Best Van Life Stove: Which to Choose?

Comparing the MSR Dragonfly, Eureka Ignite, Eureka SPRK+, and Coleman Cascade.

Keep in mind, we're only looking at stoves that are for small van set ups. If you're looking for a permanent set up for RVs or a larger van kitchen, you may want to look at other options.

Camping four stoves for your van kitchen

This is a biggie in terms of your van life kitchen, since many of you may be using it every day for making meals, coffee, etc.. If you don't have a van with a permanent fixture stove, you have a choice to make, and we're here to compare some top choices. These are the best and most reliable options for a small van set up, focused on space saving (both by stove and fuel backup) and fuel versatility and reliability.

Van Life Stove Option #1: MSR Dragonfly

MSR Dragonfly stove, doubles as our van and backpacking stove

We listed this first since we ended up going with this stove overall. Since most of our travels were going to be in Mexico, where we were unsure of fuel availability, didn't have a propane tank, and didn't have a ton of storage to make sure we had room for back up canisters. Since this stove can use a ton of different fuels (including good ol gasoline that you can get at the gas station), we opted for this stove.

• Fuel Type: Uses multiple fuel types, including white gas, kerosene, unleaded auto fuel, and diesel. This versatility is advantageous for extended trips and remote areas.

• Pros:

  • Exceptional flame control, allowing for simmering and high heat.

  • Stable and durable design.

  • Suitable for various fuel types.

  • Doubles as a backpacking stove option.

• Cons:

  • Can be a bit complex to set up and maintain. Priming each time gets a little old...but not nearly as complex and time consuming as some Youtube videos show.

  • Relatively higher cost ~$180

  • Kinda sounds like a jet engine when it's going haha. Doesn't make for the easiest to have conversations while cooking.

• Van Life Suitability: The Dragonfly is an excellent choice for van life if you value versatility in fuel options and precise flame control for cooking a wide range of meals. It's especially useful for long-term van travelers who may encounter different fuel types along their journey.

Van Life Stove Option #2: Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Stove

Eureka 2 Burner Stove

• Fuel Type: Uses propane canisters, which are widely available and easy to replace.

• Pros:

  • Two burners allow for simultaneous cooking.

  • Simple and quick setup with no priming required.

  • Good heat output for faster cooking.

  • Not wildly expensive ~$125

• Cons:

  • Propane canisters may need frequent replacement.

  • Limited simmer control compared to some other stoves.

• Van Life Suitability: The Ignite 2-burner stove is a practical choice for van life if you prefer the convenience of a two-burner setup and primarily cook straightforward meals.

Van Life Stove Option #3: Eureka SPRK+ Butane Stove

Great single burner stove, the Eureka SPRK+

We actually had this stove ready to be our go-to stove before landing on the MSR for it's fuel versatility reasons. It's super compact and this one guy that I talked to was passionate about not using propane as a fuel source for combustibility reasons (he was a boat guy, which I'm not - but sounds like propane is a pretty big no-no on them?).

• Fuel Type: Butane canisters, which are easy to find and replace.

• Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight design, nearly half the size as the 2 burner (obvi)

  • Precise flame control for simmering and cooking versatility.

  • Windshield and heat reflector for improved efficiency.

  • Comes with a fun little case.

  • Most affordable out of all of these ~$65

• Cons:

  • Limited to a single burner, which may not be ideal for larger meals.

  • Butane doesn't burn that well, if at all, in freezing temperatures.

  • We flew through canister after canister, so may not be ideal if you use your stove for breakfast & dinner everyday and on top of that, may not have the space to carry quite a few extra canisters.

• Van Life Suitability: The SPRK+ Butane Stove is suitable for van life if you value compact stove setups, primarily cooking for solo or small groups, and won't be in low-temps often.

Van Life Stove Option #4: Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove

The Coleman Classic, can't go wrong. Classic for a reason.

• Fuel Type: Propane canisters.

• Pros:

  • Dual burners for cooking multiple dishes at once. Accommodates a 12in and 10in pan.

  • Reasonably priced ~$100 (there are some beefier versions of this for a bit higher price)

  • Quick and easy setup.

• Cons:

  • May lack some of the advanced features of other stoves.

  • Limited simmer control.

• Vanlife Suitability: It's a budget-friendly option for vanlife, especially if you need to cook for a group or family. While it may lack advanced features, it serves basic cooking needs well.

There are many more camp stoves available online or in store which may be a little bit lower price, though I've found that our last lower priced 2 burner propane stove warped in quite of few of it's components. That might not be the case with all of them, but sometimes it does pay to go with the name brand.

But there you have it! Hope this helps you a bit on the stove journey and you get your van kitchen dialed in soon.