What's your favorite backpacking stove?

[7mag.]

There is no poll option for my stove, it must not be very popular. I use a Brunton Raptor. It isn't as fast or efficient as a JetBoil, but it is tiny and very light. I have been using it for about 7 years, and it has never let me down. Even the ignitor still works.

 

[chorpie]

I've had a Primus Alpine Titanium stove since (maybe 2000?). Weighs 3 oz. That's my favorite.

My most used is my original Jetboil, although I just picked up a Primus Omnilite Ti so I might try that on my next trip.

 

[stephen b]

MSR pocket rocket got my vote of the few stoves that are my go to- because it flat out works for me and has not let me down.

For simple and fast I do like my Esbit for 2-3 days. Nothing lighter for that time and I get pretty good performance with my homemade wind screen and mindful of where I use it . (Of course good is all relative- but if you can be OK with slow and steady, then it is good ). But, for what I use it for on short trips and 2- 3 boils a day, it works.

I also use some old reliable WG stoves that I often take when conditions call for it. A MSR Whisperlite; and one that I have used for years and really like it- a Optimus
SVEA 123. That little work horse has been simple and never has let me down.

Lots of choices out there- and a number of fuel sources. Of course good old wood works; what a novice concept.

I stayed clear of the JB since they have been out. Do not know why, but they did not catch my attention and I thought that they did not seem real durable. Do not know why I thought it, it was just a hunch. And now I have read about all kinds of issues that people have had with them. And they seem to come out with a new and improved?? model every year.

If I was to get another canister stove, it would be MSR product; and quite likely a Reactor. But for now, and my needs, what I have works and has not failed me yet.

 

[sojourner]

I've been more than happy with my Optimus Crux Lite. Super light at 2.54 ounces a ~3 minute boil time.

 

[rodney482]

Sol Ti

fast and uses little fuel

 

[Aron Snyder]

It's a quick and easy place for viewers to see what most are using and why.

So instead of digging through all of the different threads on equipment (although they still can and will if needed), they can just read through these threads.

What are you thinking? I'm open for ideas.....

I voted Soto OD-1R because I have found it the best of the half dozen or so canister stoves I've used in the areas of cold weather use and flame control. In side by side testing this spring it even beat an inverted canister WindPro on cold mornings (15 F) by a significant margin. What I don't care for is the goofy way the pot holders work. My least favorite in that way.

My actual favorite stove is a mid 90's era MSR XGK II, but that isn't on your list. Super reliable, runs on anything liquid, and works in the crummiest of weather. The drawbacks are the weight and bulk, which causes me to choose a canister for summer trips anymore. Still like the old MSR though.

Aaron, do you have an end purpose in mind for all these polls?

Yk

 

[bbrown]

Started out with a MSR Whisperlite - great stove just bulky and priming can be a pain and a bit sketchy. Then to a MSR Pocket Rocket but that was a buddies and he wanted it back. Finally ended up with Snowpeak Giga and coupled that with the GSI Halulite minimalist kit and I have a compact little kitchen kit that weighs less than a pound with a full fuel canister, stove, pot, spork, spices/ lid and cozy. Has been going strong for 3-4 years now.

I have looked into picking up the JetBoil but can never justify the size and weight penalty.

 

[afteamroper]

This is my stove and it has worked well for me, PRIMUS ETA PACKLITE STOVE WITH 1.2L POT/COLANDER, the reason I got this one is it was on Camofire and looked great. It has a wind screen and bowl to eat out of. The only complaint is it is a little big for coffee or something like that. I have been with friends in the backcountry and they were running pocket rockets and were jealous of how fast I was eating while they were still boiling.

 

[Brock A]

JetBoil SOL for me. I used a pocket rocket for 5 years and loved it. Saw a buddy boil in about 1/2 the time I could on a camping trip with the JetBoil and thought Id give it a try. Glad I switched!

 

[hammer0419]

I now use a 1L MSR Reactor. Switched from a Jetboil Sol. The msr is bigger and heavier but I like everything about it more. No more burning hot cup to grab. I also prefer how it just sits on the burner.

 

[colonel00]

I voted for Jetboil but in reality I have been using the Primus ETA Solo. Essentially the same as a Jetboil though but cheaper and from what I understand, Primus originally manufactured Jetboils stuff. My main gripes with it are that it sometimes doesn't like to light right away and with a fuel canister inside, the lid puts a bit of pressure on the igniter on top of the stove when packed. I just fear this will eventually cause damage. Other than that, it is a great setup. It also comes with the hear to hang it while cooking but I have never used it this way or found a reason that I needed to hang it.

 

[Lawnboi]

It's good to see I'm not the only one who likes liquid fuel. I was actually considering getting one of the new lighter weight msr whisperlite stoves instead of the reactor when my rei bucks come in

 

[Huntr]

I used the MSR Whisperlite for a few years until I picked up a Pocket Rocket. Haven't touched my Whisperlite since and even though I was impressed with my guides Jetboil on my sheep hunt, I will stick with the pocket rocket for now.

 

[Buckman]

No option for me, I use a Brunton Raptor like 7mag. It has worked every time I needed it to. And yes the igniter still works too. Wind does bother it some. I did find a MSR Reactor for half off so pick that up but have not used it yet.

 

[Wrongside]

Soto OD w/ small Ti pot for most everything. I tolerate my Whisperlite, only for the really cold stuff. Before that I loved my old Primus Himalaya. Tough, but heavy. It finally quit working and I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what it needed so it was removed from service. Still, I'd really like to try the new Ti version of the Himalaya for a new liquid fuel option...

We have a couple of old Pocket Rockets kicking around here too. They are my kids stoves now. As long as it's not real cold, they are great little stoves for the money!

 

[todd kelly]

Love my Primus stove. I've had it for 12 years and it works just fine.


One thing I would like to see in a stove review that I have not seen, is testing done on how much fuel a stove uses. I could care less if a stove takes 4 minuets longer to boil water than the next one if it uses half the fuel. Time is something I have plenty of during a hunt, but having to only carry one canister of fuel instead of two is what I really care about.

 

[Bearhunter]

For Sheer Minimalist type packing I love my Pocket Rocket, but do have a hard time leaving my TI Jetboil behind

 

[Shrek]

I'm using a Primus ETA express and very happy with it. It's big enough to boil 4 cups of water for coffee and a mountain house and does it in less time than it takes to get the mountain house out and open and the coffee mixings set. It all fits in one of the back pockets on my T1. I have the older model with a frying pan lid but I've never cooked anything in the lid...yet.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

JB suits me, seems faster, easier and hasn't been an issue at elevation for me yet.

 

[T43]

Another Jetboil SOL vote. Just finished 3 years with no problem.