What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £80 (~$107) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £68 (~$91) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £52 (~$69) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £36 (~$48) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £20 (~$27) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Getting it home — large gym equipment is a collection sale and usually needs two people and a van. On boards and hulls, water ingress that has already softened the core.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a camping stove is worth what is being asked:
- Blocked jets producing a yellow, uneven flame
- Perished seals, a genuine safety concern
- Discontinued proprietary fuel canisters
- Corroded fuel lines
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Multi-fuel and widely available fuel types
- Clean jets producing an even blue flame
- Intact seals and O-rings
- Recognised outdoor brands with spares
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit premium racquets and golf clubs exist and typically show in the serial markings and the finish quality on the head.
Ask for the weight and dimensions before agreeing collection. On boards, ask the seller to tap along the deck and say whether the tone changes.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a camping stove, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Name it precisely. Screw-thread, pierceable and clip-on canisters are different systems and the wrong one simply will not attach.
Say no, and explain that canisters cannot be posted. Buyers understand and it saves an exchange.
Flex it and check the ends. A perished gas hose is a genuine hazard and replacements are inexpensive.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Light it and check for an even blue flame
- Inspect the seals and O-rings for perishing
- Confirm the fuel type is still widely sold
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The stove set up, whole
- The burner lit, showing an even flame
- The connection fitting close up
- Any case, windshield or accessories, plus the hose and any damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Number of burners and output
- Fuel type and exact connection fitting
- Whether a hose, regulator, windshield or case are included
- Packed size and weight, and that it has been tested lit
Live camping stove listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse sports & outdoors for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
April to August is the window, peaking before summer holidays. Compact backpacking stoves sell steadily to walkers.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a camping stove sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell camping stove for what to photograph and how to price, or what camping stove is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used camping stove?
Around £10 to £52 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a camping stove before buying?
Ask for the weight and dimensions before agreeing collection. On boards, ask the seller to tap along the deck and say whether the tone changes.
Is buying a camping stove second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Getting it home — large gym equipment is a collection sale and usually needs two people and a van. On boards and hulls, water ingress that has already softened the core.
See also: all buying guides · camping stove value guide · selling camping stove · Sports & Outdoors · condition grades.