It’s a ritual, seasoning the pan or pot, and frying up some nice eggs and bacon outside. Lots of people use the skillets indoors, of course, but there is no better smell than a meal cooked in the open air. Add a tray full of fresh biscuits and life is good.

That’s why a cast iron camp stove is so popular. Everyone knows they are durable and stand the test of time.

Buying a camp stove depends on a lot of factors. Mostly personal preference, but also the number of meals you need at once. Most people will also want to think about convenience, ease of transport and storage, plus the fuel source.

Although we have tried different stoves, we do find portable gas grills for camping an excellent choice if we pack the truck and head to the campgrounds for a week or two. Plus, when we invite friends and family along, having a stove powered with propane makes more sense.