Which Backpacking Stove Should You Buy? [Full Guide]

How do you choose which backpacking stove to buy? Let's breakdown each type of stove and discuss what scenario it's best for.
GSI Pinnacle Stove: alnk.to/7qfLnPh (paid link)
MSR Whisperlite Universal: alnk.to/2uCxUZD (paid link)
Esbit Pocket Stove: alnk.to/g36TrPh (paid link)
Solo Stove Alcohol Burner: alnk.to/8EF4fBx (paid link)
Toaks Wood Burning Stove: alnk.to/bEdWVuI (paid link)
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Hey there! We’re Josh and Alisha, the creators of Terradrift, which is all about sustainable travel and adventure. That means travel tips, adventure guides, gear reviews, and a whole lot more. And all of it encourages you to explore responsibly. 'Cause we've just got the one planet, and since we like to get out there and enjoy it as often as possible both near and far, it's our responsibility to treat it with a little bit of respect. So lace up the ol' boots, grab your favorite pack, and wander on! #terradrift #wanderon #BackpackingStoves

[@Terradrift]

GSI Pinnacle Stove: alnk.to/7qfLnPh (paid link)
MSR Whisperlite Universal: alnk.to/2uCxUZD (paid link)
Esbit Pocket Stove: alnk.to/g36TrPh (paid link)
Solo Stove Alcohol Burner: alnk.to/8EF4fBx (paid link)
Toaks Wood Burning Stove: alnk.to/bEdWVuI (paid link)

[@codewithwings]

I'm really surprised that there aren't more views on your videos. I'm new to backpacking and soaking up as much CZcams has to offer on the topic. This is a great quality video and I enjoy the content that is easy to understand and super detailed.

[@Terradrift]

Thanks!

[@pedroclaro7822]

Legit comment. I'm astonished at the quality of this content and appalled that it got this little attention

[@gofynono7732]

As an aussie, denatured alcohol (we call it metho or methelayted spirits) is in light plastic bottles in grocery stores. Super easy!

[@disartster]

thank you, this was one of the rare videos of comparing stoves without promoting canister ones excessively. I'm yet to purchase my first backpacking stove yet and canister ones just don't seem that attractive. Just coming back from aliexpress (not the best gear source, I know) and saw a small foldable woodburner one there with an insert to use with alcohol burner. Seemed like a great idea as you have 2 fuel options in 1. And alcohol can be used as a firestarter for wood as well.

[@pedroclaro7822]

Canisters are hard to recycle, so it's the least environmentally friendly. I stopped using mine after two canisters and an inability to recycle the cans. It's now a backup and stays stored in my prepper bag.
Multifuel stoves (liquid fuel) also stink like the solid fuel tablets, especially if you use gasoline. But they're great for winter and worldtouring.
Alcohol is my second go to - available everywhere and cheap-ish. Fuel is also a disinfectant for general purposes. Spilling is dangerous, and likely it's biggest drawback, so I put fiberglass insulation in my trangia and DIY stoves. Alcohol stoves are pretty slow to boil, which is not a problem for me, since I do actual cooking instead of just boiling water.
Wood stoves are my most used, because I am a hammock guy meaning I'm always in the woods. For legal purposes, it's mostly a windscreen/potstand for my alcohol stove (always with me as backup. Alcohol is a firestarter too). As you stated - fuel is free and abundant. Plus it's the most environmentally friendly since the carbon in dead wood will eventually be released into the atmosphere anyways. Also it's the lightest of all options because i don't have to carry the fuel as you said :D