>>2720548Propane stoves are niche tools for more specific circumstances. Say you're hiking in a region with now wood, or if you're train hopping and can't afford to have any smoke while you cook your food. Propane stoves excel here.
However, if you're in the Appalachian mountains, odds are neither of those circumstances apply. Now you have to lug around extra weight (that remains as bulky weight even when the fuel runs out) despite having plenty of wood and no worries regarding fires. The only argument you can make for bringing the stove is if you find yourself in one of those week long rain storms, but this is the modern day where we have butane lighters and weatherproof matches. Any man should be able to start a fire in the rain and wind in a few minutes.
Pros
>Fire on demand>No smokeCons
>Bulky>Weighs several pounds, and you have to carry it even when you're out of fuelPersonally, I recommend something like pic related for a forest hike. It weighs less than a pound, takes up as much space as a single sock when folded, and basically has the same advantages as the propane stove. Cheaper too. I can cook a can of soup on this with a single branch since it burns small twigs, and directs all the heat upwards. Hell, if you're a lazy bastard like me, and you find yourself in a freak week long rain storm, you can still get a rip roaring fire going with this foldable stove, and a few squirts of a pocket sized lighter fluid can.
Tl;Dr: propane stoves are only good when you literally can't have a fire in any other manner.
