Camping stoves and wood burners can be used at a temporary campsite for cooking, heating a shelter, or combining both tasks. Designs differ in how they are installed, how the firebox is arranged, how fuel is added, and how smoke is directed away. The intended purpose determines whether the priority is a practical surface for cookware, control over burning intensity, compact transport, or straightforward cleaning.
Selection should account for the intended heat source and suitable fuel, the conditions at the installation site, transport dimensions, and overall weight. For cooking, consider the shape and position of the working area. For heating, draft control and suitability for the chosen smoke-exhaust arrangement are important. The method of loading fuel, access to the ash area, and ease of maintenance also affect how convenient the stove is both during a trip and at the campsite.
