In my early 20s, I’d take a cheap backpacking stove and boil water for instant ramen on bike rides and hikes. Now, cooking has become a new passion, and I’d love to combine it with my old outdoor activities. I want to cook more substantial meals—eggs, meats, fish, and more—using a portable gas stove since I can’t always make a fire.
I still have my $7 orange plastic container stove, which works well, but I know tech has improved, and I’m ready to upgrade. I’ve been eyeing the GigaPower Stove 2.0 (inspired by this stove kit video) but am open to other suggestions. My budget is around $50.
If you have experience doing this, I’d love to hear about your setup or recommendations. I found this video about a full cook-kit inspiring, and I wouldn’t mind ending up with something similar.
Honestly, most stoves work well as long as you can control the flame. I still use an old, cheap unbranded stove with standard canisters—it just won’t die. For extreme cold or high altitudes, I switch to a 30-year-old Primus liquid fuel stove. It’s heavy, but reliable.
@Tatum
Same here. I use my MSR WhisperLite in freezing conditions. The “Lite” part of the name always makes me laugh, but it was lightweight for its time.
Since you already have a stove, focus on good cookware. A skillet and a pot or two will expand what you can cook. I also carry a cut-down flexible plastic cutting board for prep. I’d recommend the Trangia kit—it nests well and includes cookware. You’d end up with an extra stove since they offer alcohol or gas burners.
Are you hiking long distances or doing shorter trips? If hiking, weight is a big consideration, and that full set you referenced looks heavy. I use a Soto Amicus stove, Evernew titanium kettle, and Jetboil Summit skillet. The skillet is great for cooking with small-flame canister stoves.
Many backpacking stoves have a very concentrated flame, but older models like the WhisperLite have a wider burner. A diffuser plate helps prevent scorching and makes less simmer-capable stoves more functional. Also, get a good windscreen—it makes a big difference, especially for simmering.