Best Camp Stoves and Ovens in Australia

Nothing beats a good camp cook-up and 4X4 Australia has combed the outdoor stores for seven of the best gas-fired camp stoves and cast or spun iron camp ovens to help sate the hungry hordes at meal times

There’s nothing like a camp cook-up to refuel after a day outdoors – which is all the more reason to add a portable stove or oven to your camp kitchen. To make choosing the best camp stoves and ovens easier, we’ve reviewed models from Companion, Coleman, Gasmate, Dr Livingstone’s and Campfire.

Portable camp stoves come in all different shapes and sizes, with options to suit single campers right through to large groups and families. Generally, for gas stoves and ovens, it is important to consider the fuel type, size, weight, number of burners and heat output. For cooking over the campfire we’ve reviewed portable camp ovens made from both cast iron and spun steel.

To get a better idea of what cooking equipment will suit you and your camping crew, check out our Buyers Guide to Camp Stoves and Ovens, and our reviews of the top models on the market this year.

Portable Camp Stove

Coleman HyperFlame FyreKnight 2 Burner Camp Stove

Coleman - HyperFlame FyreKnight 2 Burner Camp Stove

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: LPG
• Weight: 7.1kg
• Number of nurners: 2
• Heat output: 24,000 BTU (combined)

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Coleman’s HyperFlame series boasts a 2 x faster boiling time thanks to its latest innovation in burner technology. The HyperFlame FyreKnight two-burner camp stove has all the features to make camp cooking a breeze, which is why it tops our list of best camp stoves in Australia 2022.

Coleman has created the ultimate camping stove with its new burner technology. Wind-resistance plays a big part in speeding up the boil time thanks to a new downward stair-stepping design of the burners and an included windbreak pan support. A windshield is therefore not needed, which allows for more cooktop space – you can fit two 30cm pots or pans side by side on this stove.

The FyreKnight features two large burners for maximum heat distribution and both have fully adjustable, independent burner controls – letting you smoothly control the temperature of each. The removable windbreak pan support and aluminised cooktop make for easy cleaning, and it comes with a 3/8 hose ready to connect to LPG.

Coleman Triton 2 Burner Stove

Coleman - Triton 2 Burner Stove

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: LPG
• Weight: 4 kg
• Number of burners: 2
• Heat output: 22,000 BTU (combined)

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Coleman’s Triton 2 Burner Stove is lightweight and portable, but with a powerful output that will make camp cooking easy. Its large cooktop can accommodate one 30cm and one 25cm pan at the same time, on two adjustable stove-top burners. For such an affordable price it is a reliable stove that will suit most campers’ needs.

The Triton delivers on quality cooking performance with Coleman’s PerfectFlow and PerfectHeat technologies – which regulate the fuel stream and fuel combustion process. This results in a more consistent cooking process, even when cooking in cold weather or when the fuel is low.

The stove is built for outdoor conditions, with rust-resistant burners and an included windshield. However it is easy to clean – thanks to the removable grate and aluminised cooktop. It has a built-in handle for better portability and comes with a 3/8 hose for connecting to LPG.

Gasmate Compact 2 Burner

Gasmate - Compact 2 Burner

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: LPG
• Weight: 8.2kg
• Number of burners: 3
• Heat output: 28,000 BTU (combined)

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Gasmate’s Compact 2 Burner stove is a reliable, easy to use addition to your camp kitchen that isn’t going to break the budget. It is a simple, yet durable stove with enough features to make camp cooking easy.

The Compact stove has a powder-coated body and windshields for flame protection. The two burners have individual adjustment controls and an overall high-heat output, giving you versatility and control over what you are cooking. The removable cooking trivet and flat surface beneath the burners make the clean up process easier.

It’s worth noting the manual ignition – which will require you to bring matches or a lighter and can be troublesome if the flame extinguishes while cooking. However, in what is a throwback to the good old days of camping, Gasmate’s Compact 2 Burner is simple and affordable without compromising on the most important features of a camping stove.

Coleman EvenTemp 3 Burner Camp Stove with Griddle

Coleman - EvenTemp 3 Burner Camp Stove with Griddle

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: LPG
• Weight: 8.2kg
• Number of burners: 3
• Heat output: 28,000 BTU (combined)

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If you’ve got a few extra mouths to feed, the Coleman EvenTemp camp stove will let you get the job done with three separate burners and an included griddle. This versatile stove has a large cooking area and great overall performance.

Cooking on this stove is made easier with three independent burners – giving an even temperature across the whole cooktop (hence the name). For larger cook-ups, you can use one big pan or the included non-stick barbecue plate across multiple burners. Coleman’s PerfectHeat and PerfectFlow technologies again give a consistent cooking performance.

The EvenTemp has an included windshield and removable grates which make the clean up easier. This stove has a 3/8 hose included for LPG or it can be run off Coleman Cartridges (sold separately). For car campers who don’t mind the extra weight and size, this three-burner camp stove will allow for precision cooking even for larger meals.

Camp Stove & Oven Combo

Companion Portable Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop

Companion - Portable Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: LPG
• Weight: 15kg
• Number of burners: 2
• Heat output: Oven 3600 BTU / Stove 10,600 BTU (combined)

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Companion’s Portable Outdoor Gas Oven & Cooktop is the closest thing you’ll get to home cooking at your campsite. With a full working oven and two stove-top burners, it gives you a lot more options for outdoor cooking.

The interior of the oven is covered with temperature resistant porcelain and can be heated up to 250°C. Monitoring your cooking is made easier with the oven’s glass door and built-in thermometer. The stove top is encased in a tough stainless-steel exterior, and it has two burners with individual temperature controls and an easy-start ignition.

The Portable Gas Oven & Cooktop is easy to install and pack up, plus it comes with a 1000mm hose and POL regulator. Though the price is higher than our other options, you get a lot more for your money. If you don’t want to compromise on camp cooking, this is a great addition to your home away from home.

Portable Camp Oven

Campfire Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Camp Ovens

Campfire - Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Camp Ovens

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: Campfire
• Weight: 9.4kg
• Number of burners: n/a
• Heat output: n/a

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Campfire has a range of pre-seasoned, cast iron camp ovens that provide great value for money. The heavy-duty ovens allow for even heat distribution when cooking over coals or the campfire – meaning you’ll be slow cooking to perfection.

The traditional camp oven design features an indented lid so you can put coals on top for faster and more even heat. The pre-seasoning provides a protective surface that resists water entry and prevents food sticking to the pan. It also means that it’s ready to use, with no prep needed before your first camping trip.

If you are ready to try out some campfire cooking, we think a cast iron camp oven from Campfire is a great way to get started. They come in five different sizes from 1.8 to 11.5 litres. Each is an affordable addition to your camp kitchen which, with the right care, will last you a very long time.

Dr Livingstone’s Bedourie Spun Steel Camp Ovens

Dr Livingstone’s Bedourie Spun Steel Camp Ovens

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel type: Campfire
• Weight: 3.9kg
• Number of burners: n/a
• Heat output: n/a
  

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Dr Livingstone’s Bedourie camp ovens are a great companion for campfire and stove-top cooking. They are light and versatile but still built to last, meaning you’ll be getting your money’s worth for many years to come.

We love a good Aussie-made product and this one is built to last. The camp ovens are modelled on the traditional Bedourie Station design – when camp ovens were carried on horseback, the cast iron ones would break if they fell off. The spun steel ovens were designed to not break in the same situation.

The Bedourie camp ovens come in two sizes. Both have a lid that fits over the top and can also be used as a frying pan – giving you more versatility in what you can cook. The oven weighs just 3.9kg but is large enough to cook up a meal for the whole family.

How We Review Products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles, aftermarket products and camping gear for more than 40 years. When looking for the best camp stoves and ovens in Australia there are some things that are essential to ensure you have the right cooking equipment for your needs.

When we compared each of the models in the list with hundreds out there we looked at the fuel type, number of burners, size, weight, materials and heat output, as well as the price. We also searched for additional features that make these camp cookers stand out from the rest.

We looked at hundreds of user reviews and drew on our own experience with camp cooking to make sure our recommendations are for the best from the market.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products that we do not earn a commission from.

Buyers' Guide to Camp Stoves and Ovens

Types of camping stoves and ovens

Gas-fuelled camp ovens and stoves

Gas-fuelled camp ovens and stoves are the ideal cooking companions for any camping trip. You can use them to get your cooking started quicker than if you are cooking over a campfire or coals. They come in many sizes – from compact, lightweight models for use on backpacking trips, through to larger 2- to 3-burner stoves and ovens that are more suited to car camping and caravanning. Keep in mind, camp stoves and ovens are designed for outdoor use only and should not be used indoors.

Cast Iron Camp Ovens

Camp ovens made from cast iron are great for slow cooking stews, casseroles, soups and curries over a campfire or coals. Their design usually allows for coals to be placed on the lid. While they will take longer to heat up than spun-steel camp ovens, they will hold the heat for longer and allow for even cooking.

Compared to spun steel, cast iron ovens are much heavier and they are also brittle so they may crack if dropped on a hard surface. However, if you care for them properly, cast iron camp ovens are a campfire cooking staple that will last you a lifetime. Proper care includes pre-seasoning with oil before use, and then washing and oiling again after each use.

Spun Steel Camp Ovens

Spun steel camp ovens function the same as cast iron camp ovens. You can cook up the same meals over a campfire or coals, and in some models the lid can be flipped and used as a frying pan, meaning you can add extra camp meals to your repertoire. Both kinds of camp ovens can be used over a camp stove, however spun-steel camp ovens will generally be the better performer if that is how you are planning to use it.

Spun steel is lighter than cast iron and will heat up quicker, but will not have the same even heat distribution so it may take a few tries to get your camp meals perfected. However, it is more durable – if you drop it, it won’t be rendered unusable. Spun steel also requires the same pre-seasoning, washing and oiling process as cast iron camp ovens to ensure a longer use.

How to choose the best camp stove or oven

There’s quite a few things to consider when buying a camp stove or oven. Here we’ve laid out a few of the questions you should be asking to ensure your purchase meets your camp cooking needs.

What fuel will you use for camp cooking?

All of these camp stoves and ovens need a fuel source, and it’s important to check if the stove is compatible with the fuel source you are planning to use. The most common fuel for gas stoves in Australia is LPG (propane) which is lightweight and efficient making it handy for camping. Butane is also used in some of the smaller one-burner or hiking stoves on the market, however it is not considered the safest option to use.

Depending on what fuel a stove requires, it will also need the correct hose and connectors – so it’s worth checking whether they are included in the purchase or need to be bought separately. If you are planning to cook on the campfire, we have included reviews of the best cast iron and spun steel camp ovens.

How many burners do you need on a camp stove?

Depending on what you like to cook and how many people you need to feed, you may find it useful to have more than one burner on your camp stove. The most popular amongst campers tend to be two-burner stoves, as you can fit two pots or pans side by side to cook a more complex meal. There are also three-burner stove options if you need to feed a larger group or family.

How much heat output do you need in a camp stove?

Heat output on camp stoves and ovens is measured in BTUs – British Thermal Units. The higher the BTUs, the hotter your burner can get – and therefore the faster you can boil water or cook food. However, keep in mind the higher the BTUs, the faster the fuel consumption as well. If you are eyeing off a stove with more than one burner, check if the BTUs measurement is per burner or combined.

What size and weight can you accommodate?

A camping stove is a great addition to any camping set-up, but it’s also going to take up space and be one extra thing that you need to pack and unpack with each camping trip. A three-burner stove might sound like a luxury – until you realise how much precious space it takes up in the car.

Like any piece of camping gear, it’s good to consider the size and weight of camp stoves and ovens before you buy. Most models will pack down and come with carry cases or bags for easy transport and storage.

Extra considerations

Wind protection

A major hazard of cooking outdoors – wind is going to play a factor in how effective your camp stove is. Quality camp stoves will come with some form of wind protection to improve efficiency and avoid the flames extinguishing in gusty conditions.

Push ignition

Grab a camp stove or oven with push-start ignition and you’ll never have to worry about forgetting the matches again. Push-start ignition makes it easier to get cooking quickly and if the flame goes out while cooking, you won’t need to lift the pans to reignite.

Cooktop size

Check the overall size of the camp stove cooktop to see what size pots or pans can be used simultaneously on top. It may be a two-burner stove, but if you can’t fit two pots at once – which can be the case when a windshield is in use – it may as well be one burner.

Temperature adjustment

A camp stove with adjustable heat on the burners will give you much more precision when cooking and prevent your meals from burning and sticking to the pan. One heat level on high is not the best way to cook up a tasty meal, so you’ll appreciate easy flame adjustment when it comes time to simmer your bacon and eggs for brekkie.

Easy to clean

Ease of cleaning is important for a camp stove or oven. As with all camping gear – if it’s going to get used, it’s going to get dirty. Stoves or ovens that come apart for easy cleaning will not only make the task easier, but ensure that your gear lasts as long as possible.

Pre-seasoned camp ovens

Cast iron and spun steel camp ovens will need to be pre-seasoned before use to prevent food sticking to the surface. If you can get one that is pre-seasoned it will save you time and allow you to take it straight out to the campsite without any effort needed beforehand.