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Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide Review

Andrew Shults bio photo
By Andrew James Shults
Jan 18, 2026
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Our Take:
4.5/5
Editors' Pick

The Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide ($175) is one of the most powerful and spacious camp stoves we’ve ever used. With a nearly two-foot-long cooktop, adjustable legs, and dual 12,200-BTU burners, it’s ideal for campers who value cooking space and overall output. Its flame consistency, fast boil times, and a long-lasting build give the DLX Wide everyday appeal, even if floppy wind shields and a bulky packed size hold it back a bit. If you’ve got room on your table and want serious cooking performance, though, it delivers.

Power

Power

4/5
Temperature Control

Temperature Control

4/5
Wind Protection

Wind Protection

3.5/5
Build Quality & Durability

Build Quality & Durability

4/5
Ease of Use

Ease of Use

4/5
Sustainability

Sustainability

0.7/5

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners (Output)

2 (12,200 BTUs)

Auto Ignition

Yes

Weight

11 lb. 9.6 oz.

Pros

Pretty affordable for the amount of heat and precision it gives you.
The feet are adjustable, allowing the stove to stay level on uneven surfaces.
One of the most powerful stoves we’ve tested.

Cons

Comes in at the heavier end of the stoves in this guide.
No dedicated area to store the pressure regulator, so it rattles around inside the stove during transport.

For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Stoves. 

This stove is about as brawny as they come, especially for one under $200. The Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide has two 12,200-BTU burners that consistently boiled a liter of water in just under five minutes across multiple locations, including at sea level and up at 7,500 feet. Performance remained consistent when I used it in 70-degree weather while camping in Joshua Tree National Park—where the DLX Wide boiled one liter in 4 minutes, 40 seconds—to colder alpine temps in the San Bernardino Mountains, where I clocked the same boil time using an MSR kettle. I could feel the heat from a few feet away when it was cranked up, and the stove held that heat well.


Compared to my Camp Chef Kodiak and the Coleman Classic, which both have 10,000-BTU burners and took over six minutes to boil one liter, the Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide felt like a serious step up. It’s not quite in the same league as the Camp Chef Everest 2X (which has two 20,000 BTU burners) or the Zempire DLX Grill’s triple-burner layout, but for a two-burner stove, it’s one of the most powerful options I’ve tested so far.

Each burner knob gives you one full rotation, and that was enough for me to dial in the heat I wanted. I didn’t struggle to find a consistent medium flame for sautéing or a gentle low flame for making eggs. In Joshua Tree, I cooked brats and veggies without burning anything, and the next morning, I managed to achieve fluffy pancakes on a low flame, despite a steady drizzle. The DLX Wide’s flame didn’t flicker or drop once I set the temperature.


That said, I missed the ultra-precise control I get with the Kodiak, which offers three full knob turns; the DLX Wide doesn’t grant the same granularity. Still, it beats out my Coleman Classic, which tends to flicker at low settings, and blows the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 270 out of the water. (That single-burner stove only provides a quarter-turn and feels jumpy overall.)

The wind shields on the DLX Wide are a bit of a mixed bag. They’re tall and provide good surface area, and I never saw a drop in flame performance during light breezes at camp. Even in steady rain, the stove held its flame while I cooked. That gave me a lot of confidence in the DLX Wide’s ability to handle kitchen duties when weather moves in, but the crew is still hungry.


Still, the wind shields don’t attach very securely. They hinge on the stove body and connect to tabs on the lid, but those tabs can come loose during transport or if you bump the stove. The Kodiak’s shields, which latch tightly onto the sides, feel sturdier overall—that’s the stove I’d go with in a gale. That said, compared to the Classic or the Selkirk camping stoves, the DLX Wide offers better protection (and stronger flames if a gust or two gets through).

So far, the Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide seems like a high-quality stove, and it’s been holding up well during my testing. The stove body feels sturdy, the Piezo ignition and the regulator operate as intended, and the dials have a smooth, solid feel. The only weak point is the wind shields, but even those are decently rugged when they’re locked in place.


Cleanup is also easy. The grate is removable (though it takes a bit of wiggling), and the surface underneath wipes down without much effort. There aren’t any tight corners or awkward gaps. It feels slightly less bombproof than the Kodiak, but more polished than the Classic and Selkirk, which both cost less.

The Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide’s setup is familiar: Unclip the lid, lift the wind shields, attach the propane and regulator, click the igniter, and you’re cooking. Everything works smoothly, and the ignition fires up consistently. The stove’s cooking area is a massive 22.8 by 11.4 inches, enough to fit a 12-inch skillet next to a 10-inch pot with room to spare. I was able to boil water and fry bacon simultaneously without experiencing too much crowding.


This is a bulky stove. At over 11.5 pounds, it’s not something I’d carry to a campsite that’s very far from the car. The adjustable feet were a great addition, though—they allowed me to keep the DLX Wide level on uneven dirt at one dispersed campsite. However, there’s no storage space for the regulator, which means it rattles around during transport. I wish Zempire had included a stowage slot or a carry case (you can buy one separately). At least the stove’s built-in handle helped with carrying it around.

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Longevity

Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.

Accessories

The Zempire DLX Wide includes a number of practical features. Its auto-ignition worked consistently, sparking the burners on the first or second try without fail. The included propane regulator threads into the stove like most others—slightly finicky, but functional—and the removable grate made cleaning straightforward, even if it took a little finagling to detach it. I also appreciated the four adjustable feet, which helped me level the stove on uneven ground. The tall wind shields, while imperfect in design, provided meaningful protection from gusts and rainfall and stayed upright unless jostled.


Transportation

For transport, the DLX Wide includes a basic carry handle and dual latches to keep the lid securely shut. I would’ve liked to see a dedicated compartment for the pressure regulator, since it tends to rattle around inside during transit. That said, for a camping stove this size, I still found it manageable to carry from the car to the picnic table without issue—you might have to make sure you’re not ferrying anything else, though.

Camp Chef Kodiak ($130): A Power and Packability Tradeoff
If you’re tight on space—or cash—the Camp Chef Kodiak might be a better fit. It’s a little over 10 percent smaller (with a 2.8-inch shorter cooking surface) than the DLX Wide, and $45 cheaper. What you gain in packability, though, you lose in power. The Kodiak’s two 10,000-BTU burners took nearly a minute and a half longer to boil a liter of water than the 12,200-BTU ones on the DLX Wide. But while they don't reach the same red-hot temperatures, the Kodiak’s burners offer three full knob rotations for more precise control. Its wind shields are also thicker and latch securely into place, whereas the DLX Wide’s are prone to coming loose. However, on uneven ground, the DLX Wide and its adjustable feet have the clear advantage. If you plan to make full use of a large cooktop, the DLX Wide is worth the splurge. Otherwise, go with the Kodiak. For more, read our Kodiak review.


Zempire 2-Burner DLX Grill ($225): Even More Versatility
Like the DLX Wide, Zempire’s DLX Grill features two 12,200-BTU burners but adds a 4,500-BTU grill underneath for even more cooking versatility. While this stove’s flexibility is a clear advantage, its cooktop size takes a hit, coming in 58 square inches smaller. It’s also a bulkier stove, adding 2.7 inches of height and weighing over a pound more. The DLX Wide, meanwhile, takes up an extra 4.4 inches of width, but has the added perk of adjustable feet to help keep your cooking surface level on uneven ground. Still, both models feature large wind shields, auto ignition, and the ability to maintain a consistent low flame for simmering meals. At the end of the day, you’ll have to decide whether the DLX Grill’s added capabilities are worth the extra $50—hamburgers, anyone? For more, read our review of the 2-Burner DLX Grill.

Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide ($175)
Two frying pans on Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide Camping Stove
4.5/5

For campers with ambitious cooking goals, the DLX Wide has you covered. Its elongated cooktop fits most pots and pans, and it delivers heat that’s strong and precise enough for nearly any camp meal. If only its wind shields were more secure and it were easier to carry.

Fuel Type
Propane
Burners (Output)
2 (12,200 BTUs)
Auto Ignition
Yes
Weight
11 lb. 9.6 oz.
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Power

4/5
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Temperature Control

4/5
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Wind Protection

3.5/5
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Build Quality & Durability

4/5
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Ease of Use

4/5
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Sustainability

0.7/5
Camp Chef Kodiak ($130)
Two pans on Camp Chef Kodiak camping stove
4.2/5

The Kodiak takes everything we love about fully featured camp stoves—precise temperature control, sturdy construction, and reliable wind protection—and packs it into a smaller, wallet-friendly package. Its output isn’t huge, but it’s more than enough for most camp meals.

Fuel Type
Propane
Burners (Output)
2 (10,000 BTUs)
Auto Ignition
No
Weight
11 lb.
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Power

2.5/5
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Temperature Control

3.5/5
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Wind Protection

4.5/5
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Build Quality & Durability

4/5
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Ease of Use

3.5/5
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Sustainability

1.4/5
Zempire 2-Burner DLX Grill ($225)
Cooking sweet peppers on the Zempire 2-Burner DLX Grill camping stove
4.4/5

The Zempire 2-Burner DLX Grill Stove builds on the classic two-burner design with the addition of a handy bottom grill. Though its bulky frame isn’t for everyone, it enhances cooking versatility without skimping on its core functionality.   

Fuel Type
Propane
Burners (Output)
2 (12,200 BTUs each) + grill (4,500 BTUs)
Auto Ignition
Yes
Weight
13 lb.
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Power

4/5
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Temperature Control

4/5
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Wind Protection

3.5/5
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Build Quality & Durability

4/5
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Ease of Use

3.5/5
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Sustainability

0.7/5

Is the 2-Burner DLX Wide for You?

If you’re feeding a group or simply want more room while you cook in the frontcountry, the Zempire 2-Burner DLX Wide is a smart upgrade from your usual two-burner stove. Its fast boil time makes it ideal for feeding multiple people, as does its ability to fit multiple full-size pots or pans. (We’d also recommend it to anyone who’s tired of juggling mismatched pans on smaller stoves.) The power, flame consistency, and huge cooktop deliver impressive flexibility—just be ready to deal with some minor design quirks that are most evident during packing and transport.

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