Rocket Stove vs Barrel Stove: Which One Should You Buy?
Rocket stove and barrel stove choices compared through two portable wood-burning rocket stove examples, with heat, build, weight and size set side by side.
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Verdict: Choose a rocket stove for portable outdoor cooking on sticks and twigs, as both examples here show. Choose a barrel stove only after checking a barrel listing of its own, since no barrel stove example is featured here and no barrel figure is stated in this article.
As the woodpile grows through cutting season and evenings turn toward cooking outside, the choice in rocket stove vs barrel stove comes down to the job at hand. A rocket stove example in this article is a compact cook stove that burns sticks and twigs, while the barrel stove side has no example listing here, so this comparison rests on what the two rocket stove listings actually state.
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Onlyfire Cast Iron Rocket Stove
A cast iron rocket stove with a stated 23000 BTU output, a 3-prong trivet for pots, woks, griddles and a 12-inch skillet, and a stated weight of about 12 pounds.
Pros
- Stated 23000 BTU output from twigs and branches
- 3-prong trivet holds pots, woks, griddles and a 12-inch skillet
- Enclosed chamber keeps sparks inside and ash collects at the bottom
- Side handles with heat-resistant silicone grips for moving once cooled
Cons
- Listing mixes cast iron and cold-rolled steel descriptions for the body
- Locking fuel door is noted as if equipped, so fit is left unclear
- No warranty term is stated
- Bare cast iron needs oiling after use and dry storage to avoid surface rust
StarBlue Camping Rocket Stove
A low-carbon steel rocket stove with a large fuel chamber, a wide grate and cross stand, a stated weight of 14 pounds, and a carrying bag for transport.
Pros
- Large fuel chamber for longer burn time and efficient heat transfer
- Packs flat for transport or storage
- Carrying bag included for carrying on trips
- Wide grate and cross stand give a stable platform for pots and pans
Cons
- No BTU output figure is stated
- No burn-time figure is stated, only a longer burn time claim
- No warranty term is stated
- Assembly and disassembly are needed each time it packs flat
Rocket Stove vs Barrel Stove Side by Side
| Product | Fuel | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| onlyfire Rocket Stove | Wood | 12.72 x 12.72 x 11.42 inches | About 12 pounds |
| StarBlue Rocket Stove | Wood sticks and twigs | 15.35 x 7.87 x 15.35 inches | 14 pounds |
Figures are as stated in the listings reviewed; where a listing states nothing, this article says so rather than filling the gap.
Heat: what the listings state
The onlyfire example states a 23000 BTU output and a boil of a liter of water in under 6 minutes using sticks, with a rocket-burn design that the listing says forces air through the fuel for complete combustion. The StarBlue example states a large fuel chamber that allows longer burn time and more efficient heat transfer while producing low fumes, but it states no BTU figure. Heat cannot be compared on numbers alone here, because only one example gives a figure; the other leaves heat unclear.
Build and size
The onlyfire example is described as cast iron in its title and spec table, with a 3-prong trivet and dimensions of 12.72 x 12.72 x 11.42 inches at about 12 pounds. The StarBlue example is low-carbon steel painted with high-temperature resistant paint, with dimensions of 15.35 x 7.87 x 15.35 inches at 14 pounds. By stated weight the StarBlue example is the heavier of the two, at 14 pounds against about 12 pounds. The onlyfire example is the wider of the two at 12.72 inches across, while the StarBlue example is the longer and taller of the two at 15.35 inches.
Portability and camp use
Portability separates the two examples more than fuel does, since both burn wood sticks and twigs. The StarBlue example packs flat and comes with a carrying bag, which suits trips where the stove must pack flat and store small. The onlyfire example does not state that it folds, but it offers side handles with heat-resistant silicone grips for moving once cooled, and a stable base that the listing says prevents tipping.
Two examples
How we scored them
Each example is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| onlyfire Rocket Stove | 9.5 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 3 | 0 |
| StarBlue Rocket Stove | 9.4 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
Install stoves and inserts to the manufacturer's instructions and your local code, usually by a certified installer with a permit and inspection. Keep the listed clearances to combustibles, run working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, have the chimney inspected and cleaned every year to prevent creosote fires, burn only seasoned wood, and check local burn rules. See EPA Burn Wise, NFPA heating safety, CPSC carbon monoxide guidance and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Around the Woodpile
- Burn sticks, twigs and branches, the wood fuel the listings state.
- Let the onlyfire example cool before lifting it by the silicone grips.
- Keep the onlyfire example out of rain and oil bare cast iron after use to avoid surface rust.
- Store the StarBlue example flat in its carrying bag between trips.
- Check local rules on burn bans before lighting, as the onlyfire listing advises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a rocket stove or a barrel stove better for camp cooking?
For camp cooking, the rocket stove side is the one with evidence here: both examples are portable cook stoves built for sticks and twigs. No barrel stove example is featured, so no barrel figure supports a camp cooking claim for that side.
What fuel do these rocket stove examples burn?
Wood sticks and twigs, with branches also listed for the onlyfire example. Both listings state wood as the fuel, and neither asks for propane, gas, or other fuels.
How much does each example weigh?
The onlyfire example weighs about 12 pounds and the StarBlue example weighs 14 pounds, as stated in their listings.
Does either example state a warranty?
No warranty term is stated for either example, so warranty scores are zero for both.
Can the onlyfire example hold a Dutch oven?
Yes, according to its listing, which says the stove supports pots and a Dutch oven, and that baking works with a covered Dutch oven.
Related guides
See the wood stoves hub, the best lightweight rocket stove picks, the best barrel stove comparison, and the rocket stove heater vs wood stove comparison.
