Comments on: Backpacking stoves buying guide

By: 007 dragonfly

007 dragonfly — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:46:26 +0000

I have been camping for 14 years and I recommend the whisperlite international. it burns most of your liquid fuels and diesal plus auto fuel.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:50:38 +0000

i like using home made alcohol stoves from pop cans but sterno works in a pinch.

By: drew

drew — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:36:18 +0000

thank you

By: ian

ian — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:36:19 +0000

pop can stove, there cheap and great. run’em off anything

By: drew

drew — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:50:57 +0000

what is a good stove

By: Sly Fox

Sly Fox — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:37:46 +0000

After 22 years of scouting and trying many stove types (13), the MSR Dragon fly is tops on my list. Unlike many others, it is fully flame controlable from a jet engine to a minimal simmer thus saving fuel. It also has several features other stoves don’t: a self cleaning fuel line (Simply shake the unit and its clean), variable fuel bottle sizes, multi fuel options, and can fold up for compactness. A 21 oz bottle of white gas lasted 6 of us 5 days in the BWCA.
If cost is an important element, we start our new scouts out with the coleman peak stove (Silver model w/ self-contained fuel tank). It’s not as fuel efficiant but is tough as nails and only costs us about $35.00 each at the local camping store.

We have tried several butain type stoves too including Jet Boil (2 different models)and the Optimus Crux and feel it’s like throwing money away because of the cost vs use time. Secondly, they both froze up during the klondike derby leaving us in a pinch; thus making them useless in Minnesota 4 months every year and on our high alttitude adventure in Montana last year.

For base camp camping in the warmer months, the boys do occasionally use propaine and butain stoves that they own because they are simple and room is not a major factor, we simply do not suggest them as a primary stove if you are going to own only one stove. As I suugest to eveyone, try several stoves out before buying one.

As I always suggest, try several stoves and then decide what’s best for you.

By: iPad

iPad — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:58:20 +0000

Can anyone recommend a stove that I could use for the pacific northwest?

By: iPad

iPad — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:56:39 +0000

Don’t get a jet boil a basic canister works better.

By: the schnauzer

the schnauzer — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:23:27 +0000

i have a primus classic trail and it is EPIC. plus its 25 bucks. Its great and you can find it at rei.

By: captain crunch

captain crunch — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:57:03 +0000

i agree with dfxscghyjv;ik jetboils work great. i have a camo personal cooking system.i went backpacking with 10 people from my troop for 3 days and boiled water to cook and clean with for almost every meal and used only about half a canister of fuel. i also bring it with when i play paintball to cook inbetween battles. if u get one u will need a stablizer.

By: Chad 101

Chad 101 — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:07:43 +0000

My Coleman Peak 1 micro stove works really good.

By: I

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:49:07 +0000

I like the MSR Whisperlite which is the picture on top of this article.

By: T-Man

T-Man — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:29:01 +0000

I prefer hexamine stoves as they cost only $1 and really light and compact.

By: boyscout21

boyscout21 — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:02:04 +0000

back packing stoves are really good and the white gas is ten at gander mt and bass pro and at dick sporting goods

By: A squared

A squared — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:04:51 +0000

I love this article, ive been searching all over the web for how much money to buy white gas for and this article gave me the straight on answer that i needed

By: dfxscghyjv;lk"''

dfxscghyjv;lk"'' — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:08:21 +0000

jetboils work really really good and they are compact

By: d dog

d dog — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:19:30 +0000

thats cool i wish i had one

By: Smitty

Smitty — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:54:51 +0000

Try esbit solid fuel stove. It is light and boils water quick. Runs on fuel tabs. Tabs cost about 6 for 12tabs. Stove only costs 10 dollars

By: Wes

Wes — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:49:46 +0000

I have a snow peak giga power stove and I love it. It boils water in three minutes and is so light and compact you could fit it in your pocket. For an extra ten dollars it even comes with its own lighter.

By: Sly Fox

Sly Fox — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:36:54 +0000

After 21 years of scouting and trying many stove types, the MSR Dragon fly is tops on my list. Unlike many others, it is fully flame controlable from a jet engine to a minimal simmer thus saving fuel. It also has several features other stoves don’t: a self cleaning fuel line (Simply shake the unit and its clean), variable fuel bottle sizes, multi fuel options, and can fold up for compactness. A 21 oz bottle of white gas lasted 6 of us 5 days in the BWCA.
If cost is an important element, we start our new scouts out with the coleman peak stove (Silver model w/ self-contained fuel tank). It’s not as fuel efficiant but is tough as nails and only costs us about $35.00 each at the local camping store.

We have tried several butain type stoves too and feel it’s like throwing money away because of the cost vs use time. Secondly, they tend to freeze up in the cold, making them useless in Minnesota 4 months every year and on high alttitude adventures.

As I always suggest, try several stoves and then decide what’s best for you.

By: nateman

nateman — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:14:07 +0000

exbit cube stoves are the best

By: SargeBSA

SargeBSA — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:50:56 +0000

Brunton Builds the best there cheap and last a long time

By: Sly Fox

Sly Fox — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 04:03:02 +0000

Too bad alchohol stoves are banned form scouting. They require burning unapproved fuel according to the guid to safe scouting.
I’m surprised you would even promote such a stove on a BSA site (Hopefully) since you know the rules of scouting.

By: GEAR MAN

GEAR MAN — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 03:00:27 +0000

the original jetboil stove is pretty packable and very lightweight but nowhere near worth its retail price. Sure it’s a good stove, but it is way too breakable and literally impossible to fix! I would never pay $100 for a stove that I can’t depend on. If your looking for a similar canister stove, but for much cheaper and much more reliable, try the MSR Superfly. It is much smaller, only 5 ounces heavier, and it is compatible with other canister fuels, not just Isopro fuel. Plus it won’t break down, and if it does, it is easy to fix.

By: seascout291

seascout291 — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:17:15 +0000

Even if you don’t make one yourself, alcohol stoves have it over the other types for a number of reasons, even though they may take longer to bring water to a boil. And … re: what littelwill and BS_Sammamish had to say: how safe do you think white gas is?! And … never heard that alcohol stoves were banned by BSA – never had one blow up – what did you do?

By: Old timer

Old timer — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:06:34 +0000

I have had the MSR WhisperLite stove since the mid 80′s. It has been the mainstay for many a long trips into the deep woods. Reliable, easy to use, lite and burns multi-fuel… This is the stove to last you a lifetime!!!

By: monkeyman

monkeyman — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 22:19:51 +0000

MSR pocket rocket is very lightweight and good but can not boil large amounts of water

By: lemon head

lemon head — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 23:05:13 +0000

MSR SIMMER LITE is the best stove you can find

By: BS_Sammamish

BS_Sammamish — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:23:23 +0000

They take a LONG time to boil water, but are great for warming.

By: BS_Sammamish

BS_Sammamish — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:22:42 +0000

That is ONE reason that alcohol stoves are BANNED by BSA!

By: BS_Sammamish

BS_Sammamish — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:21:15 +0000

Did they give you a reason, or were they just being cranky?

By: BS_Sammamish

BS_Sammamish — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:19:40 +0000

JetBoil and MSR Reactor are great if all that you want is boiling water. If you want something that can simmer or cook slower, you need something else.

By: malachi

malachi — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:01:35 +0000

me to /;

By: GEAR MAN

GEAR MAN — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:26:41 +0000

If you’re really concerned about your pack’s weight, and are backpacking with a smaller group, alcohol stoves are great. You don’t have to buy one either. You can just make on at home, out of a soup or soda can.

By: monkeymann

monkeymann — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:37:53 +0000

I have a colemann dual fuel 533.my dad says he got it just under twenty years ago in Switzerland. it has the build of a canister stove but is refuleable and must be pumped up. it burns white gas or priemum unleaded gasoline. it works great!!!!

By: bobby

bobby — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:32:28 +0000

i need a stove

By: ps-fsb

ps-fsb — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:43:56 +0000

msr reactor is the way to go

By: Led Zeppelin fan

Led Zeppelin fan — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:49:35 +0000

Jet Boil is good also i have one and it works well you can get them from Eastern Mountain Sports

By: get up and go

get up and go — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:03:54 +0000

Campers, here’s a tip that will make gear shopping allot easer!
Go for the Ozark Trail, and Colman brands; if of course it’s around
the size of say a canteen, or backpacking stove, and other things
of that size. Your small items should be Swiss Army, Light my Fire,
or Husky brand. Big items should be Eureka, Iron Trail, or Ozark-
Trail brand.

By: Nycki

Nycki — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:41:06 +0000

Ahhh. Perfect Knowledge from the perfect website!

By: Alexker1

Alexker1 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:39:07 +0000

I wonder what would happen if you used an oxygen blowtorch to cook…
>:-D >:-) :-0

By: GEAR MAN

GEAR MAN — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:08:29 +0000

MSR isn’t the only good stove company out there, Brunton and Snow Peak also make good stoves. They may not be the most reasonable prices (Brunton) but they still work well. I honestly don’t think Snow Peak should make stoves, they should stick to cooking gear.

I’m just saying

By: GEAR MAN

GEAR MAN — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:59:12 +0000

I have used the MSR Whisperlite and the Superfly on lots of backpacking trips. Both are great for packing, but don’t buy a liquid fuel stove unless you are a serious packer and know what your doing! Canister stoves are great, but they aren’t very reliable in cold weather camping. I have a Whisperlite because I backpack all the time and I need something reliable. Not because I want a big fancy stove. Know what your buying, and if you decide on a stove, research online and at your local sporting goods stores before you buy to find the lowest price.

By: fireless in kansas

fireless in kansas — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:44:31 +0000

Do you have any suggestions on stoves.

By: kidsdogfish

kidsdogfish — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:05:50 +0000

ilove it

By: Canoedad

Canoedad — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:58:05 +0000

Alcohol stoves: great for 1-3 people, cheap, easy to make, reliable, nothing to brake. Used super cat on 2 week solo canoe trip with no problems.
White Gas: Prefered in winter. At -25 F the pump works well, 2 burner coleman is the “workhorse of the north”
Canister stoves: for the lazy and the water boilers, little canotrol and left with a canister to dispose of, simple propane 1 burner works fine.
Wood stoves: buy or make from cans, great to use but have a fuel stove for worse conditions where you are tired or injured.
Baking: use stove with a simer feature. Steam baking like at Ntier is the easyest and safest method. I have made pizza on a pot can stove.
Last word: Whatever stove you choose work it, play with it and figure out it’s special feel. It will become your friend. Hot drinks for everyone.

By: maverik

maverik — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:45:05 +0000

personally. i prefer gas stoves.they are easier to light and don’t take time to prime.liquid stoves are good for base camp but i have found it hard to keep a small pot to actually stay on the stand.I would also like to recemend that you should make a tea light stove. take the cup (metal cup on bottom) and put alcohol in it. it is small and is dirt cheap.

By: gerg927

gerg927 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:47:32 +0000

I like soda can alcohol stoves better

By: msr

msr — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:16:53 +0000

the msr dragonfly stove is in my opinion the best stove ever it will burn anthing that is ligther than kerosene including unleaded gas deisel jetfuel cleaning flued high proof alcoholwhite gas and a lot of others it is also very adjustable you can get a heat disperser thing and actuly bake cinaman rolls biscuts and so on it works awsome in cold weather and high elavations and weighs only 2.5 onces more than the wisperlight internationl and yet has a wider base and a more adujstable flame its awsome

By: littlewill

littlewill — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:31:33 +0000

Last night at my scout meeting we made self stoves .do not use methenol for these because one of them blew up on me!

By: MountainCamper259

MountainCamper259 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:19:28 +0000

Instead of pressurized fuel stoves, are backpacking stoves which use sterno fuel (usually used by buffet caterers to keep cooked food warm) any good for cooking food on backpacking campouts?

By: Michief Angel

Michief Angel — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:37:40 +0000

Hey this is a great article but can you tell me specificaly great stoves to buy if it is my first one? I make soda can stoes all the time and I use them but now I think that I need a real backpacking stove…help?

By: WhichBurner

WhichBurner — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:14:04 +0000

I’ve read some really great articles about multifuel stoves and their applications, and this is up there,great stuff!

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:27:38 +0000

There’s a reason why liquid fuel was used over 50 years ago and still is today.

By: drake

drake — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:02:33 +0000

i have a msr pocketrocket and its pretty cool

By: boblua

boblua — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:47:04 +0000

they have a good price for a stove like that.

By: e-doc

e-doc — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:17:48 +0000

If temp about 30 or less I use a Whisperlite. Used down to -10. To me white gas is the only way.

By: Bryce

Bryce — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:00:33 +0000

The best stove is the snow peak gigi power. It is about $50. it works really good.

By: duff

duff — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:20:20 +0000

jet boil is the way to go

By: D

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:09:51 +0000

I usecoleman multi fuel,itsgreat! and only 50$

By: Pinhoti Pablo

Pinhoti Pablo — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:56:07 +0000

I have been using the whisperlite international by MSR for some time now with no problems. A yearly maintenance, (rebuild, o-rings, etc.) and an occassional cleaning and i am good to go. The shaker jet system is great system to have if the stove’s jet should clog in the field. A simple shake and your back up and running.

Doesn’t simmer well but if you are only boiling water it is excellent and very fast. You can use a deflector shield, (thin pan to deflect direct heat) and simmer very well with the whisperlite.

I have heard complaints about soot and smoke at initial ignition. I carry a small bottle of denatured alcohol for my backup/penny stove. I use a little bit of the alcohol on the wick/fuel pan to prime and preheat the stove instead of regular fuel. Once preheated just turn on the regular fuel and no smoke or soot. This seams to work well with everything but diesel.

Constructed well out of sturdy materials which makes it worth the little bit of extra weight. well worth the money

By: sdboyscout

sdboyscout — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:10:58 +0000

The MSR Reactor (photo at top) is great. cheap, light, and effective.

By: Bob the T-Rex

Bob the T-Rex — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:51:10 +0000

I got a stove that runs on little chemical tablets for $15

By: Papa Smurf

Papa Smurf — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:25:03 +0000

I’ve been using the “cat stove” for 7 years now and haven’t found anything better. It is a cat food can with denatured alcohol. Nothing under pressure. I’ve burnt up Whisperlite, Coleman, and butane and several accidents with them because of the pressured fuel. I don’t care for them. The “cat stove” is a great project for the scouts and it only take about 30 minutes to make the stove, stand and windscreen for less than a $1.00.

By: Photodog

Photodog — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:51:54 +0000

I hve a Wisperlite stove which works grea,t except on BSA property.

Tried to use one at camp and got my head handed to me.

So check with your Council before brining one to a BSA Camp.
)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:55:50 +0000

cool

By: halo 3 lover

halo 3 lover — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:39:11 +0000

but jetboils are better

By: halo 3 lover

halo 3 lover — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:37:27 +0000

smart iam also a big back packer

By: scout28

scout28 — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:12:11 +0000

butane bottles can be used as rockets, while white gas or kerosene can’t. butane is better for having fun but your stuff might burn up.

By: scout65261

scout65261 — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:39:26 +0000

Thank-this stuff is very good.

People should buy stuff from this place

By: bob

bob — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:37:19 +0000

the sell very good stoves

By: 7313

7313 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:38:28 +0000

i like my jetboil!

By: smjim

smjim — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:23:27 +0000

Scout1139….I would leave it at home. Not familiar with the oven you are talking about, but in backpacking weight is a big deal. You will do much better with something like the Outback Oven as this sits on your backpacking stove. This allows you to bake when you want to and still use the stove as a stove. Plus the pans of the oven double as a fry pan for cooking those fresh caught fish. One less thing to maintain on the trail.

By: Scout 1139

Scout 1139 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:11:58 +0000

I bought a brand-new bac-pac oven today for 20 dollars it runs on butane and i haven’t used it yet how and what should i clean? and how often please I NEED an answer I’ve never used one before.

By: scoutdude

scoutdude — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:35:28 +0000

Backpacking stoves are great for backpacking but when operating out of basecamp a two or three burner stove is much easier to cook on and it is very reliable.

By: Cowboy

Cowboy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:35:31 +0000

Thanks–this is stuff I need to know!