Backbacking cook stove?

moseleymiddleton · May 2, 2014

The wife and I are planning on going on some multiple night backpacking camping trips. What is the preferred fuel for backpacking, the mini propane stoves or the little solid fuel stoves. I like not having the garbage of fuel cans to pack back out, but 12 minute burn time doesn't seem like much.

What is better?

ElkManDan · May 2, 2014

I prefer the propane butane mix stoves. You can get a lot of burn time out of a single canister. I believe most stoves will give you between 60-90 min at high setting with an 8 oz canister. I usually only use it to boil water once a day for a mountain house meal and it usually takes less than 5 min at medium heat to get that done.

grosventrehunter · May 2, 2014

Jetboil is the only way to go.

HiMtnHntr · May 3, 2014

I like the MSR Pocket Rocket. I use the small canisters of propane/butane for just a few days.

sagebrush · May 3, 2014

Can't beat one of these at $8.50 for boiling water for your Mountain House. I've used the heck out of mine and still running strong.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Ba...=1399152650&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove

One small canister of butane/propane mix fuel will boil enough water for two meals twice a day for 7 days.

trophyhunter · May 3, 2014

+1 on the jetboil....we pack in as many ounces of fuel as we need in the ultra lite fuel carry container no fuss or mess. Heats everything quick at 9000 ft.

))))------->

ridgetops · May 4, 2014

I really love my jetboil. I have the older model and I have heard that the newer ones are better.

moseleymiddleton · May 4, 2014

the one my father in law got uses the little 1x1 white cubes you light on fire and they burn for about 12 minute. I just don't know how well it works.

also what is everybody's favorite mountain house meal? I"m going to start buying some and trying them so I know what to take and not but a good starter?

carterj16 · May 4, 2014

jetboil

BOHNTR · May 4, 2014

I have several...including two different styles of Jetboil, some other name brands as well. Anymore, when I'm cutting weight & space while trying to maintain efficiency, I pack a Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium stove.......the lightest made at a mere 1.9 oz. VERY dependable little stove.

BOHNTR )))---------->

grosventrehunter · May 4, 2014

Small stoves such as the pocket rocket have issues with the wind, and a small unsteady surface for your cooking surface/pot. You still need a pot and if you drink coffee a cup. Jetboil has both, all in one compact self contained unit. Also, water will boil much faster in a jetboil than in any open flame stove such as the pocket rocket.

llamapacker · May 4, 2014

Jetboil is too bulky for me. I find the pocket rocket to be just fine, and fits inside a 1L titanium pot along with the fuel. Do NOT use the solid fuel pellets. They will work, but are a bit of a nuisance, don't do well in teh wind, and leave an oily residue on your pot. They are good for an emergency, but won't use them regularly once you try one of the new ultralite stoves. A fuel canister will last two people about 5-7 days of normal use.

Lots of good MTn House meals.Few if any real bad ones, but a couple are a bit spicy for my taste. Chicken a la King is a common favorite.
Bill

Vanilla · May 4, 2014

I started with the MSR pocket rocket and then a couple years ago picked up the Optimus Crux Weekend system. I no longer use the pocket rocket. But it is honestly so small I frequently still throw it in for a backup just in case.

I really like the Optimus system. It has worked well for me.

peez3006 · May 4, 2014

I'm a fan of the Jet Boil too. The only mountain house that I've eaten and didn't like was the Beef Stew. Beef Stroganoff is my favorite. Also like chili mac, lasagna, spaghetti.

Don P

cabinfever · May 5, 2014

Since I've tested and owned about every stove out their I will toss in my 2 bits.

Snowpeak litemax is hands down the best stove for 3-4 day trips in the ultralight category.

If you need a stove that preforms well at high altitudes and/or in very cold conditions than look no further than the MSR XGK. It also burns a multitude of fuels. This stove has you covered in almost every situation

Jetboils are great stoves for early season, but when it gets cold they do not do well. I have not tested them at high elevations but I understand they do better at higher elevations than in the cold.

I would also recomend the MSR reactor if you hunt with 3-4 guys.

2lumpy · May 5, 2014

moseley, as an alternative you might consider a Dakota Hole fire. Wind won't bother it, elevation won't effect it, no cans to carry, fuel is free and plentiful, heats like an inferno and your wife will love the smores you'll surprised her with.

Not suggesting that you no take a back-parkers stove but every body aught to know how to cook with a Dakato Hole fire.

Here a YouTube to get you started.

DC

jester · May 5, 2014

Jet Boil.......

greatwestern · May 6, 2014

Snowpeak Ti...like I've said on here before, its basically a smaller, lighter, more bad ass jetboil

heartshot · May 7, 2014

I always use a white gas backpacking stove. My friends laugh at me when they see me pumping the air in for pressure. When it gets cold, I get the last laugh.

Feleno · May 7, 2014

As mentioned in this thread, several stove/pan combos lighter and more compact than the overrated Jet Boil.

moseleymiddleton · May 7, 2014

The solid fuel cubes I have are made by esbit but it seems no one has used them.

heartshot · May 8, 2014

I would never mess with fuel cubes for cooking (well maybe 50 years ago). There are alot of options out there from cheap to expensive and everything in-between. I would say they are all better than fuel cubes. The cubes only have one heat setting and take longer to boil water. It cost more in fuel to boil water than other stoves. If you are lucky, a $1 cube will get you 1 pint of boiling water. Sure, the cube stoves are really light weight but unless you get really excited about saving a few ounces, they are not worth it in my opinion.

The cubes can be good for a firestarter in bad conditions.

moseleymiddleton · May 8, 2014

Thanks for the info

elkassassin · May 8, 2014

Backpacking!

Not backBacking!

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BLACKDOG · May 8, 2014

I use the Soto OD-1 Micro regulator, and an Evernew Titanium Pot. A small can of fuel, titanium spork, and the stove will fit inside the pot. This combination has worked well in moderate temperatures up to 10,000' elevation.

The down side to this combination is extreme cold. At 9000' elevation and -10 degrees the fuel does not vaporize right. It took nearly 30 minutes to heat 2 cups of water for my Mountain House meal. For this type of situation I would use a liquid fuel stove. My buddies with the Jet Boil stoves did not have the problems that I experienced on this trip.

As far as meals Mountain House does a good job on all of them just get meals that appeal to your tastes. The one thing that nearly everyone I know dislikes about freeze dried meals are meals involving eggs (omelets, scrambled eggs). Top Ramen works well for backpacking. Mix things up also to improve your caloric intake. I use a few MREs and tortillas for one of my meals. Freeze dried meals do not have enough calories to keep mr going for a week.

bigbull1 · May 10, 2014

I have an original Jet Boil that still works well....

I agree with Blackdog that most egg freeze dried meals are not very tasty.
However I love the Mountain House Breafast Skillet, with sausage, eggs, onions, peppers and Hash Browns! Super filling with a flour tortIlla makes a great breakfast burrito! Usually skip lunch when I eat one of these in the morning.

Ed

superbadd · May 10, 2014

+1 for the pocket rocket. Have used it for single night outings as well as extended 5+ day trips. Wind is an issue but find a nice cozy spot and it does fine. Doesn't boil as fast as jet boil though. If going in colder outing temps you can use the fuel designed for colder temps otherwise it won't work (found out hard way ice fishing this year). Size and weight were the biggest factors for me in choosing this one.