Pack Stove

[RUGER No.1]

 

[cabin308]

Can you seperate the fuel can from the stove part before it's empty?  If you can then you've got a good one IMO.  I have an old MSR Whisperlite and like that the fuel bottles can be refilled with Coleman fuel (white gas) and can be seperated for compactness in my pack. 

[BC CHASER]

I use the same one.  IMO the best out there.  We have had trouble with a couple jetboils but they are a great unit as well.

[JackOfAllTrades]

For the money, I think you're really going to be hard pressed to find something better. Sure, there are stoves that are lighter and will burn better at high altitude, but what you're using is pretty darn good.  Go into REI, look at what fuel they stock the most of... -Might give you a clue of what many back packers are using.

I use the original blue GAZ stove. My dad had it before me, and I've had it for some 25 or more years. Last year I picked two up on Craigslist for my boys. Very similar as just one burner on a fuel can. The advantage of the newer ones like yours is that you can detach the fuel can, mine pokes a hole in it so I can't take it apart until it's empty. The fuel mix is very similar as a propane/butane mix.

I've used mine up to 8,000 feet to boil water.  It's almost always in my hunting day pack and certainly with me on overnight trips.  I've used it to heat soup when a hunt partner fell in the Nooksack river in November, and countless times for lunches for both me and other parters over the years. TESTAR77 also carries one.

I really appreciate a warm meal when I'm on a long hike.  Cup O' Noodles instead of Ramen or other bagged soups because I don't like to wash dishes. My pot is always clean if all I do is boil water.

-Steve

[PacificNWhunter]

Heard lots of good things about MSR....I am partial to SnowPeak. I have the TI, with the striker and it does all I ask it too. Even burns well up high.

[509er]

I now have the MSR, good stove, but the SnowPeak Ti with igniter is on my list to buy.

[swanny]

I also have the Pocket Rocket, great stove but the stability can be a little bit iffy. My next one is going to be the Optimus Crux, little bit more solid cook surface and better heat distribution.

[actionshooter]

So many good stoves now, its hard to go wrong. Right now I like the jetboil because it a system, by the time you add a pot and the other goodies, the small stoves weigh about the same.
 I still have my whisperlite international I bought when they were the hot shat, things sure have changed 

[ICEMAN]

Am I the only guy who uses Esbit fuel tabs? 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Am I the only guy who uses Esbit fuel tabs?

Iceman, how do those tabs work at higher elevation?

-Steve

[ICEMAN]

Define higher elevation....

They burn well, the only issue is in really cold conditions. I have camped with them in the teens and should have brought a more powerfull stove. I have used them only to 5000 feet.

They are not the best for all applications, but for a two nighter or so, they are great.

I researched alot, and here is what I have experienced. The tabs average about fifty cents per burn. Each tab lasts about 12 minutes burn time, and for me, a single tab is good for breakfast, enough hot water for one oatmeal and one coffee in the pot in the photo...  I also carry some of those trioxane tablets...little coglan round tabs...and they add six minutes burn time if needed, lets say if your water is really cold, or you let wind get to things... For dinner I use one tab and maybe a single trioxane tab to cook a dinner. So for two days out, four burns, 2 bucks and hardly any weight.

My dorky little homemade stove support in the photo fits inside my kettle, my cup inside the stove support, then my fuel tabs and coffee stuff also fills the voids for a pretty compact unit. I like it.

For more serious weather, I would consider a different type stove, but for quick, light, minimal useage, Esbit do work amazingly well for this application.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Will any of those tabs start with a flint or do you need a lighter/match?

I'm intrigued by these.

-Steve

[ICEMAN]

Will any of those tabs start with a flint or do you need a lighter/match?

I'm intrigued by these.
-Steve

Steve the tabs light with a match or lighter... Not sure a flint would get em going....

[huntinhick]

Iceman,

      I use the esbit also,  I have also been playing around with a Swedish alcohol stove.  I am trying to get my hands on some of the jelled fuel in little packets like cheaper than dirt was selling for a while.  it is sort of like sterno only in single use size and burns hotter,  the reports I have read say that it doesn't have the smell or the mess of the esbit fuel.  one of the reasons I like the esbit or the jell stuff is NO spills or leaky cans of fuel!!

Carl

[whacker1]

good thread- I have been looking to buy a stove this year.  Keep the information coming.