Camping stove buyer's guide

The trusty camping stove can be as low or hi-tech as you want but it's always an essential item. You'll need it if you're planning to prepare food.

Like any camping item, you can spend as much or as little as you like and you probably will get what you pay for. In this guide we try to help you decide which stove is right for you.

Will the site have cooking facilities already?

If it has, and they're adequate, and clean, then why bother? Leave the stove at home. Make sure to check first.

How much room have you got in your vehicle?

Check the size of the stove before buying the top of the range model. Will it fit inside your Nissan Micra? Perhaps you best look at something smaller or perhaps leave Nan at home.

WIll you be able to carry the stove? Will you need to?

If you're going walking or somewhere remote, can you carry the stove? A heavy stove is the last thing you want to be lugging up a hill. If you're on a campsite and parking nearby then knock yourself out.

How many are you cooking for?

If you're just cooking for a few of you, a single burner stove should be fine. If you're cooking for a lot of people, or you're making something fancy, a multi-burner stove could be for you.

Have you got enough gas?

The bigger the stove, the more gas it will use. Make sure you've got enough.

Will you need a wind break?

Factor this cost in if using a multi-burner stove especially. It will be impossible to cook if the wind is howling, knocking your flame out.