MSR reactor looking for a good review.

What do you think about it?

Used one on the JMT this past summer and thought it was great. I've used liquid fuel stoves before and thought this was so much more straightforward because it's one integrated system; no separate windscreen, pot, and burner. We hiked the full trail in 11 days and used one 8 oz canister. We made hot coffee in the morning, ate a warm dinner, and cooked lunch on most days. It died after coffee the morning of the last day, right before heading up Whitney. I didn't notice that it was about to empty, the burner flow was strong until the end.

I look forward to using it in the alpine and during the winter where I think it will perform just as well. I'm still wondering if it's really worth the price, I think it is, but it's still a lot of money to shell out for a stove. I didn't pay msrp, I did some price-matching stuff here and there and I think I paid about $120.

I get hard just thinking about my Reactor. My brother (has Jetboil) and I have done side by side comparisons, and my Reactor always won.
Originally got it for Rainier (worked awesomely), but use it all over (canoeing, camping etc) and love it.

Mark Pilate wrote:I get hard just thinking about my Reactor. My brother (has Jetboil) and I have done side by side comparisons, and my Reactor always won. Originally got it for Rainier (worked awesomely), but use it all over (canoeing, camping etc) and love it.

I have the Reactor and Jet Boil. For boiling/melting water it's amazingly fast. I have cooked pasta type meals and it performs equally as well. The downside is bulk and weight. Though when you think of it as a "group" stove the weight isn't as much as of a factor. For solo missions it's overkill.

I love my Reactor, and if anything ever happens to it, I will replace it with another reactor. It is very fuel efficient, works well in windy conditions without a wind block, and it hauls ass at boiling water. Its a bit heavier than a jetboil, but I feel it more than makes up for the added weight with its reliability and performance. It's also incredibly bomber, I'm not even how you could break it short of parking a Sherman tank on it. It's a bit tricky to get it to simmer, but it can be done with some finesse. Basically, buy one, you won't regret it. Oh, and the kit for hanging it is awesome!

I'll throw my hat in the Jetboil vs Reactor ring. I have had a jetboil for about 6 years, its seen a lot of use. One of my better friends got a Reactor maybe 3 years ago. He is certain the reactor is vastly superior, I disagree (we argue about everything). Pros of the Reactor vs Jetboil: 1. It boils FAST, really really fast- faster than the Jetboil. 2. It holds more water than the jetboil. This can be really nice. 3. It looks really cool. Pro's of the Jetboil vs Reactor: 1. Seems more efficient that the reactor. This isn't based on data, but it sure seemed his stove was burning thru gas quickly... we actually ran out of gas one trip. I know it supposed to be a gas efficient stove, but seems less so that the jetboil. May also be that he had it cranked to infinity to brag how much faster the stove boils than my jetboil. 2. The cup/mug feature. Its great. I love making tea and drinking out of the mug, it works well, keeps beverages warm. Easy to drink out of, easy to eat out of. 3. Its really speedy, not as fast as the reactor, but there has never been a time when i needed my water to boil in 30 seconds rather than a minute. 4. It packs smaller, this is a big difference to me as I like to pack small. Still huge compared to lightweight backpacking stoves, but it includes your pot. 5. You only need one stove, every one in your trip can bring a companion cup, and use the same stove.

If I had it to do again I would definetly get a jetboil again. If you are cooking for slightly larger groups, the faster boiling/larger capacity of the reactor would be nice, however, Jetboil makes the Helios to fit this bill.

Just my opinion

one thing to note is that the titanium jetboils have had failure issues ... basically jetboil says its for boiling water only, and that does not include melting snow

you can read all about it here ...

google.ca/#psj=1&q=jetboil+…

if you do get a titanium jetboil i suggest getting one at MEC or some other place with and unlimited no questions asked warranty as in some of the cases jetboil is only offering to sell another cup at a discount, not replace the cup ... course MPers may call ya a 'scammer" =P

i own and use the old jetboil PCS and have had no issues with the aluminum cup myself

;)

I have both the big and little MSR Reactors. They are the best stoves for boiling water par none. Like others have said I have put mine up against jetboil stoves in side by side comparison tests and the Reactor is always faster and more wind proof. I sold my jetboil SOL when I purchased the small reactor. Both Reactors use the same burner with different pot sizes so you could get one stove and buy the extra pot depending on if you go 1-2 or 2+ people in your group. I love to cook in the outdoors and the Reactor has made me think up a whole slew of new meals that require only boiling water, I like it that much.
Here is one Recipe that is one of my favorites
Hawaiian Haystacks
Minute Rice
Lachoy noodles
freeze dried Chicken (don't need this but makes it really good)
pineapple
coconut
cashews
raisins
peas
corn

All Veges. and fruits are freeze dried
soy sause in 1 oz. Nalgene bottle
Sweet and Sour Sauce in small 1 oz.-4 oz. nalgene bottle

I just have all the fruits, veges, chicken, and rice in a zip lock bags then I add boiling water to each bag and serve. you could combine them all before hand but i have found people like to pick and choose what they want on their rice.
When all the food is hydrated you pile it all in a bowl and up soy sauce and or sweet and sour sauce on the top.

The Reactor is amazing for how fast it boils water.
Dallen

If you're planning on melting snow for water more than once a year, or hate building/finding a good windbreak for cooking, get a Reactor.

If you don't need the absolute fastest boil times and can take 5 minutes to find a spot out of the wind, get a JetBoil SOL.

Reactor pros:
The Reactor is pretty damn windproof. The Jetboil - not at all.
The Reactor destroys snow like it's got an XGK inferiority complex. Jetboil asks nicely if the snow would melt a little faster, please.

Jetboil pros:
Smaller size, lower weight, better fuel efficiency.
I love being able to hold my JB while it's heating...
JB is slightly more versatile when it comes to not-so-extreme conditions cooking - more adjustability to the flame, easier to use non-JB pots

Used my JB PCS on Rainier (before I got my SOL) and was pleased with its performance, though my Reactor-equipped friends were sipping tea a few minutes earlier...

Totally love mine. Bulletproof and boils FAST. Hard to cook anything complicated, but great for melting/boiling.