Comparison: Best Fuel For A Stove (Updated | Oct 22nd)
When choosing the best fuel for your stove, considerations like heat output, convenience, cost, and environmental impact play a key role. Common options include propane, butane, white gas, and biofuels, each with unique advantages depending on your needs and conditions. This comparison highlights the strengths and limitations of popular fuels, helping you make an informed decision for cooking, camping, or emergency use. Whether prioritizing portability, efficiency, or sustainability, understanding these differences ensures you select a fuel that aligns with your specific requirements. Always follow safety guidelines when handling stove fuels.
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Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
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Best for budget pick:
Coghlan's Solid Fuel Firestarting Tablets – 9 Minute Burn Time- Portable -
Best for self-sealing canisters:
12 Butane Fuel GasOne Canisters for Portable Camping Stoves -
Best for long burn:
Solo Stove Pure Gel Fuel Can -
Best for best overall:
Jetboil Jetpower Fuel for Jetboil Camping and Backpacking Stoves -
Best for high heat:
Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets for Backpacking -
Best for all-season fuel:
Coleman 32oz Premium Camping Fuel -
Best for ul certified:
Gas One 4 Pack – 8oz Camping Fuel Canisters for Portable Gas Stoves – UL Safety Certified – Made In Korea -
Best for multi-purpose fuel:
Chef Master 4x 8oz Butane Fuel Canister – Butane Refill for Kitchen Torch & Camp Stove – Gas Canister for Picnics -
Best for dual fuel:
Gas One GS-3400P Propane or Butane Stove Dual Fuel Stove Portable Camping Stove – Patented – with Carrying Case Great for Emergency Preparedness Kit -
Best for 4-season blend:
GasOne Camping Fuel Blend Isobutane Fuel Canister 100g (4 Pack)
Product Comparison: Best Fuel For A Stove
Budget pick
Coghlan's Solid Fuel Firestarting Tablets – 9 Minute Burn Time- Portable, Lightweight Firestarter for Camping, Backpacking, Emergency Preparedness, and Outdoor Cooking (24 Tablets)
Coghlan's
- Safe, clean burning fuel for use with Coghlan’s Emergency Stove
- Easy to ignite; smokeless, odorless and non-toxic
- Affordable, essential gear for camping, backpacking, backcountry treks, and more
- For use with Coughlan's emergency stove
Self-sealing canisters
12 Butane Fuel GasOne Canisters for Portable Camping Stoves
GasOne
- 12 Butane Fuel Canisters
- New & Sealed
- Cartridges Automatically Reseal when Removed from Stove
- Notched Collar for easier Alignment to Stove
- For Use with Butane Backpack Camping Stoves
Long burn
Solo Stove Pure Gel Fuel Can, Made in The USA, for Indoor/Outdoor Use, Perfect for Making Smores, Tabletop Fire Pit, Clean-Burning and Smoke-Free (12.3 oz. – Pack of 12)
Solo Stove
- Safe, Long-Lasting Fuel for Fire Bowls – Each gel fuel can produces a 7 inch vibrant yellow flame for up to 3 hours along with a delightful crackling sound
- Chafing Fuel Cans For Food Warmer And Fondue Burners – Solo Stove Clean Heat Fuel Cans burn without fumes or odor and is non-toxic, making them the ideal burners for keeping food warm in indoor or outdoor settings
- Convenient Canned Heat- Each canister is 3.5 inches wide by 4 inches high and made with a disposable 100% recyclable metal canister
- Perfect For Food Burners For Parties – The burn time of the chafing dish fuel cans varies depending on the type of fireplace, firepot, or fire pit used along with elevation, airflow, and other conditions
Best overall
Jetboil Jetpower Fuel for Jetboil Camping and Backpacking Stoves, 100 Grams (2-Pack)
Jetboil
- Jetboil's high-performance propane/isobutane 4-season fuel delivers high vapor pressure, improving your system's performance in cold weather.
- At 100 grams, this Jetpower Fuel canister contains enough fuel to boil approximately 12 liters of water. (2-pack, 100 gram canisters)
- Iso-butane provides more constant pressure as the fuel level gets low.
- The canister is easily recyclable with the use of a Jetboil CrunchIt (sold separately), which clips onto a carabiner or key ring.
- Jetpower Fuel is compatible with Jetboil's Flash, Joule, MicroMo, MightyMo, SUMO, and Zip camping stoves.
- The canister takes up minimal pack space at 3.5 by 2.8 inches (9 cm x 7 cm) and weighs only 7.02 ounces.
- For any adventure—from alpine expedition to a weekend trek—Jetboil offers a stove that will keep you fueled. When exploring the backcountry, a compact and efficient stove is fundamental, no matter the level of cuisine you want to create.
High heat
Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets for Backpacking, Camping, and Emergency Prep, 12 Pieces,White
Esbit
- Virtually smokeless and residue-free solid fuel tablets used to cook and heat food and beverages, boil water, or start campfires
- Contains 12 tablets; each 14-gram tablet burns approximately 12 minutes and up to 1300°F;
- Ideal for boiling water and cooking; one tablet boils 500 ml of water in about 8 minutes
- Works at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures; ignites with match or lighter
- Tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging; can be stored for 10+ years
All-season fuel
Coleman 32oz Premium Camping Fuel, All Season Efficient Fuel Canister, Ideal for Camping Lanterns & Stoves
Coleman
- Premium Quality: Efficient fuel ideal for camping lanterns and stoves
- All-Season Performance: Excels in all weather conditions, including extreme cold
- High Power: Optimizes appliance performance
- Easy Storage: Comes in an easily transportable and storable quart-sized can
- Child-Resistant Cap: Safety feature to prevent unauthorized access
- Convenient: Makes lighting lanterns and stoves easy and efficient
- Multipurpose: Useful for starting fires and powering up outdoor devices
UL certified
Gas One 4 Pack – 8oz Camping Fuel Canisters for Portable Gas Stoves – UL Safety Certified – Made In Korea
GasOne
- 4 PACK – You will receive 4pc of 8oz Camping Fuel for Portable Stoves
- Compatibility – All Portable Camping Stoves that uses 8oz Camping Fuel – Gas One Portable Stoves and Others
- SELF SEALING – The Gas One Canisters feature a self-sealing nozzle. This stops the gas from leaking out when not inside a butane camping stove. With Chef Master butane canisters, you do not need to worry about gas leaks
- Burn Time – It will approximately last 2-4 Hours per canister depending on the heat level and portable stove's output
Multi-purpose fuel
Chef Master 4x 8oz Butane Fuel Canister – Butane Refill for Kitchen Torch & Camp Stove – Gas Canister for Picnics, Outdoor Cooking, Grilling – Camping Stove, Torch Fuel Camping Essentials – 90340
Chef Master
- 4 x 8 OZ. BUTANE GAS FUEL CANISTER, PORTABLE GAS FOR CAMPING STOVES, COOKING TORCHES & EMERGENCY USE – Power your portable gas appliances with Chef Master’s high-performance butane fuel canisters. Each 8 oz canister delivers a steady, high-heat flame for up to 2 hours (or up to 4 hours on simmer), making them ideal for camping stoves, backpacking cooktops, outdoor grills, culinary torches, crème brûlée torches, and portable heaters.
- RELIABLE FUEL CAMPING STOVES, COOKING TORCHES, TAILGATING & EMERGENCY USE – Power your outdoor adventures and culinary tasks with this 4-pack of Chef Master 90340 butane fuel canisters, engineered for reliable, high-heat performance. Each 8 oz canister delivers a steady flame, perfect for use with portable gas stoves, camping cookers, butane torches, and culinary tools. Specially designed for compatibility with Chef Master stoves and most standard butane appliances.
- MULTI-PURPOSE BUTANE TIN FUEL CANS – Keep your gear ready and your meals cooking with Chef Master’s premium butane fuel canisters, designed for powerful and reliable performance in portable stoves, kitchen torches, and camping equipment. Each compact 8 oz canister delivers long-lasting, consistent fuel—ideal for caramelizing crème brûlée, searing steaks, boiling water, and cooking in remote locations. Compatible with most standard butane appliances.
- 8 OZ. BUTANE FUEL CANISTERS WITH NOTCHED COLLAR FOR PRECISE ALIGNMENT – Engineered for accuracy and ease, Chef Master 90340 butane canisters feature a notched collar design that ensures perfect alignment and a secure fit in portable stoves, camping burners, and kitchen torches. This smart design maximizes fuel flow for steady, efficient heat—ideal for grilling, searing, simmering, and caramelizing crème brûlée.
- PREMIUM QUALITY CAMPING STOVE FUEL – Trust Chef Master Premium Performance Butane Fuel for consistent, high-efficiency heat during every outdoor or kitchen cooking task. Specially designed for portable gas stoves, butane torches, and culinary tools, this top-tier fuel is perfect for camping, backpacking, grilling, boiling, and preparing crème brûlée. Each 8 oz. canister delivers clean, reliable performance, making it ideal for food trucks, tailgating, catering events, and emergency kits.
Dual fuel
Gas One GS-3400P Propane or Butane Stove Dual Fuel Stove Portable Camping Stove – Patented – with Carrying Case Great for Emergency Preparedness Kit
Gas One
- Duel Fuel – Compatible With Both Butane (Fuel Not Included) And Propane Fuel (Fuel Not Included), Operates On A Single Butane Cartridge 8 Oz Or A Propane Cylinder 16.4 Oz , Propane Converter Regulator Included
- Automatic Piezo Electric Ignition – Piezo-Electric Ignition That Eliminates The Use For Lighter/Matches In Order To Ignite Flame, No Need For Lighters Or Matches With This Stove
- Easy To Use – Our Gs-3400P Is Easy To Use With Adjustable Heat Dial And Automatic Piezo-Electric Ignition
- Safety Features – Built In Pressure Sensor Cartridge Ejection System And Gas Flow Cut Off Mechanism (Butane), Will Eject Cartridge When Irregular Pressure Is Detected
4-season blend
GasOne Camping Fuel Blend Isobutane Fuel Canister 100g (4 Pack)
GasOne
- 4 Pack – Comes 4 pc of Gas One's Isobutane fuel
- HIGH PERFORMANCE – Gas One ISOBUTANE, a four season blend of butane and propane, guarantees a high-quality performance for cooking, backpacking, and other outdoor activity needs Isobutane, unlike other fuel sources can maintain consistent cooking press
- SCREW-ON UNIVERSAL FITTING – Built with a screw-on style fitting, Gas One’s Isobutane canister fits with a large variety of standardized isobutane stoves, burners, and other outdoor equipment
- CONVENIENT AND COMPACT – Measuring at 3.5 x 2.8 inches, Gas One’s Isobutane is convenient to store and easy to use. Comes with a snug plastic cap to ensure your can is leak free and stored properly when not in use
- ALL SEASON FUEL- Mixed with propane that provides a higher vapor pressure, Gas One’s Isobutane is able to perform in diverse, colder weather conditions
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
Which fuel type is best for quick, short-duration burns?
Coghlan's Solid Fuel Tablets provide 9-minute burn time for brief heating needs.
What fuel works for both indoor and outdoor stoves?
Solo Stove Pure Gel Fuel is designed for safe indoor/outdoor use.
Which fuel is compatible with Jetboil stoves?
Jetboil Jetpower Fuel is specifically made for Jetboil camping stoves.
Which fuel option is smokeless?
Esbit Solid Fuel Tablets are smokeless and ideal for stealth camping.
What fuel has the highest heat output?
Coleman 32oz Premium Camping Fuel offers high heat efficiency for larger stoves.
Which fuel canisters are UL certified?
Gas One 4 Pack 8oz Canisters are UL Safe certified for reliable performance.
Which fuel is best for lightweight backpacking?
GasOne 100g Isobutane Canisters (4-pack) are compact and efficient for backpacking.
What fuel works with both propane and butane stoves?
Gas One GS-3400P Stove accepts both propane and butane fuel canisters.
