Backside Line
The Camp Chef EX60LW is a dream setup for river journeys, tailgating, or being a path angel as a result of it has the ability and capability to cook dinner large quantities of meals.
It is among the extra highly effective stoves in our lineup with a depraved flame that may cook dinner a hell of a burger simply in addition to it will probably cook dinner a pot of rice. It’s undoubtedly the range you need when feeding a giant crowd. Nevertheless, out of all of our favourite camp stoves, this one is the heaviest and most troublesome to pack.
This range’s massive body is simple to scrub, nevertheless it doesn’t fold or compact. The legs are detachable (and adjustable), and the windscreen detaches, however the range nonetheless takes up lots of area in a automobile. On high of that, you’ll should make room for a propane tank. This won’t be an issue for somebody with a truck, however doesn’t work nicely for a Subaru driver who can be packing different camp provides.
Regardless of this, we consider this range is a superb worth for somebody who will use it in different settings, like at residence as a grill or tailgating (Camp Chef has tons of attachments that match this range). Additionally it is the range we’d suggest for week—to two-week-long tenting journeys.
How We Examined
We examined this range in a number of alternative ways. The primary was packing it into our automobile and taking it to camp. At camp, we examined its cooking skill by making a pot of rice and burgers. Lastly, in a managed surroundings, we timed how lengthy it took to boil a liter of water and measured how a lot gas it took to boil this water.
Fast Specs
Camp Chef EX60LW Explorer 2 Burner Out of doors Tenting Modular Cooking Range
Greatest Tenting Range for Massive Teams
CleverHiker Score:
4.3/5.0
Worth:
$150
Weight:
36 lb.
Boil Time:
6:59
Gas Effectivity:
3.2 oz.
BTUs (per burner):
30,000
Gas Kind:
Propane
Variety of Burners:
2
Execs
- Detachable windshield
- Stand-alone range
- Detachable legs
- Highly effective flame
- Broad cooking floor space for big pots/pans
Cons
- Cumbersome and awkward to maneuver
- Heavy
- Not the best to pack
- Should use propane tank
Energy
It took this range 6 minutes and 59 seconds to boil one liter of water, inserting it because the second-fastest boil time of all of the camp stoves we examined.
We had been very impressed with the fast boil time of this range. After having cooked a full meal on this range and seeing how intense the flames had been, we weren’t that shocked. With our pot of water on the range to boil on medium warmth, the flames surrounded the pot, licking up larger than the underside of the pot constantly.
This range will work nice to boil massive pots of water or to cook dinner meals for large teams.
Effectivity
This range is highly effective. It has the best BTUs of any range in our record of favorites –– 30,000. With nice energy comes the necessity for higher gas. This range took 3.2 ounces of propane to boil one liter of water. That is the best gas utilization in comparison with any of the stoves in our camp range gear information.
Whereas we had been testing each the boil time and cookability, we seen how intense the flames had been on this range. It was most likely overkill for our 10” pot and definitely for 1 liter of water. For the quantity of gas used to energy this range, we predict it could be finest used for cooking massive portions of issues –– suppose chili for ten –– as a substitute of a small pot of water.
Cooking Means
The Camp Chef has an intense flame that yields each an incredible, even cook dinner and a scrumptious pot of rice. The flame is fierce and even on the bottom setting we will nonetheless see a sporadic flame soar as much as meet the facet of the pan. The huge flame paired with the big cooking floor (448 sq. inches) makes this range good for cooking massive parts for many individuals.
With our standard-sized pans and pots, we had been fearful that the extraordinary flame would imply the range would have a low simmer skill. We had been pleasantly shocked to seek out that our rice got here out comfortable and fluffy. The boxed combine that we used additionally had dried pink beans—these weren’t cooked by means of just like the rice (different stoves on our gear information did this higher).
We needed to check how evenly the burners cooked, so we threw two burger patties (in a pan) on the range. The massive flame most likely helped, because it surrounded the pan. Each burgers cooked very nicely with a good sear.
Portability
The Camp Chef will not be designed to be extremely moveable. This range is cumbersome from the large burners to the 20-pound propane tank that powers it.
The Camp Chef has detachable legs and a detachable windscreen. The legs are available in a bag to assist transport simpler, as nicely. We did like that the gas attachment stays on the range in order that we didn’t have to fret about shedding that piece. These few options make this range simpler to move, however general not a high decide for portability.
Fairly frankly, we discovered this range a ache to pack and get from the automobile to camp. We use a Subaru to get round to our favourite campsites. Normally, we pack our automobile to the brim so having a range that may fold down is essential. The Camp Chef doesn’t fold, so we had been caught attempting to suit the complete 34-inch size within the again round our different gear. On high of that, the propane tank took up valuable area.
After we acquired to camp, it took three journeys to get the range and all of its equipment (legs, windscreen, and gas) out of the automobile. Packing up was even worse. We forgot to make room for the propane, so we needed to unpack and repack the automobile to Tetris every little thing in.
Ease of Use
This range was a blended bag in its ease of use. Although it required some assembling, we broke no sweat placing it collectively. The gas was simple to connect to the range
After we acquired to camp, we pulled out the range and got down to put the legs on the range. They slid proper on, which was good. We felt it was simpler assembling this with two individuals, although. The windshield additionally slid simply onto the range.
The gas line stays linked to the range and was simple to connect to the propane tank. There isn’t a self-ignition change on this range, so you will need to carry a lighter. Although not the top of the world, we didn’t wish to have to hold extra issues to function this range (particularly after lugging a propane tank into camp).
One other factor that didn’t really feel simple was the depth. flame. Certain, it was enjoyable to observe and it cooked the hell out of our meals, however we felt like we couldn’t flip our again on this range. On different stoves, we really feel comparatively secure establishing our tent, taking part in fetch with the canine, and even studying a ebook whereas cooking. On this range, flame lapped on the sides of our pans and pots even when it was on low.
We did admire the stand-alone side of this range – it meant we might maintain our camp desk clear for cooking prep. Its open design additionally makes it a breeze to scrub, although it leaves nowhere to set our spatula when cooking.
Ought to You Purchase the Camp Chef EX60 LW Camp Range?
This range is a superb possibility for a really particular sort of camper or range consumer. It’s marketed for tailgating and this celebration mindset is strictly the place this range shines. It’s fast and highly effective, with the range area and capability to cook dinner for big teams. It’s nice for individuals who wish to arrange camp for per week or extra at a time, particularly with a full propane tank.
This range will not be for the solo camper, small teams, or those that wish to pack gentle. If in case you have tight area in your automobile, you could wish to contemplate a extra compact cooking arrange. For those who solely cook dinner one-pot meals when tenting, this range can be an excessive amount of – however for big teams or meals with a number of sides, the Explorer 2 Burner will serve you nicely.
What Different Camp Stoves Ought to You Take into account?
We selected 9 camp stoves that we predict can improve your camp kitchen. We’ve made three extra suggestions under, however head over to our full camp stoves gear information for the complete record.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Range Evaluation: This one additionally has the flexibility for a flat high grill, however provides you a slatted grill and a burner, making this a extra versatile range for these wanting to tug out all of the camp cooking stops.
Blackstone Unique 17″ Tabletop Griddle with Hood Evaluation: This range speaks to the internal chef in us, plus it will probably cook dinner lots of meals on its massive griddle-top floor.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Evaluation: This range has, maybe, one of the best portability of any of the double-burners we’ve reviewed. The highly effective range and fast cooking make it a real competitor, as nicely.
