Vango's Firestorm and Inferno stove ranges sit at the performance end of their camping cooking lineup — compact, powerful, and built for campers who need a reliable heat source in any conditions. Whether you're backpacking the South West Coast Path, heading out on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, or just want a lightweight stove that actually boils water quickly at a Cornish campsite, this guide covers every model we stock with real specs.

The Vango Firestorm Range

The Firestorm range is Vango's family of lightweight backpacking stoves — all designed to screw directly onto a standard EN417 threaded gas cartridge and pack down small. There are three models, each with a slightly different balance of weight, power, and features.

Vango Firestorm Compact Stove — £19.99

The lightest and most compact stove in the range — and one of the best value backpacking stoves we stock. At just 100 grams, the Firestorm Compact packs down to almost nothing and screws directly onto any EN417 cartridge. Despite its size, it delivers a serious 4.0kW of burner power — enough to boil 1 litre of water in 5 minutes 20 seconds (using windshield). The built-in stainless steel windshield is a genuinely useful feature on exposed Cornish campsites and clifftop pitches.

Specs: Weight 100g | Power 4.0kW | Boil time (1L) 5'20" | Burn time 48 min (230g) / 94 min (450g) | EN417 compatible

Best for: Backpackers, DofE participants, ultralight campers, and anyone who wants the smallest, lightest stove possible at a budget price.

Vango Firestorm Stove — £34.99

The standard Firestorm — a step up from the Compact in terms of stability and cooking platform. At 250g it's still very light, with the same 3.9kW burner power and a boil time of 6 minutes 15 seconds (with windshield). The key difference over the Compact is the wider folding legs, which give a more stable base for larger pots and pans. Folding pot stands can be flipped up to extend the cooking platform and are pre-angled to keep a wider range of pot sizes secure. DofE recommended.

Specs: Weight 250g | Power 3.9kW | Boil time (1L) 6'15" | Burn time 49 min (230g) | EN417 compatible | Includes storage bag

Best for: Backpackers and trekkers who want a more stable cooking platform than the Compact, and those on DofE expeditions.

Vango Firestorm Spark Stove — £39.99

The top of the Firestorm range — identical to the standard Firestorm in power and weight (275g, 3.9kW), but adds a built-in piezo ignition so you can light it without matches or a lighter. A small but genuinely useful feature in wet conditions — which are not uncommon on Cornwall's Atlantic-facing campsites. Also includes a small windshield on the burner for improved performance in coastal winds. DofE recommended.

Specs: Weight 275g | Power 3.9kW | Burn time 49 min (230g) | EN417 compatible | Piezo ignition | Windshield | Includes storage bag

Best for: Those who want the reliability of piezo ignition and don't want to carry matches — particularly useful for wet weather camping on the South West Coast Path and Bodmin Moor.

The Vango Inferno Single Cooker

Vango Inferno Single Cooker — £34.99

The Inferno is a different beast to the Firestorm range — it's a tabletop single-burner cooker rather than a cartridge-mount stove. Where the Firestorm models screw directly onto a gas cartridge, the Inferno sits on a flat surface and connects to an EN417 cartridge via a retractable braided PTFE hose. This gives it a much more stable cooking platform, making it better suited to campsite use where you have a table rather than backpacking where every gram counts.

The Inferno features a 2.4kW stainless steel burner, piezo ignition, a recessed drip tray to protect the flame, and a detachable stainless steel pot support that stores underneath the base when not in use. At 1.16kg it's not a backpacking stove, but it's a solid, practical choice for campsite cooking.

Specs: Weight 1.16kg | Power 2.4kW | EN417 compatible | Piezo ignition | Dimensions L25 x W27 x H8cm

Best for: Campsite cooking where stability matters more than weight — ideal for family tents, caravan awnings, and van life setups where a tabletop stove is more practical than a cartridge-mount model.

Firestorm vs Inferno — Which Should You Choose?

The choice comes down to how you're using it:

• Backpacking or DofE? Go for a Firestorm — the Compact if weight is everything, the Spark if you want piezo ignition, the standard Firestorm if you want the best stability-to-weight balance.
• Campsite cooking at a table? The Inferno is the better choice — more stable, easier to use, and the hose connection means you're not balancing a pot on top of a gas cartridge.
• Exposed or wet conditions? The Firestorm Spark's piezo ignition and the Compact's built-in windshield both help in coastal and wet conditions. The Inferno's recessed drip tray also offers some flame protection.

Gas Cartridge Guide

All four stoves are compatible with standard EN417 threaded cartridges — the most widely available format in the UK. Key sizes:

• 230g cartridge — gives approximately 49 minutes burn time on the Firestorm at full power. Good for weekend trips.
• 450g cartridge — gives approximately 94 minutes on the Firestorm Compact. Better value for longer trips.

We stock EN417 cartridges at our Newquay showroom. Stock up before you head out — availability at remote Cornish campsites and trailheads can be unpredictable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Vango Firestorm stoves suitable for DofE?

Yes — both the Vango Firestorm Stove and Firestorm Spark are DofE recommended. They meet the weight, safety, and performance requirements for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The Firestorm Compact is also a popular choice for DofE participants who want the lightest possible option.

What gas cartridge do Vango Firestorm stoves use?

All Vango Firestorm stoves use standard EN417 threaded cartridges — the same format used by most backpacking stoves. These are widely available at outdoor retailers and many campsites. We stock them at our Newquay showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ.

What's the difference between the Firestorm and Firestorm Spark?

The Firestorm Spark adds a built-in piezo ignition and a small burner windshield over the standard Firestorm. Both have the same 3.9kW burner and similar weight (250g vs 275g). The Spark costs £5 more — worth it if you want reliable ignition without matches, particularly in wet or windy conditions.

Can I use Vango stoves in Cornwall?

Yes — gas stoves are permitted on virtually all Cornwall campsites. The Firestorm Compact's built-in windshield and the Firestorm Spark's piezo ignition are both useful features for Cornwall's coastal conditions. We'd recommend carrying a lighter as backup on any trip, regardless of ignition type.

How long does a gas cartridge last on a Vango Firestorm?

At full power, a 230g EN417 cartridge gives approximately 49 minutes of burn time on the Firestorm and Firestorm Spark, and 48 minutes on the Firestorm Compact. In practice, most campers cook at lower power settings, so a single cartridge typically lasts a weekend trip of 2–3 days for one or two people.

Shop Vango Firestorm & Inferno at Newquay Camping Shop

We stock all four models — the Firestorm Compact, Firestorm, Firestorm Spark, and Inferno Single Cooker — at Newquay Camping Shop. Visit our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ, open Monday to Friday, or browse our full camping stoves range online. UK-wide delivery available.