Owner guides
Best Stoves For Campervans
)
With so many options on the market, it’s hard to pick the best stove for campervan cooking!
In this article, we’ll try to make things a little clearer by explaining the difference between the four types of stoves for campervans: propane, butane, LPG and electric induction.
Then we’ll round up the best stoves from each category based on features, price, pros and cons!
Making our shortlist of the best stoves for campervans are:
Best Two Burner Propane Stove: Companion High Output 2 Burner Deluxe Stove
Best Single Burner Propane Stove: Companion Propane Single Stove
Best Two Burner Butane Stove: Gasmate 2 Burner Butane Stove
Best Single Burner Propane Stove: KiwiCamping Butane Stove Single Burner
Best LPG Stove: Coleman Hyperflame Fyreknight Stove
Best Electric Induction Stove: Kmart Induction Cooker
Soon enough you’ll know which stove is best for your campervan conversion!
Safety disclaimer: We are not certified gas fitters or camp stove manufacturers, so this is intended as an introductory guide to get you started! Please do further research before choosing and using your campervan stove, and always read the instruction manual before setting up your specific model!
Popular types of stove for campervan cooking
Propane vs butane vs LPG vs electric induction
The four most popular types of stove for campervan life are propane, butane, LPG and electric induction.
Propane camp stoves
Propane comes in small lightweight canisters that are screwed into the side of the stove using an adapter (comes standard with most propane stoves). It is highly efficient, relatively affordable (about $40 per kg) and works well at low temperatures (sub-freezing).
Butane camp stoves
Butane is similar to propane in that it comes in small lightweight canisters. It tends to be slightly more affordable (about $30 per kg) but doesn’t provide quite as much heat as propane. It also doesn’t work as well in cold conditions and will stop working at freezing point. Butane stoves also tend to be more expensive to maintain than propane stoves.
Learn how to use a butane camping stove .
LPG camp stoves
In New Zealand, the gas we are most familiar with is LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas), which is actually just a mixture of propane and butane. Most camping stoves manufactured overseas that take propane can also take LPG. This is a convenient option because it is sold in almost every service station across NZ and the price of swapping a tank is affordable (usually less than $30 per kg). The drawback, however, is that LPG tanks are heavy and usually only come in 9kg or 4kg bottles.
Electric induction camp stoves
Electric induction uses electricity to heat the stove. This option requires you to plug your campervan into 240v mains power or alternatively you can use a powerful battery and solar setup with an inverter. It is a great option if you plan on staying at powered sites but not so good if you plan on doing a lot of freedom camping. However, it is safer than gas stove cooking and doesn’t require ventilation. Plus, it’s a lot easier to control the heat whilst cooking.
Learn more about camp stove fuel types.
Best stoves for campervans in New Zealand
Best propane stoves for campervans
1. Companion High Output 2 Burner Deluxe Stove
This double burner propane stove has a larger cooking area than most stoves on the market, allowing you to simultaneously fit two large pots or pans (i.e. 30cm diameter). Plus, each burner has an incredibly high output of 25,000 BTU, meaning it takes no time at all to boil the kettle or cook your meal.
It can be used with either propane or LPG. The stove weighs 5kg and its dimensions are 590 L x 110 W x 280 H mm. Its gas consumption rate is 524 g/hr.
Price: $240
Pros:
Large cooking area
Very high burner output and faster heating
Efficient use of propane
Easy to control heat
Easy start ignition
Stainless steel drip tray is easy to clean
Built-in windshields
3-year warranty
Cons:
Outdoor use only
Not the most affordable option
Can be bulky to store
Propane canisters are generally more expensive
Where to buy in NZ:
Companion Outdoor
Complete Outdoors
2. Companion Propane Single Stove
This single burner propane stove is super small and transportable, making it a convenient option for those looking to minimise weight and maximise space in their campervan. It can be made even more slimline by removing the trivets and storing it in the included carry bag.
This propane stove is more robust and easier to control than your average butane stove. The burner has an output of 5,000 BTU.
It can be used with either propane or LPG (adapter required). The stove weighs only 0.8kg and has tiny dimensions of 197 L x 197 D x 75 H mm with trivets fitted. Its gas consumption rate is a minimal 109 g/hr.
Price: $50
Pros:
Slimline design is easy to store
Minimal weight
Extremely efficient on propane
Mid-range heat output
Easy to control and set up
Affordable
1-year warranty
Cons:
No windshields
Limited cooking space
Manual ignition
Requires lots of ventilation
No drip tray
Propane canisters are generally more expensive
Where to buy in NZ:
EquipOutdoors
CompanionOutdoor
Caravan Camping and Marine
Best butane stoves for campervans
1. Gasmate 2 Burner Butane Stove
This double burner butane stove is built to last, with a solid steel powder-coated body and heavy-duty chrome-plated cooking trivets. It also includes fold-down windshields on the side so that you can cook in the elements with ease. Each burner has an output of 20,500 BTU.
Despite its sturdy build, this double stove compacts down so that it’s easy to carry and store. Plus, butane canisters are much smaller and lighter than LPG bottles.
This stove only takes butane. It weighs 3.2kg and has dimensions of 460 W x 110 H x 285 D mm. Its gas consumption is 450 g/hr.
Price: $100
Pros:
Medium-sized cooking area
More compact than most double burner stoves
High output burners and fast heating
More efficient than LPG
Fold-down windshields
Affordable
Butane canisters are affordable and light
1-year warranty
Cons:
Less easy to control heat
Less cooking area
Manual ignition
No drip tray
Where to buy in NZ:
Not sure how to get rid of your fuel after finishing up the cooking? Learn how to dispose of empty camping gas canisters.
2. KiwiCamping Butane Stove Single Burner
This single burner butane stove is the epitome of small but powerful. If you plan on only using your stove to make the odd cup of tea or heat up some soup, this is likely the best stove for your campervan. It has a relatively high burner output of 8,500 BTU and includes a carry and storage case.
The stainless steel cooktop is easy to clean. Plus, safety features such as the gas cartridge lock lever, flame protection ring and the pressure-sensitive shut off device help to prevent mishaps.
This stove only takes butane. It weighs 2kg and has dimensions of 370 W x 125 H x 285 D mm. Its gas consumption rate is 180 g/hr.
Price: $55
Pros:
Higher burner output than most single stoves
Slimline design is easy to carry and store
Lightweight
Carrier bag included
Easy start ignition
Butane canisters are affordable and light
Affordable
1-year warranty
Cons:
Not as efficient as other single stoves
Less easy to control heat
Less cooking area
No drip tray
No windshields
Where to buy in NZ:
Best LPG stove for campervans
1. Coleman Hyperflame Fyreknight Stove
This double burner gas stove is at the forefront of the campervan stove market. Its robust build is blended with a clever design that gives you more cooking options. The removable pan supports make for easier cleaning and the SwapTop system means you can cook with a combination of cooking surfaces at the same time. Each burner has an output of 12,000 BTU.
Its large cooking area allows you to cook with two 30cm pots or pans simultaneously. Plus, the wind block supports allow you to cook outdoors with ease, whilst the anti-skid feet prevent the stove from sliding around. And it features fully adjustable independent burner controls.
This stove only takes LPG. It weighs 7.1kg and has dimensions of 360 W x 135 H x 620 D mm. In terms of gas consumption, a 4kg LPG bottle should last you about three weeks.
Price: $349
Pros:
Large cooking area
Medium output burners
SwapTop design
Total control of heat
Easy start ignition
Stainless steel design is easy to clean
Built-in wind blocks
Superior durability
3-year warranty
Cons:
Output is not as high as propane
Less efficient than propane or butane
The large and heavy design
LPG tanks are bulky and heavy
Not the most affordable option
Where to buy in NZ:
EquipOutdoors
Complete Outdoors
Coleman NZ
Best electric induction stove to buy for campervans
1. Kmart Induction Cooker
Induction cookers don’t come much more affordable than this single stove option from Kmart. You only have to look at the 170+ five star reviews to get a feel for the great value on offer.
It features an easy-to-use touch button control panel and is compatible with all sorts of cookware, including iron, stainless steel and enamel. The stove itself is extremely fast to heat up and highly responsive if you want to raise or lower the temperature.
Be aware that you will need to plug your campervan into 240v mains to power this induction stove (unless you have a 2000-watt inverter, two deep-cycle batteries and 400-watt solar panels).
The stove itself only weighs 3kg and has dimensions of 360 W x 290 D x 40 H mm, making it easy to store and transport.
Price: $49
Pros:
High heating output
Highly responsive heat control
Slimline design is easy to carry and store
Not affected by wind
Lightweight
No need to buy gas canisters
Affordable
Cons:
Requires mains power or a powerful battery setup
Where to buy in NZ:
Kmart
Installing gas fittings in your campervan
Gas fittings carry gas from the bottle or canister to the stove and include items such as pipes and valves.
If you plan on installing gas fitting in your campervan in New Zealand, the work must be undertaken by an approved practitioner such as a licenced gas fitter. The work must also comply with the relevant New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 5601.2: 2013).
Once the gas fittings are installed, your practitioner will certify the work by issuing a Gas Safety Certificate.
Do not try to install gas fittings yourself when fixing a stove in your campervan. Not only is it extremely unsafe to do so without professional training, but it may also result in you being fined and your vehicle being deemed unsafe for use.
Test out campervan stoves before you commit
It’s easy to go overboard when researching the best stoves for campervans. It’s even easier to blow your budget on a massive top-of-the-line stove that you may not really need or use!
That’s why we always recommend that you ‘try before you buy’.
Use Camplify to search through heaps of privately-owned Kiwi campervans for hire - most of which feature a different kind of stove setup. Then hire a camper that takes your fancy and test to see whether its stove meets your expectations before buying one for your own campervan.
Once you have your stove sorted, hire out your campervan through Camplify and begin making back the money you’ve invested.
Earn a return on your campervan
There’s a quick and easy way to start earning a return on your campervan - rent it out on Camplify when it’s not in use!
Instead of letting your campervan sit idly in the driveway, hire it out and make money from the comfort of your own home. Holidaymakers love campervan rentals that include a stove for cooking hot meals!
Why Camplify?
Each year, heaps of Kiwis earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.
And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:
Comprehensive hire insurance.
24/7 AA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.
Dedicated customer support.
If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by renting out your unused campervan!