Coleman Matchlight 2-Burner Propane Stove Review

Overview

The Coleman Matchlight is the briefcase-style propane stove that has sat on picnic tables for decades: two 10,000 BTU burners, a steel body, fold-up wind panels and a match-lit flame. It is built for campgrounds, tailgates and power outages, not for carrying. At 4,558 g, the stove alone weighs about what many ultralight hikers allow for their entire base weight, so its appeal is raw cooking capacity at a low price, not portability.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	4,558 g (about 10 lb)
Burners	2, independently adjustable
Output	10,000 BTU per burner, 20,000 BTU total
Fuel	Propane (16.4 oz cylinders; 20 lb tanks with a separate hose and adapter)
Burn time, both on high	About 1.1 hours per 16.4 oz cylinder
Burn time, both on low	About 4.5 hours per 16.4 oz cylinder
Ignition	Match or lighter (no push-button igniter)
Regulator	High-pressure, for constant output in cold or wet weather
Cooktop	Aluminized or nickel-chrome steel with a removable nickel-chrome-plated grate
Footprint	Roughly 22 x 13.75 x 4.1 in (case closed, about 4 in thick)
Pan capacity	A 12 in and a 10 in pan at the same time

Performance

Heat output. Twenty thousand BTU across two burners is a lot of firepower, and owners treat it that way. Fry pans, a coffee pot and a pasta kettle can all run at once, and the cooktop is wide enough for two big skillets, a 12-inch and a 10-inch. That is the whole argument for a stove like this: it cooks like a kitchen range for a group, which no canister-top stove can match.

Fuel life. The numbers are modest. A single 16.4 oz cylinder lasts about 1.1 hours with both burners on high, and up to 4.5 hours with both on low. Weekend campers will go through a few cylinders. Anyone cooking for days will want the 5-foot hose and adapter, sold separately, so the stove can run off a refillable 20 lb tank.

Wind and weather. The high-pressure regulator holds output steady as the cylinder cools or empties, which is where unregulated stoves fade. The fold-up wind panels do the rest, and reviewers describe the stove as dependable on blustery campsites. One long-time Coleman owner noted that the wind guards on this version are thinner than on older white-gas models and wondered how they would hold up to being knocked around. The all-metal construction otherwise earns steady praise for durability. Several buyers report replacing a Coleman stove that lasted 30 to 40 years.

Flame control. This is the stove’s recurring weak spot. Both shoppers on Coleman’s site and buyers on Walmart report that the valves go from off to strong flame within a small part of a turn, which makes true simmering fiddly. Anyone planning delicate sauces or slow-cooked dishes will spend time nudging the knobs. Boiling, frying and griddling are easier.

Setup and cleanup. There is no built-in igniter, so a lighter or match is part of the kit. Otherwise, setup is open the case, connect a cylinder and light. The removable grate and the spill-catching steel cooktop wipe down quickly, which reviewers mention often. On Walmart, the stove averages 4.6 out of 5 across more than 4,000 ratings, with 81 percent giving five stars.

Carrying. The case folds into a flat suitcase shape that fits a trunk or a closet shelf easily. It does not fit in a backpack in any useful way. It measures about 22 inches long and weighs over 10 lb before a single cylinder is attached.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Two 10,000 BTU burners cook full meals for groups
• Regulated output stays steady in cold and wind
• Fits a 12 in and a 10 in pan side by side
• Sturdy all-metal build that owners keep for decades
• Removable grate and a wipeable cooktop
• Priced around $69 at Walmart, well below most multi-burner stoves

Cons

• 4,558 g with no backpacking use case
• Burners are touchy at low settings, so simmering is difficult
• Only about 1.1 hours of high heat per 16.4 oz cylinder
• No push-button ignition, so a lighter is required
• Wind panels are thinner than on older Coleman models

Who Should Buy This

This stove suits car campers, tailgaters, hunting camps, families with a picnic-table kitchen, and anyone who wants emergency cooking for a power outage. It is also a good fit for large groups where two big pans need to run at once. Backpackers, bikepackers and thru-hikers should look elsewhere. The stove’s weight and bulk rule it out, and a canister stove or alcohol stove will do the job for a small fraction of the weight. Anyone who cooks delicate food and wants fine low-heat control should also consider a higher-end two-burner.

Verdict

The Coleman Matchlight is a proven, affordable camp kitchen centerpiece. It delivers real heat, handles wind well and tends to outlast its owners’ expectations. For the ultralight crowd it is the wrong tool, and the finicky low flame keeps it from being a standout even in the car-camping category.