Post by: hillbillyhunting on August 01, 2013, 05:35:56 PM
I have been using a standard backpacking stove that uses the Camping Gaz blue canisters. Cant really complain about it. It had a problem one time and I fixed it in the field. I have been using it for about 15 years. The past 7 years it has seen a lot of use.
I am looking at ways to cut weight, and I thought about my stove. I am thinking that the weight loss is not necessarily going to come from the stove, but in fuel. I am looking at the Jetboil systems. They seem like they would be very efficient, and I only boil water when backpacking anyways. Does anyone have experience with any of the Jetboil systems or other ideas for efficient cooking systems?
Also, I really have no idea how much fuel my stove burns. Its ridiculous that I have not documented stove use over the years so that I can know. I would like a system that I can rely on as far as knowing exactly how much fuel I will need to bring (I usually bring too much).
Thanks for the input.
Post by: Marcoramius on August 01, 2013, 05:51:33 PM
Post by: suga on August 01, 2013, 05:59:03 PM
I love my jetboil...I even bring it when I go car camping. You wont find a faster way to boil water (about 1 minute for 1 cup of water) but the weight savings is one of its best features. You may get some responses about the MSR pocket rocket or some of those other pack stoves but you have to remember that their users also need to bring a pot to actually cook in and cups to drink out of, so the weight and size of the pots and cups have to be considered with those other systems. With a jetboil, you only need to bring your utensils. Everything fits in the jetboil cup, including the fuel. Oh, and if you like coffee, consider getting the french press for it as well. Makes a great cup of coffee...X2
Post by: whacker1 on August 01, 2013, 06:16:34 PM
x3I love my jetboil...I even bring it when I go car camping. You wont find a faster way to boil water (about 1 minute for 1 cup of water) but the weight savings is one of its best features. You may get some responses about the MSR pocket rocket or some of those other pack stoves but you have to remember that their users also need to bring a pot to actually cook in and cups to drink out of, so the weight and size of the pots and cups have to be considered with those other systems. With a jetboil, you only need to bring your utensils. Everything fits in the jetboil cup, including the fuel. Oh, and if you like coffee, consider getting the french press for it as well. Makes a great cup of coffee...X2
Post by: mountainman on August 01, 2013, 06:31:27 PM
Post by: HawkCreek on August 01, 2013, 06:38:30 PM
Post by: j_h_nimrod on August 01, 2013, 06:39:03 PM
The Jetboil is good for personnal use or shorter trips. For larger groups and extended trips the Reactor takes it.
Post by: briancorneal on August 01, 2013, 06:39:30 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on August 01, 2013, 06:50:44 PM
The only thing a jetboil can do is boil water! I've owned jetboil products over the years and although there are people who've said they can cook and simmer food with it, there's always a burn spot in the center of the pan/cup/pot. I absolutely love my optimus nova (all fuel type stove) and optimus crux lite. The crux is perfect for backcountry hunts and can simmer like a 5-star chef. It can also fold neatly into a tiny stuff sack. It's super durable and I've owned it for years. I'm a highly satisfied buyer!
Agree. I also have the optimus Nova and love it.
But to stay closer to the point of the thread, how do you jet boil guys cook for more than one, or something irregular like a trout during a no camp fire time?
Post by: syoungs on August 01, 2013, 06:56:33 PM
they seem to have a great build quality, and are a good compromise for the solo hiker/hunter.
Post by: coachcw on August 01, 2013, 07:02:46 PM
Post by: acnewman55 on August 01, 2013, 07:04:49 PM
I plan on picking up a more efficient and slightly lighter MSR Reactor now that they make the lighter 1 liter version.
If you want to go ultralight it's hard to beat the combo of the MSR Pocket Rocket paired with a Titanium kettle. This is my current setup for backpacking/ search and rescue. You're looking at about 8 oz for the pair, but you're losing a little efficiency and looking at longer times to boil. I would mostly recommend this system for one person.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of those three systems. :twocents:
Of course, those are all canister stoves. You have to make sure you can find fuel for it. If you plan to travel abroad then consider going white gas. It's heavier and more complex system but you can find fuel just about anywhere.
Post by: 300rum on August 01, 2013, 07:17:49 PM
Post by: elkpack on August 01, 2013, 07:26:55 PM
For solo light weight trips I prefer the MSR pocket rocket with a Snow Peak 2C Titanium cup. I used this set-up for an 11 day backpack elk hunt last year and made it through the entire trip on 1 of the larger canisters shown in the picture. I made a lid for the titanium cup out of a soup can top which speeds up the boiling to save on fuel. This set-up doesn't all nest into a nice tidy package like the jetboil but I actually like seperating the pot, small stove and fuel canister in my pack as it gives me more options to distribute the gear. Lots of good choices out there depending on your needs......you can never have too many stoves or tents to debate over when packing for a trip.
Post by: MLHSN on August 01, 2013, 07:41:12 PM
The jetboil flash weighs 14 oz. without fuel. My stove (Snowpeak Litemax Ti) and my $20 Ti pot weigh 6 oz. together. That's an 8 oz difference. You have to have 8 oz. of fuel savings to cover the difference. The total weight of my fuel canister for 4 days weighs less then that. Ya it boils faster, but I like to have my litemax, so I can sauté on shorter, less demanding trips.
Another craze, which I fell prey to, is the Ti pot. The difference between my Ti pot and my aluminum pot is 2.5 oz. Titanium does not transfer heat as well. So if you plan on staying for 4 day or more, you loose the same weight in fuel as you save in the pot. Just my two cents.
Here is an interesting thread. Scroll down to see HitTheTrail's post. He took the same stove as mine and attached it to a stripped down jetboil pot. It's the best of both worlds. You have a 2 oz. stove with the heat exchanger from the Jetboil setup.
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8003373&highlight=stove (http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8003373&highlight=stove)
Post by: j_h_nimrod on August 01, 2013, 08:35:33 PM
If I were wanting to roast some meat or a trout I would wait until after Sept. 30 and kindle a fire.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 01, 2013, 08:44:59 PM
Post by: MLHSN on August 01, 2013, 09:22:34 PM
I prefer my MSR whisperlite or my Pocket rocket as sometimes I like to cook fish or if I want to cook up some meat I can. Jetboil does have their advantages that is if you only need hot water but I don't care to be that limited. The thing about cooking over a stove as opposed to an open fire it the black soot is a mess on the fry pan unless you cook the meat in foil.
I have to disagree skyval, it is easy to cook both fish and steak over the fire with no tinfoil. I gut the fish as normal and cut the head off. Find a nice skewering stick and then slide it in between the skin and the backbone. Set beside the fire to slow cook. I prefer it to tinfoil. First, no aluminum chemicals. Second, it's not as soggy and you get a little smoke flavor.
My favorite trick is to cut a steak into finger strips. I season it up and freeze. Then it's thawed by night and I skewer over the fire.
Post by: packmule on August 02, 2013, 07:26:16 AM
See this link:
http://andrewskurka.com/2011/how-to-make-a-fancy-feast-alcohol-stove/ (http://andrewskurka.com/2011/how-to-make-a-fancy-feast-alcohol-stove/)
I use a titanium pot and this alcohol stove, and like you, I only boil water on backpack hunts. My alcohol stove uses 3 tablespoons of alcohol to boil water in the pot. The alcohol stove is not fast, you're looking at around 7 minutes or so to boil the water. But, the stove weighs almost nothing and denatured alcohol is cheap and easy to carry.
Just another though to consider, good luck.
Post by: CoryTDF on August 02, 2013, 07:41:43 AM
the first is below and the reviews and the cost is what brought me to this unit. It works plain and simple. I give it 5 stars!
http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375454161&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove (http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375454161&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove)
I recently purchased this from another site member and am completely happy with it. It boils water, can be cooked on, and has no fuel to pack. This baby is awesome! it burns so efficiently there is almost no smoke at all and it really does charge USB devices. My pan had almost no soot on it and after boiling water wtill had fire to make SMORES :drool: After the coals went cold there was NO SMELL of smoke at all! it is a little heavy that is the only draw back.
http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/ (http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/)
Post by: lostbackpacker on August 02, 2013, 08:20:32 AM
I have two now. Both boil water fast and both can be used to cook on. One takes fuel and one uses wood.
the first is below and the reviews and the cost is what brought me to this unit. It works plain and simple. I give it 5 stars!
http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375454161&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove (http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375454161&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove)
I recently purchased this from another site member and am completely happy with it. It boils water, can be cooked on, and has no fuel to pack. This baby is awesome! it burns so efficiently there is almost no smoke at all and it really does charge USB devices. My pan had almost no soot on it and after boiling water wtill had fire to make SMORES :drool: After the coals went cold there was NO SMELL of smoke at all! it is a little heavy that is the only draw back.
http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/ (http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/)
how well do you think the biolite will perform under less than dry conditions? I cant imagine finding too many dry fuel up in the cascades during oct/nov.
Post by: Rob on August 02, 2013, 08:42:50 AM
I don't have a JB, but many of my friends do and they love them. With a full canister they cannot be beat. That said, they really seem to have issues when the canister gets to about 1/4 full. take forever to boil water.
If I was going to buy a speed boil system, I'd get the MSR reactor in 1 liter size. those things are scary fast, do NOT blow out even in pretty good wind and with the pot off, and use every last drop of the fuel like it was a full canister. My buddy used his at 9,100 feet to boil water last weekend and it boiled a pot in about 40 seconds.
I shy away from the fast boil systems because of the added weight.
All these systems seem to take a pretty good performace hit when it is cold out. sleep with your canisters or move to the heavier/bulkier/messier whitegas systems like the MSR Whisperlite. Those will work anywhere.
Post by: CoryTDF on August 02, 2013, 08:51:13 AM
I have two now. Both boil water fast and both can be used to cook on. One takes fuel and one uses wood.
the first is below and the reviews and the cost is what brought me to this unit. It works plain and simple. I give it 5 stars!
http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375454161&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove (http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375454161&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove)
I recently purchased this from another site member and am completely happy with it. It boils water, can be cooked on, and has no fuel to pack. This baby is awesome! it burns so efficiently there is almost no smoke at all and it really does charge USB devices. My pan had almost no soot on it and after boiling water still had fire to make SMORES :drool: After the coals went cold there was NO SMELL of smoke at all! it is a little heavy that is the only draw back.
http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/ (http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/)
how well do you think the biolite will perform under less than dry conditions? I cant imagine finding too many dry fuel up in the cascades during oct/nov.
Honestly, I bet it does alright. All you would need is a good fire starter and they use small sticks to get a hot fire going and boom, your off and going. The fan helps the fire burn so well I think it would be great. Some reviews say they had trouble and some not. I helped teach cold weather survival for a bit and honestly I have a hard time trusting review about making fire. I came to learn that a large number of people are severely "fire challenged" and make way more work of it than need be. It's like anthing else start small and go big. Crawl, walk, run!
Post by: mossy8352 on August 02, 2013, 09:15:12 AM
Post by: Fester on August 02, 2013, 09:42:14 AM
All my other stoves are collecting dust.
http://www.brasslite.com/ (http://www.brasslite.com/)
Post by: Paxer on August 02, 2013, 09:44:21 AM
http://www.thepowerpot.com/powerpot-v (http://www.thepowerpot.com/powerpot-v)
I also use a 10w foldable solar panel too with external battery pack
Post by: scottcrb on August 02, 2013, 10:23:44 AM
MSR Reactor, hands down. Jetboil is a close second depending on circumstances. The MSR is more efficient, faster, and actually has the ability to boil useful amounts (1 or 1.7 liter) of water. Have you ever tried to feed multiple people 1 cup (actually think it will do 16oz) at a time? With the Jetboil you can only fit the small fuels in the cup, not the larger canisters that nest nicely in the Reactor. The Reactor will boil (rolling boil) 19 liters (~40 degree water, ~50 degree ambient) per large (8oz) canister.Agreed love my reactor have 2 different sized pots for different situations. Very fast and efficient.
The Jetboil is good for personnal use or shorter trips. For larger groups and extended trips the Reactor takes it.
Post by: Shawn Ryan on August 02, 2013, 01:19:30 PM
As for space, the stove and fuel is as small as or smaller than a Pocket Rocket (or similar canister top stove) and canister. Both systems need a pot, but both systems fit in the pot for packing. I've compared my stove set up with hunting buddies' Jetboil setups and mine is smaller in size, quieter, and 4-5 minutes slower to boil water for one. Jetboil is very fuel efficient.
Personally, I've never been unduly delayed by the 6-7 minutes it takes to boil my water. I've always got other camp chores to do at the end of the day that more than occupy those 6-7 minutes. I use/take my alcohol stove on my 9-day trips because I boil most of my water on my wood-burning/Kifaru style stove anyway.
IMO, you have to decide what is most important to you: time to boil, weight, space, fuel efficiency, and ease of use. Once you prioritize those, choosing the right stove system for you will be easier.
Post by: MLHSN on August 02, 2013, 02:46:41 PM
1 tip for those that are wanting to use an alchy stoves. Fuels like HEET can give off some really nasty byproduct gasses that you don't want to inhale. The S-L-X you can buy at the paint store burns a lot hotter and cleaner. It's cheap, and you can buy it by the gallon. Much cheaper, hotter, and safer then HEET.
Post by: hillbillyhunting on August 03, 2013, 06:33:08 AM
I really need to do some more thinking about fuel efficiency to determine if upgrading will be worth it.
I was impressed with the biolite a few years ago when I saw it the first time, but thought there was no way I would be packing a stove that heavy. I just checked out the specs and saw that it weighs less than 2lbs. Considering you wouldn't have to carry fuel, the weight is pretty decent.
Post by: dscubame on August 03, 2013, 07:43:36 AM
If you really want to cut your weight and can wait 5-6 more minutes for your water to boil, then an alcohol stove is way lighter. My stove weighs 1/2 ounce. Fuel weight depends on how many burns you need. An alcohol stove system only weighs more than a canister stove system once you stay in the woods long enough/need enough burns so that the weight of the alcohol finally outweighs the canister stove and fuel. It takes my stove about 1 oz of fuel to boil 2 cups of creek-cold water at 6,000 feet. You can bring the exact amount of fuel you want and never worry about partially filled canisters.
As for space, the stove and fuel is as small as or smaller than a Pocket Rocket (or similar canister top stove) and canister. Both systems need a pot, but both systems fit in the pot for packing. I've compared my stove set up with hunting buddies' Jetboil setups and mine is smaller in size, quieter, and 4-5 minutes slower to boil water for one. Jetboil is very fuel efficient.
Personally, I've never been unduly delayed by the 6-7 minutes it takes to boil my water. I've always got other camp chores to do at the end of the day that more than occupy those 6-7 minutes. I use/take my alcohol stove on my 9-day trips because I boil most of my water on my wood-burning/Kifaru style stove anyway.
IMO, you have to decide what is most important to you: time to boil, weight, space, fuel efficiency, and ease of use. Once you prioritize those, choosing the right stove system for you will be easier.
Good post. Helped me finalize my decision. :tup:
Post by: Rob on August 03, 2013, 07:53:32 AM
it seems like there is a point where cutting weight is just an exercise in spending money. $150 an ounce!
fuel economy does translate to weight savings. But I find it hard to wrap my mind around and calculate. I can boil a liter of water at home and weigh the canister to see how much I used, but that's at sea level and 70 degrees. Drop the temp and fuel use goes up. Raise the altitude and it goes down... But stove regulator efficiency can drop. So many variables.
there is a break even point in number of days too. At what point do you need to bring a second canister? Speed to boil is somewhat moot till you cross that line.
I may have to try one of those alcohol stoves. They look pretty cool!
Post by: Odell on August 03, 2013, 08:30:33 AM
This is what I like - You can charge any USB products while you cook too.
http://www.thepowerpot.com/powerpot-v (http://www.thepowerpot.com/powerpot-v)
I also use a 10w foldable solar panel too with external battery pack
Thats interesting. Another way to recharge GPS and not have to pack batteries.
Post by: dreamingbig on August 05, 2013, 09:15:53 PM
Post by: justaguy on August 16, 2013, 09:52:24 PM
I started carrying an Esbit stove with a snowpeak titanium mug this spring for boiling water. I ordered a MSR windscreen/heat reflector kit to make a lid for the mug and mini windscreen. The little fuel tabs work well and I add a little dry wood to help conserve the store-bought fuel. On an average temp day with minimal wind, I get around 4 cups of boiling-ish water from one tab and a couple of twigs. The whole package with 4 fuel tabs comes in at 8-9 oz. I still wouldn't count on this system for multiday trips (maybe after a little more experience and use?), but for light overnighters or a warm meal on a rainy day, it's great.
Post by: ridgefire on August 20, 2013, 02:20:04 AM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on August 20, 2013, 09:27:09 PM
I bought a Jetboil a couple of years ago and love it!!! It's fast and easy for boiling water. I pooh-poohed the backpacking meals for years, but have found that they've gotten a lot better or my standards have gotten lower. They're pretty darn fantastic when you're hungry. The coffee press version is pretty neat when you've been scoping for a couple of hours on a cold ledge and need a little warm caffiene.
I started carrying an Esbit stove with a snowpeak titanium mug this spring for boiling water. I ordered a MSR windscreen/heat reflector kit to make a lid for the mug and mini windscreen. The little fuel tabs work well and I add a little dry wood to help conserve the store-bought fuel. On an average temp day with minimal wind, I get around 4 cups of boiling-ish water from one tab and a couple of twigs. The whole package with 4 fuel tabs comes in at 8-9 oz. I still wouldn't count on this system for multiday trips (maybe after a little more experience and use?), but for light overnighters or a warm meal on a rainy day, it's great.
I recently bought the Esbit folding titanium stove with the fuel tabs. It has been said that this stove can boil two cups of water in 8 minutes and that the tab will burn for 12 minutes. I thought this would be great since the stove weighs less that an ounce and the tabs are only a half an ounce each. I brought the stove on a scouting trip last weekend, and it took two entire tabs to get the water hot enough to partially cook my meal. The water wasn't boiling even after two entire tabs. We were camped on an exposed ridge with some wind, but I made a wind break out of rocks, and I would think that two entire tabs should be able to boil water. I will not be using this stove anymore. Still thinking about the Jetboil or MSR reactor (1L), but have also been thinking of the snowpeak gigapower (very similar to the pocket rocket). I will need to decide before my next scouting trip.
Post by: 300rum on August 21, 2013, 09:43:36 AM
I was in REI a couple of weeks ago and they have a new style of pocket rocket. I didn't have much time to compare the two but it might be something to look into.
I bought a Jetboil a couple of years ago and love it!!! It's fast and easy for boiling water. I pooh-poohed the backpacking meals for years, but have found that they've gotten a lot better or my standards have gotten lower. They're pretty darn fantastic when you're hungry. The coffee press version is pretty neat when you've been scoping for a couple of hours on a cold ledge and need a little warm caffiene.
I started carrying an Esbit stove with a snowpeak titanium mug this spring for boiling water. I ordered a MSR windscreen/heat reflector kit to make a lid for the mug and mini windscreen. The little fuel tabs work well and I add a little dry wood to help conserve the store-bought fuel. On an average temp day with minimal wind, I get around 4 cups of boiling-ish water from one tab and a couple of twigs. The whole package with 4 fuel tabs comes in at 8-9 oz. I still wouldn't count on this system for multiday trips (maybe after a little more experience and use?), but for light overnighters or a warm meal on a rainy day, it's great.
I recently bought the Esbit folding titanium stove with the fuel tabs. It has been said that this stove can boil two cups of water in 8 minutes and that the tab will burn for 12 minutes. I thought this would be great since the stove weighs less that an ounce and the tabs are only a half an ounce each. I brought the stove on a scouting trip last weekend, and it took two entire tabs to get the water hot enough to partially cook my meal. The water wasn't boiling even after two entire tabs. We were camped on an exposed ridge with some wind, but I made a wind break out of rocks, and I would think that two entire tabs should be able to boil water. I will not be using this stove anymore. Still thinking about the Jetboil or MSR reactor (1L), but have also been thinking of the snowpeak gigapower (very similar to the pocket rocket). I will need to decide before my next scouting trip.
Post by: WaltAlpine on August 21, 2013, 09:55:22 AM
Pocket Rocket, a Stoic Titanium Kettle (sounds big but isn't) and a small can of fuel is all you need for a week out in the sticks. It doesn't get any lighter or more compact unless you build a fire every time.Same here. I think a well thought out comparison will lead you to this for most backcountry needs. I've used it solo and for small groups.
Post by: dscubame on August 21, 2013, 11:27:04 AM
Pocket Rocket, a Stoic Titanium Kettle (sounds big but isn't) and a small can of fuel is all you need for a week out in the sticks. It doesn't get any lighter or more compact unless you build a fire every time.Same here. I think a well thought out comparison will lead you to this for most backcountry needs. I've used it solo and for small groups.
This is the route I took but I did not pay the premium for titanium verses steel. I could not see spending $55 more to save 2 oz. in weight. It is on my list to buy down the road just not this time around.
Post by: Rob on August 21, 2013, 11:29:21 AM
Post by: 300rum on August 21, 2013, 11:50:48 AM
Pocket Rocket, a Stoic Titanium Kettle (sounds big but isn't) and a small can of fuel is all you need for a week out in the sticks. It doesn't get any lighter or more compact unless you build a fire every time.Same here. I think a well thought out comparison will lead you to this for most backcountry needs. I've used it solo and for small groups.
This is the route I took but I did not pay the premium for titanium verses steel. I could not see spending $55 more to save 2 oz. in weight. It is on my list to buy down the road just not this time around.
Post by: 300rum on August 21, 2013, 11:52:54 AM
I did find this though...http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm (http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm)
Post by: 300rum on August 21, 2013, 11:58:22 AM
The only thing I don't like about the kettle is that it doesn't have marks so that you know how many cups of water you have. A sharpie easily takes care of this though.
Well it looks like Backcountry.com doesn't have the 2012 model for sale any longer.
I did find this though...http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm (http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm)
Post by: dscubame on August 21, 2013, 02:00:08 PM
Inside the kettle I put my pocket rocket, about a weeks worth of Starbucks Via and a couple of paper towels inside of a ziploc. This keeps everything from rattling around. The fuel bottle won't fit inside, fyi.
The only thing I don't like about the kettle is that it doesn't have marks so that you know how many cups of water you have. A sharpie easily takes care of this though.Well it looks like Backcountry.com doesn't have the 2012 model for sale any longer.
I did find this though...http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm (http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm)
2.8 cups of water now thats perfect size IMO. Thanks for posting this I will go this route.
Post by: MLHSN on August 22, 2013, 12:50:58 PM
I bought a Jetboil a couple of years ago and love it!!! It's fast and easy for boiling water. I pooh-poohed the backpacking meals for years, but have found that they've gotten a lot better or my standards have gotten lower. They're pretty darn fantastic when you're hungry. The coffee press version is pretty neat when you've been scoping for a couple of hours on a cold ledge and need a little warm caffiene.
I started carrying an Esbit stove with a snowpeak titanium mug this spring for boiling water. I ordered a MSR windscreen/heat reflector kit to make a lid for the mug and mini windscreen. The little fuel tabs work well and I add a little dry wood to help conserve the store-bought fuel. On an average temp day with minimal wind, I get around 4 cups of boiling-ish water from one tab and a couple of twigs. The whole package with 4 fuel tabs comes in at 8-9 oz. I still wouldn't count on this system for multiday trips (maybe after a little more experience and use?), but for light overnighters or a warm meal on a rainy day, it's great.
I recently bought the Esbit folding titanium stove with the fuel tabs. It has been said that this stove can boil two cups of water in 8 minutes and that the tab will burn for 12 minutes. I thought this would be great since the stove weighs less that an ounce and the tabs are only a half an ounce each. I brought the stove on a scouting trip last weekend, and it took two entire tabs to get the water hot enough to partially cook my meal. The water wasn't boiling even after two entire tabs. We were camped on an exposed ridge with some wind, but I made a wind break out of rocks, and I would think that two entire tabs should be able to boil water. I will not be using this stove anymore. Still thinking about the Jetboil or MSR reactor (1L), but have also been thinking of the snowpeak gigapower (very similar to the pocket rocket). I will need to decide before my next scouting trip.
The worst part of esbit, is the sticky black goo that starts to build up on the bottom of your pots.
Post by: 300rum on August 22, 2013, 01:30:42 PM
The handles on the sides have a dog-leg so that your ring finger sits in the notch. A little hard to explain but when you use it for the first time you will know what I mean It is easy to hold with a cup of boiling water when you are cramped in a tent, on uneven ground, while there is a blizzard outside.
The best thing is that it is quality and cheap!
Inside the kettle I put my pocket rocket, about a weeks worth of Starbucks Via and a couple of paper towels inside of a ziploc. This keeps everything from rattling around. The fuel bottle won't fit inside, fyi.
The only thing I don't like about the kettle is that it doesn't have marks so that you know how many cups of water you have. A sharpie easily takes care of this though.Well it looks like Backcountry.com doesn't have the 2012 model for sale any longer.
I did find this though...http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm (http://www.cleansnipe.com/cheap--sale/stoic-ti-kettle-700ml.htm)
2.8 cups of water now thats perfect size IMO. Thanks for posting this I will go this route.
Post by: judojudd on August 27, 2013, 10:41:49 AM
Post by: Salmo on August 27, 2013, 08:34:15 PM
Post by: Hunter mike on August 27, 2013, 11:50:03 PM
Bought this... haven't tried it yet. Got it for $48 + shipping with the coupon in my e-mail from STP. Kind of a Jetboil wannabe, but good reviews overall.
Before that, I've been using an alcohol stove. Very light, but long boil times and tough to estimate fuel use (water temp and elevation variable) and I come up short sometimes. I think the new stove should streamline getting out of camp in the AM and getting dinner done ASAP.
Post by: heavy hauler on October 18, 2013, 02:24:02 PM
Post by: huntnnw on October 24, 2013, 03:02:25 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi200.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa139%2Fshanewa300%2Fb0561bd7-7450-4dcc-8753-751a847af2b2_zps13ffde0f.jpg&hash=15f99c3e3c01d6f8ac164961281e808af7112ccf) (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/shanewa300/media/b0561bd7-7450-4dcc-8753-751a847af2b2_zps13ffde0f.jpg.html)
Post by: RadSav on October 24, 2013, 04:20:46 AM
My biggest complaint about the Jet-Boil is that I've come to enjoy it so much I keep stopping to make more mountain mochas or noodles! Which means I have to carry A LOT more water than my aching body wants to when above timberline and water is scarce. That first day Jumbo Hotdog with yakisoba noodles cooked in the hotdog water makes me very happy and very sleepy :chuckle:
I can go the whole year without a cup of hot Tang or an instant double shot mocha. Then throw me into the high country with a Jet-Boil and I feel like a Tang and Mocha junky. Just can't get enough. Perhaps easy and convenient aren't always the best when hunting is suppose to be the priority ;)
Post by: hillbillyhunting on October 24, 2013, 08:03:00 AM
One reason I went away from the Jetboil is the fact that you need to rely on the fragile and flimsy plastic cover to be comfortable with setting the cup/pot in the dirt. I dont want anything that seems fragile when on an extended trip.
Appreciate all the input! :tup:
Post by: swanny on October 24, 2013, 02:21:51 PM
I ended up going with the Snow Peak GigaPower. I know many really like the white gas stoves, but I cant seem to convince myself to go away from canister stoves...If I was climbing everest or in the high country of colorado my opinion may change. The GigaPower treated me very well. Much more efficient, lighter, and less bulky than my ancient camping gaz stove. I only brought one 8oz can of fuel and was able to boil water twice a day (breakfast/coffee and dinner) for a 9 day trip. Satisfied with my decision.
One reason I went away from the Jetboil is the fact that you need to rely on the fragile and flimsy plastic cover to be comfortable with setting the cup/pot in the dirt. I dont want anything that seems fragile when on an extended trip.
Appreciate all the input! :tup:
Are you talking about the bottom "cup" of the JerBoil? Just curious why you have to use that to set the pot down.
Post by: JLS on October 24, 2013, 02:25:48 PM
I ended up going with the Snow Peak GigaPower. I know many really like the white gas stoves, but I cant seem to convince myself to go away from canister stoves...If I was climbing everest or in the high country of colorado my opinion may change. The GigaPower treated me very well. Much more efficient, lighter, and less bulky than my ancient camping gaz stove. I only brought one 8oz can of fuel and was able to boil water twice a day (breakfast/coffee and dinner) for a 9 day trip. Satisfied with my decision.
One reason I went away from the Jetboil is the fact that you need to rely on the fragile and flimsy plastic cover to be comfortable with setting the cup/pot in the dirt. I dont want anything that seems fragile when on an extended trip.
Appreciate all the input! :tup:
I've been using this one for five years now. I've been happy with it and I think you will too. The piezo igniter crapped the bed on me this year, now I use a lighter.
Post by: lostbackpacker on October 24, 2013, 02:39:57 PM
Post by: bowhunterty on October 24, 2013, 07:16:48 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on October 25, 2013, 07:55:25 AM
I ended up going with the Snow Peak GigaPower. I know many really like the white gas stoves, but I cant seem to convince myself to go away from canister stoves...If I was climbing everest or in the high country of colorado my opinion may change. The GigaPower treated me very well. Much more efficient, lighter, and less bulky than my ancient camping gaz stove. I only brought one 8oz can of fuel and was able to boil water twice a day (breakfast/coffee and dinner) for a 9 day trip. Satisfied with my decision.
One reason I went away from the Jetboil is the fact that you need to rely on the fragile and flimsy plastic cover to be comfortable with setting the cup/pot in the dirt. I dont want anything that seems fragile when on an extended trip.
Appreciate all the input! :tup:
Are you talking about the bottom "cup" of the JerBoil? Just curious why you have to use that to set the pot down.
I could be wrong but I don't think you would want to get dirt, sand, etc in the area the cup is designed to protect.
Post by: swanny on October 25, 2013, 09:31:02 AM
I ended up going with the Snow Peak GigaPower. I know many really like the white gas stoves, but I cant seem to convince myself to go away from canister stoves...If I was climbing everest or in the high country of colorado my opinion may change. The GigaPower treated me very well. Much more efficient, lighter, and less bulky than my ancient camping gaz stove. I only brought one 8oz can of fuel and was able to boil water twice a day (breakfast/coffee and dinner) for a 9 day trip. Satisfied with my decision.
One reason I went away from the Jetboil is the fact that you need to rely on the fragile and flimsy plastic cover to be comfortable with setting the cup/pot in the dirt. I dont want anything that seems fragile when on an extended trip.
Appreciate all the input! :tup:
Are you talking about the bottom "cup" of the JerBoil? Just curious why you have to use that to set the pot down.
I could be wrong but I don't think you would want to get dirt, sand, etc in the area the cup is designed to protect.
I've set it down on the dirt many times. Dirt wont hurt the heat exchanger area at all. Now if you are setting it down in mud and it gets caked on that might be a different story. But any small cling on type debris will burn and wont harm it.
Post by: hillbillyhunting on October 25, 2013, 12:29:39 PM
I ended up going with the Snow Peak GigaPower. I know many really like the white gas stoves, but I cant seem to convince myself to go away from canister stoves...If I was climbing everest or in the high country of colorado my opinion may change. The GigaPower treated me very well. Much more efficient, lighter, and less bulky than my ancient camping gaz stove. I only brought one 8oz can of fuel and was able to boil water twice a day (breakfast/coffee and dinner) for a 9 day trip. Satisfied with my decision.
One reason I went away from the Jetboil is the fact that you need to rely on the fragile and flimsy plastic cover to be comfortable with setting the cup/pot in the dirt. I dont want anything that seems fragile when on an extended trip.
Appreciate all the input! :tup:
Are you talking about the bottom "cup" of the JerBoil? Just curious why you have to use that to set the pot down.
I could be wrong but I don't think you would want to get dirt, sand, etc in the area the cup is designed to protect.
I've set it down on the dirt many times. Dirt wont hurt the heat exchanger area at all. Now if you are setting it down in mud and it gets caked on that might be a different story. But any small cling on type debris will burn and wont harm it.
Good to know! I have no regrets going the route I did. My setup is lighter and more compact than the jetboil, and so far I am very happy with the efficiency. I really like the jetboil, but decided to go with a less fragile and less expensive setup.