Portable induction burners and hot plates are rapidly becoming popular among campers since camping and food go hand in hand. Car camping can even provide you with the luxury of getting a two-burner stove; looking for the best camping stoves is especially important when you want to serve up the best meals while you enjoy what nature has to offer. In this article, we share the best hot plates for camping so you can get the right tools for your next camping trip.
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What are Hot Plates for Camping?
For many campers, gas stoves are the top solution but with so many options these days, hot plates have also taken the spotlight. As long as you can plug into a generator, or a power bank, or get access to solar power, you can use an efficient and clean hot plate as you enjoy camping. Depending on how much work you want to get done, there are different kinds of hot plates for you to consider; the induction cooktop and the classic coil burner which we share below.
The Best Hot Plates for Camping
Even if you’re not going out camping and simply want to cook during power outages, these options can be a great way to feed the family.
1. Elite Gourmet ESB-301BF Cast Iron Single Burner
Highlights:
- This hot plate is easy to clean since it’s nonstick, so you’ll only need to use a non-abrasive sponge or a damp cloth.
- Offers adjustable and precise control which will rapidly reach and maintain your desired low, medium, or high heat; it can also boil water and keep food warm.
- Comes with built-in safety features such as the power indicator light, and non-skid feet which ensures that the burner is always stable while you use it.
- Delivering 1000 Watts of power, this hot plate comes with enough power to help you cook meals while the individual temperature controls provide sufficient heat.
- This portable burner makes it a highly accessible option whenever you need it, whether for a camping trip or to use at home.
With the Elite Gourmet ESB-301BF Cast Iron Single Burner, your cooking experience will be easy, quick, and consistent. This portable electric burner provides reliable heating while taking up very little cooking space; it reaches 1,000 watts quickly thanks to the adjustable temperature knob. It also features a non-stick cast iron plate that ensures even cooking while making it so easy to clean.
Other features you’re sure to love include an adjustable temperature control with Warm, Low, Medium, High, and Off settings. It also comes with a heavy-duty cast-iron heating plate that’s flat and has a cool-touch base paired with non-skid rubber feet to keep it stable. This is the perfect companion when you want a portable cook station to take with you during trips or inside the dorm room and you can even use it to keep your meals warm.
2. Camp Chef Everest 2X
Highlights:
- Comes with a powerful two-burner stove that can cook on one side and heat on the other thanks to the 10,000 BTU burners
- This camp stove comes with a folding lid, giving it a compact design that’s easy to store and transport making it a great addition to any outdoor excursion.
- The included lid works like a windscreen to protect the heat and distribute it evenly across the hot plate so you can cook in every weather condition.
- A durable propane stove that includes accessories such as the adaptor for a 1 lb propane cylinder.
- Comes from a company that is committed to delivering 5-star flavors through versatile gear that can withstand daily outdoor use.
When you want a beefier option, you can’t go wrong with the Camp Chef Everest 2X which features a total of 20,000 BTUs for both burners. It features a fast boil time and a quick Piezo auto-igniter, which is why it’s so impressive, even with the most discerning campers. This model is a revamp of their original Everest, an award-winning stove; this version comes with plenty of improvements, including the replacement of the previously flimsy latches.
If you’re looking for a powerful stove that will simmer as much food as you want, this can be a great option; this may be a heavier and bulkier model but if space and weight aren’t a concern, you won’t be disappointed. With its wind resistance and premium durability, the fact that this is one of the more expensive options won’t be such a letdown. This top-performing stove will be worth it for anyone with a camping rig that can accommodate bigger options.
3. Camp Chef Pro 16
Highlights:
- With 3 powerful stove burners of 30,000 BTUs each for a total of 90,000 BTUs, it can handle anything from bacon to pizza.
- Features matchless ignition systems that will make lighting easy, so you can cook more and fumble less with matches.
- Comes with a windscreen for even heat distribution and protection so you can cook in all kinds of weather.
- Has folding legs and leg levelers that make it easy to set up and transport wherever you wish to cook.
- This brand has been made for campers by campers, with a commitment to deliver 5-star flavors through versatile gear that can withstand the backcountry.
With the Camp Chef Pro 16, camping will never be the same again; with its three burners all producing 30,000 BTUs, it can cook all kinds of food at different temperatures. While cooking your meats, you can whip up sides at the same time to ensure that everyone has a plate full of hot food. Apart from the huge and generous 608 sq in. cooking area, this fantastic hot plate comes with plenty of other features that will surely make camping even more enjoyable.
All your cooking will revolve around the big burner heads that can rival commercial units and are hot enough to make your skillets pipping hot. Set inside a 16 x 38-inch cooking surface, this stove could theoretically fit three 8-quart pots over them, which means that they can feed plenty of people. Protected by the huge windscreen and closed off with two folding side shelves that can help you with quick and easy prep work, this food station is the best choice for families.
4. Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camping Stove
Highlights:
- Produces a total of 24,000 total BTUs for a powerful performance and high cooking power.
- Can produce fire on high settings using a 16 oz. propane cylinder (this is sold separately).
- Comes with a removable cast-iron pan that’s easy to clean, along with an aluminized steel cooktop to help with quick cleanups.
- Equipped with two wind guards that help to protect your flames from the wind while helping to shield your burner.
- Offers multi-use versatility that makes it a favorite among campers, while providing the most convenient cooking experience.
With the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camping Stove, you can level up your cooking game, which is perfect for times when trail mix won’t contain your hunger. Because it comes with a carry handle, this portable stove is light enough so you can bring it with you to the park or your favorite campsite. It also comes with a removable cast-iron pan and an aluminized steel cooktop that offers ease of use — with its many features this is among the best options for serious cooks and grill masters.
The best part about this is that it’s more than a stove, and provides a multi-use kitchen inside such a portable piece of equipment. Providing a top-notch cooking experience combined with the charm of cooking with a cast iron stovetop, you can get evenly cooked food every time. It also delivers a durable finish along with a unique and smoky flavor that you won’t find in any other camp kitchen — you’ll be able to enjoy all this and more while eating food with a view.
5. Camp Chef Mountaineer 2X
Highlights:
- This lightweight two-burner stove comes with an aluminum body which makes it portable and a great choice for outdoor cooking in harsh conditions.
- A convenient propane stove that’s compatible with a wide range of propane tanks, making it very easy to use and set up.
- With a latching lid to complement its compact design that makes it easy to store and transport, making it the perfect addition to any outdoor excursion.
- Created to be wind-resistant, this stove comes with strong legs that offer stability while maintaining an even heat distribution.
- Comes with a decked-out, all-aluminum body that helps it stay lightweight despite being a bigger option.
While there are already a few Camp Chef options on this list, we simply can’t ignore the Camp Chef Mountaineer X2 which is more expensive but also primed to feed the entire family. Sporting dual burners for high firepower and an integrated burner-head windscreen, the Mountaineer is the ideal choice for river rafting, overlanding, and camping where it can withstand the outdoors. The only difference between this and the Everest is the fact that it sports a hose and regulator for 5-pound canisters.
Another upgrade with the Mountaineer is that it comes in an aluminum body that helps to keep the weight down on this bigger stove. It also boasts a huge 302 square inches of cooking surface which can easily accommodate two big cast iron pans. With this gorgeous and powerful piece of equipment, you can pump out a wide range of food, such as salmon, kebabs, and even nachos; there’s nothing that this stove can’t deliver!
6. Eureka SPRK+ Camp Stove
Highlights:
- Designed with campers and adventurers in mind, this compact stove is easy to use and clean while the high-precision simmer control makes it a breeze to create perfect meals.
- With a powerful 11,500 BTU burner that allows you to cook from a light simmer to its full output in the blink of an eye while offering 60 minutes of cook time.
- It features a compact, all-in-one design with an integrated fuel compartment and a carry case so you can take it anywhere.
- Comes with an auto-ignition feature for easy and fast starts while the built-in double-walled wind protector helps it maintain a consistent and strong flame.
- Has adjustable feet that allow it to stay stable on all surfaces, making it the ideal partner for tailgating, camping, picnics, and backyard BBQs.
For over 120 years, Eureka! has built tents and camping gear that help you focus on the things that matter most; with the Eureka SPRK+ Camp Stove, you can pump out as much food as you want. This affordable yet powerful single burner can serve as a cooking solution for campers or be added to your camp kitchen to provide an additional stove for all your cooking needs. Delivering 11,500 BTUs, this small and lightweight stove can help to cook food, make soups, and keep your meals warm; no matter what kind of food you want, this will cook it for you.
Because it provides such a strong performance, it is enough to use on the toughest cast iron pans and will easily cook stir-fries, steaks, and more! While there are options that may be more portable than the Eureka, this model is sturdier and will surely hold up better in the long run. Weighing just 5.2 pounds, this is one of the lightest models around and will fit inside small spaces — it’s also compatible with the Eureka! Griddle accessory which is sold separately.
Buyer’s Guide: The Best Hot Plates for Camping
When you want to make the best meals while you’re out backpacking or camping, you’ll want to ensure that you get the best hot plates and stoves for camping. Even if you already have a camp kitchen, you’ll want to look for strong options that will complement your existing setup, so that you can pump food out and ensure that everyone stays a happy camper. Below are a few things to consider when looking for the best hot plates.
Type of Camping Stove
You can opt for remote fuel stoves that can help you swap your canisters without the need to disassemble your stove or options that will allow you to use the burner remotely. Many camp stoves are designed in this style, and will often weigh around 10 pounds or less, which allows you to store it away quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, freestanding stoves are more suitable for feeding large groups and families and come with higher BTU outputs to help you cater to the demands of heavier meals.
Amount of Burners
Two-burner stoves are the standard and will help you cook pretty much anything while you’re camping — if you spend over 3 months camping per year, this is the best option for you. Moreover, an extra burner will give you the option of cooking using a pan or pot while letting you cook meals with sides simultaneously. However, there are also plenty of single-burner options that you can choose from but there are also three-burner choices that will give you even more freedom in terms of cooking.
High BTU Capacity
BTU is a measurement of energy that stands for British Thermal Unit; most camp stoves produce around 10,000 BTUs, which will work for all kinds of cooking purposes. Lower BTUs will usually do well for lower-heat cooking while high BTU units will perform better for longer cook times. While the flame pattern that burner heads put out can affect the heat transfer in food, checking the BTU is usually the most efficient way to compare one stove to another.
Performance in Different Conditions
Think about when and where you will be using your stove, including the conditions it will be exposed to. Make sure that your stove will be able to hold up against windy weather, especially if you’re on a 10-day camping trip where the conditions may not always be in your favor. Camp stoves will often be protected from the wind in various ways:
- Windscreens: These are generally attached to your stove and can be unfolded, creating a 3-sided barrier from gusts that may attempt to snuff out the flame. A windscreen won’t usually be adjustable, so you may want to set your stove so that it doesn’t point toward the wind.
- Metal Dishes: This isn’t seen in many models, but these are designed to surround the burners and make your stove highly resistant to getting blown out.
- Receding Burners: A great way to block wind and stop it from snuffing out your flame is to have receding burners that are slightly hidden away. However, this feature isn’t common and you may have difficulty finding one.
Fuel Type and Efficiency
While many of the options on this list use propane canisters as their fuel type, there are stoves and hot plates that use butane to power them. How long you cook your meals and the setting of your burner will determine how long your burner lasts, a 1-pound propane canister will usually last around 3 to 4 meals or around 1 hour of cooking before running out. Propane is also considered to be the best cooking fuel for all kinds of weather, but it can get tricky once temperatures drop; you can safeguard against this by keeping them in a warm place before using them.
Ignition Type
Also known as auto-igniters, strikers are buttons that create a spark using electricity that helps to ignite electric stoves. Other kinds of strikers that can produce a spark include metal and flint; always look for a camp stove that comes with an integrated igniter — as long as it works consistently, this will be the best option. If you don’t happen to have any of these options, your last resort can be to use a good old-fashioned match.
Just keep in mind that this can be a fragile and wasteful method of igniting your hot plate, and not all matches will stand up against harsh weather conditions and they’re not waterproof either.
Price & Value
When you find a camping stove that has the right price and value, you can bring home something worth every penny. Knowing which option to go with will depend on what you want to cook and how often you plan to use it. Many options will fall between $100 to $500, which can be great for college students, but make sure to think about your needs and preferences before making a purchase.
Conclusion
Getting the right equipment for camping is important in all facets, especially when it comes to purchasing the best hot plate for all your cooking needs. Make sure to choose a model that comes with a high BTU output; this will help you cook a wide range of food items while getting a lightweight option ensures that you can take it with you wherever you go. Finally, models like the Camp Chef options come with wind-resistant protectors that will help you achieve the best results even when the weather isn’t perfect.
Sources
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