Coleman FyreCommander™ 3-IN-1 Stove review

Coleman FyreCommander™ 3-IN-1 Stove

Editor: Cory McLaughlin

Just the Facts:
Conveniently serve up a family feast in no time with the Coleman® FyreCommander™ 3-IN-1 Propane Stove. Each 12,000-BTU burner utilizes our revolutionary HyperFlame® technology, which provides an even heat distribution across the pan and better wind resistance to cut boiling time in half when compared to a standard burner in 3 m/sec wind. Wind Block™ pan supports also provide 360° of wind protection and eliminate the need for side panels so you can use up to a 12-in. and 10-in. pan at the same time. It comes with two Swaptop™ compatible grill grates, which can be changed out with the included pan supports or a griddle (sold separately) to expand your meal options. The grill grates each incorporate a DripTrap™ water pan that catches grease for easy cleaning in the dishwasher. The sturdy telescoping legs let you adjust the stove height to cook comfortably anywhere you go, while the dual side tables and fabric shelf, make cooking more convenient than ever. When you’re ready to cook, just hit the Instastart™ push-button ignition and dial in your heat with the two independently adjustable burners. The PerfectFlow™ pressure control technology produces a steady fuel stream and consistent burner performance in all kinds of weather. When you’re done cooking, the built-in soft-touch handle and latching lid make for easy carrying back home until you’re ready to create your next camping culinary masterpiece.
• HyperFlame® burners use a stair-stepping design and added flame holes for faster, more even cooking
• Boil water twice as fast as standard burners outdoors in a 3 m/sec. wind
• Wind Block™ pan supports offer 360° wind protection and fit larger pans
• Swaptop™ interchangeable cooktops for more meal options (2 grill grates included, griddles sold separately)
• Instastart™ ignition for push-button, matchless lighting
• PerfectFlow™ technology provides consistent performance, even in extreme conditions
• DripTrap™ water pan catches grease for easy cleaning in the dishwasher
• Sturdy telescoping legs let you adjust the height to cook comfortably anywhere you go
• Convenient side tables and fabric shelf for easy use
• 24,000 total BTUs of cooking power
• Fits a 12-in. and 10-in. pan at the same time
• Spacious 200 sq. in. cooking area when using both grill grates
• 2 independently adjustable burners give you precise control for 2 temperature zones
• Soft-touch handle and secure latch system for easy, comfortable carrying
• Lasts up to 1 hour with both burners on high on one 16.4-oz. propane cylinder (sold separately)
• Perfect for camping, hunting, tailgating and other outdoor occasions
• 3-year limited warranty

My Story:
The time is here! The time to get outdoors and get some fresh air. The time to get out and enjoy the smells of the forest, lakes, rivers, and just about anywhere out of the living room. When we travel from home we get to change our priorities. All the troubles of the office and the needs of our busy life are left behind. One thing that we cannot escape however is the need for sustenance. We need to eat no matter where we are and what we are doing. Sure, you could plan a trip and only eat out at restaurants and diners. You could even bring cold snacks. For those of you who want to survive on PB&J’s for days on end I salute your commitment to the bland and boring. What if you want to have a real feast but you are miles from anywhere and craving a hot meal? What if you are sick of PB&J and need some bacon and eggs? Well my fiends Coleman has you covered with the FyreCommander 3 in 1 Stove.
There is something about a hearty meal that is cooked on a stove in the open air that just makes it taste better. Long have we as outdoor enthusiasts been searching for the best outdoor cook stove. If you are like me you have tried more models that you can count in a attempt to find the perfect fit for your camp. Sure there are more robust stoves out there that can really push out the BTU’s but what you gain in one area you lose in another. Those stoves are big, heavy, and inconvenient for most weekend trips. The FyreCommander is a stand-alone stove that will give you the ability to cook almost any meal and can fold up to be not much larger than grandpa’s old green white gas stove. So what you get is a big addition in a somewhat small package.

The portability and easy storage are just the beginning of the story for this great cook station. As I’m sure you can see this stove could be set on top of any table and work just fine. For those of you who have spent any time away from maintained campsites you will know that tables are a nicety that cannot always be enjoyed. So the FyreCommander 3 in 1 stepped up its game by coming equipped with 4 telescoping legs.

When you add the wing style table surface on both sides and the sturdy fabric shelf the need for a table is void. The FyreCommander 3 in 1 is a self-contained cooking machine! So, what else could a person want?
I have used more outdoor stoves than I can even remember. With all my experience there is one thing that I always have an issue with. Fuel! LPG is readily available in nearly every corner of the country. The problem comes when you can’t find it in the configuration of your particular stove. For example: If you have a stove that runs on a large 5 gallon tank the small 1 quart propane canisters are useless. The same is true the in reverse situation. I would have loved to see Coleman add the conversion hose to this stove giving it the versatility to run either fuel. That said I do like the simplicity of the small 1 quart fuel canister and the space saving virtues of such a system are fantastic for car camping.
Inside the stove you will find that it has a lot going on. This not your typical two burner stove, not by a long shot. This baby is set up to boil coffee and grill a steak at the same time. What’s more is that it can do this without the mess that plagues other stoves.

The Swaptop top grill box is unique to each burner and can be removed if desired. It has its own grease or dripping catch that is separate from the stove body and the other burner. This means that you will have a much easier time keeping the stove clean. I would like to point out that conceptually this is a great idea but I have concerns about the grills and the coating. The grill coating is black powder coat style that has a high sheen gloss look. I found that they can be difficult to clean once food had burnt on them. Additionally the metal that is used for the gill boxes seems to be very weak and does not allow for even heating.
The last item I would like to shed light on is the Hyperflame burners and the WindBlock protection pan. The combination of these two technologies allows for a great cooking experience. The Hyperflame burners are fantastic and the enhanced flow creates the perfect flame for even heat and fast cook times. The Instastart matchless ignition system is flawless. Coleman really put some time into the burner design and it shows. With 24,000 BTU’s you are sure to have enough power to cook anything.
I used this stove for backyard cookouts and family camping trips and I really did enjoy it. I found that while the grill boxes are a nice idea I personally will not be using them unless absolutely necessary. The FyreCommander 3 in 1 is a great all-in-one cook station for car camping, tailgating, and even backyard BBQ’s. I don’t think this is a great fit for large camps with a need for high volumes of food. It will remain in my gear inventory and I have no doubt that it will continue to help me put smiles on the faces of my hungry family. The Coleman name is common place in the campgrounds of American and rightly so. The Coleman FyreCommander 3 in 1 Stove is yet another great product from a company who clearly loves the outdoors.

Find it Here:
http://www.coleman.com/product/fyrecommander-3-in-1-stove/2000017466?contextCategory=colemansignature#.VvxCicL2bcs

What can be done better?
As stated above I would have like to see the fuel adapter so this stove could connect to the larger LPG tanks. I would also like to see a better coating on the grill surface as I found it to be a bit hard to clean. With a price point of $249 I think they could make these improvements without taking much of a loss. It is my job to test gear and be very critical. As such I spend considerable time searching out both the good and the bad. I would be remiss not to mention both positive and negative findings on any product. That said I truly feel that this is a great stove for the weekend family camper or tailgater.
I give the Coleman FyreCommander 3 in 1 Stove 4 stars.