Coleman Xcursion 1-Burner Butane Stove Review
Simply put, the Coleman Xcursion 1-Burner Stove ($70) won’t blow you away with its cooking performance. Its biggest flaw is the near-total lack of wind protection, which doesn’t do its already lackluster power or limited flame control any favors. That said, in sheltered environments—like inside a van or on still days—it’s simple to use and capable of maintaining a reasonably steady flame. The compact stove also packs neatly into a hard-shell case with a built-in handle, which improves both portability and overall durability.
Power
Temperature Control
Wind Protection
Build Quality & Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Fuel Type
Butane
Burners (Output)
1 (9,560 BTUs)
Auto Ignition
Yes
Weight
3 lb. 5.9 oz.
Pros
Cons
Coleman Xcursion 1-Burner
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Even with a respectable 9,560 BTU output on paper, the Coleman Xcursion 1-Burner’s real-world cooking power falls well behind the competition. Under calm conditions at around 1,000 feet, it took 8 minutes and 15 seconds to boil a liter of water. It performed even worse at roughly 5,000 feet with 5 mph breezes: the wind repeatedly pushed the flame away from the bottom of the kettle, and it ultimately took around 14 and a half minutes for the water to boil. For comparison, my weaker-in-theory 5,300-BTU GSI Selkirk 270 Butane Stove boiled water faster in testing, and stoves with similar output ratings, like my 10,000-BTU Camp Chef Kodiak, consistently delivered boil times that were roughly 30% quicker.
That underwhelming heat output relegates this stove to more of a supporting role: warming food or serving as a secondary burner alongside a more capable stove. When I used it as my primary cooktop—like when browning ground chicken or making a veggie stir-fry with sausage—it took much longer than expected. Put plainly, it doesn’t have the power or consistency to serve as the centerpiece of a camp kitchen setup.
The Coleman Xcursion’s burner knob offers only half a rotation of adjustment, which limits precise temperature control. While it’s more adjustable than the quarter-turn dial on my Selkirk, it provides far less finesse than the multi-turn knobs found on most traditional two-burner stoves. As a result, dialing in an exact flame level can feel somewhat restrictive.
In calm conditions, though, the stove maintained a reasonably consistent low flame. The bigger issue is wind. At lower settings, even light breezes tended to push the flame around or partially blow it out, making it difficult to maintain stable cooking temperatures outdoors. In more sheltered environments—like inside a van or cabin—I don’t think simmering or lower-heat cooking would be much of a problem. But in gusty conditions, maintaining a controlled flame quickly becomes frustrating.
Like I’ve alluded to a couple of times, wind protection is easily the Xcursion’s biggest weakness. Despite the mention of “wind baffles,” the stove lacks any meaningful shielding around the burner—there are no side wind guards, no recessed cooking area, and very little separating the flame from the surrounding air. That lack of protection was especially evident during testing, when it took nearly twice as long to boil water in slightly gusty conditions as on a calm night. In fact, during the breezier test, I had to build a makeshift windbreak using some of my camping gear, or else the already sluggish 14.5-minute boil time likely would have stretched even longer.
Really, the only stove I’ve used with similarly poor wind protection is the Selkirk, which also lacks proper shielding around the burner. In contrast, even fairly basic two-burner stoves like my Coleman Classic Propane provide noticeably better protection thanks to their taller backs and side wind guards. If you expect even a bit of wind, I’d leave the Xcursion at home.
For its $70 price tag, the Xcursion has a reasonably durable build that feels sturdy enough for typical campground use. Its metal construction, including a rust-resistant aluminum burner and porcelain-coated grate, still looked essentially new after around five uses. I also appreciated the included hard-shell carrying case, which adds a nice layer of protection during transport and storage.
Nothing about the stove feels especially flimsy, though a few details remind you of its budget-oriented design. The grate itself is removable, which makes cleanup easier, but also doesn’t lock into place, so it won’t stay connected if you tip the stove over or accidentally open the case upside down. The butane compartment door also doesn’t latch shut, meaning it can swing open depending on how you pick up the stove. Compared to my Camp Chef Kodiak, the Xcursion doesn’t feel quite as premium or overbuilt, but it also never struck me as delicate. Overall, it feels durable enough that you won’t need to baby it around camp.
If you’ve only used two-burner propane stoves, the Xcursion’s butane setup may feel a little unfamiliar at first, but the process becomes straightforward after a couple of uses. To get cooking, remove the stove from its hard-shell case, slot the butane canister into the side compartment, lock it into place, and use the auto-ignition to light the burner. Altogether, the process took me around 10 to 20 seconds, and compared to propane stoves—where you need to thread and tighten a sometimes-finicky regulator—this system feels refreshingly quick and simple. The auto-ignition also worked reliably in my testing, usually lighting the stove within one or two clicks. And despite its compact footprint, the cooking surface is still large enough to comfortably fit an 11-inch pan.
With its dedicated hard-shell carrying case, 5-pound 3.2-ounce packaged weight (3 lb. 5.9 oz. for just the stove), and compact 13.4 by 12.5 by 4.4-inch packed size—roughly the size of a small briefcase—the Coleman Xcursion is one of the easiest camp stoves to haul around. Aside from the Selkirk, it’s the most portable stove in my collection, and I wouldn’t mind carrying it short distances from the car to a campsite or picnic area.
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Accessories
The Xcursion keeps things pretty simple feature-wise, but it does include the core conveniences I’d expect from a modern camp stove. It comes with auto-ignition: To use, turn the knob past the maximum output setting until you hear and feel a click. The grate is also removable, which makes cleanup much easier after cooking. And while the stove doesn’t have a built-in lid like most traditional two-burner designs, Coleman does include a hard-shell carrying case for added protection during storage and transport.
Thanks to its relatively light packaged weight of around five pounds and easy-to-carry hard-shell case, the Xcursion is a very portable stove. Its compact footprint also makes it a good fit for setups with limited space, and I could easily see it working well for vanlifers looking for a simple cooking system that won’t dominate a countertop or storage bin.
GSI Selkirk 270 Butane Stove ($100): Pint-Sized Performer
Looking for something even lighter and more portable? The GSI Outdoors Selkirk 270 is about as small a stove as you can get before dipping into backpacking territory. Not only does it shave around two and a half pounds off the Xcursion, but it also packs down to about a quarter of the size. That portability boost comes with less precise temperature control, and it similarly lacks wind protection. Still, the Selkirk proved more powerful than the Xcursion during our testing, even with a 4,260-BTU drop. Both camp stoves are best used as secondary burners, but the extra $30 for the Selkirk gets you comparable performance in a fraction of the footprint. For more, read our Selkirk 270 review.
Coleman Cascade Classic ($130): Double the Stove
If you can swing the $60 price jump and aren’t cramped for space, the Coleman Cascade Classic will let you channel your inner camp chef much more easily. With two burners, you’re able to cook more complex meals and feed larger groups. Each 10,000-BTU burner is also more powerful than the one on the Xcursion, and they offer more precise temperature control. In gusty weather, the large lid and side wind shields keep the flames much better protected than on the Xcursion. Yes, the Cascade Classic is almost double the price, but you’re also getting essentially double the cooking surface, with better specs and protection. The upgrade is worth it every time. For more, read our review of the Coleman Cascade Classic.
The Xcursion’s standout qualities are its simplicity and portability. But when it comes to actually cooking a meal, its lackluster power, limited flame control, and nonexistent wind protection confine it to simple or backup camp duties.
Power
Temperature Control
Wind Protection
Build Quality & Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The Selkirk’s standout portability makes it a great addition to an existing camp kitchen setup or a solid choice for anyone who wants a stove that’s small and easy to take on the go. But its single burner, modest performance, and lack of wind protection make it a poor fit for campers who want to cook up some gourmet meals.
Power
Temperature Control
Wind Protection
Build Quality & Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
What the Cascade Classic lacks in performance and wind protection, it makes up for in value. While this is by no means a perfect stove, it’s a commendable option for campers looking for a no-frills model that’s light on the wallet and is fine for whipping up simple meals.
Power
Temperature Control
Wind Protection
Build Quality & Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Is the Coleman Xcursion for You?
The Coleman Xcursion is best suited for fair-weather campers looking for a secondary burner to complement a larger cooking setup, or vanlifers who want a compact stove that won’t take up much space on their rig’s countertop. Its biggest weakness is wind sensitivity, which further worsens its already mediocre power and limited temperature control. Still, its compact size, lightweight build, hard-shell carrying case, and relatively affordable $70 price make it an easy stove to toss into your camping kit if portability and simplicity matter more than outright cooking performance.
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