Butane Camp Stove: 4 Stoves for Cooking Outside the Van
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You are setting a butane camp stove on a picnic table, ready to cook outside the van. The useful question is which fuel you want to carry and how much stove you want to move. Keep cooking outside the van. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says camping stoves must not be used inside tents, campers or vehicles because of carbon monoxide.
Quick answer
Checked on 21 October 2026. Choose Iwatani for higher output with its required branded butane, or Coleman if its pan fit suits your meals and its lower output is acceptable. Choose the smaller Gas One for lighter carrying with fuel flexibility, or the larger Gas One for higher output with that same flexibility. All four belong in an outdoor cooking setup, never inside the van.
All 4 picks at a glance
Iwatani 35FW Butane Stove
Combines a brass burner and double windbreaker with a carry case. Read more
Gas One GS-3400P Dual Fuel Stove
Accepts butane or propane without the larger Gas One's weight. Read more
Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Stove
Fits a 10-inch pan and includes a carry case. Read more
Gas One GS-3900PB Dual Fuel Stove
Pairs propane compatibility with the higher output offered by Iwatani. Read more
How we compared them
The NomadsToolsLab team read the manufacturer product pages and CPSC camping-equipment guidance on 21 October 2026, and checked each Amazon US listing with a US address. The comparison covered output, fuel, ignition and weight. Iwatani lists about twice Coleman's output at a lower weight, and only the Gas One models accept propane.
Output, fuel choice and cooking outdoors
Higher listed output is one reason to choose Iwatani or the larger Gas One. It does not establish how quickly a particular meal will cook. Source: CPSC, portable heaters and camping equipment.
The Gas One models let you choose between butane and propane. That flexibility does not change where you can cook, and Gas One marks its stoves “For Outdoor Use Only.”
The four stoves side by side
| Stove | Max output | Fuel | Ignition | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iwatani 35FW | Max output: 15,000 BTU/hr | Fuel: Butane canister (Iwatani fuel) | Ignition: Piezo | Weight: 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) |
| Gas One GS-3400P | Max output: 8,000 BTU | Fuel: Butane 8 oz or propane 16.4 oz | Ignition: Piezo | Weight: 3.3 lb |
| Coleman Classic 1-Burner | Max output: 7,650 BTU | Fuel: Butane 8.8 oz | Ignition: Instastart | Weight: 5.15 lb |
| Gas One GS-3900PB | Max output: 15,000 BTU | Fuel: Butane 8 oz or propane 16.4 oz | Ignition: Piezo | Weight: 6 lb |
From the makers' pages, read on 21 October 2026: Iwatani, Gas One GS-3400P, Coleman and Gas One GS-3900PB.
Iwatani 35FW: higher output with a fuel restriction
Iwatani 35FW Butane Stove
Pick the Iwatani 35FW if you want higher listed output without carrying the heaviest stove here. It offers that combination, but Iwatani requires its own fuel, so plan your supply around that restriction.
The manufacturer's pressure-sensing device shuts off gas when canister pressure becomes unsafe. That feature does not change the CPSC guidance, so set up your cooking area outdoors and keep it outside the vehicle.
Gas One GS-3400P: fuel flexibility with less weight
Gas One GS-3400P Dual Fuel Stove
Pick the Gas One GS-3400P if moving the stove matters and you want either fuel option. It is the lightest stove in this comparison, but its listed output is lower than the larger Gas One's.
Its wind guard and automatic shut-off are useful features to check in the maker's specifications. Gas One also marks it “For Outdoor Use Only,” so a stop inside the van is never part of the cooking plan.
Coleman Classic: check your pan and heat needs
Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Stove
Pick the Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Stove if its stated pan fit suits your cookware and you accept its output limit. Coleman specifies room for a 10-inch pan, but this stove has the lowest listed output of the four.
CleverHiker found the low setting unreliable. If your meals depend on steady low heat, give that finding weight before choosing it.
Gas One GS-3900PB: more output, more to carry
Gas One GS-3900PB Dual Fuel Stove
Pick the Gas One GS-3900PB if you want propane compatibility alongside the higher output offered by Iwatani. It combines those features, but it is the heaviest stove here.
That weight tradeoff deserves attention if you move the stove for every meal. Its automatic shut-off and cartridge ejection do not change the manufacturer's “For Outdoor Use Only” instruction.
Choose around your fuel and outdoor setup
If propane compatibility is essential, narrow the choice to the Gas One models. Then decide whether lighter carrying or higher listed output matters more for your trips.
If you prefer butane only, compare Iwatani's fuel requirement with Coleman's output and low-setting limitations. Whichever you choose, make outdoor cooking space part of the plan before packing. Cooking from the van? See our carbon monoxide detectors for camper vans and the collapsible camping kitchen gear.
- Iwatani combines higher output with less weight than Coleman, but requires Iwatani fuel.
- The smaller Gas One is the lightest option and accepts butane or propane.
- Coleman has the lowest output here, and CleverHiker reported an unreliable low setting.
- The larger Gas One combines higher output with dual fuel, but weighs the most. Use every stove outdoors.
Watch: the Iwatani 35FW up close
A closer look at the Iwatani 35FW.
Video by American Kitchen Must Haves.
See the Iwatani 35FW on Amazon.
FAQ
Can I use a butane camp stove inside my van?
No. The CPSC says not to use camping stoves inside tents, campers or vehicles because of carbon monoxide. Cook outside the van.
Which of these stoves can also use propane?
The Gas One GS-3400P and GS-3900PB accept butane or propane. The Iwatani and Coleman models use butane.
Does the Iwatani require a particular brand of butane?
Yes. Iwatani states that its butane stoves must be used with Iwatani brand fuel. Include that requirement in your fuel planning.
What should I consider before choosing the Coleman?
Check that its stated pan fit suits your cookware and that its lower output suits your plans. CleverHiker also found its low setting unreliable, which matters for meals needing steady low heat.
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