With no power, ceramic hobs, induction hobs and microwaves don’t work. A gas stove lets you heat water, food and baby bottles for days. Here are 5 options depending on how you live and how long the cut might last.
How to choose
- Cartridge (CP250, C206): the most convenient option for a flat. Each 250 g cartridge gives 1.5–2 hours on full flame: about 6–8 simple meals.
- Butane bottle (bombona): if you already have one at home, a stove with a regulator gives you weeks of autonomy.
- One burner is enough for 1-2 people; for families or long cuts a two-burner model is worth it.
- Piezo ignition: essential, so you don’t depend on matches.
Quick comparison
| Model | Gas | Burners | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campingaz Camp’Bistro 3 | CP250 cartridge | 1 (2,200 W) | The balanced option for a flat | € |
| Stove + 4 cartridges pack | 227 g cartridge | 1 | Starting out with everything included, cheaply | € |
| Campingaz Bleuet 206 Plus | C206 cartridge | 1 (1,250 W) | Taking up the least space in a drawer | € |
| Campingaz Party Grill | Cartridge | Griddle and grill | Real cooking, not just heating | €€ |
| Ribiland 2 burners | Butane bottle | 2 | Families and cuts lasting several days | €€ |
Approximate price range: € under €40, €€ €40–80. The real price is whatever Amazon shows.
The models, one by one
Campingaz Camp’Bistro 3
Best for: most flats. It’s the benchmark cartridge stove.
- 2,200 W: boils a litre of water in a few minutes
- Piezo ignition and carry case
- CP250 cartridges easy to find in Spain
- Against: cartridges sold separately
Stove + 4 cartridges pack
Best for: anyone who has nothing and wants to sort it in one purchase.
- Single-burner stove with carry case
- 4 butane cartridges included: ready to use
- Piezo ignition
- Against: generic brands, check reviews before buying
Campingaz Bleuet 206 Plus
Best for: small flats where every centimetre counts.
- Very compact: sits on top of the cartridge
- Cheap C206 cartridges
- Enough to heat tins and water
- Against: less stable with large pots
Campingaz Party Grill
Best for: when the cut lasts and you want to cook more than tins.
- Griddle, grill and pan support
- Also good for the terrace or camping
- Runs on a cartridge
- Against: bulkier than a simple stove
Ribiland 2 burners
Best for: families or anyone who already has a butane bottle at home.
- Two burners: cook and heat water at the same time
- With a bottle, autonomy for weeks
- 2 × 2,200 W burners, with protective lid
- Against: you need a bottle and space to use it safely
Carbon monoxide detector
Why: if you cook with gas indoors, it’s the most important safety add-on.
- Runs on batteries: keeps warning you without power
- Audible alarm if it detects CO
- Place it near where you cook
Tips
- Keep at least 4 cartridges for a 72-hour cut with two hot meals a day.
- Test the stove once a year: check it lights and the seals are fine.
- Use a lid when cooking: you use almost half the gas.
- Store cartridges away from heat and sun.
More ideas for eating without power in the food, cooking and water guide.