Cooking Stoves

[BrentLaBere]

Looking for opinions on using personal cooking stoves.
I am going back and forth between a few different ones and cant seem to decide. There certainly isn't a one size fits 'all needs' stove but I am doing my best to find one for multiple uses if possible.

For example: I was leaning towards the MSR Micro Rocket because of its ability to cook, besides just boiling water. Certainly not the best for cooking but its possible, with different pans or pots, compared to your one pot only boiling systems. I have a coffee percolator I leave at the truck and it would be nice to be able to use this set up for that. Jet boils cant get the job done. I have also seen where the reactor and windboiler will not work for other pots. Not making these very versatile but good at what they do.....boil water in bad conditions.

Draw backs for me is the wind factor and blowing out the flame or making it harder to boil. Worst case scenario, in bad weather, a guy could boil water in the tent.

What types of system do you guys have? What do you like about it? What do you wish it could do differently?


I know, I am asking a lot out of a little stove but its the off season and my wheels are spinning.

[longbowelk]

I have the MSR pocket rocket stove. I know when I first bought it the sales guy said it would not perform as well at high elevation and windy. However when I use it in those situations I try and find enough material to create a shelter to minimize the wind blowing out the flame. Have had no problems with it cooking food.

[chainsaw]

X2 on the MSR pocket rocket. Had mine for quite a few years now. Lots of use with no complaints and have used it to cook many things.

[poisonarrow]

I was tired of not being able to use wood to cook on. I developed a lightweight grill. It weighs 3.8 oz , grill tripod and all. I also take a Kovea Spider and a small tea pot for boiling water. The whole outfit, Kovea, pot, and grill weigh 17 oz. I have not used this for a hunting season but I got tired of no options other than boiling water on my jetboil. The Kovea will simmer great and you can turn it over and use liquid when it is below freezing.

You can see my grill on my website

[Dr. Rx]

love my Jet Boil..man it's fast!

[Lefty]

You didn't mention if it is used in a packing situation
I like the convince of propane. I often use a cheapo Stansport burner. Which I use for general camping for me and my wife. There are a lot of single and double burner stoves of different quality using propane and butane.

Then you can go bigger stoves like the Cache cookers of every type , more for a base camp. Incredible heavy weight stoves. Opps I forgot they are Camp Chef, anyway incredible for the money. I have one of their proto types from 1990 Ive gone though maybe 30, 25 gallon cylinders. I'ved used it for cook , canning, boiling traps, making bear baits
http://www.campchef.com/stoves/mountain-series-stoves.html
Our Scout troop has a Partners stove, designed for horse packing, great stove that puts all the Colemans to shame, the ultimate in campgear
I think they sell it in their shop and though Element outfitters
http://partnersteel.com/prod01.htm

[BrentLaBere]

Lefty,
Thanks for the links and yes I should have clarified how intended to use it. The one I am currently looking for would be with on my back packing adventures. I do need a new one for summer camping trips and at base camp. My old Coleman just isnt getting the job done anymore. Extremely tough to boil water on for anything, but cooks ok. So that was the main reason I was looking for something small to possibly cook on but for the most part boil water.
SnowPeak GigaPower stove w/ wind blocker vs the pocket rocket (micro rocket) set ups. Just need to decide on the wind blocker and if its worth it.

[Lefty]

I was talking with my wife.
Forty year old experience; When she packed with one friend they only used a fire. Matches were lighter than a stove.
She also mentioned they only used hot water for their MH meals.