What’s your recommendation for a beginner camping stove and cookware set?

In your case, I’d certainly recommend canister-fuel stoves. I do so for several reasons. For one thing, they’re by far the easiest stoves to use. For another, they generally are the best for simmering, while also offering plenty of heat when you just want to boil water. And really, it’s not hard to calculate your fuel needs. For two to four day trips, there’s also no weight penalty for carrying canisters.

I wouldn’t say all canister stoves are the same, but they’re not all that dissimilar, either. Pretty simple technology. The Primus Yellowstone ($30; primusstoves.com), Snow Peak Giga Power Manual ($40; snowpeak.com), and MSR SuperFly ($50; msrcorp.com) are all fairly similar in design—with the burner atop the canister—and power output. All take the same cartridges, which use the common lindahl valve.

One problem with these stoves is that they’re not terribly stable. What’s better is to keep the burner close to the ground and put the canister off to one side, connected by a short hose. Snow Peak’s Giga Power Blended Fuel Stove ($80) has this design, as does the Coleman Xpert ($65; coleman.com). I like the Xpert a lot, but the knock on it has been its proprietary fuel canisters. Now, however, you can buy the Coleman Powermax Fuel Adapter ($23) and use Coleman canisters or common lindahl-valve models.

To calculate fuel needs, simply check the stove’s boil time and max burn time at full power. If a stove boils a quart of water in four minutes, and burns for 30 minutes at full on, then that canister will suffice for three or four meals if all you’re doing is heating water. It’ll last even longer if you’re cooking things over medium or low heat. A four-day trip shouldn’t require more than two canisters.

For cookware, MSR’s BlackLite Gourmet Cookset ($60) is a reliable choice, with two pots and a skillet, all with non-stick. I also like GSI’s Halulite Double Boiler ($30; gsioutdoors.com), which is a two-pot set, paired with a small skillet such as the Open Country 10" Saute Pan ($22).

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