The 7 BEST Campervan Stoves for Any RV and Budget (2023)

Welcome to our ultimate guide to the best campervan stove on the market! Whether you want to build a fixed stove in your campervan or have the flexibility of cooking outside with a portable stove, our expert blog post will help you make the best decision about buying a stove for your van.

You don’t have to be a chef to appreciate how big of a difference a camper stove can make while traveling in a van, and when you pair it with an oven, your options for epic meals on the road is almost endless..

Being able to cook and share a meal with your friends and family is one of the most memorable experiences you can have while van life living, which is why it’s important to find the best campervan stove for your van build.

Van stoves come in a wide range of brands, sizes, and models. There are propane camping stoves, portable electric stoves, and even butane gas camping stoves.

And when it comes to choosing the best stove for van life living, you’ll first need to decide which style fits with your travel and cooking lifestyle.

We put together this guide to help you decide which campervan stove is right for you.

We’ll cover the different options available on the market and which models have exceeded our expectations when it comes to RV living.

PRODUCT

WHAT WE LIKE

THINGS TO CONSIDER

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GAS ONE GS-3900P NEW DUAL FUEL PROPANE OR BUTANE PORTABLE STOVE

  • Ability to use both propane and butane

  • 15,000 BTUs with one burner

  • Advanced safety features

  • Just over 4lbs

  • The propane tank does not fit in the attached cartridge 

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DUXTOP 1800W PORTABLE INDUCTION COOKTOP

  • 83% Energy-efficiency rating

  • 15 Adjustable temperatures

  • Easy to clean and install

  • 60 second shut off feature

  • Heavier than some induction stoves 

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ELITE GOURMET COUNTERTOP ELECTRIC HOT BURNER

  • Affordable one burner stove

  • Only weighs 3 pounds

  • Few temperature settings

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COLEMAN 2-BURNER CLASSIC LIQUID FUEL STOVE

  • Heavy-duty and durable

  • Reputable brand

  • High cooking power

  • Expensive price point

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COLEMAN BOTTLETOP PROPANE STOVE

  • Best propane stove for its size

  • Light and portable

  • Perfect for hiking, camping, or outdoor use

  • Only fits pots and pans up to 8 inches

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CAMPLUX STAINLESS STEEL BUILT-IN PROPANE RV GAS COOKTOP

  • Ideal for cooking indoors or outdoors

  • Easy to clean stainless steel

  • Option to use as a portable camp stove

  • Heavier than some models (almost 15 pounds)

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CAMP CHEF TAHOE DELUXE 3 BURNER GRILL

  • Three burners

  • Sturdy and Durable

  • Detachable Legs

  • Big and heavy

  • High price point

The Best Campervan Stoves

The most important things to consider when choosing the right campervan stove comes down to efficiency, durability, safety, and price.

With those factors in mind, we put together this list of the best campervan stoves we could find.

Gas ONE GS-3900P New Dual Fuel Propane or Butane Portable Stove

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When it comes to gas cooktops, the single-burner Gas ONE is the best stove for campervan owners. It has the ability to operate on both butane and propane tanks, which gives you more flexibility while traveling off the grid. It’s also extremely powerful, boasting 15,000 BTUs with just one tabletop burner.

Safety features include a pressure sensor cartridge ejection system and gas flow cut off mechanism, just in case things get out of control while you’re making breakfast.

And the heavy-duty wind-blocking corners ensures that you’ll still have a strong flame even if a breeze rolls through your campsite.

PROSCONS
* Ability to use both propane and butane
* 15,000 BTUs with one burner
* Advanced safety features
* Just over 4lbs
* The propane tank does not fit in the attached cartridge (must be attached outside the unit)

Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop

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With an 83% energy efficiency rating, the Duxtop 1800W Induction Cooktop is the ideal electric stove for camper van owners. It has 15 temperature settings ranging from 140°F to 460°F and can heat up to a pot of boiling water to 350°F in just under a minute.

As with most induction cooktops, the Duxtop 1800W is easy to install and clean, which is great if this is you’ve never had a van life kitchen before. And the constant heat from the induction prevents you from burning your food.

While it’s important only to use magnetic induction pots and pans on this device, the camping stove does come with a safety section feature, which shuts off after 60 seconds when the wrong pan is being used. It’s a nifty feature that might just save you from potential fire hazards while on the road.

PROSCONS
* 83% Energy-efficiency rating
* 15 Adjustable temperatures
* Easy to clean and install
* 60 second shut off feature
* Heavier than some induction stoves (7 pounds)

Elite Gourmet Countertop Electric Hot Burner

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The Elite Gourmet Countertop Burner is easily the most affordable camp stove on this list. For less than the cost of a restaurant meal for two, you can have a 750 Watt electric burner stove that can help you whip up a variety of meals while you’re traveling in your campervan.

It doesn’t have as many temperature settings as other electric burners, although you should have no problem cooking simple meals using the warm, low, medium, or high settings.

It also comes with a cool-touch base and non-slip base, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally tipping over if someone’s behind the wheel. This is a great, wallet-friendly addition you’ll want for your portable camping kitchen.

PROSCONS
* Affordable one burner stove
* Only weighs 3 pounds
* Few temperature settings

Coleman 2-Burner Classic Liquid Fuel Stove

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Coleman is one of the biggest names in the camping world, and for a good reason. They’ve been around for over 100 years, producing high-quality campervan products and appliances like the Coleman Classic Liquid Fuel Stove.

This two-burner stove has a total cooking power of 14,000 BTUs, which can cook a variety of meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s also relatively efficient, and one tank of liquid fuel can power both burners on high power for over two hours.

The unit is made from heavy-duty chrome, which can withstand even the harshest of outdoor environments. And the wind block shield protects your stove from blowing out, so you won’t have to keep restarting the burner.

As one of the most popular propane stoves for campers and van owners alike, you can’t go wrong with the Coleman Classic Liquid Fuel Stove.

PROSCONS
* Heavy-duty and durable
* Reputable brand
* High cooking power
* Expensive price point

Coleman Bottletop Propane Stove

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If you want a high-quality propane camp stove from Coleman without spending over $100, then the portable Coleman Bottletop Stove is your best bet.

This one-burner stove stands just under eight inches high and produces an impressive 10,000 BTUs of high heat, which is more than sufficient for all your cooking needs.

This portable camping stove has an adjustable flame, and a wind block to make sure your food stays as hot as possible. For a gas stove, this is one of the smallest and most space-saving options for your van life kitchen.

PROSCONS
* Best propane stove for its size
* Light and portable
* Perfect for hiking, camping, or outdoor use
* Only fits pots and pans up to 8 inches

Camplux Stainless Steel Built-in Propane RV Gas Cooktop

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If you want a more permanent option in your van, then the Stainless Steel Camplux Built-in Propane Cooktop is one of the best. It can be connected to your RV propane tank and installed directly on your campervan countertop.

The two burners (one with 7,200 BTUs and the other with 5,200) can cook multiple items at once, and the temperature knobs are easy to use, just like the ones you have back home.

Made from high-quality stainless steel that’s easy to clean, this Camplux Cooktop looks great in practically every van build. It also has the option to be used as a portable stove, so you can cook meals outdoors or in the woods.

PROSCONS
* Ideal for cooking indoors or outdoors
* Easy to clean stainless steel
* Option to use as a portable camp stove
* Heavier than some models (almost 15 pounds)

Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe 3 Burner Grill

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Make all your friend envious by showing off your cooking skills on the Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe. This three-burner stove has a total of 30,000 BTUs, so you can prep your main meals and side dishes simultaneously. It’s perfect if you’re entertaining guests or cooking for a large family.

With a cooking space of 608 sq. inches, it’s fairly large, so it will take up a lot of space if you’re storing it inside your van. And it’s heavy (46 pounds), so don’t plan on lugging it with you up the mountain.

However, the Camp Chef is an impressive propane stove for camper vans, ideal for both part-time and full-time living.

PROSCONS
* Three burners
* Sturdy and Durable
* Detachable Legs
* Big and heavy
* High price point

Choosing the Best Campervan Stove

Single Burner vs. Multiple Burners

The number of burners you need on your van camping stove will ultimately depend on how much you are cooking and how many people you are cooking for.

A single burner is great if you’re only using one pot or appliance at a time. It’s compact, easy to store, and considerably cheaper compared to two burner options.

However, you’ll only be able to heat up one pot at a time. A multiple or two-burner stove is better if you want to cook multiple pots at one time.

Electric (induction) vs. Gas (propane, butane)

Electric stoves are very popular for van life living, as the temperature can easily be controlled. They do rely on AC or battery power to operate, so it’s important that you have a reliable source of power and a decent electrical system in your van.

Gas stoves are generally cheaper and more portable compared to electric ones. But while the upfront costs may seem reasonable, propane or butane fuel is an additional cost you’ll need to consider.

A butane stove is much more expensive to maintain than a propane stove. However, a gas stove is the best option if you plan to hike or cook outdoors away from a power source.

A final option is to go with one of our top choices for a wood stove for RVs, where you can not only cook on them but also keep your van warm in a stylish manner. Check out the article.

campervan gas stove
Propane is a common fuel for campervan stoves

Portable vs. Built-in

Portable stoves are great if you’re planning to do any hiking or camping during your trip. They give you the option to cook outside, even around the fire pit or riverside.

On the other hand, a built-in stove requires that you cook all your meals inside your van. This can be a big deal-breaker for travelers who like cooking or spending quality time out in nature.

But if you see your van as your home and want to have some of the great amenities of your home inside your van then you’ll definitely want to have a built-in stove in your campervan.

Size

If you’re traveling in a small camper van or RV and are limited on the number of accessories you can have with you, then you’ll want to make sure you have enough space to fit your camper stove.

A portable, induction single burner cooktop is usually the smallest type of stove you can find, as it can easily be stored in a cabinet or box when not in use.

A propane stove can also be small, but you’ll have to take into account that it needs to be hooked up to a propane tank, which adds bulk, weight, and space to your cargo load.

Where to Cook

Before you decide on a camp stove, you need to decide where you’re planning on doing most of the cooking. Will you be cooking your meals on a camping stove inside your camper van? Or would you like the option to cook outdoors on a camp stove at a campsite?

Because gas is highly combustible, a propane stove should only be used outdoors. An electric or induction cooktop, on the other hand, can be used both indoors and outdoors, as long as there is a power hookup nearby.

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A portable campervan stove means you can cook anywhere

BTUs

Propane heat is measured in British Thermal Units, more commonly referred to as BTUs. One BTU has enough power to heat 1 pound of food by 1 degree Fahrenheit. To put it differently, one BTU has the same power as burning one match, so a stove with 10,000 BTU is like burning 10,000 matches at once.

The BTU of a single burner on your home stove is usually around 10,000, so you probably won’t need too much more than this while you’re traveling.

A stove with a high BTU is more powerful and can cook your food at a faster rate, although you’ll run the risk of scorching or burning whatever you have on the pan.

Tabletop or Freestanding

Tabletop burners are very common in the van life community because they are small, lightweight, and easy to pack and store. While it’s much easier to cook on a table, tabletop burners don’t technically need a high surface to operate.

They can also be used on the ground or another flat surface if there isn’t a table available.

Freestanding stoves are less common, although they can be a practical option if you’re always cooking outdoors. Keep in mind that they tend to be heavier and bulkier compared to tabletop stoves, which can be a problem is space is limited in your van.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase a product we recommend using the links in this article, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We promise to use this pocket money to buy lots of coffee and fuel for the campervan to keep us enjoying #VanLife for just a little longer. We appreciate your support, and only recommend products we know and trust. Thank you friends!

About the Author - Alesha and Jarryd - Van Life Theory

Hi! We're Alesha and Jarryd, the founders of Van Life Theory! We're currently travelling around Australia in our 2008 Mercedes Sprinter campervan and sharing our best experiences, stories, reviews and adventures as we go along. Make sure you follow along on our Instagram and YouTube!

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