I'm looking to get a decent quality backpacking stove on a budget. I'd love to get a used one in good condition to save money. What would you guys recommend as far as models or features for an entry level backpacking stove?
Jetboil works well for me when the duck blind menu calls for hot water boiled quickly. Probably wouldn't try to use it to really cook anything. There seems to be a magic switch somewhere in the burner that goes off when the water starts boiling, that is always the exact time a flock of ducks appears out of nowhere and lands in the decoys.
You did mention budget. Making your own ultra lightweight alcohol stove is super easy. Lots of good designs here........ http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm
Another cheap option was something I learned from my Dad. He worked his whole over 18 career at a corrugated box factory. Of course, they have seal coat/wetloc machines (one sided wax and infused was inside and out on both sides). What he used to do was take a tuna fish can, use an old fashioned oil can opener (or one of the metal can openers with punch top) and make holes on the side for oxygen, and cut a wetloc box (that's the infused wax box, like you see in supermarkets for some produce and frozen meats) so it would fit into the can with just a small amount of room from top of corrugated to where top of can is. He would roll it of course. So looked almost like a cinnamon roll shape in it. He would melt some extra wax to melt over it and seal it into the can. Would ignite fast and had a can cut for it just a tad bit bigger to toss over it to extinguish it. You could put a small pan over the top of it and it would cook up super fast. Cheap and easy to make (and anyone can still make it). Just my Dad had access to make them super easy. In fact, he used to make firestarters with the bad wetloc boxes.
I have a jet boil and a Caldara Keg-F Alcohol stove. The Caldara is very light. 10oz includes the burner, pot, windscreen, carrying case and denatured alcohol for a 4-day trip. Best alcohol stove I've ever used. The Jet-Boil is fast but quite a bit heavier.
It's that time of year when i get out my lanterns and stoves and give them a test run.
Here's a shot of an old trusted friend, my Optimus 99. Not the lightest, fastest or most fuel efficient but totally trustworthy and well, just cool!
Sorry for the lack of photo...doing this from my phone has been challenging.
It's that time of year when i get out my lanterns and stoves and give them a test run.
Here's a shot of an old trusted friend, my Optimus 99. Not the lightest, fastest or most fuel efficient but totally trustworthy and well, just cool!
Yes. The Biolite burns very efficiently (and quite hot) thanks to the self-recharging battery powering a fan that is vented into the firebox in a cyclonic action. The USB power port has recharged my GPS and even camera batteries during field testing. It's a VERY proven system -- see here:
I actually get the idea behind it. Had a customer on my old route who ran his house off same principle actually. Burned for heat, had heat fans that generated the electricity for the house.
For me, the idea is cool, but I want as LITTLE electronics with me on the water (besides maybe a camera) as possible. Camera will last weeks on a charge, even with heavy usage. And for me, I can actually do LandNav the old fashioned way, so don't need the GPS if I ever got into that situation. Plus how rarely I use my phone out there, my battery lasts for days too.
Since both the SVEA 123 and the Optimus have come up in the conversation I thought I'd throw out a personal observation for anyone who loves those old stoves.
I believe the Svea 123 comes to a full roar faster than the Optimus because of the placement of the fuel tank directly below the burner where it is heated more efficiently than if the burner was to the side like in the Optimus design. The Optimus will still get to a full roar, it just takes a bit longer. Both designs benefit from having a pot on the burner to direct some of the heat to the fuel tank. That being said, I still prefer the Optimus over the Svea 123 because of the lower center of gravity/ wider base. The Svea 123 always seemed a little "tippy". Still, it's hard to resist that cute little brass Svea 123!
Can you tell I love these old stoves? Note: My backpacking days are pretty much over so weight is not an issue I am taking in to account. The more modern stove designs mentioned in the above posts shine in that regard. If I were climbing at any significant altitude or in extreme low temps I would still opt for the Svea or Optimus regardless of weight, as they are unaffected by both.
LOL, almost all my trips are tax deductible on the water. From business write offs to volunteer. I just need to do it more often, rarely write off my PHWFF stuff. LOL.
I have used the snowpeaks gigapower stove with optional windscreen, awsome light weight stove, use it for climbing, backpacking, and multiday backpack style kayaking
on another note, those who carry the least amount of weight usually have the most fun. See if you can get a hold of Ray Jardines book of the Ray Way, lots of stuff here: Some very unconventional stuff and some stuff that makes a lot of sense to me. http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml
I have used the snowpeaks gigapower stove with optional windscreen, awsome light weight stove, use it for climbing, backpacking, and multiday backpack style kayaking
I have never been a fan of stoves that use disposable fuel canisters; just rubs me the wrong way. We have enough of a disposable culture as it is.
on another note, those who carry the least amount of weight usually have the most fun. See if you can get a hold of Ray Jardines book of the Ray Way, lots of stuff here: Some very unconventional stuff and some stuff that makes a lot of sense to me. http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml
I like his ideas and the "kit" method (even if it does take food out of the mouths of kids in Bangladesh). But at 70 with a knee replacement and arthritis I no longer backpack and, as long as I don't portage, I can carry a lot in my kayak and still get there sitting flat on my ass.
My "camping" is mostly Jeep camping or even (gasp!) in a motor home. At some point it's time to put aside prejudices and do whatever it takes to get out there. But I draw the line at disposable fuel canisters. At least for me.
Amazon does not carry the Biolite but when you search for it you find this. Looks like it's more compact, perhaps lighter. No thermal charging system but batteries for the fan (and, presumably, to charge a USB device). Half the price of the Biolite but perhaps not quiet as good as a survival cooker.
gimme that old Svea, Optimus or Primus; a splash of fuel in the pan, the flick of the Bic, and you're off & purring! But I confess; given the need to haul out venison in the same pack I haul my bivouac stuff, the smaller and lighter the better, and a canister works for me, along with titanium everything else, to lighten the load.
gimme that old Svea, Optimus or Primus; a splash of fuel in the pan, the flick of the Bic, and you're off & purring! But I confess; given the need to haul out venison in the same pack I haul my bivouac stuff, the smaller and lighter the better, and a canister works for me, along with titanium everything else, to lighten the load.
The first time I used a Jetboil I thought it was one of the best pieces of gear I'd ever purchased. On Mt. Adams two weeks ago we had an MSR Reactor and a Jetboil Sumo in our group and at 10k feet the MSR was far faster to boil water, probably due to it's burner design vs. the flame Jetboil uses (that is often misdirected from the wind). If I were buying today for a stove that was more or less for boiling water/dehydrated meals I'd go MSR.
I saw a video interview with the inventor of the Biolite Stove today with a demo of how it works. Would be handy to have out in the boonies if you had reception and a smart-phone (or any cell phone or device) that needed charging.
You could live in a van down by the river a lot easier with one of those!
I have a Snowpeak canister stove, and the first canister I bought is still good, after 5 days of use on one hiking trip, and a couple of water boilings since then. I only have a couple of spare canisters now. I packed a spare canister in, and back out, never needing it. I think that if I am departing on a 5-day trip, I only will need one fresh fuel canister, and not have to pack a spare.
Does this sound about right? One doesn't want to run out of fuel, but one also doesn't want to pack unnecessary extra canisters.
Not the smallest but pretty damned cool. Fits when packed for a trip.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Washington Fly Fishing Forum
1.8M posts
21.3K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to fishers, anglers and enthusiasts in the Washington area. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, boats, tackle, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!