High Center
Adventurer
My MSR Pocket Rocket makes it to my list of favorite gear and my other list of most trusted gear...
Light, quick and simple: Like me.
Light, quick and simple: Like me.
Backpacking stoves?
- Thread starter OneTime
- Start date
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I've been wondering about this too. I'm going to be doing some canoe camping this year, so I need something more compact than my big giant 2 burner stove. But, we're a family of 4 so I think I need more than one of the minimalist setups. Of particular importance is the the tippiness of the stove, what with a 4 year old running around.
I have a compact Coleman propane burner already, something like this but an older model:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000004124&categoryid=2010&brand=
Overall, I'm happy with it. I get a long life out of the propane cylinder, and they're cheap. It's a little heavy though, for what it is. But, it held it's own on all the camping trips I did when I was younger. I could usually have water boiling by the time the liquid guys had finally got theirs preheated. And it simmers pretty well.
When I look at the "better" canister systems, I just don't get it. By the time you account for all the containers you have to carry, aren't they just as heavy as a liquid fuel system, or a single cheap propane cylinder? And those canisters are fairly expensive. So, what's the draw, what am I missing?
I kinda like these things:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=442-725&categoryid=2005&brand=
But we can't get that one in Canada, only this one, and I wonder what the difference is:
http://www.colemancanada.ca/Catalog/STOVES.NAPHTHA.en.products
I just really like the idea of being able to top up the fuel tank with a liquid stove, instead of always having to carry at least 2 canisters. One that's partially full that you're currently working on, of unknown capacity, and then another full one. And then probably another full one as a backup. I also think these might be more stable since the fuel container is fixed on the bottom.
I have a compact Coleman propane burner already, something like this but an older model:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000004124&categoryid=2010&brand=
Overall, I'm happy with it. I get a long life out of the propane cylinder, and they're cheap. It's a little heavy though, for what it is. But, it held it's own on all the camping trips I did when I was younger. I could usually have water boiling by the time the liquid guys had finally got theirs preheated. And it simmers pretty well.
When I look at the "better" canister systems, I just don't get it. By the time you account for all the containers you have to carry, aren't they just as heavy as a liquid fuel system, or a single cheap propane cylinder? And those canisters are fairly expensive. So, what's the draw, what am I missing?
I kinda like these things:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=442-725&categoryid=2005&brand=
But we can't get that one in Canada, only this one, and I wonder what the difference is:
http://www.colemancanada.ca/Catalog/STOVES.NAPHTHA.en.products
I just really like the idea of being able to top up the fuel tank with a liquid stove, instead of always having to carry at least 2 canisters. One that's partially full that you're currently working on, of unknown capacity, and then another full one. And then probably another full one as a backup. I also think these might be more stable since the fuel container is fixed on the bottom.
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
I use a MSR Dragonfly. Small, light, easy to service in the field, and burns pretty much anything. It's a little loud but it's a great little stove for backcountry trips. Some of the proprietary stoves like the jetboil are nice, but keep in mind that finding fuel for them will not always be easy. If you camp out of country, or in areas where there are no big chain outdoor shops around, a multi fuel stove is the way to go.
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You can't beat the penny (popcan) stove.
-It's lighter than anything you could possibly buy.
-It's free.
-They're extremely easy to make
-They work extremely well, and they're fun to use (even at high altitude)
-You can run them off everclear so extra fuel won't be wasted.
-You can also run them off denatured alcohol which you can find at pretty much any hardware store. (try finding a new little msr bottle at the little town by the trailhead)
-It's lighter than anything you could possibly buy.
-It's free.
-They're extremely easy to make
-They work extremely well, and they're fun to use (even at high altitude)
-You can run them off everclear so extra fuel won't be wasted.
-You can also run them off denatured alcohol which you can find at pretty much any hardware store. (try finding a new little msr bottle at the little town by the trailhead)
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I was looking at the Dragonfly on the weekend. Definitely the best of the compact stoves I looked at. I get the desire "ultralight", but some of the little bity stoves seemed unusable. Certainly not safe with little rugrats running around. The Dragonfly seemed much more stable at least. Seems like it gets great review, but how loud is it, really? I see the phrase "Like a jet plane" used a lot.
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Rallyroo
Expedition Leader
They do sound like a mini jet. Two of my friends have them. When they're using their Dragonfly, all I hear is the loud roar of the stove. Once their stove goes off, I sigh in relief, hey, I can actually hear. But the Dragonfly does have the advantage with the ability to simmer. My Whiperlite is quiet, but it basically operates at mid to full power with no simmer ability.
01tundra
Explorer
I've had a MSR PocketRocket for years and it's always done a great job, but ever since I got a Jetboil and started using the Backpacker's Pantry style food pouches the MSR has sat in my garage........
The Jetboil seems large at first glance, but considering that the stove and gas canister pack inside the cup, it's really a pretty compact set up overall. And boiling water comes with the quickness
.
The Jetboil seems large at first glance, but considering that the stove and gas canister pack inside the cup, it's really a pretty compact set up overall. And boiling water comes with the quickness
.
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
Have you used a coleman propane lantern on full blast before? My highly tuned ears want to say it's a little louder than one of those.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Yes, I have a propane lantern. Definitely loud, but not too bad. But if the stove is louder than that... wow. Somebody mentioned it's good at keeping the bears away. I guess there is that!
paulj
Expedition Leader
Esbit fuel tabs are also popular with ounce pinching backpackers. Here's a titanium 'stove' for Esbit
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/titanium-esbit-wing-stove.html
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/titanium-esbit-wing-stove.html