Just noticed how long my camp stove takes to boil at high altitude

I was camping in the mountains last weekend. My new stove took forever to get water boiling. Do other brands handle altitude better?

4 comments

4 Comments

green.val3mo ago

Think about how stove design plays a big part in this. I mean, some models are just built to handle thin air better with their burners or fuel systems. I've had stoves that sputter and die above a certain height, while others keep a steady flame. Idk, maybe it's just me but the right gear can make a huge difference when you're up high. It's not only about the boiling point drop, it's about the stove's actual ability to produce heat well.

jessechen3mo ago

Actually, altitude affects all stoves the same way since lower air pressure lowers the boiling point. You just have to wait longer for the actual boil, no matter the brand.

james_bell2mo ago

Oh wow, @jessechen, you're right. I always thought some stoves just worked better up high, but the boiling point thing makes sense.

blair_ward393mo ago

Hey @jessechen, what about how different stoves manage heat when the air is thin? Lower boiling point is one thing, but stoves can struggle to burn right with less oxygen. I've seen some stoves that just won't get hot enough at altitude, no matter how long you wait. It's not just about time, it's about whether the flame can even reach a good temperature. Cheap stoves might flame out or burn unevenly when you're above a certain height. So while the boiling point drops, the stove's ability to put out heat matters too.