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. 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. 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 — 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 tabletop single-burner cooker rather than a cartridge-mount stove. It connects to an EN417 cartridge via a retractable braided PTFE hose, giving a much more stable cooking platform — better suited to campsite use where you have a table. Features a 2.4kW stainless steel burner, piezo ignition, recessed drip tray, and detachable pot support. At 1.16kg it's not a backpacking stove, but it's solid and practical 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.

Firestorm vs Inferno — Which Should You Choose?

• Backpacking or DofE? Go for a Firestorm — the Compact if weight is everything, the Spark if you want piezo ignition, the standard Firestorm for 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.

Gas Cartridge Guide

All four stoves are compatible with standard EN417 threaded cartridges — the most widely available format in the UK. We stock Go System EN417 cartridges at our Newquay showroom, including the Go System 220g cartridge, the Go System 445g cartridge, and the Go System 4-pack (220g) — great value for longer trips or groups.

• 230g / 220g cartridge — gives approximately 49 minutes burn time on the Firestorm at full power. Good for weekend trips.
• 445g / 450g cartridge — gives approximately 94 minutes on the Firestorm Compact. Better value for longer trips.
• 4-pack — the most economical option if you camp regularly or are kitting out a group for DofE.

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. 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. We stock the Go System 220g and Go System 445g cartridges at our Newquay showroom.

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. The Spark costs £5 more — worth it if you want reliable ignition without matches 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.

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

At full power, a 230g EN417 cartridge gives approximately 49 minutes on the Firestorm and Spark, and 48 minutes on the Compact. In practice most campers cook at lower power, so a single cartridge typically lasts a weekend trip 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 — along with Go System gas cartridges. 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.