Portable Stoves & Fuel

Confirm whether the stove takes a screw-top (self-sealing) or piercing (single-use) cartridge, and stock the matching fuel so the stove is never caught empty.

Wider, wire-mesh pot supports hold beakers and pots more securely than narrow folding arms, which matters most on uneven outdoor ground.

Piezo self-ignition lights the stove at the push of a button, while non-igniting models need a separate lighter or match on hand.

Folding arms and a low overall weight make a stove easier to carry on field trips where every gram in the kit counts.

Compact single-burner camping-style stoves are one of the most affordable heat sources in a lab, with fuel cartridges sold separately and priced per unit.

Run time depends on flame setting and cartridge size, but a standard 300g butane/propane cartridge typically gives well over an hour of continuous use.

They should only be used in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable materials, and never left unattended while lit, the same precautions used with any open flame in a lab.

Standard butane/propane cartridges are single-use and should be disposed of once empty rather than refilled.

A Bunsen burner connects to a fixed gas line for continuous lab use, while a portable stove runs on a self-contained fuel cartridge for use anywhere without piped gas.