When it comes to outdoor cooking on the road, you want something that’s easy to use and store. For many years, we’ve been devoted to the JetBoil , the flash cooking system prized by backpackers for its light weight and ability to heat up quickly. But on a recent trip, we were mighty impressed by the updated version of the classic Coleman Stove. Here's why!

It's About the Size of a Small Briefcase

Growing up, our family used Coleman stoves, and while they worked well, they were bulky and heavy. The newest model weighs just 10 pounds and fits neatly under a seat or in the trunk. It was included as part of the thoughtful perks that came along with renting a Westy from Peace Vans in Seattle. (Thanks, guys!)

Compact, Yet Powerful

This two-burner propane-fueled model throws out 20,000 BTUs, 10K per burner. Which is plenty hot. I cooked sausages and fried potatoes on the two burners and dinner was ready in 20 minutes. It was a little trickier to dial down the heat to scramble eggs, but I eventually figured it out.

Wind Shield's Are Cool

It wasn’t breezy enough to blow out the flame the days and nights we cooked on our trip to the Olympic Peninsula on the Coleman Stove, but we still appreciated the aluminum shields that pop easily into place to keep the fire going.

The Price is Right

Our beloved Jet Boil costs about $100 and is really best for heating up water in a hurry. (Does somebody NEED that morning cup of coffee? YES!) The Coleman retails for around $70, and has double the cooking space. It’s not going to make it into the backpack for an overnight hike, but it certainly makes cooking at a campground or at a picnic a lot easier.

Do you have gear you love? We'd love to hear about it! Send us an email: goingmobile@spokesman.com. For more travel tips and tricks, check out our Instagram. 

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