Campingaz Twister Plus PZ £20

The main advantages of this stove are its low price, robust build and pretty much idiotproof design. It is solidly made, with chunky components and a built-in, fully enclosed ignition system that is easy to use.

The stove delivers reasonably consistent power output with decent simmer control, and it has a heatshield above the plastic control knob to guard against burnt fingers. The burner head and pot supports are chunkier and wider than most backpacking-style stoves, though it is bulkier and heavier as a result.

With a cooking pot on top it can be a little unwieldy, so you need stable ground to set it up. Nor is the design particularly windproof, so it’s worth finding a sheltered spot. We really liked the supplied storage case though, which is made from a sturdy plastic and slips easily into a rucksack pocket.

Unlike other stoves on test, the Twister is only compatible

“Low price, robust build & idiot-proof”

with Campingaz Easy-Clic canisters, not screw-in types. They’re self-sealing and are widely available in the UK and

Europe. However, they do use a butane-propane mix rather than the superior isobutanepropane mix found in higherperformance canisters, so may not perform as well in the cold.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY

It’s bulkier and heavier than most backpacking stoves, and quite tall too, which affects stability and wind resistance. Boil times aren’t the quickest and the Easy-Clic system isn’t compatible with screw-in gas canisters, limiting your options.

■ BOIL TIME 3min 40sec

■ POWER 2900W / 9895 BTU/hr ■ POT SUPPORT DIAMETER 14cm

■ ASSEMBLED HEIGHT

19.7cm (with 227g gas canister) ■ PACKED SIZE (HxWxD) 12x11x6cm

■ PACKED WEIGHT 268g

Verdict

A cheap and cheerful stove that does the job on a campsite or in the hills. Although it isn’t the lightest or most compact, it packs away neatly and feels fairly robust.