Costco's Budget Cooking Appliance Is A Portable Workhorse For Your Next Camping Trip

If you're looking to level up your camp cooking, it helps to have the right equipment. But camp kitchens don't need to be complicated — sometimes all it takes is one reliable burner to pull a meal together. That's the appeal of Costco's Cuisinart Portable Butane Camping Stove, a portable burner that reviewers say is convenient and budget-friendly at just $40. 

The Cuisinart Portable Butane Camping Stove packs a lot of cooking power into a compact size. According to the specs, it has an 8,000 BTU burner, which is enough heat to boil water or fry eggs, yet still manageable for lighter camp cooking. The stove is made of rust-proof aluminum, uses 8-ounce butane canisters, and includes a carrying case — which is helpful to keep grease and other cooking messes contained when not in use. It fits pots or pans ranging from 5 to 10 inches across, so it can be used to prepare both solo and group meals. These specs may be why Men's Journal called it an "outdoor must-have."

At the time of writing, buyers rate it around 4.2 out of 5 stars on Costco's website, which suggests most customers are happy with its performance. It's pretty light (about 3.2 pounds), making it easier to carry around than some heavier dual-burner or propane setups. Plus, the 8-ounce canisters will get the job done without requiring campers to lug around heavy bags of coal. For car campers, road-trippers, or anyone with limited gear space, it's a good option for hassle-free cooking while camping.

For most Costco shoppers who've tested the Cuisinart Portable Butane Camping Stove, they tend to like that it's small, lightweight, and quick to set up — making it ideal for coffee, one-pot meals, or side dishes on a casual weekend trip. On Costco's website, reviewer Tera said, "I loved cooking on this gas stove! The water boiled quickly and heating was efficient." Reviewer Dave added, "This thing works great. I'm very impressed."

Still, its limitations are real. With only a single burner, cooking multiple dishes at once isn't as practical as on a dual burner or grill. Fuel can be another consideration: While butane canisters are easy to swap and compact to pack, they're less reliable in colder climates and can be harder to find in remote areas compared to propane. Wind takes a toll on performance compared to a grill, since the burner sits relatively exposed. Durability is another trade-off, although the low price helps make up for it. As Costco reviewer Pilot explained, "The case can't get much thinner and cheaper but [it] would cost like $30 more for the Coleman equivalent with a more substantial case."

Still, for casual campers wanting to make it easier to cook fun meals while camping, it should get the job done. Campers who stick to car sites, cook mostly for one or two people, and want a budget stove that balances portability with performance seem to find it more than worth the price.