What is a Rocket Stove?
Fire is probably the single most important factor when it comes to survival. Not only does it keep us warm and light our way in the darkness, but it can cook our food, thus maximizing its nutrition.
Whether you’re surviving or hanging out with your family at a cookout, food cooked over a fire always tastes better. Rocket stoves are the perfect addition to your cooking, no matter what the situation. If your camping, hiking, barbecuing or surviving, you’ll want a rocket stove by your side.
Rocket stoves are small, well-designed, combustion stoves that are designed to use natural fuel like twigs, branches, and pine cones, instead of butane or another gas. The design with a feed tube and chimney help optimize heat production, as well as fuel use.
The iconic, efficient design has no moving parts. Instead of having a flue damper or air inlet grate, the fuel itself acts as an air block. Plus, the feed tube uses gravity to keep feeding the exact right amount of fuel into the fire. Rocket stoves are easy to control and keep at an even temperature.
Their simple efficiency makes rocket stoves a perfect solution for hiking and camping, as well as family get-togethers and backyard cookouts. They’re also an ideal tool for off-grid living and survival situations.
Like all survival equipment, there are millions of rocket stoves out there. From premium to budget-friendly, monsters that can feed over 6 people to little portable rocket stoves for solo camping trips, you’ll see every kind of rocket stove out there.
Whichever rocket stove you go for, make sure to take a close look at the specs as each stove is a little different. I’ll outline a few key factors to keep in mind when you’re comparing the rocket stoves, plus a list of the top 7 rocket stoves out there. I’ll give a quick outline of each rocket stove’s specific features as well as the pros and cons of each.
Key Features of a Rocket Stove
To find the right rocket stove for you, take a look at the following key features. Whether it’s the basic design, steel type, feed capacity, or packability, rocket stoves vary between models. Keep an eye on each rocket stove’s specs to guarantee you get the right one for you.
Size
The bigger the rocket stove, the more people you can feed. Keep an eye out for a rocket stove’s dimensions. Large rocket stoves can stand up to three feet tall, while compact rocket stoves can be less than a foot tall.
You’ll often see two different numbers when it comes to dimensions. A few of the stoves on the list are collapsible. Some of them pack completely flat, while others pack into small boxes. Others don’t collapse and aren’t suited for throwing into a backpack.
If you want to use your rocket stove for family barbecues or for groups of more than two people, you might want something more substantial than a collapsible stove. If you just want one for heating up a mess tin or brewing a cup of coffee, a collapsible rocket stove is perfect.
Weight
Rocket stoves really vary when it comes to weight. Some of the beasts weigh over 30 pounds, while you can find lightweight models weighing as little as 2 pounds. Make sure you check out the rocket stove’s weight to ensure you get the right one for you.
If you want to take your rocket stove hiking, I’d recommend going as light as you can afford. High-quality, lightweight rocket stoves cost a little more, but the cheaper ones are prone to bending and warping over repeated use.
Collapsible
Some rocket stoves collapse into transportation-friendly sizes. If you’re planning on moving your rocket stove further from garage to patio, you might want a collapsible rocket stove. Some stoves pack flat while others fit into boxes, and others come with carrier bags.
If you’re not going to move your rocket stove and are getting one for your patio, backyard, or base camp, then I’d recommend going bigger and more substantial. Larger rocket stoves are often longer-lasting and you won’t need to buy a new one any time soon.
Metal
All the stoves you’ll see on this list are made from stainless steel. The thickness varies quite a lot between lightweight and larger models. Some of the high-grade rocket stoves are made from 12 gauge steel. Some rocket stoves come with a black titanium paint option.
Extra features
Keep an eye out for carrier bags, transportation handles, and black titanium finishes, which are some of the extra features of rocket stoves. They’re pretty simple designs though and it’s the quality that varies the most between options.
Our Top 7 Best Rocket Stoves
Out of all the rocket stoves out there, these are the best of the bunch. Some of them are premium rocket stoves with huge capacities, while others are lightweight rocket stoves for hiking and camping trips. They’re all good rocket stoves, though, and they could all save your life in an emergency situation.
You’ll see a decent variety of prices, sizes, and designs, and I’m sure one of them is the right rocket stove for you.
Features:
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Black titanium coating
- Handle for transport
- Holds all parts inside
- Large cooking grate
- Reputable company
- Multi-fuel compatibility
- 12 x 10 x 4”
The heavy-duty stove from Bruntmor is a bomb-proof rocket stove with an awesome design, build, and price. Its simple, effective, and affordable. It’s portable and ideal for hunting, fishing, and camping, as well as backyard cookouts, events, and even survivalists.
While the Bruntmor doesn’t break down, the single-piece design adds strength and durability. Unlike some of the lighter, collapsible models, the Bruntmor will never bend or warp. The detachable cooking great and legs, as well as carrying handle, make it a little less awkward and easier to transport.
The cooking grate is nice and wide, and totally big enough to handle large pots. A decent pile of dry wood and the Bruntmor will feed a good number of your friends and family. The feed tube is wide enough for decent size twigs, logs, and pellets.
If you’re looking for a strong, long-lasting, well-built rocket stove, then look no further. The Bruntmor’s design, build, and finish propel it past its competition into Best Overall.
Check price of the Bruntmor Rocket Stove
- Easy to use
- Solid build
- Feels sturdy
- Great customer reviews
- Portable handle
- Doesn’t pack flat
Features:
- Stainless steel
- Packs flat
- 6 lbs
- 8 x 8 x 1” flat packed
- 8 x 3.5 x 8” erected
- Made in USA
The rocket stove from Marsh Kettles is an awesome tool for any survivalist or prepper. It packs flat for easy storage or transportation, making it perfect for cooking meals on the move. The Marsh Kettles slots together for easy set-up and break-down in less than three minutes.
It’s a sweet design and it works even better. It’s a perfect stove for camping, cookouts, Scout trips, and survivalists. Not only is the Marsh Kettles stove lightweight and convenient, but it’s easy to assemble, easy to ignite, and feed. Plus, it comes in a nice burlap sack to stop any edges cutting anything in your pack.
If you’re looking for an awesome, flat-pack, sturdy stove, then the Marsh Kettles is perfect for you. It might be a little heavier than others, and would be perfect for base camp, instead of thru-hikers. If you’re willing to spend a little extra, the Marsh Kettles will be the only rocket stove you ever buy.
Check price of the Marsh Kettles Flat Pack Rocket Stove
- Flatpack
- Super sturdy
- Efficient burn
- Well designed and built
- Thick steel
- Burlap sack for transport
- Weight
- Price
Features:
- Stainless steel
- Cross stand platform
- Easy setup
- Multi-fuel compatibility
- Collapsible and packable
- 8.7 x 3 x 3.3” flat packed
- 11.6 x 3 x 9.8” erected
- 1.2 lbs
- 2 color options
The Lixada is an awesome little low-cost rocket stove that’s perfect for camping and hiking. It’s collapsible design and lightweight build make it a great cooking stove for one or two people. While it doesn’t flat pack, it slots into itself, substantially reducing the size.
You can use wood, pellets, sticks, or charcoal to fuel the Lixada, and it’s an ultra-efficient little stove. Its cross stand creates a stable platform for small to medium pots. While it’s not the biggest on the list, the Lixada is great for one or two people.
The Lixada comes in silver stainless steel or black titanium coating. It’s easy to fold and unfold, and making and feeding a fire is super straightforward. If you’re looking for a lightweight, low-cost rocket stove for camping trips and convenient use, the Lixada’s the stove for you.
Check price of the Lixada Camping Stove
- Unbeatable price
- Easy to fold and unfold
- Convenient and lightweight
- Perfect for camping
- Small footprint
- Sharp edges out of the box
- Smaller than some
Features:
- 12 gauge steel
- Made in Canada
- 2-year warranty
- Balanced construction
- Ash collector
- 24.75 x 18.4 x 8.7”
- 29.9 lbs
The Falkon is a beauty. Made in Canada from quality 12 gauge steel, the Falkon is durable, reliable, and awesome in every way. You just have to pay for it. But if you’re willing to, the Falkon comes with all the perks.
Not only does the Falkon Rocket Stove have an ash recovery shelf, one of the largest feed tubes, tallest chimneys, and widest grill, but it comes with a two-year limited warranty on all of its steel parts.
As one of the largest rocket stoves out there, the Falkon can cook for, heat, and provide light for a whole family or other group of people. While you won’t fit it in a backpack, the Falkon makes an awesome addition to your campsite, patio, or backyard cookout.
Check price of the Falkon Outdoor Rocket Stove
- Superb construction
- High quality
- Huge capacity
- Ash recovery shelf
- Size
- Weight
- Price
Features:
- Stainless steel
- 2.2 lbs
- 2.9 x 3.6 x 9.6” folded
- 5.9 x 9.4 x 11” erected
- Includes travel case
- Compact and portable
If you’re looking for a solution for hiking and trekking, then take a look at the Spitfire Rocket Stove. This little gem weighs 1 kilo, or 2.2 pounds, folds up nice and small, and comes in its very own travel case.
This light and small portable camping stove is a great addition to your hiking gear. While it won’t sustain a huge group of people, the Spitfire is perfect for one or two people on a backcountry hiking and camping trip, as well as survivalists and preppers.
The Spitfire has a nice, simple design. The legs keep it off the ground and the cross stand is sturdy and feels secure. If you want to cook up dinner in a mess tin or brew up a cup of coffee, then the Spitfire is a sweet little lightweight rocket stove.
Check price of the Spitfire Rocket Stove
- Lightweight
- Collapsible
- Efficient
- Sturdy
- Too small for more than a couple people
- Made in China
Features:
- Stainless steel
- 2 lbs
- 3 x 3.25 x 8.9” collapsed
- 3 x 7.25 x 8.9” assembled
- Small and portable
The rocket stove from Hot Ash is another sick little stove for hikers and backpackers. Overall, it weighs 2 pounds, just under a kilo, and collapses to the smallest size on the list. If you want lightweight and convenient, then the Hot Ash stove is right for you.
Unlike the Spitfire, the Hot Ash is made in the USA. Plus, it comes with an awesome lifetime guarantee. The Hot Ash Rocket Stove feels pretty much indestructible, even when erected. While it can take a few tries to learn how to use such a small rocket stove, it’s worth it.
If you want a versatile, compact rocket stove for camping, hiking, or survival, then you can do a lot worse than the Hot Ash. It’s super easy to erect and disassemble and packs up nice and small. Plus, it’s solid build means it should last you for years.
Check price of the Hot Ash Rocket Stove
- Made in USA
- Sturdy
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Trickier to use than other models
- Small
- Price
Features:
- Stainless steel
- Serrated cross stand platform
- Collapsible and packable
- Mesh carrying sack
- 1.0 lb
- 2.8 x 3.1 x 8.9” folded
- 7.2 x 6.1 x 9.6” assembled
The TOMSHOO rocket stove is a nice little budget rocket stove for camping, hiking, and surviving. If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills, easy-to-use rocket stove that won’t break the bank, then the TOMSHOO is right for you.
The TOMSHOO does everything you need it to for a price everyone can afford. If you’re looking for a sturdy, long-lasting stove for camping trips then maybe keep looking but if you only plan on using it once or twice a year, the TOMSHOO will get the job done.
It’s super lightweight and compact, weighing in at only 1 pound. It’s one of the smallest rocket stoves on the list, and if you’re looking for nothing special but convenient and cheap, the TOMSHOO is the rocket stove for you.
Check price of the TOMSHOO Rocket Stove
- Compact and portable
- Relatively lightweight
- Great price
- Flimsier than others
- You get what you pay for
The Best Rocket Stove: A Buyer’s Guide
Take a look at these key points to keep in mind when you’re buying a rocket stove. Whether it’s for camping, cookouts, family get-togethers, off-gridding, or survival, answering a few simple questions will guide you towards the right rocket stove for you.
What’s your rocket stove for?
Are you looking for a rocket stove to use on hiking and camping trips, off-grid living, or for family barbecues? Depending on your use, this should steer you towards either smaller, lighter collapsible rocket stoves or heavier, sturdier, bigger models like the Falkon,
Like anything, I always recommend getting the best rocket stove you can afford. The lightweight, flimsier models have an annoying tendency to bend and warp after repeated use. Bending can make it hard to put the stove together, so try not to skimp on spending; it’ll pay off in the long run.
Portability or durability?
Some rocket stoves are made from thick heavy-duty steel for added durability and strength. These tend to weigh more than five pounds and come with handles and for transport. Ideally, you won’t have to move these rocket stoves much as they’re large, heavy, and a pain to move.
Other rocket stoves are relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver. They tend to be thinner steel and have collapsible, sometimes flatpack, designs. While they might not stand up to the same size fires as the larger models, lightweight rocket stoves are definitely the way to go if you know you’ll be moving your rocket stove from location to location, like camping and hiking.
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