Anyone got any experience with any of the portable/backpacker camp stoves?
I’m currently looking at the:
Jetboil:
http://www.jetboil.com/products/cookingsystems/personalcookingsystem
MSR:
http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/fastandlight.asp
I’m trying to keep the B.O.B. as lightweight as possible, so off the bat I’m ruling out the Coleman stoves.
I’d suggest the MSR Wisperlight International or their XGK.
I’ve used both of the above quite a bit. The wisperlight is a tried and true design, lightweight, and easy to use. The International has different jets so you can run white gas or light fuels, and lets you run diesel, JP-5/8, kerosene, or about anything that burns.
The XGK is heavier duty, but mechanically about the same.
I’ve used a few of the models like you linked. They are nice, but are much taller, a little harder to insulate the flame area from wind, and easier to knock over. The others are a flatter design, and both need a decent base to put the stove on.
Just a few things to consider. Plus the shape of the longer MSR fuel bottles fit into more things easier. Make sure to get the repair kit for the stoves.
I have not used a Jetboil.
I have an original model MSR XGK, that is about 30 years old. It’s been all over the planet. I have used it at over 18,000 feet. It’s been rebuilt either three or four times, using the factory-supplied maintenance kit. After 4-5 years, you need to replace the o-rings on it. That and the leather cup on the pump are all I have ever done. It has never let me down, and has probably saved lives, by helping treat hypothermia in several instances.
I think I paid $70 for it sometime in the late 1970’s. UVvis is correct, the repair kit is a very good investment. Read the repair manual, mine is something like 40 pages long.
It will burn just about anything, including Wild Turkey if you switch the Sigg bottles by accident in the dark. Made for a rather foul-tasting cocktail hour later on… :eek:
Buy once, cry once when it comes to survival gear. For me, that’s rifles, pistols, stoves, ropes, sleeping bags, etc.
I have the JetBoil. Supposedly it doesn’t do well for higher altitudes but that’s not the focus of this forum. It’s an outstanding piece of gear, dead simple, easy to use, and always lights for me. It’s all self contained including the cup you can cook in so it’s ideal for your BOB.
I also have the MSR Whisperlight International. There is a lot more flexibity with fuel and its still a light combination.
One other issue with the canister stoves is there is no way to tell how much fuel you have left in the canister. I did have a canister once where the internal valve didn’t close after taking it off the stove. The MSR fuel bottles can be topped off anytime so you know they are full (and you didn’t waste any money). I have used gasoline in my stove, its dirtier than white gas but it works.
MSR Whisperlight INt’l is a great stove. Field serviceable, lights well, multi-fuel capable, burns HOT, and if you are VERY careful you can dial down the flow of fuel, and sorta simmer on it. But it takes practice. HOwever the term Whisper, is sort of a joke…it is LOUD!
The MSR Dragonfly is a little quieter, and really does have a controlled simmer. I can’t remember if it is multi-fuel or not. It is field serviceable. I think it is a little smaller than the Whisperlite, but doesn’t strike me as quite as robust.
Also, MSR has fantastic customer service.
Thanks for the advice.
If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, redundancy is mine.
Do these stoves self-ignite, or is an external source required? I’d like something that self-ignites, as it would cut down on the use of my “fire makin’” supplies. That being said, if it self ignites, I’d like to also be able to use “fire makin’” supplies to get it going, in the event that the ignition source fails.
The goal of the stove, for me, is to serve as an alternative to a traditional fire in foul weather.
-Mike
ETA: The versatility of fuel options seems rather nice. Yet another reason to justify the Jack in my pack.
The MSR Whisperlight doesn’t have a peizoelectric start. You have to use a match or a lighter.
Owned or have used the the following:
MSR Wisperlight
MSR Wisperlight International
MSR XGK older generation (not sure if it was called the XGK)
Svea 123r
Sierra Zip stove
MSR Wisperlight (and International): great stoves highly recommended, I just carry a spare parts kit with me on the trail. I like the external fuel tank concept.
MSR XGK [Note:the older model]: We called it the flame thrower it could boil water faster than anything we had in inventory. If you are making water from snow this is the stove for you. It also had a tendency to burn to rat poop anything that you were cooking. There was no real simmer setting on it. I would ask about that of “new model” owners before buying the new one.
Svea 123r: for those that are drawn to WW1 styles:D. Great stove. Bomb proof. Fairly heavy and has an internal tank (for those that prefer it)
Sierra Zip stove: This thing actually works. It is large and takes up some room in the pack. It relies on dry fuel (which is not always available). It relies on batteries for the fan (probably the thing that bothered me the most about it).
Very true. My XGK has two settings. Off, and nuclear blast furnace. If you are going to be making creme brulee at your lakeside chateau, this is not the stove for you.
If you do not mind a stove that sounds like a F-111 at full burner during takeoff, then this one will work. Basically, I melt snow or boil water in a couple of minutes, shut it off, then dump some dried things in it to rehydrate. Cover the lid. Do camp chores for five minutes. Open lid, consume victuals.
If you are sitting in a hide, do not buy it. If you want something that is actually fairly miserly on fuel, it’s good. You only need to run it a few minutes, so it’s pretty efficient.
What? I can’t hear you over the stove.
That’s the other thing, is considering your uses for these stoves. If you want to just make water (from snow/ice), or boil water for dehydrated food or to make a whatever soup, they are ideal. I’ve yet to try my culinary prowess with one. Besides, there is a difference between surviving and thriving, and cooking accordingly. Calories get priority over yummy in some situations.
Lebowski: How long have you had your JB? Any Failures To Ignite?
Buy once cry once is good advice.
I tried to save money one time by buying a Coleman camp stove at an REI scratch and dent sale.
I discovered why it had been returned. It had a very annoying tendency to set the user on fire.
I once woke some fellow campers up rather rudely with a string of Marine Corps language. They woke to see a fireball arcing out into Lake Superior and me stabbing my flaming hand into the sand to put it out.
Unfortunately my buddy pointed out that was our only stove and we were out there for several more days and the girls were going to want something hot to drink.
Let’s just say Superior in late May is still cold enough to send certain body parts up into the chest cavity.
I now own an MSR Dragonfly and am very happy with it as it’s yet to cause me to burst into flame.
Semper Fi
+1 on MSR. Used one all over the world and burned JP8 and even diesel in it for a while in the army (diesel is really messy and clogs the jets…but it’s heat).
Also for a total minimalist and if you need quite (perhaps tactically) try an Esbit. One of the blocks is enough to cook a pot of food, light, easy and small. Not to mention CHEAP. I use one of these on some shorter hikes.
I settled on the Jetboil Personal Cooking System, as it seemed like the best setup for MY needs.
Crosslink for more information here:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=27446&page=2
I have used my Jetboil up to 14,000 ft with no issues
I use cannister stoves for everything except winter camping. If I am melting snow I stick to white gas
It’s been trouble-free and does a good job for me. DISCLAIMER- It HAS NOT been abused or taken to 15,000’ or anything.
The fuel is easy to get and to pack, the lighter is reliable and it boils up very fast.
Take it for what it’s worth.
another vote for the MSR whisperlite (if you are OK with having to use white gas) or MSR whisperlite international (if you want to be able to burn many types of fuel…which is prolly a good thing in a BOB application).
great stoves.
I have used my MSR dragonfly stove for years it will burn nearly every type of fuel. Another nice thing is it’s ability to adjust the power output of the stove. The only complaint that i have is that it is still fairly large even when collapsed. Try the out at an REI near you and see which one you prefer.
double post. Sorry this forum is having problems with showing posts.