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 prepare dinner large quantities of meals.
It is likely one of the extra highly effective stoves in our lineup with a depraved flame that may prepare dinner a hell of a burger simply in addition to it could possibly prepare dinner a pot of rice. It’s positively the range you need when feeding an enormous 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 wash, but it surely doesn’t fold or compact. The legs are detachable (and adjustable), and the windscreen detaches, however the range nonetheless takes up a number of house in a automobile. On high of that, you’ll must make room for a propane tank. This won’t be an issue for somebody with a truck, however doesn’t work properly for a Subaru driver who can also be packing different camp provides.
Regardless of this, we imagine this range is a good 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 advocate 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 capacity by making a pot of rice and burgers. Lastly, in a managed atmosphere, 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 Outside Tenting Modular Cooking Range
Finest Tenting Range for Massive Teams
CleverHiker Score:
4.3/5.0
Value:
$150
Weight:
36 lb.
Boil Time:
6:59
Gasoline Effectivity:
3.2 oz.
BTUs (per burner):
30,000
Gasoline Sort:
Propane
Variety of Burners:
2
Execs
- Detachable windshield
- Stand-alone range
- Detachable legs
- Highly effective flame
- Vast cooking floor space for giant 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, putting it because the second-fastest boil time of all of the camp stoves we examined.
We have been very impressed with the short boil time of this range. After having cooked a full meal on this range and seeing how intense the flames have 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 greater than the underside of the pot persistently.
This range will work nice to boil massive pots of water or to prepare dinner meals for large teams.
Effectivity
This range is highly effective. It has the very best BTUs of any range in our record of favorites –– 30,000. With nice energy comes the necessity for larger gas. This range took 3.2 ounces of propane to boil one liter of water. That is the very best gas utilization in comparison with any of the stoves in our camp range gear information.
Whereas we have been testing each the boil time and cookability, we seen how intense the flames have been on this range. It was most likely overkill for our 10” pot and positively for 1 liter of water. For the quantity of gas used to energy this range, we expect it will be greatest used for cooking massive portions of issues –– assume chili for ten –– as an alternative of a small pot of water.
Cooking Potential
The Camp Chef has an intense flame that yields each a fantastic, even prepare dinner and a scrumptious pot of rice. The flame is fierce and even on the bottom setting we will nonetheless see a sporadic flame bounce as much as meet the facet of the pan. The large flame paired with the big cooking floor (448 sq. inches) makes this range excellent for cooking massive parts for many individuals.
With our standard-sized pans and pots, we have been frightened that the extraordinary flame would imply the range would have a low simmer capacity. We have been pleasantly shocked to seek out that our rice got here out smooth and fluffy. The boxed combine that we used additionally had dried crimson beans—these weren’t cooked via just like the rice (different stoves on our gear information did this higher).
We wished 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 properly with a fair sear.
Portability
The Camp Chef is just not designed to be extremely transportable. 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 a bag to assist transport simpler, as properly. We did like that the gas attachment stays on the range in order that we didn’t have to fret about dropping 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 have been caught attempting to suit your entire 34-inch size within the again round our different gear. On high of that, the propane tank took up treasured house.
After we bought 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 the whole lot 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 straightforward to connect to the range
After we bought 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 folks, although. The windshield additionally slid simply onto the range.
The gas line stays related to the range and was straightforward to connect to the propane tank. There isn’t any self-ignition swap on this range, so it’s essential to convey a lighter. Although not the top of the world, we didn’t need 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 straightforward was the depth. flame. Positive, it was enjoyable to look at 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, enjoying fetch with the canine, and even studying a e-book whereas cooking. On this range, flame lapped on the sides of our pans and pots even when it was on low.
We did respect the stand-alone facet of this range – it meant we may preserve our camp desk clear for cooking prep. Its open design additionally makes it a breeze to wash, 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 good choice for a really particular kind of camper or range consumer. It’s marketed for tailgating and this get together mindset is precisely the place this range shines. It’s fast and highly effective, with the range house and capability to prepare dinner for giant teams. It’s nice for individuals who need to arrange camp for per week or extra at a time, particularly with a full propane tank.
This range is just not for the solo camper, small teams, or those that need to pack gentle. You probably have tight house in your automobile, you could need to think about a extra compact cooking arrange. If you happen to solely prepare dinner one-pot meals when tenting, this range shall be an excessive amount of – however for giant teams or meals with a number of sides, the Explorer 2 Burner will serve you properly.
What Different Camp Stoves Ought to You Take into account?
We selected 9 camp stoves that we expect can improve your camp kitchen. We’ve made three extra suggestions beneath, however head over to our full camp stoves gear information for the complete record.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Range Overview: This one additionally has the flexibility for a flat high grill, however offers you a slatted grill and a burner, making this a extra versatile range for these wanting to drag out all of the camp cooking stops.
Blackstone Unique 17″ Tabletop Griddle with Hood Overview: This range speaks to the internal chef in us, plus it could possibly prepare dinner a number of meals on its massive griddle-top floor.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Overview: This range has, maybe, the perfect portability of any of the double-burners we’ve reviewed. The highly effective range and fast cooking make it a real competitor, as properly.
