Stoves There is a camping stove to fit your needs. What are your needs? Are you doing car camping?  Car camping is pulling up to a camp site and unloading your car.  Contary to popular backpacker's belief, car camping does have it's place, For car camping, I would reccomend a larger stove.  You have room, why not. A campfire is always enjoyable, so bring something (grill) to place over the fire to cook on. I got a cheapie at Wal-mart, that I have used for years.  It's a small metal thing that had "legs" so it would stand over the fire.  The legs are falling off, but it works great. If you use a stove, try to find one that uses either white or grey gas.  White gas is more pure and it doesn't clog as easy. But regular gas will work in a pinch.  If you have one that can handle both, more power to you.  For actual backpacking, a portable is wonderful for hot lunches.  If the enivornment can not handle a campfire, this is your alternative.  (Most public trails do not allow open fires i.e. camp fires.) Check it out and shop around.  Use your new equipement first before you are out in the woods.  Know your materials.