Coleman Triton+ vs Camp Chef Explorer: 22,000 or 60,000 BTU?
Both are two-burner propane stoves with push-button ignition and cast-style grates — the difference is how much burner you actually need. The Triton+ runs 22,000 BTU total (11,000 per side) at $149.99 and is the everyday family stove: it simmers without fluttering and fits a standard camp table. The Explorer doubles the output to 60,000 BTU (30,000 per side) across a 14 x 32-inch cooking surface at $127.99, which is the class you want for a full-size griddle, a stockpot for six, or base-camp cooking. Camp Chef Explorer vs Coleman Triton is the same question searched the other way — per-burner power versus everyday control.
Choose the Coleman Triton+ if
You cook family-sized meals (two pots at once), value a burner that actually simmers, and never boil anything bigger than a 4-quart pot.
$149.99 · 4.7★ · 21,000 ratings
See the Coleman Triton+ →Choose the Camp Chef Explorer if
You run a griddle, boil stockpots for a group, or cook for six or more — and you budget for a 20-lb tank, because 60,000 BTU wide open drains a 1-lb cylinder in about 40 minutes.
$127.99 · 4.7★ · 9,400 ratings
See the Camp Chef Explorer →Coleman Triton+ vs Camp Chef Explorer: side by side
| Spec | Coleman Triton+ | Camp Chef Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $127.99 |
| Rating | 4.7★ from 21,000 ratings | 4.7★ from 9,400 ratings |
| Category | Camp Stoves | Camp Stoves |
| Best for | Best for family camp cooking on a two-burner: 21,000 BTU total, simmer control, and push-button ignition | Best for serious two-burner camp cooking: 60,000 BTU across cast-iron grates that take a full-size griddle |
| One thing it does well | 22,000 total BTUs — the most powerful 2-burner in its price class | 60,000 total BTUs (30,000 per burner) — boils a big pot of water in minutes |
| One thing to know | Heavier than backpacking stoves (about 13 lb) — car camping only | Heavy and bulky — this is car-camp or base-camp gear, not backpacking |
| Who should buy it | Families of 4-6 cooking real meals, not just boiling water; Campers who want independent simmer control on each burner | Camp cooks who want restaurant-level heat for big cast iron; Group and scout-camp chefs feeding 8+ people at once |
Pros and cons, side by side
Coleman Triton+
Pros
- 22,000 total BTUs — the most powerful 2-burner in its price class
- InstaStart push-button ignition lights instantly, no matches needed
- Integrated wind guards keep flames steady in breezy conditions
- Removable chrome-plated grate makes post-trip cleanup easy
Cons
- Heavier than backpacking stoves (about 13 lb) — car camping only
- Runs on 1-lb propane cylinders; cold-weather cooking needs a fuel-management tip
- No built-in grill surface — you'll want a griddle for pancakes
Camp Chef Explorer
Pros
- 60,000 total BTUs (30,000 per burner) — boils a big pot of water in minutes
- Huge 14 x 32-inch cooking surface fits a skillet and stockpot side by side
- Cast-aluminum burners resist corrosion and last for years outdoors
- Runs on standard bulk propane tanks — no 1-lb cylinder swapping
Cons
- Heavy and bulky — this is car-camp or base-camp gear, not backpacking
- Best used on a table or camp stand; it is a cooktop, not a self-contained unit
- Overkill for a couple's weekend — shines when cooking for 4+ people
What the numbers say
The Coleman Triton+ lists at $149.99 and the Camp Chef Explorer at $127.99 — Camp Chef Explorer is the cheaper of the two by $22.00. The Coleman Triton+ carries the larger review base (21,000 ratings at 4.7★ vs 9,400 at 4.7★), which usually means the failure modes are better documented. Price and ratings are read from the TrailMapz catalog and refreshed on every deploy — check the product pages for today's numbers before you buy.
The verdict
Neither product wins outright — the trip decides. Pick the Coleman Triton+ if this is your trip: You cook family-sized meals (two pots at once), value a burner that actually simmers, and never boil anything bigger than a 4-quart pot. Pick the Camp Chef Explorer instead if this is your trip: You run a griddle, boil stockpots for a group, or cook for six or more — and you budget for a 20-lb tank, because 60,000 BTU wide open drains a 1-lb cylinder in about 40 minutes. Read the two lists against the trip you are actually taking, not the one in the marketing photos, and the decision usually makes itself.
Shopping the whole category? best camp stoves guide put every pick in the category in context, and the side-by-side compare tool lets you put any two products in the catalog next to each other.
More head-to-head comparisons
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