The Vango Firestorm range covers three compact backpacking and camping stoves — all EN417 compatible, all lightweight, all built around a high-output burner. But they're not the same stove. The differences between the Firestorm Compact, the Firestorm, and the Firestorm Spark matter — especially if you're choosing based on weight, pack size, or ease of use.
Here's a clear comparison of all three, in stock now at Newquay Camping.
What's the Same Across All Three
- EN417 gas cartridge compatible — all three work with standard threaded butane/propane camping gas canisters.
- High-output burner — 3.9–4.0kW across the range.
- Precision flow control — adjust heat output for simmering or full power.
- Folding design — compact for packing, stable when in use.
- Pre-angled pot stands — secure a wide range of pot sizes.
- Soft storage bag included.
- Aluminium valve — keeps weight low.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Firestorm Compact | Firestorm | Firestorm Spark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £19.99 | £34.99 | £39.99 |
| Weight | 100g | 250g | 275g |
| Burner output | 4.0kW | 3.9kW | 3.9kW |
| 1L boil time | 5'20" | 6'15" | 6'15" |
| Windshield | Built-in stainless steel | No | Built-in |
| Ignition | Manual (match/lighter) | Manual (match/lighter) | Piezo push-button |
| Pack size | 6 x 10.5 x 6cm | 19 x 8 x 19cm | 19 x 8 x 19cm |
| DofE recommended | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Ultralight / backpacking | Hiking / DofE | Hiking / DofE / convenience |
The Vango Firestorm Compact — £19.99
The Firestorm Compact is the lightest and most packable option in the range — just 100g and 6 x 10.5 x 6cm folded. It screws directly onto an EN417 cartridge, so there's no separate base or legs to manage.
Despite its size, it delivers 4.0kW — actually slightly more than the larger stoves — and boils a litre in 5'20" using the built-in stainless steel windshield. That windshield is a key advantage over the standard Firestorm: it protects the flame in exposed conditions without needing to carry a separate accessory.
The trade-off is stability — being cartridge-mounted means it sits higher and can feel less secure with a heavy pan. Best used with smaller lightweight cookware.
Best for: Ultralight backpackers, wild campers, festival goers, anyone where every gram counts. Also ideal as a compact backup stove.
The Vango Firestorm Stove — £34.99
The Firestorm is the mid-range option — a freestanding stove with folding legs, a wider footprint, and pre-angled pot stands that handle a broader range of pan sizes more securely than a cartridge-mount design.
At 250g and 19 x 8 x 19cm it's still very packable, and the wider base makes it more stable for general camp cooking. DofE recommended — a mark of reliability and ease of use that matters if you're buying for a young person heading out on an expedition.
The one thing it doesn't have that the Compact does: a built-in windshield. On an exposed Cornish pitch in autumn, you'll want to position it carefully or add a separate windshield.
Best for: Hikers, DofE participants, campers who want a stable freestanding stove without the extra cost of the Spark.
The Vango Firestorm Spark — £39.99
The Firestorm Spark is the top of the Firestorm range — same freestanding design and 3.9kW output as the standard Firestorm, but with two important additions: a built-in piezo ignition and a windshield.
The piezo ignition means no matches or lighter required — just press and cook. That's a meaningful convenience difference at the end of a long day on the coastal path, or when conditions are wet. Combined with the windshield, the Spark is the most weather-capable and user-friendly stove in the range.
At £39.99 it's only £5 more than the standard Firestorm — making it excellent value for what you get. DofE recommended.
Best for: Hikers, DofE participants, backpackers who want the convenience of push-button ignition, and anyone camping in exposed or wet conditions.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Lightest possible, don't mind lighting with a match? — Firestorm Compact at £19.99
- DofE or hiking, want a stable freestanding stove? — Firestorm at £34.99
- Want piezo ignition and a windshield for £5 more? — Firestorm Spark at £39.99 (our recommendation)
All three are in stock at Newquay Camping. Not sure which is right for your trip? Call us on 01637 877619 or come in and we'll help you choose.
If you need a twin-burner stove for camp cooking rather than a backpacking stove, take a look at the Vango Blaze range guide or the Cadac Turbo FFD comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gas canisters do the Vango Firestorm stoves use?
All three stoves use standard EN417 threaded butane/propane gas canisters. We stock compatible cartridges including the Cadac 500g Threaded Cartridge in-store at Newquay Camping.
Are the Firestorm stoves suitable for DofE expeditions?
The Firestorm and Firestorm Spark are both DofE recommended. The Compact is not listed as DofE recommended.
What's the difference between the Firestorm and the Firestorm Spark?
Same stove, same 3.9kW output and freestanding design. The Spark adds a built-in piezo ignition (push-button, no matches needed) and a built-in windshield. At £5 more, it's worth it for most people.
Is the Firestorm Compact stable enough for camp cooking?
It screws directly onto the gas cartridge, which means it sits higher than a freestanding stove. It's best used with smaller, lighter cookware. For larger pots or general camp cooking, the freestanding Firestorm or Spark is more stable.
Where can I buy the Vango Firestorm range in Cornwall?
All three stoves are in stock at Newquay Camping. Browse the full stove range online or call 01637 877619.
