5 Best Camping Stoves for Families
(That Actually Simmer)

The “Hangry” Prevention Guide

We need to talk about the wind.

If you test a $20 camping stove in your backyard on a sunny Sunday, it works perfectly. But the second you take that same stove to a coastal campsite with a stiff 15-knot breeze, it becomes a paperweight. I have stood over a cheap burner for 45 minutes trying to boil a pot of water for pasta while my kids looked at me with pure betrayal in their eyes.

A good camping stove isn’t just about heat; it’s about reliability. It’s about having a flame that stays lit when the weather turns, and, crucially, having a burner that can simmer properly without burning your sausages to a crisp.

We’ve tested the burners that actually survive the Aussie elements, from the “Morning Coffee Saver” to the “Sunday Roast” machine.

1. The “Morning Saver” – Jetboil Flash 1.0

Best For: When you need caffeine right now.

If you’ve read our guide to the Best Camping Coffee Makers, you already know why this is top of the list.

Let’s be honest: before 7:00 AM, I am not a “Happy Camper.” I am a tired dad who needs coffee.

If you are trying to boil water for a plunger or Aeropress using a standard 2-burner stove, you are going to be waiting 10-15 minutes. In the cold morning air, that feels like a lifetime.

The Jetboil Flash is my non-negotiable piece of gear. It isn’t for cooking dinner, you can’t really simmer a stew in it, but it boils 500ml of water in about 100 seconds. It locks onto the burner so you can’t knock it over (a huge plus with kids around), and the logo on the side actually turns orange when the water hits boiling point. It’s idiot-proof, wind-proof, and arguably the most important piece of gear in my kitchen box.

The Verdict: Do not leave home without it.

👉 See Colours & Pricing on Amazon

2. The Aussie Classic: Gasmate 2 Burner Stove

Best For: The “No Frills” Family Cook up.

Since the Coleman Triton is hard to get on Amazon AU right now, the Gasmate 2-Burner is the best alternative. This is the stove you see in every second campsite across Australia. It is simple, rugged, and parts are available at every hardware store in the country.

It features decent wind shields (though not as high-tech as Coleman’s) and a fine-adjustment control that actually lets you simmer a bolognese sauce without burning the bottom. It connects directly to a standard 4kg or 9kg gas bottle (LPG), so you don’t need expensive adapters.

The Verdict: It’s not fancy, but it’s bulletproof and cheap to run.

👉 Check Availability on Amazon AU

3. The “Sunday Roast” King: Weber Baby Q (Q1200N)

Best For: The “Glampers,” Foodies, and Caravan owners.

Is it a stove? Is it a BBQ? Honestly, it’s the best outdoor cooker ever made. While most “Camping Stoves” are just open flames, the Weber Baby Q has a heavy lid that turns it into an oven. This changes your entire menu. Instead of just burnt sausages and fried eggs, you can roast a whole chicken, bake a pizza, or slow-cook ribs.

The build quality is bombproof. I’ve seen Webers that have bounced around in the back of a ute for 10 years and still light up on the first click. The stainless steel burner is incredibly efficient on gas, too. The only downside is the size—it takes up a lot of boot space.

The Verdict: If you are serious about your camp cooking, this is the one you want.

👉 View Baby Q Deals

The “Premium” Lunchbox: Tokai Cassette Stove (TC-30SW)

Best For: The “Quick Weekend” or a cheap backup.

You’ve seen these everywhere. They come in a little black plastic briefcase and run on those aerosol “hairspray” style butane cans. I have a love-hate relationship with these.

The Bad News: They are terrible in the wind. There is zero wind protection, so a slight breeze can blow the flame out. Also, butane hates the cold. If you are camping in winter and the temperature drops below 5°C, the gas pressure drops and the stove won’t work.

The Good News: They cost about $70. For a quick weekend trip in summer, or for frying up bacon and eggs on a sunny morning, they are unbeatable value. I always keep one in the car as a backup just in case my main stove fails.

👉 Grab a Bargain

Pro Tip: Buy the 4-Pack of Gas when you order; you burn through roughly one can per day.

5. The “Jetboil Clone”: Fire Maple Fixed Star 2

Best For: Hikers and Dads on a budget.

I love my Jetboil, but I admit that paying $200+ for a “water boiler” hurts the wallet. Recently, Fire Maple has been taking over the Amazon charts, and for good reason. The “Fixed Star” is essentially a clone of the Jetboil system.

It features the same “FluxRing” technology (the fins on the bottom of the pot) that traps heat and makes it boil fast. It locks onto the burner just like the premium brands, and it packs down into its own pot. Does it feel as premium as the Jetboil? Not quite—the plastic feels a little cheaper. But it does 90% of the job for about 60% of the price.

👉 See the “Smart Buy” Price

The Verdict: The “Hacker’s Choice” for cheap coffee.

Buying Guide – Don’t Get Burned

1. The “Steak Sealer” Hack

Most camping stoves have thin metal grates. When you drop a cold steak onto a thin pan on a windy day, the pan loses heat instantly, and your steak ends up “stewing” in its own juices rather than searing. It’s gross.

The fix? Cast Iron. If you buy the Gasmate 2-Burner (or similar), do yourself a favour and grab a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet. Cast iron is heavy, but it holds heat like a battery. You can get it screaming hot, drop a steak in, and get a restaurant-quality crust even if the wind is blowing. It turns a mediocre camp stove into a powerhouse.

2. Fuel Types Explained (Propane vs Butane)

This confuses everyone, so let’s keep it simple:

• LPG (The Big Bottle): This is what your home BBQ uses. It’s the cheapest way to cook, but you need a heavy bottle and a hose. Best for the Weber or Gasmate 2-Burner.
• Butane (Aerosol Cans): These are cheap and convenient, but they are weak. Warning: Butane stops working near freezing point. If you are going to the Snowy Mountains or Tassie in winter, leave the lunchbox stove at home, it won’t light.

Complete Your Camp Kitchen

A stove is just the start of camp cooking. You’ll also need:

• Coffee First: Best Camping Coffee Makers – Percolators go great on these stoves
• Fresh Ingredients: Best Camping Fridges – Cook with real food
• Off-Grid Power: Portable Power Stations – Run a fridge without power sites
• Safety Gear: First Aid Kit Guide – Burns happen
• The Full List: Ultimate Camping Checklist – Don’t forget utensils

Find campsites with fire pits: → Browse Directory