For most situations, we prefer the Coleman Triton. We like having two dedicated burners as most of the time we are not grilling. And, often when you are camping there is an outdoor grill set up nearby. Outdoor grills are not very user friendly compared to a gas grill, but they are part of the camping experience (and much better for roasting marshmallows).
For the best two-burner camp stove, check out the Camp Chef Everest or Stansport Outfitters Series. These stoves are about the same cost as the Grill Stove but much better for the cooking you most often do when camping.Coleman Grill Stove InstaStart Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
Time to Boil
The burner scored a little below average. It boils water just a little slower than the Coleman PerfectFlow 2-Burner. Not a slow-poke by any means, just not nearly as fast as the top-scoring stoves. Because the single burner is way to the side, it limits the size of the pot you can use. Small and medium pots are fine but with a large pot you can't center the burner.
Simmering
The stove part works similarly to the Coleman PerfectFlow 2-Burner. It is a solid burner with good control but not a standout for performance. It simmers okay, but it can be hard to get a tiny flame and hold it. The grill works well if cooking burners or other items that fit on the edges. However, when we wanted to make a quesadilla, we found it very hard to keep the edges from getting burned with the center not cooked much at all. The burner is just so close to the grill that it is hard to get an even cook.
Also, the lid does not close all the way so it's harder to melt cheese on a burger. Even with the lid down 80 percent of the way, there is not much room for items taller than a few inches.
We got the model with InstaStart. This worked flawlessly and always lit the first time.
Ease of Setup
Overall, the stove is easy to set up. It has a built in handle for ease of transport. It is a little harder to attach the regulator than on other stoves (much easier on Coleman PerfectFlow, for example). As with most of the table top stoves, the propane regulator sticks out and takes up table space.
Ease of Care
This stove is relatively easy to clean but we highly recommend lining the under the grill area with tinfoil. This makes your life much easier. We are not sure how long the grill will last. It is dishwasher safe. But it also feels a little flimsy.
As with all propane camp stoves, we recommend the adapter hose that allows you to connect this stove to a five-gallon propane tank. We have an explanation why in our Camping Stove Buying Advice article.