Whether it’s for grilling, broiling, frying, or broiling, a good propane burner is a versatile tool to have around your house. If you like cooking outdoors, then you likely understand the importance of a good propane burner. A good propane burner heats fast, is sturdy, is safe to operate, and won’t cost you a fortune.
Thanks to the internet, it is easier than ever to find a good propane burner. But the sheer number of products out there may make it hard to choose. That’s where we come in. We have put together this comprehensive list of the best propane burners for outdoor cooking. These propane burners have been ranked based on quality, durability, versatility, safety, and cost.
Without any further ado, let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
Best Propane Burners – Comparison
| Picture | Product Name | Burners | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | GasOne Heavy-Duty Single | 1 | 2.2 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Camp Chef Explorer Double | 2 | 34 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Coleman Portable Gas | 1 | 0.32 ounces | Check Latest Price |
 | Coleman Gas Camping | 2 | 4 ounces | Check Latest Price |
 | Bayou Classic SP10 | 1 | 13.01 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Concord Deluxe 16” Banjo | 1 | 32 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Cookamp SH12 | 1 | 3.37 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | GasOne Dual Fuel | 1 | 2.2 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Basecamp 1 Burner Stove | 1 | 4.95 pounds | Check Latest Price |
Best Propane Burners for the Perfect Cookout
1. GasOne Heavy-Duty Single Outdoor Propane Burner
Starting off our list is this heavy-duty propane burner from GasOne. This powerful burner is made from a tough cast iron frame and can put out an exceedingly high 200,000 BTUs of heat, perfect for slow cooking and flash frying alike.
This tough propane burner is perfect for camping, home use, and is portable enough you can take it to parties. The heat of the burner is controlled by a single knob on the front and the steel braided hose has a thick o-ring to ensure an airtight seal and no gas leakage.
A small face on the thermal control knob lets you modulate the airflow for a clean blue flame. A secondary safety regulation knob near the base of the hose lets you control gas flow even more, adding extra safety. The burner top is large enough to fit any pot or pan up to 17” wide; large enough for most skillets, pots, woks, and pans.
The GasOne is also very portable. Even though the frame is made from solid welded cast iron, it only weighs 27 lbs (without a propane tank) and will easily fit in the back of your car or truck. So whether you like camping, grilling, or fishing, the GasOne is a perfect propane burner to get your hands on.
What We Liked:
- Sturdy cast iron frame
- Very high heat capacity (200,000 BTU)
- Extra safety regulator knob on the gas hose
- Large enough burner top for most pots and pans
What We Didn’t Like:
- Paint chips from high heat
- Runs loud
- Heat regulation knob can come loose
2. Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove
Up next is the Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove. This first thing to notice is that this burner has enough stovetop space for two pans, so you can slow cook some barbecue on one while grilling chicken on another.
The frame of the Camp Chef is made from a sturdy cast aluminum that has an extremely high heat tolerance. The Camp Chef is also very powerful and can output up to 30,000 BTUs per burner per hour for a total of 60,000 BTUs. The entire burner is 32” tall so it functions more like a traditional grill/stovetop than a tabletop burner. The legs are detachable which makes it easy to disassemble and transport. Even though it is tall and wide, the aluminum frame is light and only weighs 30.5 lbs. so it’s light enough to transport.
Also, the Camp Chef comes with a 3 sided windscreen that blocks grease and oil splatters. This does mean there is another piece that needs regular cleaning, but the windscreen is very useful when you are cooking around other people. Each burner is large enough to fit any pot up to 14” wide and most Camp Chef accessories, such as their cast iron griddle, dutch oven, or barbecue box.
The Camp Chef works with any stock propane tank and the 3ft gas hose includes a built-in regulator for safety.
What We Liked:
- Double burner stovetop
- Aluminum frame is sturdy but light
- Tall enough to use comfortably while standing
- Detachable legs and removable windscreen make it portable
- Ready to use out of the box
- Versatile and compatible with many Camp Chef accessories
What We Didn’t Like:
- A bit top-heavy, especially when you use accessory attachments
- Legs screws can loosen and cause the frame to wobble
3. Coleman Portable Gas Camp Stove
Calling all camping enthusiasts; this one’s for you. The Coleman Portable gas camp stove is a small yet powerful portable propane burner than can put out up to 10,000 BTUs. The Coleman is a great propane burner for camping as it is small, efficient, and powerful enough to heat 2 cups of water to a boil in just 2 ½ minutes.
The Coleman features a simple hat-like design with the burner situated on top of the propane tank. The burner is made from a tough aluminum alloy and has raised wind guards to protect the flame while in use. The Coleman is incredibly efficient and can operate on high for at least 2.5 hours with a standard 16.4 oz. propane cylinder.
The best parts of the Coleman are its simplicity and portability. Simple screw the burner and regulator onto the propane canister and you are good to go. The burner is large enough to handle any pan up to 8” wide. So while it may not be able to handle making food for a party, the Coleman is perfect for 1 or 2 people.
The entire setup weighs just under 2 lbs and stands less than 8 inches high, so it will easily fit in your camping backpack or duffle bag. Just make sure you use the plastic base to stabilize the unit or else it may tip over from being top-heavy.
What We Liked:
- Extremely light and portable
- Efficient. Can run for 2.5 hours on high
- Simple and easy-to-use design
- Perfect for camping or hiking
- Built-in wind guards keep flame from sputtering
What We Didn’t Like:
- Stovetop may be too small for some uses
- Can be top-heavy if you use heavy pots and pans
- Can be unstable if you do not use the plastic base
4. Coleman Gas Camping Stove
Another option from Coleman, this gas camping stove puts the design of a standard 2 burner grill into a portable package perfectly suited for camping. The Coleman gas camping stove features 2 burner tops that each put out 10,000 BTUs for a total of 20,000 BTUs.Each burner is individually controlled using a knob on the front and each burner has a separate pressure control valve for consistent performance.
Like the camp Chef, the Coleman comes with a removable 3 sided windshield that guards against grease and oil splatters. The entire unit can run both burners on high for 1 hour on a standard 16.4 oz. propane canister.
One of the more unique features of the Coleman is its traditional grill top design. Many portable burners suffer from the problem that they are too wide to fit smaller cooking accessories like teapots or small pots. The straight iron bars make it easy to heat items with a narrow base and can also be used to directly grill meat and veggies for that classic grill feel.
The one problem with the Coleman is the stock knobs. The knobs are loosely attached and it’s hard to precisely control the frame. Luckily, this issue can be solved by removing the knobs and tightening the brass fasteners on the stove.
What We Liked:
- Traditional grill design makes it easy to cook smaller things
- Removable windshield
- Small compact design easily fits on a tabletop or countertop
- Flame burns clean and does not produce a noxious odor. Can be used indoors
- Solid, sturdy construction
What We Didn’t Like:
- Slightly bulky
- Rubber feet have a tendency to fall off
- Knobs get loose making it hard to control the flame
5. Bayou Classic SP10 14” Pressure Cooker
Sitting at 5th is the Bayou Classic SP10 14” pressure cooker. The SP10 is made from a sturdy 1-piece welded steel frame with a 14” diameter cooking surface. Unlike many burners, the SP10 cooking surface is narrow enough to fit a small cup of coffee in the center or a larger pot.
The Bayou Classic is one of the better propane burners out there and is versatile enough to boil a large pot of water quickly or slow cook some stew or chili. The entire frame stands just over a foot tall and the wide-set legs keep it stable on rough ground.
Gas flow is controlled with a knob on the hose so you can turn it down to get a small blue flame or turn it up for a searing orange flame. The stainless steel hose is 48” long which gives plenty of distance between the burner and propane canister. The burner unit has a 360-degree wind guard to prevent flame sputtering and the entire unit is light enough to carry around and take on trips.
A few drawbacks though: The burner control knob is very sensitive which may make it hard to dial it into the appropriate temperature. Although it does have a wind guard, low flame settings can still be put out by a particularly strong gust of wind.
Otherwise, though, the SP10 is a great affordable propane burner that is suitable for most cooking uses. It is tough, powerful, efficient, and can handle most normal sized pots and pans.
What We Liked:
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Wide heat range from simmer to rolling boil
- Excellent for pressure cooking
- Burner base can fit small pots and pans without falling through the center
- 360-degree wind guard
What We Didn’t Like:
- Heating knob can be touchy and too responsive
- Wind guard does not work 100%
- Burning on high heat the first few times generates paint residue
6. Concord Deluxe 16” Banjo Burner Stove
If you need a heavy-duty powerful propane burner, then look no further. The Concord Deluxe 16” Banjo burner stove features a solid cast iron frame and can put out up to 200,000 BTUs of heat; strong enough to boil 15 gallons of room temperature water in just 35 minutes.
The Deluxe sits about a foot and a half tall and has a large 16” diameter burner; big enough for most standard sized pots and pans. The high-pressure hose regulator is certified to operate at 20 psi, giving you a clean and consistent flame that does not sputter. Best of all, the extra-wide burner top works well with both flat-bottomed pots and round-bottomed pots.
The iron frame is extremely tough and can handle up to 400 lbs., which is about 200 quarts of liquid. The legs stands are detachable and can be unscrewed for easy storage when not in use. However, like many high-heat burners, the extremely hot flame causes paint chipping the first few times of use. This should stop after using the burner a few times.
If there is one thing that separates the Concord Deluxe from others it is sheer power. 200,000 BTUs is a lot of heat, which makes this propane burner perfect for making large amounts of food for many people or home brewing large quantities of beer. The only real criticism we have is that the gas hose is relatively short, which makes it hard to place the propane tank if you are using it on a smaller surface with less space.
What We Liked:
- Extremely sturdy cast iron frame
- Larger than average 16” diameter burner top
- Detachable legs make for easy storage
- Very powerful. Can boil 15 gallons of 60-degree F water in about a half hour
- Wide base is very stable
What We Didn’t Like:
- Heavy for overall size
- Short gas hose makes it hard to situate propane tank
- High heat creates some paint residue at firstMight be too close to the ground for some
7. Cookamp SH12 Cast Iron Burner
Up next is this small yet mighty potable cast iron burners from Cookamp, a well-known manufacturer of outdoor and camping cookware. The first thing to notice about the Cookamp is the streamlined one-piece design. The burner and gas hose are one solid unit that screws directly into the propane canister. This simple design makes it extremely easy to use and very portable.
The entire frame is made of a sturdy cast-iron and features a 6” wide burner. Even though it is small, the burner can put out some serious heat. The frame also comes with a brass fitter attachment to attach to propane tanks and an air release valve that lets you modulate the gas flow by twisting a disc near the base.
The best features of the Cookamp are its simplicity and portability. Everything is one piece so you don’t have to worry about hose attachments and the entire unit is less than 3” thick and less than a foot long. It will easily fit in your backpack or duffle bag and is a perfect little burner for solo camping or hiking trips.
What We Liked:
- Streamlined one-piece design is easy to use
- Extremely portable
- Cast iron construction is tough and durable
- Doubles as a useful fire starter for camping
What We Didn’t Like:
- Too small for some cooking applications
- Does not last very long on high heat
- Requires special brass attachment to connect to propane tanks
8. GasOne Dual Fuel Portable Burner
Up next is this portable dual fuel burner from GasOne. This simple single burner stovetop is unique in that it can run on either propane or butane. This powerful single burner can put out up to 15,000 BTUs per hour and also has a sophisticated piezoelectric ignition mechanism that removes the need for fuel to start the flame.
Great for camping, backpacking, or small cookouts, the GasOne dual burner has a single adjustable heat dial on the front that changes both flame intensity and gas pressure. A built-in pressure safety system automatically shuts down gas flow if it detects irregular changes in pressure while 4 heavy-duty wind blockers surrounding the central burn unit keep the flame from dying due to gusts of wind.
The most useful part of the GasOne is that it can use either propane or butane as fuel. The rig fits either a standard 16.4 oz propane tank or an 8 oz. butane tank. Instead of using a gas hose, the canisters attach directly in the side of the device so you don’t have to worry about tripping over any hoses or positioning the fuel tank.
What We Liked:
- Streamlined single-piece design has no hoses
- Can use either propane or butane as fuel
- Auto safety shut off valve detects irregular gas flow
- Cartridge auto-ejects when empty
- Large enough for most pots and pans
- Comes with a convenient carrying case
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat bulky and awkward
- Burns through butane quickly
- Lots of grooves and corners; difficult to thoroughly clean
9. Basecamp 1 Burner Iron Stove
Coming in at 9th is the Basecamp 1 Burner Iron Stove, a heavy-duty cast iron burner that will stand up to even the toughest cook jobs. Built more like a traditional stovetop, the raised burner ridges keep the container near the hottest part of the flame for optimal cook times. The raised surface also minimizes soot and ash deposits while cooking.
One of the more unique features of the Basecamp 1 is that each leg is independently adjustable, so you can better stabilize it on uneven ground. The burner can put out 15,000 BTUs and flame heat is controlled using a single knob on the front. The iron frame is very sturdy and is rated to hold up to 250 lbs and the burner top is wide enough to fit most pots and pans with some extra room to spare.
The Basecamp is a very simple portable burner and only comes with the base and burner attachment. Unfortunately, this means that you have to buy a hose and regulator valve separately. Like many cast iron burners, the high heat initially produces a paint residue that stops after a few uses.
What We Liked:
- Raised burner plate keeps objects optimal distance from flame
- Heavy-duty cast iron frame can hold up to 250 lbs
- Independently adjustable legs for stability on uneven surfaces
- 4-prong faceplate holds flat and rounded pots well
What We Didn’t Like:
- Hose and regulator valve not included
- Only uses matches for ignition
10. GYMAX Outdoor 3-Burner Stove
Last on our list is also the largest of our product selection. The GYMAX Outdoor 3-Burner Stove has, as the name implies, a grand total of 3 separate burners and can put out an astounding 225,000 BTUs of heat. Out of all the covered products, the GYMAX is the closest to a standard upright grill and stands just shy of 3’ tall so it can be used either on a tabletop or on the ground.
The entire frame is made out of cast iron and has detachable legs for storage and transportation. Each of the 3 burners is raised away from the flame source which minimizes ash and optimizes cook times and heat transfer. The burners are individually controlled using the three knobs on the front. Each burner alone can get extremely hot, but since they are all connected to the same tank, you can’t run all three simultaneously at max heat without burning through your tank relatively quickly.
Otherwise, the GYMAX is very easy to use. It comes ready to go out of the box. Just attach the legs and fuel tank and you can get straight to cooking. Even better, a pressure detector automatically shuts off gas flow if it senses and internal or external measures, a nice safety feature.
What We Liked:
- 3 burners give you a lot of cook space
- Very high 225,000 BTU capacity
- Auto-safety shutoff feature
- Lightweight and adjustable height
What We Didn’t Like:
- Cannot run all three burners at max heat for very long
- Burners are difficult to thoroughly clean
Conclusions:
So there you have it, the best portable burners for outdoor cooking. Each of these burners was selected in virtue of its quality, versatility, ease of use, and overall portability.
The right portable burner can make or break your next camping trip or cookout, so why not make sure you have something that is reliable and high-quality? A solid sturdily built burner will stand the test of time and let you manifest your creative cooking spirit.