There are
Russian copies out there for under $50, hard to tell from the real thing.
Jetboil PCS. All I need
Small , efficient, cooks the type of food I eat and makes great coffee.
ditto Jetboil
Easy on fuel, works fast, stores easy. If boiling water is your means of cooking it’s excellent.
jetboil lover
I have had my jetboil for three years now. I don’t go anywhere without it (camping/hiking/kayaking). It will boil a liter in minutes. Super efficient equals less fuel. I have the coffee press addition, great. Coffee in minutes. Draw backs are, as repeated, doesn’t simmer foods well (too hot). I will try the new jetboil cook pot this week.
Primus Multifuel
I just picked up a used Primus Multifuel (Himalaya) stove. It has a metal pump unlike MSR’s, will burn White gas, Coleman fuel, kerosene and butane cannisters. I’ve tried it with the butane and white gas and it works great. It’s a real rocket, but can simmer with a little fiddling on white gas and perfectly with butane.
Sierra Trading Post has these new from time to time for $70 bucks and geartrade.com has 'em “like new” for around $30 now and then.
Phreon
I like my zip ztove
I dont have to worry about packing fuel and it spilling all over my gear. Cleanup may take a little more elbow grease
Jet-Boil fuel use
Mystical asked …
“I also am fascinated by this Jet Boil-first time I have seen it. It claims to heat water faster than my electric one at my desk at work. Does it really boil two cups of water in two minutes? I could definitely see using that a lot. It says it is a fuel miser as well. How many cups per fuel canister? How does wind affect it?”
On solo canoe trips, I have been getting 6 days of use from one 100 gram cannister. That is boiling 3 cups of so of water in the morning, and 4 to 5 cups for dinner.
For two people, I have used the 220 ? gram large size cannister, and get about the same usage, but just a bit less - I don’t use the Jet-boil pot with the large cannister, just use a regular one qt pot on top of the por support they sell. Not as efficient as the heat-exchanger cup that comes with the stove, and more wind sensitive, so not as fuel efficient that way.
I actually jsut got back from a hunting trip, packing in to 11,000 feet. Elevation does not seem to affect the performance much, if at all. Camped a few days at 11k, and a few at 8k. For cold weather, its a good idea to keep the canister in your sleeping bag with you, so it starts out warm - I haven’t had to do that yet.
I don’t let the stove run on idle, rather I shut it off after the water comes to a boil.
So far, it has worked fine at temps about freezing (some frost) - haven’t tried it yet in colder weather.
I also have two Peak 1 white gas stoves, and like them as well as hte Jetboil, but they are heavier and bulkier to pack for backpacking.
Kelly Kettle?
Sorry I’m late to the party. I find it curious that no one has mentioned a kelly kettle. Apparently, this European marvel has not made much of an impact in the states. I read about them in an article and think that I need to give one a try. Looks fantastic. No waiting for coffee!!! Any thoughts… yes they really do burn real wood
john
Yes, I agree!!
I have been looking into these aswell. You can get a perforated ring for the burner, so that you can cook over it too.
I for one, though, have a SVEA Trianga that works well with fuel, but I can also use wood if I turn the windscreen over. I also have a canteen cup cooker that can be used with twigs & sticks aswell. So both of my cooking elements are “multi-fuel”. With what I have, I can cook oatmeal, sausage & brew coffee at he same time with a unit that fits in a 6x8x4 container.
Paddle easy,
Coffee
Jet Boil - Dualist for Couples
My husband and I use either the Jetboil or Dualist. We carried the Dualist on our AT backpacking trip in July and enjoyed this self contained cooking system for two.
The Jet Boil is the way to go.
We make the following meals:
Flavored Couscous
Cranberries
Tyson’s Premium Chunk White Chicken (found in the section where they sell the foil packs of Tuna)
Cheesy Pasta Chicken
We use the Pasta packs from Walmart where you just add water. Takes 8 minutes to cook. We take powdered milk and add this to our water. We like the Cheese & Pasta and then add teh Tyson’s Premium Chunk White Chicken.
Great stuff for kayak camping or backpacking!
Back up !!!
My first trip to the BWCAW and … Suprise my trusty 10 yr. old perfect condition stove takes a big steamy &$#* !!!. Always carry a back up . I like the MSR Pocket Rocket for this. I have a Super Fly as a main stove because I like the more spread out flame .
Back Up - Neufeld MK I…
This is what I back up my Jetboil with.
Look at the pack size.
http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1041&highlight=neufeld+mki
Weighs nothing and takes up no space. Fuel is twigs.
Jon
propane stoves in Ont Parks
Kayakmedic stated propane stoves are banned in Ont parks. I’m looking for clarification on this.
I was camping this summer and saw dozens of these being used. The only thing I can find is that they are discouraging use of disposable cylinders as disposal costs $2.50 (can)per cylinder
ontario ban
I think you’re not allowed to dispose of them in the park. But you can still use them.
stove
There really isnt any “high end pricy backpack stoves” they are all fairly cheap.
I use a Coleman Apex and burn white gas. I have about 350 hours of use. Its lightweight and has a simmer mode which it great.
i have a MSR whisper lite as a backup which i have not had to use.
i always bring two stoves when i travel. Why not, they only weigh as much as a greatfruit and about the same size too.
just got an MSR whisper light in Decembe
– Last Updated: Sep-22-08 9:44 PM EST –
and really like it.---the big advantage over propane and butane is you can light it at any temperature.
Speaking of back-up
http://www.zzstove.com/sierra.html
Anyone tried this? I have always been fascinated by them.
Jim
but what if
you don’t want to eat something froma foil pack that you just add hot water to?
I like my enchiladas, steaks, eggs, bacon etc.