

Pros

Durable and sturdy
High-quality design
Portable and easy to assemble

Cons

PVC parts might release bad smell

VBENLEM Outdoor 2-Tier Kitchen Table

Budget Friendly Option

Material: PVC/ Aluminum
Dimensions: 57.5 x 18 x 44 cm
Weight: 21 pounds

Check Price

What should you take care of while using a camping kitchen stand?

No wonder using a camping kitchen with windshield is effortless and saves a lot of time. But there are a few things you should take care of when using the kitchen stand outdoors. Whether you are going for a picnic, hiking or camping, ensure to follow these instructions.

The area around the stand is clear of any flammable materials before using it for cooking.
No food is left in the sun for too long, as it can spoil quickly.
Clean up after you are done so that other campers can enjoy the space.
Don’t forget to pack up your stand when you’re finished using it. This will make sure no animals can get into it and make any mess.
Lastly, have fun! Camping is a great way to relax and bond with nature. So, make sure to enjoy yourself!

Is it safe to use a camping kitchen stand with windshield?

Yes, using a camping kitchen stand with windshield is absolutely safe.

However, you should take care not to block the airflow too much, as this can cause the stove to overheat.

Additionally, keep an eye on the food so that it doesn’t scorch. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult the instructions that came with your stove.

Final Comparison and Verdict

Our preferred camping kitchen stand with windshield is the Giantex Folding Grill Table as it has a great build quality and is a durable choice for medium to large gatherings.

The CampLand Folding Cooking Table is ideal for compact camping and barbecues with its lightweight features and ease of set up.

However, you can consider the Happybuy Camping Kitchen Table for more extensive storage capacity and durability. It is still a great choice for bigger gatherings.

Similarly, if you are on a budget but don’t want to compromise on quality, our choice would be the VBENLEM Outdoor 2-Tier Kitchen – it comes with all the great features and robust design and is very easy to clean.

Model	Our Opinion	Material	Dimensions	Weight	Easy to Assemble
Giantex Folding Grill Table	Best Overall	Aluminum	57.5 x 18 x 44 cm	21 pounds	4.5/5
CampLand Folding Cooking Table	Best Value for money	Aluminum	35.83 x 20.31 x 17.32 cm	10 pounds	4/5
Happybuy Camping Kitchen Table	Best Compact option	Aluminum	69 x 19.5 x 43.5 cm	30.5 pounds	4.1/5
VBENLEM Outdoor 2-Tier Kitchen	Best for Family Camping	PVC/ Aluminum	57.5 x 18 x 44 cm	21 pounds	4.8/5

Hot tent vs 4 Season Tent – What is BEST for winter camping?

Camping stoves

The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Camping in winter can be an excellent experience outdoors – the parks are generally less crowded, which means you are likely to have a quieter and relaxing trip.

However, as good as it is to camp without mosquitos (they are not around in cold weather), it also comes with challenges, especially when talking about keeping warm in your tent. Bringing suitable camping gear, such as a winter tent and heaters, will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip. But, many campers ask: What is the best tent option for cold weather – hot tents or 4 season tents?

Well, the answer is – it depends on your needs and preferences. Overall, we recommend hot tenting for trips with a large group of campers that want to share the same tent (or are looking for extra comfort and space) and are planning to camp for the medium-to-long term (i.e. more than five days) in fixed a location.

If, on the other hand, you are hiking or backpacking, hot tenting might be a hassle given the time required to set up the tent, and the woodstove might be extensive for trips that require increased mobility. Therefore, nylon and polyester tents with good insulation might be the most suitable option.

Feature	Hot Tents	4 Season Tent
Fabric	Predominantly Canvas	Predominantly Nylon and Polyester
Price	$$$$	$$
Capacity	Oversized models up to 18 campers (also smaller options)	Generally up to 4-5 campers
Mobility	Low	High
Setup	Generally not free-standing – Require pegs, guy ropes, etc.	Multiple Free-standing options
Stove Jack	Yes	No
Best Heating Source	Portable Wood stove	Tent Heater
When to Use	Long term camping Large group of campers Hunting trips Skiing Snowmobiling Cooking inside your tent	Backpacking Hiking Mountaineering Lightweight camping

Let’s discuss more details about this summary table in this article.

What is a 4 season tent?

Even though the name suggests that it is suited for camping all year round, the 4 season tents are designed for winter camping and handle temperatures below 0 Celsius degrees, including snow and high winds.

They come in different sizes, shapes, and fabrics, but generally speaking, you will find plenty of lightweight nylon and polyester models for not more than 4-5 campers. To improve performance in these harsh winter conditions, they tend to have a lower height (for better aerodynamics) and curved roofs (to avoid snow accumulation), such as NatureHike cloud-up four season for 2 and 3 campers (pic below).

Given they are made to protect you from freezing temperatures, you will note that 4 season tents come with much less meshed areas in their body and have strategic openings to provide ventilation when required.

What is a hot tent?

Hot tents are 4-season tents specifically designed to accommodate a wood-burning stove inside them and create a warm and cozy environment within your shelter.

They have stove jacks that allow for the exhaustion of fumes and smoke through a chimney, enabling the safe use of wood stoves inside it (we reviewed the best tents with stove jacks in a different article – read it here).

Generally, they are spacious tents made of canvas, and you can find them in different shapes, such as bells, walls, yurts and tipis – there are even oversized models with the capacity of up to 18 campers, such as WhiteDuck Wall Canvas Tent. Canvas is known to provide excellent insulation features, making it the best fabric for cold weather camping, even though it is heavier and more expensive than other options.

However, there are also smaller models made of nylon/polyester, such as the Tipi Hot tent with Skirt T2 for four people.

Hot tent vs 4 Season tent - When to use each?

Even though there is no rule set on the stone, overall, we recommend considering hot tenting for longer trips, where extra space is required, or you are simply after more comfort. Nylon and polyester tents are lightweight and will provide you with more mobility and flexibility with multiple free-standing options available in the market.

The table below summarises our recommendations.

Which model should you use?	Hot Tents	4 Season Tent
Medium to Long Term Camping	X
Hunting	X
Large Group of Campers	X
Skiing and Snowmobiling	X
Cooking inside a tent	X
Expeditions		X
Hiking		X
Backpacking		X
Mountaineering		X

Which stove can I put in a hot tent?

We reviewed different models in and our recommendations is the following gear:

Winnerwell Woodlander Large Tent Stove – Best Overall (for small to Large Tents)

You can read a detailed review of other options in this article.

Can I use a heater inside a 4-season tent?

Yes, you can. However, it would help if you were careful when using it. We recommend using an electric heater for safety reasons, but I imagine that if you are backpacking or hiking, you won’t have an electric hookup close by, right?

If that is your case, you can use a small propane heater, such as Mr Heater Little Buddy. You must put in place some critical measures to avoid carbon poisoning risks (i.e. ensure plenty of ventilation inside your tent and use a carbon monoxide detector – read more in this article).

Other tips to choose your winter tent and cold weather camping

Regardless if you are going for a hot tent or a 4 season tent option, take into consideration the following issues and aspects:

Wind conditions: Dome tents might be better suited for camping in windy conditions, given their better aerodynamics. Conversely, Wall and Cabin tents will produce more drag, and you might face some issues during strong winds.
Snow camping: If the weather forecast indicates snowy conditions, pick a tent with a curved roof so there is no flake accumulation over your tent.
Insulation: Consider building an extra insulation layer by yourself with reflective foil and tarps – it is an easy and cheap solution – check this post for more details on insulating your tent for winter camping.
Waterproofness: If possible, pick tents with Waterhead levels above 1000mm to keep you dry in case of rains
Fabric: There is a classic trade-off here – Canvas will provide you with better insulation and breathability, but these tents are much heavier than polyester and nylon models, which will generally have better waterproofness and be more compact.

How to heat water while camping WITHOUT a campfire?

Camping stoves, Camping Tips

There is no need to say that bringing water is essential for every camping trip – keeping hydrated is crucial for your health. However, sometimes you might need to boil water during your outdoor days for various reasons, such as having a hot shower on freezing nights, cooking something, or simply drinking a warm coffee.

If you plan to camp during a fire ban season or prefer not to start one, you might need to find alternative ways to heat your gallons of water. So, how to heat water without a campfire? There are many ways, including:

Using a camping stove
Use a jet boil system
Using an kettle (with or without electricity)
Using an electric skillet
Use a solar cooker/stove
Solar heating bags (solar shower)

Let’s go through each method and quickly discuss the benefits and drawbacks.

Why do you need to boil water while camping?

The most important reason why boiling water is necessary for your health safety. If you run out of potable water after camping for a few days, you might be inclined to use water from a water main close to your campsite.

Even though countryside and camping remote areas tend to have much less pollution than big cities, these water mains might still have some bacteria and viruses that would make you sick in case of ingestion.

But don’t worry – if you properly boil it, you will be killing the majority of microorganisms and have a potable and drinkable liquid.

Other reasons for heating water while camping includes cooking, bathing, and preparing hot drinks, such as coffee and tea.

6 tips heat and boil water while camping without a fire

Let’s go through each option in the following paragraphs!

Use a camping stove

If you are an experienced camper, you might already have a camping stove. There are multiple options in the market, and we like to use propane models because of their versatility.

To use for cooking and boiling water, you need a model that provides at least 10,000 Btu (per burner), such as Coleman Triton propane stove.

The downside of this method is the extra gear you need to carry around – both the device and fuel. If you are a hiker or backpacker, it might be worth exploring other lighter alternatives, such as MSR Pocket Rocket Ultralight Camping Stove (it only weighs 280g).

Use a JetBoil System

Jet Boil is an amazing backpack stove specially developed for backpackers. It has an excellent heating output to cook and boil water really fast.

The equipment is small and compact and fits every camper. However, it comes with a drawback – even though it will heat any liquid extremely fast, you won’t be able to simmer water or control the level of heating output.

If you are just after boiling water to drink in a fast and compact way, JetBoil Fast must be your gear. If you want something that also allows to cook and control temperature/flames, go with a camping stove option.

Note: JetBoil might be a viable alternative to cook some specific food, such as noodles, dumplings, and soups – check some special recipes here.

Use a kettle

If you have an electric hookup at your campsite, the number of alternatives increases dramatically (good news!).

One of them is using an electric kettle. There is no secret here – you just put water inside the equipment, turn it on for a couple of minutes, and you are fine!

If you don’t have electric infra around you, but your car is close by, you can also use a car kettle, such as sunsbell 650ml car kettle.

Use a Electric Skillet

Similarly to the dilemma between Jet Boil and a Camping stove, if you have an electric connection at your campsite, you might also stay between an electric skillet and a kettle.

If you only want to have hot water, use a kettle. If you want something that goes beyond and allows you to cook, an electric skillet should be your option (check our post with the review of the best electric skillets for camping and special recipes).

Use a Solar Stove/Cooker

Yes, that is right. You can boil water with your cooker/kettle powered by solar energy. There are plenty of options in the market for solar-powered stoves, such as Go Sun Go Solar stove, which reaches up to 550 Fahrenheit degrees and easily sterilizes the water.

The upside is that you can also cook with it – if you want a detailed review of solar stoves and how to use them, visit our article about them – can you cook with solar energy while camping?

Use a portable solar shower

We left this option as the last one on purpose – if you are just after something to heat water to provide you with a warm shower while camping, you do not necessarily need to boil it.

Warm water might be sufficient to give you some comfort during your bath, and a portable solar shower might be the option to go, such as advanced elements solar shower.

Other alternatives for hot shower while camping

If cold showers are your worst energy when you go camping, how about checking Mr Heater Battery Operated Shower Systems (aka B.O.S.S)?

They are an excellent solution for having a hot shower when camping in remote locations since they run from batteries (for ignition) and a 1lb propane tank (to create flame for heating), providing hot water for approximately 40 minutes (depending on the model).

It comes in 3 models with similar features but slight different capacities (check the picture below).

All the three models (XB-13, XW-18 and XC- 20) come with hot water safety flow switches and filters to avoid debris coming into the equipment (if the water available at your campsite has some).

Conclusion

Well, if you don’t like the idea of a campfire or your campsite has a fire ban policy in place, don’t worry – there are several other ways to have hot water, as shown above.

Our preferred approach is taking a camping stove and portable hot showers, given their ease of transport and installation. But we understand that every camper has different needs, and the final solution will suit their needs.

Can you use propane in a butane stove? (Why you shouldn’t!)

Camping stoves, Camping Tips

Gas stoves, including butane and propane, are excellent options for off-grid campers. They provide cooking flexibility, have flame control mechanisms, have plenty of fuel availability, are extremely safe, and produce no fumes.

If you have a butane model, you probably have wondered or heard another camper telling you that can you use both gases in your equipment. So, ultimately, can you use propane in a butane stove?

The answer is yes, in theory, you can! However, you must have a suite of specific adapters (Lindal valves and hoses) and fittings to use your stove safely, and even so, they might not have optimal performance, increase fuel consumption (i.e. bad flames – aka yellow flames), and introduce carbon monoxide poisoning risks.

Let’s keep discussing the similarities and difference between these two gases, and understand the impacts of using them interchangeably.

Propane and Butane - Similarities and Differences

Propane and Butane - Similarities

Butane and propane are a derivative of petroleum and a form of liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Both gases are widely used for commercial purposes and widely used by campers not only for cooking but also for camping heaters.

They both have high amounts of carbon particles in their composition and have excellent flammability features. However, they also have some discrepancies – let’s explore them below.

Propane and Butane - Differences

Even though both gases come from the same source, they have different characteristics in many ways. We recently wrote a blog post and undertook a detailed comparison between propane and butane for camping stoves – read it for a thorough explanation.

In summary, the major differences are:

Boiling point – Butane has a much higher boiling point (-1°C) than propane (-42°C), which means butane is not ideal for camping in freezing conditions.
Heating output – Butane releases slightly more heat per pound than propane, but the difference is not significant.
Weight – Propane is less dense than butane, but because it is stored under pressure and requires more robust bottles, its canisters are heavier.
Storage – Overall, Butane has more storage needs than propane (no exposure to the sun and temperature control).
Costs – Since they are petroleum derivatives, their prices fluctuate following oil commodity prices. However, propane is generally cheaper than butane in the US.
Cooking – Butane is approximately 12% more efficient than propane.

Why you shouldn't use propane in a butane stove?

As you have seen, even though both gases are good options for camping cooking, they have significant differences that make butane stoves and propane devices different equipment with different internal mechanisms to facilitate combustion.

If you use them interchangeably, you might face bad functioning. Butane stoves are regulated and engineered to burn the fuel that takes its name, meaning that its valves precisely regulate the amount of oxygen required to burn it properly.

Propane requires more oxygen than butane for complete combustion, and when it is used in a butane stove, its combustion is only partial. There are many problems and signs associated with this partial process, such as:

Yellow flame, which is a clear sign that your burner is not being supplied with enough air
It also indicates an increased release of monoxide carbon (CO), which is dangerous and toxic and might lead to poisoning.

The biggest concern around CO is that it is odorless and colorless. You can get poisoned without noticing, especially if you are cooking in a closed environment, such as inside your tent.

Among the signs of CO poisoning, we highlight:

Nausea
Headache
Vomiting
Shortness of breath

If you experience any of these symptoms while using your gas camping stove, turn it off immediately and ensure plenty of ventilation in your camping kitchen (or simply leave the enclosed area and go outdoors).

Overall, we do not recommend using gas stoves inside your tent, and we have written an article on how to use them in your shelter if you have no choice (i.e. in case of terrible weather outside).

Are there any stoves that can run from both propane and butane (dual fuel stoves)?

Yes, there are. They are specifically designed to allow the use of both gases and run on them perfectly. Our recommendations are Gas One Propane and Butane Stove (budget-friendly) and Grill Boss Dual Fuel Camping stove.

Gas one comes with many built-in safety mechanisms, such as the Pressure Sensor Cartridge Ejection System And Gas Flow Cut Off Mechanism (Butane). As for size, we recommend at least 8,000 Btu to allow for proper cooking.

GasOne dual fuel camping stove

Grill Boss outdoor is another excellent option that comes with gas shutoff mechanisms inc case inaccurate gas flow is identified.

Grill Boss Dual Fuel Camping stove

Can I use a propane-butane adapter in my stove?

As discussed above, we do not recommend using them since you might face malfunctioning and expose yourself to many risks that are not worth assuming, especially considering the low investment in a dual fuel model (below $50!)

When should I use propane or butane?

Well, each fuel comes with benefits and drawbacks. Overall, we recommend the following:

Propane stoves will work better during harsh winter conditions because of its lower boiling point.
Backpackers and hikers broadly use butane stoves because of the weight of butane canisters (they are considerably lighter than propane cylinders).

However, to pick one, you should also consider availability, costs, and storage requirements before making your choice.

Conclusion

Even though some campers use adapters to use propane in butane stoves, we are against this approach because of our safety concerns.

We believe that the investment of having a dual fuel stove or simply having a butane and a propane stove outweighs the benefits of using these adapters, given the risks of malfunctioning, explosion, and CO poisoning.

How do you camp in the snow safely? 7 tips to keep you warm and secure!

Camping stoves, Camping Tips, Tent Heater

Camping in the winter is a different experience than camping in the spring, summer, and fall. Even though staying outdoors with the snow may sound scary at first, you will be prepared for a winter adventure with the right gear and hacks.

Snow camping can be daunting, and to ensure you are safe, make sure that:

Choose the best location to pitch your tent and secure it – avoid a campsite that is sloppy
Bring adequate camping gear (winter tents or hot tents, snow stakes, sleeping bags, tent heaters, etc. )
Wear the proper clothing and dress in multiple layers
Create a thermal barrier and insulate your tent
Always stay dry
Urinate more often to avoid losing body heat
Stay off areas with animal tracks, like bears.

Let’s go through these tips and below and answer some important questions about camping in freezing weather.

7 Tips for snow camping

Choose the best location to pitch your tent and secure it

Planning is one of the keys to successful winter camping. When it comes to the campsite, avoid pitching your tent in open areas with plenty of wind exposure.

The technique of securing a tent in the snow is not hard. First, you have to know what is around you.

Avoid setting up in areas with tree branches and bough heavy with wet snow. They snap easily, especially if a strong wind passes. One that falls on your tent can damage it or cause an injury.

Also, with rapid snowfall, consider the risk of an avalanche. Check whether the pitching area is clean and avoid any slope greater than 20-degrees because it can present an avalanche danger.

Before setting your tent, pack down and walk on the site smoothly. This will reduce the sinking due to body heat melting the snowflakes. Use a snow shovel to remove soft powder and pitch your tent on a solid base.

You can use the layer you removed to build a “snow wall” a foot high around your tent to act as a windbreak.

If you don’t have a snow shovel, walk over the pitching area gently to compact the top layer and create a solid base.

To secure the tent on the ground, ensure your tent lines hold for many anchoring points and use special snow pegs and stakes (see model below) to make sure it is properly fixed.

Finally, while camping, ensure that snow does not accumulate on your tent’s roof – excess snow build-up on the roof will cause the tent to collapse, mainly if the snow is wet.

Bring the adequate camping gear

You need to be prepared to go camping under 0 Celsius degrees, including having the right gear. On your trip, you must bring:

A 4-season tent, such as ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5, comes with special insulation to support freezing temperatures. If you don’t have the budget to buy a new tent and already have a 3-season tent, I recommend you read our article on how to use a 3-season tent for winter camping.

A powerful tent heater to help you keep warm on cold nights

If you plan to stay out for a couple of days or weeks, it might be a good idea to consider a hot tent (tents with stove jacks), which allows you to have a portable wood-burning stove inside it to keep you warm.

A sleeping bag with a great insulation rating

A camping stove to allow you to cook in freezing weather – consider a gas option (preferably propane) since they work well under low temperatures.

Wear proper clothing and dress in layers

Make sure you bring suitably clothes and accessories for snow camping, such as:

Hats (or a beanie),
Thermal socks
Thermal gloves
Special boots to walk in the snow and keep your feet warm, such as Columbia Bugaboot III.
Warm pants
Windproof and waterproof jackets, such as North Face Triclimate Waterproof Jacket

Overall, synthetic fabrics will provide better insulation, but wool is also known for its exceptional heat retention features.

As for layering, it is up to each camper. If you are always cold, it might be worth considering wearing a base thermal layer and synthetic shirts below your jacket.

Create a thermal barrier and insulate your tent

We wrote a specific article on how to insulate your tent for winter camping – read it here.

The most efficient way is to create a thermal barrier inside your tent to avoid the warm air inside it escaping outside and the freezing breeze from the outside do not enter your shelter.

To insulate your tent, you can use a tent insulation liner or use a reflective foam or foil.

Always stay dry (and keep you gear dry as well)

Staying dry is crucial to keep you warm and avoid getting sick. Moisture can make your body lose heat faster, and exposure to water for a prolonged period during winter can lead to hypothermia and frostbite.

Our tip here is to wear layers, which will allow you to keep warm and dry. If an outer layer gets wet, replace or remove it and dry it as quick as possible.

Similarly, keep your camping gear and extra clothes dry – it might be a good idea to keep electronic devices and gadgets in a bag to avoid moisture exposure (you can use a Ziploc bag!).

Urinate more often to avoid losing body heat

Maybe you never thought that peeing would influence the body’s temperature, right? In fact, it does.

Generally speaking, we tend to go more often to the bathroom on cold days. Our body tries to retain heat by compressing our internal vessels and reducing the blood flow towards our external skin.

Our blood pressure increases since we have less space in the veins to pump the same amount of fluid. As a consequence, our kidneys work more and use more water to reduce blood pressure, increasing the amount of urine in our bladder.

When bladders are full, our body tries to keep its internal liquid warm, spending more energy and deviating the focus to keep you warm. Therefore, urinating more frequently will help you keep your body’s internal temperature higher!

Interesting, isn’t it?

Stay off areas with animal tracks, like bears.

You don’t want to encounter a bear or other wild animal (i.e. foxes, coyotes, etc.) while snow camping, right? Before pitching your tent, have a quick look around your campsite and check whether you can identify any potential track traces.

Polar bears are amongst the most aggressive animals in the world and are considered extremely dangerous for humans. This article details how to multiple animal tracks on the snow.

FAQ

How do campers stay warm in the snow?

With the proper preparation, winter camping can be an enjoyable experience. However, if you are not prepared, it can be miserable, and you might even need to finish won’t even finish your adventure.

On your next winter camping trip, here are essential tips you can use to keep warm:

Dress in multiple layers to give you enough control over regulating the body temperature
Instead of one sleeping pad, have two. Two sleeping pads provide more warmth than one pad
Layer your winter sleeping bag with a feather-weight quilt for warmth
Put on a balaclava to trap heat and increase the overall body heat
Vent your tent partially to let the trapped moisture escape
Wear heated boots, heated gloves, and hand warmers.

Can a tent withstand snow?

Ensuring your tent is not topped with snow during winter camping is vital.

This prevents the tent from sagging and tearing because of the excess pressure. Every tent is unique in its way, depending on the design.

It can be tricky to determine how much snow a wall tent can withstand. Snows vary significantly in weight due to outside temperature, snow’s composition, and many more. Generally, the larger the tent’s canvas, the more snow it can withstand.

Your tent should be constructed from sturdy materials that will withstand tear, and it should have ample insulation, which will ensure you are warm in the cold.

Even with a 16″ x 24″ tent, your tent can still be damaged by snow. So, take important measures to protect your tent, frame, and fabric.

In snow camping, avoid purchasing a tent with a large surface area because it will carry more snow load, which increases the chances of your tent collapsing. If possible, have your tent roof slightly inclined, which helps to prevent snow accumulation.

Keep in mind that wet snow can be three times heavier than the same volume of dry snow.

What is a winterized tent?

Ensuring your tent is not topped with snow during winter camping is vital.

This prevents the tent from sagging and tearing because of the excess pressure. Every tent is unique in its way, depending on the design.

Your tent should be constructed from sturdy materials that will withstand tear, and it should have ample insulation, which will ensure you are warm in the cold.

Even with a 16″ x 24″ tent, your tent can still be damaged by snow. So, take important measures to protect your tent, frame, and fabric.

Keep in mind that wet snow can be three times heavier than the same volume of dry snow.

How do you winterproof a tent?

Staying warm while winter camping can be a challenge. High winds, cold temperatures, and excess snowfall create harsh conditions that make it hard to sleep.

However, some ways can help keep your tent comfortable in the winter. Here are ways you can insulate your tent to stay warm:

Bring a small tent so that you can close as much open space as possible to prevent cold from creeping in
Use a thermal blanket to cover the tent
Block the wind using a tarp
Build a windbreak out of snow
Use a sleeping pad under the sleeping bag to keep you warmer
Use a tent insulation liner, such as Crua Outdoors Culla Maxx

Conclusion

Camping in the snow can be an excellent alternative for winter days if you have the right gear and camping accessories.

These 7 tips shown in this post will help you have a safe and enjoyable trip and make your snow camping unique!

Have a safe camping trip!

Camping Stove vs Wood Fire – When to use each?

Camping stoves, Camping Tips

So, you cannot decide between a camp stove and a campfire, and you want to go with a safe and easy way to make your camping hassle-free, right? Why do you need a camp stove when you can cook with a campfire? What is a safer option for camping? What is, ultimately, the best option?

There is no best option, but the one that will suit your camping needs better given that each of them comes with some upsides and drawbacks. In our opinion, the decision between the two options should depend on the time length of your trip, the conditions of your campsite, and personal preferences.

Many prefer a campfire since they find it safe in the wild, praise the fact that almost no camping gear is required, and enjoy cooking and socialising around it. However, campfires can cause unfortunate accidents and pose risks to the life of campers and impact the environment adversely.

On the other hand, a camp stove has many safety mechanisms and gives you more control and freedom. Overall, you will find cooking while camping effortless, but it will have some downsides, such as bringing fuel (i.e. propane or butane canisters).

If you are here, it means you want to gather all the information before going ahead and making your decision. Keep reading this article to check our comparisons for camping stoves vs wood fires, and answer your queries.

What Are the Benefits and Downsides of Using a Cooking Stove as Compared to the Open Fire?

Both open fire and camp stoves will have some advantages and downsides. Overall, camping stoves offer you more comfort and flexibility, and you might experience fewer headaches (especially if it is raining – learn how to cook in the rain while camping here).

Camping stove - Advantages and Disadvantages

A camping stove will offer better convenience and control, which is essential for preparing different kinds of meals – a modern camping stove, such as the Coleman dual burner propane stove, come with valves that allow you to control flames

Furthermore, you do not need to worry about collecting dry wood and finding a safe to start a fire unless you are using a portable wood stove (which will require firewood).

Furthermore, a camping stove can be used regardless of weather conditions, and you can cook your meal whenever required. The low and protected flame will be easy to manage, and you can shut it off instantly if you notice any danger.

Be mindful, though – avoid getting your device wet since the water might damage the ignition and valve systems!

Camp stoves are compact and lightweight, allowing you to move them if required (i.e. in case of rain or you need to change your camping kitchen location, you will easily move them around).

They also come with internal safety mechanisms, such as precise valves and leakproof hoses, giving you peace of mind to use them. Overall, they also tend to generate a cleaner flame and will not cause large volumes of carbon emission, being eco-friendly solutions.

Some of the disadvantages of these devices are:

The need to bring and store fuel in your campsite
Costs associated with buying and using it are higher than a campfire
Maintenance is required to ensure proper functionality
Extra camping gear to be carried around

Wood fire - Advantages and Disadvantages

Some campers love the sensation provided by a campfire – a combined feeling of wilderness and coziness make them a go-to option for survivalists.

Campfires are known to be cost-effective since you probably will need minimal camping gear (if any), such as a waterproof and windproof lighter. Less camping gear means less travelling load, which is ideal for backpackers and hikers.

You can simply start a fire using some tinder and kindling and keep it going for hours with some good firewood (give preference to hardwood since they will burn longer and produce more controlled flames – if you want to know what is the best firewood for a campfire, read this article.

A campfire can reach up from 900°F (~482°C) to 2000°F (~1100°C), meaning can you cook different types of meals. Further, you can also choose how big it will be, providing flexibility and scale, especially if you are camping in large groups.

Some researchers have also concluded that campfires can bring some health benefits, such as relaxation and reduced blood pressure levels, which is incredible!

However, on the downside, an open fire will require more safety measures, and you will have to be vigilant to prevent accidents. Some parks even do not allow it in the US – check the National Park Services website and your preferred park requirements.

Also, wood fire will need a proper setup, and harsh weather conditions can be dangerous and extinguish the flames – You will not have complete control over the fire, and you might not be able prevent an accident.

Even though you can always start a fire in a different place, once it is lit, there is no real mobility, which is not ideal for unpredictable weather conditions.

Overall, cooking on an open fire is not easy for inexperienced campers since they need to master temperature control and other skills to prevent an accident.

Is a camping stove necessary?

A camping stove might be necessary if you don’t know how to start and handle a campfire or if your preferred park does not allow campfires, or when there are wood fire bans.

Further, if there is a rainy weather forecast, considering a stove might be wise since you can easily move them around and cook during the rain.

They are also the best option to prepare and/or heat uncooked foods and a reliable heating source to boil water, especially if you are camping or hiking in a remote location.

If you have plenty of wood available or are not planning to cook on your camping trip, they are not required. You can bring crackers, nuts, pre-made sandwiches, and fruits and vegetables, and you will be fine for a short-term trip.

In our opinion, it will ultimately depend on your camping duration. For short trips, such as weekends away, you will be fine without a camp stove, and a campfire might be actually a funny activity to practice with your friends and family.

However, it might be good to have a camp stove for longer trips for convenience and safety – you shouldn’t solely rely on campfires for cooking, given the unpredictable weather and control of the quality wood available.

When to use a camping stove or a wood fire?

Camping stoves are ideal if:

You don’t know how to set up a fire
You want more convenience and comfort
You want to have flame control and more safety mechanisms
You are worried about weather conditions
You don’t want to leave any trace behind
You don’t want to impact the local ecosystem
You don’t want to create dirt (campfires are normally dirtier than stoves)

On the other hand, wood fires should be your choice if:

You enjoy the coziness provided by campfires
You like the taste provided by grilling food on a wood fire
You are into survivalism
You want to create a social activity while camping – an excellent option for gathering people and roasting marshmallows.

Can I use a camping stove in my tent?

Even though it is not ideal, because of the fire accident and CO poisoning risks, you can use a camping stove inside your tent provided you follow some important safety measures, which include:

Keep a constant flow of air circulation
Monitor Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels using a carbon monoxide detector
Take any flammable material out from your tent
Use your camping stove over a fire mat to prevent overheating
If possible, use a tent with a stove jack to exhale polluted air

A camping electric skillet might help you heat and prepare your meal if you have electric hookups and connections close to your tent.

For a detailed step-by-step on how to use a stove insde your tent, read this post.

Conclusion

As detailed above, the ultimate choice between wood fire vs camping stoves should be driven by many factors, which include:

Weather conditions –
Comfort and convenience
Cooking preferences, such as flame control and food taste
How long you will be camping
Impact on the environment.

We use both, and we don’t think one option should exclude another. There are multiple occasions the benefits of a woodfire will outweigh stoves’ benefits and vice-versa.

Whatever method you choose, make sure to check for potential fire bans on your campsite.

Enjoy your camping trip!

How do you cook while camping in the rain? (4 easy tips!)

Camping stoves, Camping Tips

Outdoor weather is always unpredictable, and the joy of camping cannot be ruined once the rain starts. Knowing how to cook when camping in the rain is a crucial ability to be a better camper and be ready for all unexpected occasions, such as a rainstorm.

To cook in the rain while camping, you need to pay attention to some issues, such as choosing the most appropriate camping stove, knowing where to position your camping kitchen, and bringing the right camping gear.

Let’s go through the detailed tips and answer the common questions raised by many campers below.

4 Tips to cook in the rain while camping

There are some tips and tricks that every camper should know to be ready to cook his/her meal, even if it is raining. As with everything in life, the more you plan and be prepared for it, the easier it will be.

Let’s dig into each tip below so that you can peacefully cook in case of water drops from the sky!

Tip 1 - Bring the the adequate cooking equipment and accessories

Bringing adequate camping gear and cooking accessories will make your life easier.

This does not necessarily mean that you need to spend plenty of money – You can take some accessories you already have at home to help you.

Some gear that you help you cook in the rain while camping include:

A simple camping stove
Plastic bags and camping Tupperware will ensure your food remains dry and can be stored.
Other than a matchbox, it will be good to bring along a waterproof and windproof lighter (see below).
A serving tray that is coverable for carrying the food

Tip 2 - Protect yourself with camping rain gear

If it is raining outside and you need to cook, it is better to be wearing appropriate gear. Otherwise, you will get soaking wet and might get sick. Below are some of our recommendations.

Tip 2.1 - Wear waterproof clothes

Even though cotton fabrics are usually more comfortable and provide better breathability, they can quickly get wet and drenched. Use options that will repel the water and keep you as dry as possible.

It might be a good idea to bring the following items for your trip:

Give preference to synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and neoprene, since they tend to be durable and lightweight – Patagonia offers great alternatives.

Tip 2.2 - Wear waterproof boots, hats, and rain coats

Also, it is good to carry some waterproof boots and hats. Boots should be high to avoid water penetration when you walk through the rain.

A waterproof hat is also essential – protecting your head is necessary to avoid getting a cold from the rain.

If there is a rain forecast, never leave your house when going camping without a raincoat and rain pants. Wearing this gear ensures you stay dry even when during a storm.

Tip 3 - Plan where to pitch your camping kitchen and keep cleand it organised

Having the right equipment and cooking accessories will definitely help you. However, settling your camping kitchen in the right location and keeping it clean and organised is as important.

As experienced campers, we advise the following:

Avoid pitching your kitchen under a tree or potential landslide areas – you don’t risk yourself falling tree branches or water drippings.
Organize your cooking area to be more efficient – i.e. keep accessories stored together and always clean – it might be a good idea to have a camping cabinet and a portable cooler.
Portion your meals to make it easier to cook what needs to be prepared. Avoid bringing excessive food to the kitchen – it might become messy, and you might not have enough space to store it.

Tip 4 - Use a camping tarp, umbrella, and a waterproof tent

To protect your cooking area, you can use a camping tarp (see option below) or use a rainfly to protect your outdoor kitchen from water.

Another good idea is covering your camping area with an umbrella, but it might be not ideal because of the lack of stability and risks of blowing away with the wind.

However, there are some excellent camping alternatives with pins that can be fixed into the ground, such as Sport-Brella Premiere X.

If you are considering moving your kitchen inside your tent, you might want to carefully read our article on this topic. To keep you safe, you should deploy the following measures:

Ensure there is plenty of ventilation in your tent
Use a carbon monoxide detector to avoid CO poisoning
Remove or isolate any flammable material from your tent
Use a fire mat below your stove
If you intend to use a stove inside your tent routinely, buy a tent with a stove jack.
Or Consider an electric stove alternative if you have electric hookups close to you.

Further, you should also consider a tent with at least 1000mm of water head protection. If you want to understand further about tent waterproofness, read this article – Are tents waterproof? (And how to waterproof them).

FAQ

Can you use a camping stove in the rain?

Yes, you can, but you should be aware that the exposure to water might damage the fire ignition systems of your camping stove, and therefore you should protect it from the rain.

For instance, avoid setting it under trees when setting your cooking area. In case it rains, water will start dropping from the branches. If you must set it under trees, set a camping tarp for protection.

In summary, there are no problems in using your camping stove whilst it is raining, but you should protect it from water.

Can a camping stove get wet?

Water might damage the ignition and internal valves from your gas camping stove. If you are using an electric option, you might be exposed to shocks. Therefore, we recommend avoiding exposing your stove to water.

If it accidentally gets wet, you must allow time for the stove to dry completely before turning it on – do not take any risks.

How do you keep a campfire burning in the rain?

If you are not a stove fan and prefer a good campfire, you should do some tricks to protect it and keep it burning while it is raining:

Plan in advance and choose the right and protected spot
Look for dry tinder, kindling and firewood.
Get the fire off the wet ground.
Keep pumping oxygen
Prevent the fire from going out
Create a roof over the fire – i.e. use a tarp, but be careful with how tall the flames are and the distance from the tarp.
Use a barn barrel to improve campfire endurance, as they will prevent water intake from the laterals.

If you want to know more tips, you can read this article.

Can you cook under a camping tarp?

When camping in wet conditions, a camping tarp might be handy, and you can safely cook underneath it.

However, the tarp must be set up correctly and ensure a safe distance between the tarp and the fire. If not set well, the heat, smoke, and sparks can damage or destroy the tarp.

Moreover, the smoke can pose a safety risk to campers underneath it. If you want to build a fire beneath a tarp, ask yourself the following questions.

How high should the tarp be over the fire?

There is no rule for how high a tarp should be over the fire. Overall, a tarp height of 6.5ft (2m) off the ground allows enough space for campers to move underneath the tarp and offers ample gap between the flames, heat, and the tarp.

Be mindful that the type of wood you use might impact how high flames are – softwood, such as cider and pine, tends to produce higher flames. Hardwoods such as oak, hickory, and Fraxinus (aka ash) burn longer and produce lower flames and smoke.

If you want to know what is the best wood for your campfire, read the following article – Which firewood is best for camping?

How to use a tarp over a fire?

The best tarp arrangement covering fire should be a sloped frame configuration (see photo below).

This configuration allows smoke, and excess heat gets enough space to funnel out and away from underneath the tarp.

Furthermore, the configuration allows rainwater to shed off the tarp, preventing the tarp from sagging.

How much rain is too much for camping?

Withstanding wet conditions when camping is part of successful tent camping. However, not all wet conditions are suitable for camping. Sometimes the rain and winds become heavy such that you can’t cook under a tarp or outdoor.

The rain levels above one inch per hour (25mm) are already considered heavy rain, and you might be at risk of floods and lightning. Always check the weather forecast before leaving home.

As preventive measures, set your tent or fire on high ground so that you are naturally protected from unpredictable rainy conditions and use a waterproof tent.

Conclusion

If you are ever facing heavy rain during your camping trips, don’t panic. This article detailed useful tips on how to cook while camping in the rain.

Overall, bring adequate camping gear, including cooking equipment, accessories, and waterproof gear, and set your camping kitchen at the right spot.

Have a safe camping trip!

What is the difference between tinder and kindling? (And how to use them)

Camping stoves, Camping Tips

Camping can be fun and adventurous, but you cannot make the most out of it without adequate preparation. You will have to ensure that you have all the materials to build a fire and stay safe in the wild.

Many campers cannot correctly use the tinder and kindling since they find both the same. However, there will be a few differences, and you will have to be aware of them to make your camping safe and hassle-free.

Overall, to start your campfire, you will need three different types of wood:

Tinder
Kindling
Firewood

Tinder is easy to light and creates a short fire, enabling you to start your fire quickly. It is normally thin pieces of wood in a dry condition that facilitates easy combustion.

Kindling is a similar material with a few differences, being slightly bigger. It can also help to start a fire, but its flames will last longer than tinder.

Firewood is normally used to keep your fire going for hours and allow cooking your meals – We will cover these materials in the following paragraphs and know the usage of each.

What is tinder wood?

Among all the burning materials, tinder is the smallest. It can set a fire fast, and many campers prefer this material due to its easy-to-usage benefit.

The thinner is always better, and you will have to use pieces that are thinner than your little finger.

However, thin material cannot hold fire for long, and to keep the flames burning, you will need kindling and firewood. It uses small pieces of long sticks that you will find similar to the size from your wrist to the elbow.

What can be used as a tinder?

You can use any combustible material as the tinder wood, and you will have to focus on the size and length to avoid any confusion.

Overall, we recommend it being thinner than the little finger of users, and the length needs to be a few inches. Another consideration is easy to light, and you will have to ensure that the material can start the fire directly, but you might not expect this benefit from kindling.

You will experience difficulties while starting a fire if the material is moist due to water concentration. You can experience the same problem when the tinder wood is not thin.

Here are some materials you can use as the tinder wood during your camping. Moreover, they might be accessible near your camping ground, and you can collect and use them to start your fire.

Twigs
Tree barks
Grass and dead leaves
Moss & straw
Wood shavings
Pine needles

There are also multiple industrialized options sold on Amazon these days, such as:

If you cannot access all these natural materials, you can consider using other materials, including twine, wax, cloth, cotton, paper, fluff, and lint. These materials are highly combustible and can enable you to start your fire quickly.

Recommended Article: How hot is a campfire?

What is kindling wood?

Kindling will also help to start fire and sustain the flame (as tinder will not last long), being slightly bigger than tinder.

You can use this material to make your fire last slightly longer than flames from tinder, but not sufficient to last for hours. Both tinder and kindling will have many similarities with a few differences.

Whilst tinder is the smallest of all and firewood is the largest piece, kindling comes in the middle ground and can burn well and longer than tinder, holding the flame for longer.

One of its main roles is to enable time enough time to get the firewood burning.

What wood is used for kindling?

You can use any material as kindling if it is combustible and dry.

First, you will have to use tinder wood to light a fire, and then kindling will hold the flame and give time to the firewood to catch fire.

Kindling can be narrow and long of two feet, and you can use it as thin as the thumb. You can break a dry and long twig into small pieces and use them as kindling.

The dry branches are the best since they can catch fire fast. When it comes to the material, you can consider the following:

Cardboard
Dry branches and twigs
Dry and softwood

What is firewood?

Firewood is the largest wood piece that will keep your flames going longer. The wood logs can measure up to 16 inches, and they will be responsible for maintaining the fire going for hours.

To be considered a good fuel source, your wood will have to:

Be as thick as your wrist (around 15cm)
As long as an arm (around 30cm)
Around knee-high when stacked (about 50cm)

What is the best firewood for a campfire?

We have prepared a detailed article discussing this topic – read it here.

To summarise, we recommend using hardwood varieties, such as ash, red oak and white oak, beech, birch, hickory, hard maple, pecan, and dogwood.

All of them have high density, with significant heating output capacity.

Small pieces of softwood will be suitable for kindling, give its ease of combustion and high flames.

What is difference between Tinder and Kindling, then?

When it comes to differences, you will find differences in the level of combustion and size.

Overall, tinder has easier combustion and is smaller, whereas kindling will take longer to burn and is slightly bigger.

Wood shavings and thinner twigs are tinder wood, and thick and long twigs are kindling. Besides, tinder material is fast and easy to light compared to kindling. Therefore, use them to start your fire quickly.

Kindling material will take more time to burn, but it will hold the flame longer. Even if the kindling is slightly damp, the material can catch fire when you have more tinder material.

They will work as a “transition” between tinder and firewood, which will let your campfire be lit for a long period.

How to start a fire with tinder and kindling?

The first step will be starting your fire with tinder in a dry condition – make sure that fragments are small so that they can ignite fast.

Keep adding more tinder to the flame and blow fresh against it (oxygen is essential for combustion).

When you start to see some consistency across the flames (they are continuously burning), it is time to start putting the kindling. Put it gently and in very small quantities since they will take longer to burn.

You can extinguish your campfire if you throw too much kindling at once. When you notice that the new pieces of wood are burning consistently and fire is building up, it is time to add the dry firewood.

Similarly to the previous step, add in gently and in a “phased approach” (wood log by wood log). If you want to keep you fire going for hours, pay attention to the following tips:

Use dry firewood (with moisture levels less than 20% – use a wood moisture meter to check it)
Use hardwood instead of firewood.
Use a few rocks in your campfire – rocks are excellent heat conductors and will make your campfire last longer.
Keep ventilation going (oxygen is essential for wood combustion)
Build a top-down campfire, with larger logs on the bottom base and smaller pieces on top.

FAQ

What makes good tinder for a fire?

Even though there are multiple tinder options to start your fire, you must ensure that the chosen material is dry and highly combustible.

It should be thin and small to allow fast-burning and flame spread. If you are already out on your camping trip, you can use these alternatives:

Dry leaves or grass (dead)
Pine needles or cones
Wood shavings
Twigs

If you have a budget and want to make your life easier, you can use some industrialized options (they cost less than $20):

What is the best kindling to start a campfire?

Since you want high flames with relative ease of combustion, the ideal kindling will be softwood that is cut into small and dry sticks to allow for easy and fast combustion.

Some softwood options are:

Cedar.
Douglas fir.
Pine.
Hemlock.

Softwood has a lower density, which produces less heating output with higher flames, and will burn shorter, being, therefore, ideal for kindling but not suitable for firewood.

What size should a kindling wood be?

There is no rule here, but we highly recommend small logs with no more than 20cm in length and less than 5cm in diameter.

Ideally, you would have a mix of bigger and smaller pieces of kindling to facilitate ignition and burning.

Other articles that might interest you:

How do you keep a hot tent stove burning all night? (3 easy steps!) (thecampingairconditioner.com)

Portable wood stove for tents – What are the best options? (thecampingairconditioner.com)

Tents with stove jack: what are the best options? (thecampingairconditioner.com)

Conclusion

As detailed in this article, to make your life easier to start and keep a campfire going for long hours, you will need the following:

Tinder wood
Kindling
Firewood

Tinder will help you ignite the campfire and should be dry and cut into tiny pieces to facilitate combustion.

Kindling is slightly bigger and will help to spread the fire and keep the flame going so that you can throw big logs of firewood into your campfire. For kindling, we recommend you use softwood.

Firewood is the most significant wood log that will allow for a slow burn and longer duration. If you plan to cook while camping, you should consider hardwood varieties, such as ash and oak, that can keep flames burning low and slow.