If you plan on camping overnight or for prolonged periods, a backpacking stove can be the difference between eating cold food and something warm and satisfying. However, you do need to consider the number of people you’ll be cooking for and the number of days that you’ll need your backpacking stove. These figures will impact how much water and fuel you’ll need to use. It’s recommended that you plan to boil one liter of water per person, per meal. So, you’ll need enough fuel to support those guidelines.