If you are planning to take your electric toaster camping with you, think again! It takes a huge amount of energy to create heat through electricity, so electric toasters are not a good idea for a camping trip.
Instead, you will want to use an open fire or portable gas stove to toast your bread.
The exception to this rule is if you have an electric hookup or a powerful leisure battery in an RV or camping car. If that is the case, you will have much more flexibility with electric appliances.
In this article, I review 15 of the best camping toasters (A.K.A. gadgets) to get the perfect golden toast over a primus stove or open fire.
In a Hurry? Here Are My Top 5 Picks
The Best Toasters for Camping
GuoHaw Folding Campstove Toaster
Sometimes the simplest options really are the best. The GuoHaw Folding Campstove Toaster is a chrome-plated camping toaster that can be used on a propane gas stove or placed on a raised campfire grill.
Lightweight and compact, it can toast up to 4 pieces of bread at the same. You need to turn the bread after around 2 minutes, to let the other side toast as well.
Pros:
- Versatile—can be used with electricity or flame
- Hygienic—easy to take apart and wash
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Affordable
Cons:
- The product description is a little misleading. It conveys the idea that the toaster is stainless steel but actually, only the folding arms are made of steel. The rest is chrome-plated.
Coghlans Camping Toaster
The Coghlans Camping Toaster is an extremely affordable 4-slice toaster that can be used over a gas camping stove. The quality is not as good as that of my Best Choice GuoHaw Toaster, but that can be expected at this price.
If you are going to use your toaster only for the occasional camping trip, the Coghlans model will serve you fine. Make sure to preheat the toaster for the best results.
Pros:
- Great value
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Light-duty—don’t expect it to last a lifetime
- Claims it won’t rust—users disagree
ACMETOP Grill Basket
The ACMETOP Portable BBQ Grill Basket is a great piece of kit for toasting bread over a campfire.
The locking grate will prevent you from dropping any bread into the flames, and it can also be used for cooking meat and vegetables.
The grill basket has a wooden handle to prevent you from burning yourself and it comes with a helpful grill mat and carry case. After putting your bread in the grate, you should hold it over the campfire embers and turn it regularly to prevent burning on one side.
Pros:
- Locking cage prevents toast from being dropped
- Versatile—can be used to cook meat and vegetables as well
- Compact and lightweight
Cons:
- Lighting a fire every day can be time-consuming
GSI Collapsible Toaster
The GSI Collapsible Toaster is a wonderful piece of kit for thru-hiking or backpacking. It is even more compact and lightweight than the other folding toasters I have mentioned.
This means it can toast only one piece of bread at a time rather than 4, but it would be perfect for a lightweight camping trip.
It is handheld, but considering the fact that the toast will be ready in seconds, it’s probably better that you cannot walk away and forget about it!
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Toasts very quickly
- Affordable
Cons:
- Toasts only one piece of bread at a time
Jtshy Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
If you’re camping with kids, they will absolutely love toasting their own bread around the campfire. Jtshy Marshmallow Roasting Sticks can also be used for smores or hotdogs, and they are helpfully color-coded.
The skewers are also telescoping, so no one has to get too close to the campfire. Plus, the heatproof wooden handles are great for protecting little hands.
Pros:
- Heatproof handles
- Color-coded
- Telescoping
Cons:
- You might not want to build a campfire every time the kids want toast!
Foldable Fire Pit and Grill
I absolutely love this Foldable Fire Pit and Grill. It collapses down to the size of a tablet computer and it takes only seconds to pop up into place.
You can now set a small wood or charcoal fire inside the grill, perfect for cooking your camping breakfast or just having a barbeque at the beach. You can pop bread straight onto the grill for toasting, along with any bacon or sausages.
It can also be used as a fire pit, protecting the ground from fire scars and wildfires. This really is an amazing little invention, which works as a camping toaster and so much more.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to set up
- Helps reduce our impact on nature
- Collapsible and lightweight
Cons:
- Takes longer to set up than a gas flame—quicker than a larger campfire, though
Camp-A-Toaster
Going back to a more traditional camping toaster, the Camp-A-Toaster CT1 is a 2-slice toaster that can be used over a gas flame. At 0.53 pounds it is nice and light, though it doesn’t fold down like some of the other options.
Chrome toasters like this one often get discolored at the bottom after they come into contact with the gas flame. That is to be expected, so don’t worry if that happens to yours.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Prone to rust
Yadnesh Sandwich Toaster
The Yadnesh Sandwich Toaster works well over a propane gas stove. You could technically use it over a campfire, but the handles aren’t very long, so I recommend that you use it with a gas stove for your safety.
The nonstick coating makes cooking and cleaning even easier, and you can make a grilled ham or cheese sandwich in just minutes.
Pros:
- Enjoy a grilled sandwich in minutes
- Non-stick
Cons:
- Small—really suitable only for crustless bread
- Can make only one at a time
- Short handles—might be safer on a smaller, more contained campfire
Metal Grilling Skewers
These Metal Grilling Skewers are similar to the Jtshy marshmallow roasting sticks that I already recommended. They aren’t as pretty and they aren’t color-coded, but they are stronger and will be more useful for a range of things like heavier meats and vegetables.
If you’re planning to toast your bread over a campfire and don’t have any children with you whom you want to impress, these are probably the more practical option!
Pros:
- Stronger than marshmallow sticks
- Can be used for meats and vegetables
- Lightweight and compact
Cons:
- No heatproof handle—use a heat-protected glove
Nostalgia 3-in-1 Breakfast Station
If you have access to an electric hookup or a powerful leisure battery in your RV, electric toasters can be a reasonable choice.
For example, the Nostalgia 3-in-1 Breakfast Station is perfect for an RV camping trip. This is a really neat appliance that allows you to toast your bread, make your coffee, and fry up your bacon and eggs, all in the same place!
Like any kitchen appliance of this nature, it is energy-intensive and should really be used only if you have a mains hook-up.
Pros:
- Multifunctional
- Looks great
Cons:
- Energy-intensive
Texsport Swivel Grill
If you liked the idea of a 3-in-1 breakfast station but don’t have mains electricity, you could consider the Texsport Swivel Grill instead.
After driving the post into the ground, you set up a campfire beneath it. You can have your coffee pot and frying pans going at the same time, and pop your bread straight on the grill when you are ready for toast.
The fact that you can swivel this cooking appliance helps you to protect food from burning because you have more control over the grill’s temperature.
Pros:
- Swivel grill prevents food from burning
- Multi-use
Cons:
- Setting up a campfire is time-consuming—and not always allowed
Coleman Camp Stove Toaster
The Coleman Camp Stove Toaster is very similar to my best choice folding stove toaster that I recommended. Made from chrome-plated steel, this simple toaster is designed for use on a gas stove.
It seems to be slightly less stable than the GuoHaw model, which is why I didn’t recommend it as my top choice.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Toasts 4 pieces of bread at once
Cons:
- The folding supports aren’t the most stable—make sure you set them up as securely as possible
Char-Broil Gas Grill
The Char-Broil Gas Grill is a table-top gas-powered grill that is easily transportable thanks to folding legs that secure the lid when not in use.
The lid handle is heatproof and the whole thing weighs less than 10 pounds. It is ready to go in an instant and can be used to grill anything you like, including bread for toast.
If you are going to cook meat on this grill, I recommend that you set down a layer of aluminum foil first.
This prevents the grill’s interior from accumulating fat, which is time-consuming and not very pleasant to scrub out.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons:
- Make sure you put it on high for at least 15 minutes before the first use to burn off any bad smells
Hinumaro Japanese Style Sandwich Toaster
If you want to take your toast to the next level, this Japanese Style Sandwich Toaster will have you making delicious toasted sandwiches in no time.
It is made from aluminum, with comfortable grip handles, and can be used directly over a gas flame.
Pros:
- There’s nothing like a grilled cheese sandwich around a campfire!
- Comfort grip handles
- Makes 2 sandwiches at once
- Compact
Cons:
- Small—suitable only for crustless sliced bread
Jackery Portable Power Station
In general, I do not recommend electric toasters for camping because they are so power-intensive.
However, if you don't have access to mains electricity but are desperate to use a classic electric toaster, your best bet is to get a Jackery Portable Power Station.
This is powerful and lightweight, and doesn’t generate much noise. It will be extremely useful for any camping trip that you might be planning.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Low noise
- Low noise
Cons:
- Electric toasters aren’t highly suitable for camping unless you have mains electricity access
Types of Camping Toasters
Chrome-plated toasters
Rather than having a specific gas camping toaster versus an open-fire camping toaster, you normally have just a simple metal toaster that can be used on either heat source.
These can be foldable to save space, or they can be fixed. Either way, they are normally small, light, and made from plated chrome.
Chrome-plated appliances tend to get discolored at the bottom, whether they are used on gas or a campfire, so don’t worry about this if it happens to yours. They work best and toast most evenly when you pre-heat them on the flame for a few minutes.
Toasting on a grill
Often, you can use a grill to toast your bread. It could be designed for a campfire or run on propane.
These are usually much larger than chrome-plated toasters, but you can use them for cooking a variety of camping meals, not just toasting.
Toasting on a skewer
You could also toast your bread on a metal skewer over an open fire, but be careful that you don’t drop it! Some people use a dry pan over a gas or open flame, which will also toast your bread surprisingly well.
What to Consider When Buying a Camping Toaster
Electric toasters are energy-intensive
Electric toasters might seem like a convenient idea, but it takes an enormous amount of energy to create heat using electricity. Because of this, I recommend that you avoid electric toasters when you’re camping.
Even so-called ‘portable electric toasters’ will quickly drain energy from your car or leisure batteries, and it is nearly impossible to find a suitable 12-volt toaster for camping.
You are much better off relying on gas or a campfire for your cooking needs whilst you’re not connected to the mains.
However, if you are in an RV and will be connected to mains electricity, there is no reason you cannot use a normal domestic toaster.
Campfires take time to set up
The idea of toasting your bread over an open fire is certainly cozy. Just remember that campfires take time and effort to set up, and should be put out every night before you go to bed to prevent accidents and wildfires.
So, if you want to quickly whip up some toast for breakfast, it’s a good idea to bring a gas hob with you, too.
Read also: Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire Cooking
Video: How to Build a Campfire
You can just use the grill
If you are already planning to bring a big camping grill, then you probably don’t need to bring a camping toaster, too. You can use the hanging grill from campfire cooking stands or you can dry fry your bread in a pan.
Camping toasters can be useful if you have a big party, or if you are bringing only a simple gas stove along for the ride.
FAQs
Can you get a 12-volt toaster?
Whilst it may be technically possible to get a 12-volt toaster, electric toasters aren’t energy-efficient.
Unless you will be connected to the mains, it’s a good idea to get a camping toaster for gas or the open fire, and not electric.
Can you toast bread over an open fire?
Yes, you can. Just poke a marshmallow stick or skewer (not made from wood) through the bread and hold it over the flames, turning regularly.
Can you make toast in a pan?
You can put bread into a hot, dry pan and turn occasionally to make something very close to toast. It won’t be as crispy as if you used a proper camping toaster, but it will do fine in a pinch!
Conclusion
There are several great options when it comes to toasters for a camping trip. I recommend that you get a simple gadget like the GuoHaw Folding Campstove Toaster because it is lightweight, affordable, and effective.
My Budget Pick, the Coghlans Camping Toaster, is very similar to the GuoHaw model. It is affordable and effective, but it probably won’t last as long.
Although both the GuoHaw and Coghlans Camping Toaster are lightweight and compact, they wouldn’t be your best choice for a thru-hike or backpacking adventure. If you need to keep your pack weight down, you should go for the GSI Collapsible Toaster instead.
I hope you found this article helpful and are able to find the best camping toaster for your needs and I wish you many happy camping adventures!
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Rachel Horne
Rachel is a freelance adventure writer and founder of Highly Sensitive Nomad. When she isn’t writing, she can be found wild camping in the mountains and swimming in the lakes of Europe.
