In recent years there has been a proliferation of small portable gas heaters and stoves. In years past, our pick was often just the Trangia alcohol stoves or the little Camping Gaz offerings. There were others, but these two are the most remembered. In more modern times literally dozens of these units are available. Some of the newcomers are the classics of the future.

I particularly like these little portable gas stoves for a number of reasons. The most surprising reason, I think, is its sheer usefulness when it comes to inviting friends to a barbecue at home. Most modern barbecues can seat a dozen people, but even so, we tend to run out of space to cook or heat. One of our favorite uses for our little gas stove is keeping the sliced ​​mushrooms out of the flames for later use in burgers.

These gas stoves come in different forms. Some are single burner and others have two rings. Some of them are useful as small space heaters or come with a gas heater and maybe up to a dozen gas bottles. Some of these small stoves can be used as a base for a gas lantern.

We keep ours on the boat to use on a bench-side barbecue to keep mushrooms or tomatoes warm etc, but it’s also a useful backup if we run out of bulk bottled gas. This is another consideration if you live in a house or apartment. Should a problem occur where you cannot cook, your little laptop will allow you to prepare a hot meal and drinks.

I must say that I am generally not a fan of Far Eastern imports, many of them are of dubious quality at best. However, based on my personal use and the opinions of friends who have two or three different types than mine, I have to make an exception. It may simply be that because it is a small portable gas stove it might be put away to prevent theft, but they are certainly durable. Whatever the reason, they represent incredibly good value and really do work well.

Most of these small portable stoves, heaters and lights seem to use the same type of butane gas as many blow lamps and garden weed burners etc. This is extremely useful to us because it means that we can keep a small stock of gas canisters to service more than one item. I would suggest that after purchasing your small gas stove, you look at the fixing size of the canisters’ screws and try to match any new gas elements with the existing canisters. This will mean that you will benefit from lower prices for purchasing more than one type of gas.

There are so many good reasons to get one of these great little stoves. I would like you to consider this as well. When you take a look at these units, you will find that they are not only great value and very useful, but they are so inexpensive that they also make great Christmas or holiday gifts.