What's your favorite backpacking stove?

[Colo4x4XJ]

An MSR micro rocket found its way into my pack this year along with Ti cup and kettle but I haven't put it through enough abuse to comment on how I like it. Boils water super quick and fits in the palm of your hand. Jetboil PCS was my main staple before I got the MSR for solo trips, the Jetboil Helios for group and an MSR XGK for ski mountaineering. I like em all!

 

[CrzyTrekker]

MSR Reactor 1L. Simple to use, durable, extremely fast, relatively quiet, cool lid.

I carried the Reactor this year on light-and-fast summer scouting/fishing trips and muzzleloader hunts. I left the Reactor at home in October during the rifle season. When the days get short and the temps go down I am a fan of the Kifaru wood stove.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I really like my jetboil sol. I only use a stove for boiling water to add to mountain houses and the fast boil time is what sold me.

 

[Kevin_t]

In the summer for short trips a little alcohol stove. Late fall or winter MSR Reactor. The Reactor flat out works, especially for turning snow into water. Next year, I may just run a little wood burner instead of the alcohol. It's lighter to carry a good fire kit than fuel.

 

[Renoit24]

Been using an Optimus crux lite for 2 seasons now. Very lightweight about 2.5 ounces. No problems thus far

 

[DEW]

Jet boil......

 

[Wood Trekker]

I use a Kovea Spider. It's a remote canister stove, and allows for inverted canister use for liquid fuel, which allows it to work well in cold weather. It weighs 6 oz.

 

[Andy Dana]

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I have both a Jetboil Zip & Pocket Rocket. I've been using the JB more & more because it heats water faster and I like how it packs down.
I now keep the PR & extra fuel canisters in my truck for the meat runs. It's nice to get to the truck and have a warm meal and a couple cold ones.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Vance in AK]

My Whisperlite has earned my trust with 20ish years of utter dependability, but the Jetboil has been what's in the pack 90+% of the time the last couple of years.
I bought the Zip originally & added the Sumo cup for trips where I have someone I am sharing a meal with or am camping out of the truck. The complete Zip with small fuel canister inside (and coffee press stashed with Light My Fire Scout firesteel in base cup) fits in the Sumo cup nicely.

 

[LitenFast]

I own a MSR whisperlite, MSR wind pro and a Snow peak Litemax. The litemax gets the most use at about 2oz as I have a hard time justifying any more weight into my pack and it boils water plenty fast for me. I like throwing it inside my ti mug for quick day trips also for a hot drink to warm up. Both the others work great, the wind pro is awesome with the windscreen, but I have always been able to come up with some way to protect the litemax at a 1/4 the weight. The Whisperlite isn't going anywhere as its my dedicated winter camping stove.

 

[Kevin Root]

Couple seasons on a Jetboil TI. Only thing I don't care much for is the lid. I store the stove in a ziplock bag in case I don't want to store it upright and have the lid fall off and have the parts all fall out. Other than that it is the best backpack stove I've used.

 

[TheRambler]

To get a truly accurate poll the categories need to be much broader, and let the individual models be in the comments or a seperate poll.
Categories should be something like: Canister, white gas, alcohol, wood burning, other. There are just so many models of stoves that a poll with them by name is going to be skewed because all other options arn't present. Just my opinion.

For example i own none listed in the poll. But have lots of stoves.

 

[Aron Snyder]

To get a truly accurate poll the categories need to be much broader, and let the individual models be in the comments or a seperate poll.
Categories should be something like: Canister, white gas, alcohol, wood burning, other. There are just so many models of stoves that a poll with them by name is going to be skewed because all other options arn't present. Just my opinion.

For example i own none listed in the poll. But have lots of stoves.

I know this sounds crazy, but you could post what stoves YOU DO have in the same place you left your comment.

I tried to list the most popular stoves on the market, but as you've read, people can list what they like in the thread (many have done this already).

I'll try and do better on the next poll.

Thank you for your opinion.

 

[Vance in AK]

One thing I do to protect the inside of my JetBoil cup from scratches when packing the fuel canister, stove, etc inside is use a ladies knee high stocking as a liner for packing. doesn't add any weight or take up any space. Didn't want to loose the non-stick surface.

 

[Aron Snyder]

One thing I do to protect the inside of my JetBoil cup from scratches when packing the fuel canister, stove, etc inside is use a ladies knee high stocking as a liner for packing. doesn't add any weight or take up any space. Didn't want to loose the non-stick surface.

Damn good advice!

I do the same thing on the reactor.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Yes, good tip Vance. I don't pack mine as they recommend, instead I pack it with the stand in bottom, pan adapter up, fuel can upside down, and burner upside down over fuel can. Seems to fit well w/ minimum rubbing of rough parts on non-stick surface.
I also modified (sew) a small stuff sack to fit the set perfectly, keeps lid on and everything tidy.
Hunt'nFish

 

[TheRambler]

I use the Firefly stove by Qiwiz, and a small companion alcohol stove from zelph stoveworks. I rely on woodburning about 95% of the time but do carry a couple oz of alcohol for the quick morning coffee or hot drink in the field.

The only time i dont use the above setup is in the true heart of winter, when i will use my msr xgk ex stove.(liquid fuel)

 

[Darren Best]

I have been using the Trangia 25 and 27, depending on how many were with me. The weight isn't so much of a problem as how bulky they are.

I am going to experiment with a couple of systems and find something more compact but with the same reliability.

 

[cmeier117]

I couldn't really vote as I have a sol TI and just melted the flux ring off of it with less than 15 boils. I want to try the reactor. I do have a SOTO ODR-1 with a GSI Minalist cup which has worked for 2 years and is a great stove. But I would think twice about the JB TI.