Colorado Stoves

Colorado Cylinder Stoves — Built for Lasting Warmth

Our traditional cylinder stoves are built from heavy-gauge steel that absorbs and retains heat, helping provide sustained warmth as the fire burns down. Their substantial construction makes them an excellent choice for established hunting camps, winter basecamps, and extended stays where stove weight and packed size are less of a concern.

One of the biggest advantages of a heavier stove is its ability to continue radiating warmth as the fire settles, rather than cooling as quickly as a lighter stove. That can mean fewer interruptions to tend the fire on cold nights—and more time in your sleeping bag.

Available in four sizes, with firebox capacities ranging from 23 to 94 liters, Colorado Cylinder Stoves are designed for campers who prioritize heat retention, durability, and comfort over portability.

Colorado Panel-Lock Stove — Built to Go Further

The Colorado Stove Panel-Lock was developed for hunters and campers who need dependable wood-burning heat without the weight and bulk of a traditional cylinder stove.

Its collapsible panel design packs down into a compact package for easier transport and storage. Weighing just 37.25 pounds with a 60-liter firebox, the Large Panel-Lock provides nearly the same firebox capacity as our Large Cylinder Stove at substantially less weight.

The tradeoff is thermal mass. Its lighter construction doesn't retain heat as long as the heavier-gauge steel of a traditional cylinder stove, so it may require more frequent attention to maintain warmth as the fire burns down.

For horseback pack trips, remote hunting camps, and mobile setups where every pound and inch of cargo space matters, that tradeoff can be well worth it.

Stove FAQ's

1. What's the difference between a Colorado Cylinder Stove and a Panel-Lock Stove?

Colorado Cylinder Stoves feature heavier-gauge steel construction designed for durability and sustained heat retention. They're available in four sizes and are well suited for established hunting camps and extended stays where weight and packed size are less of a concern.

The Panel-Lock Stove features a lighter, collapsible design that significantly reduces weight and packed size, making it ideal for horseback packing, remote hunting camps, and mobile setups.

2. Which tent stove stays warm longer: Cylinder or Panel-Lock?

The heavier-gauge steel used in Colorado Cylinder Stoves absorbs and retains more heat, continuing to radiate warmth as the fire burns down. The lighter Panel-Lock cools more quickly, trading some heat retention for greater portability.

For extended basecamp stays, a Cylinder Stove is generally the better choice when heat retention is the priority. Actual burn times and refueling frequency depend on firebox size, wood type, airflow settings, and weather conditions.

3. What size wood-burning tent stove do I need?

Start with your tent's dimensions and the conditions you expect to encounter. Colorado Stove offers four Cylinder Stove sizes, ranging from the Small (recommended for tents from 9' × 8' to 10' × 12') to the XL (recommended for tents from 14' × 20' to 18' × 25').

The Large Panel-Lock Stove is recommended for tents ranging from 10' × 10' to 14' × 20'.

Consider tent construction, expected temperatures, firebox capacity, and how you'll transport your equipment when selecting a stove.

4. Can I use a Colorado Stove inside any canvas tent?

No. A wood-burning tent stove should only be installed in a tent specifically designed and approved for stove use, with a compatible stove jack and properly installed chimney system.

Always follow the tent and stove manufacturers' requirements for installation, clearances, ventilation, fire protection, and carbon monoxide safety. Never install a stove in a tent that isn't designed for wood-stove use.

5. Which Colorado Stove is best for horseback packing or remote camps?

The Colorado Panel-Lock Stove was specifically developed for situations where weight and packed size matter. Its collapsible construction makes it easier to transport on horseback or pack into remote hunting camps.

The Large Panel-Lock features a 60-liter firebox and weighs 37.25 pounds, compared with the Large Cylinder Stove's 59-liter firebox and 74-pound complete pack weight. Note that the published weight measurements may represent different included components.

6. What accessories are included with a Colorado Stove?

Every Colorado Stove comes with the essential components needed for stove setup and operation, including stove pipe, legs, and a spark arrestor. Our Cylinder Stoves also include a stove grate and warming rack.

There's no need to purchase additional stove components separately to get started. Optional accessories, such as water tanks and stove mats, are available to enhance your camp setup.