Durable Convenient Stove

As with other equipment, I’m willing to pay what it costs for something that will last so I don’t have to deal with broken equipment and lost investments. I have nearly zero experience with camp stoves, and I know the internet is chock-full of stove fanatics.

What are some compact 1-burner stove models (new or classic) that are tried-and-true for durability and for convenience like easy to dis/assemble, stable, and usable in a variety of situations?

For years, I used ol' trusty - the MSR Whisperlite. But now, I use the Jetboil. It limits me to dishes that only require adding hot water, but it's light, compact and boils water quickly (I carry a lighter in case the piezo igniter doesn't work). However, if you are camping in cold weather, the white gas stoves work better. And if cooking backcountry cuisine is your preference, don't go with the Jetboil. You'll get many opinions and preferences on this one - don't get too bogged down in researching it, because the debates can be endless!

I've been backpacking and using camp stoves for 20+ years. IMO - The Jetboil has been the most durable and conveneint of them all.

FrankPS wrote:You'll get many opinions and preferences on this one - don't get too bogged down in researching it, because the debates can be endless!

Opinions... and here is mine. The MSR whisperlite is definitely durable and easy to maintain. I also like the MSR pocket rocket because it is fairly light and cheap. I have used it for 5 years without any sign of problems. And I do not have the issue of having to buy extra stuff when I want to use an odd pan like you would with Jetboil. My Pocket Rocket + Ti 600 mL cup weighs in at 6 ounces total.

I have the Primus eta express.

Here is a comparison between the Primus Eta Express and MSR Reactor
litekayaking.com/2010/05/ms…

MSR dragonfly is more adjustable and holds a larger pot/pan than the whisperlite. (gf has dragonfly. i have whisperlite.. she wins) also use a jetboil and pocket rocket for other things. white gas works better in the cold and is a ton cheaper than canisters.

for car camping i use my 2 burner coleman propane stove. it is bigger, easier, faster to set up and use. the little green canisters last forever and easy to find.

I've had a Whisperlite for a while. It' works great in all temperatures and elevations. I've cooked down to about 0F and 13k with it no problem. It's durable and simple.

About a year ago I was feeling frisky and decided to get an MSR Reactor as well. Way faster to light (don't have to prime it), and boils water fast, which is nice for those 2am starts where you just want some hot water as quick as possible so you can get going.

As far as boil times, at first the Reactor seemed faster than the Whisperlite, but I had a suspicion that it was largely due to all the fins on the Reactor pot vs. the standard SS pot I was using with the Whisperlite. Much to my wife's chagrin, I ignored the "do not use indoors" warnings and did a very unscientific experiment in my kitchen. I timed how long it took to bring 1L of tap water to boil with each stove, but using the Reactor pot for both. This resulted in nearly identical boil times. Since the Whisperlite fits just as nicely in the pot as the Reactor (minus the fuel bottle), I'm planning to use the Whisperlite with the Reactor pot next winter when things get cold. I hate getting to dinner time and realizing that you need to warm up the Propane/Butane before you can even start cooking/melting water. True you can keep the fuel in your pocket during the day and sleeping bag at night, but that's just one more thing to think about that isn't an issue with white gas.

Here's another vote for the Whisperlite. Durable, dependable and light.

MSR reactor, while it might be slightly heavier to begin with the weight and prices savings in fuel are incredible. the optimum gas pressure is 8 psi. you gotta git it git out and get cookin'

Snow Peak Gigapower (with wind screen). Stable, durable, dependable, portable, HOT. What else could you need?

I think I might have to get over my unexplainable gut reaction against the JetBoil. :) Somehow it threatens my manhood.

FrankPS wrote:For years, I used ol' trusty - the MSR Whisperlite. But now, I use the Jetboil. It limits me to dishes that only require adding hot water, but it's light, compact and boils water quickly (I carry a lighter in case the piezo igniter doesn't work). However, if you are camping in cold weather, the white gas stoves work better. And if cooking backcountry cuisine is your preference, don't go with the Jetboil. You'll get many opinions and preferences on this one - don't get too bogged down in researching it, because the debates can be endless!

+1 JetBoil has changed my life. I can even fry cook most small meals over it too. My 30 yr.old MSR XGK multi-fuel is still my most dependable for cold weather and long hours of use. Cheaper than the JetBoil fuel mix canisters too. Both are excellent choices.

My vote goes to MSR XGK-EX . While heavier, bit bulkier and having more moving parts than for instance Jetboils, it works in very cold and high up without any problems... but again it depends what you need. For shorter trips in less extreme weather / environment, I would probably go with some of the Jetboil models.

- Juho Risku / climbingextreme.com

How many threads are you going to start on how many different forums at how many different websites to ask these same questions?

Ryan Nevius wrote:Snow Peak Gigapower (with wind screen). Stable, durable, dependable, portable, HOT. What else could you need?

Snow Peak Gigapower FTW. Durable, gotta weigh less than a lb, and compacts down to the size of a candy bar or something. Cooked up many a camp meal on that little guy.

Yarp wrote:How many threads are you going to start on how many different forums at how many different websites to ask these same questions?

The fact that you recognized that speaks volumes.

jetboil

this swiss bum on cholotse cant be all wrong ;)

I have used my trusty little brass Svea 123 white gas stove since 1976. I do not know if it is still made or available for sale anymore.

alleyehave wrote: The fact that you recognized that speaks volumes.

Actually the OP thread-bombed a bunch of forums.