backpacking stoves

[ozy clint]

i've got an MSR whisperlite internationale stove and while i like it a lot there are lighter options out there.
i've been looking at a few of the ultralight canister stoves, namely the snow peak and the kovea titanium stoves. a much lighter option and more boil ups for the weight carried.

i'm just wondering how these types of stoves perform in cold temps and high altitude? how cold and how high for both the gas and liquid fuel stoves?

thanks

[Bonecracker]

I have tried quite a few stoves over the years and I am allways looking for ways to shave weight off my bivy gear! The only reason I use a stove is to boil water for my MntHouse meals when I am on the go chasing elk!

I have been extremely happy with my White Box Stove! Simple, weighs next to nothing, and does what it is suppose to do, boil water quickly! Last time I used it at 11,500 ft it worked perfectly. Nothing to clean and no moving parts! My Daddy allways said, keep it simple stupid!   If I am not mistanke they sell for about $20.00 on E-Bay!

[jhg]

Take dependability over a few saved  oz.
 Not sayin' you should, but I use an old SVEA 123 that might weight a bit (and its only a bit) more than some other newer state of the art stoves, but it is the stove that absolutely will not fail. I will never replace it to save a couple ozs.  Think about that next time you really need something hot.
Keep the whisperlite.

Joshua

[JimB]

I'm not real well versed on all the newer versions but generally for cold and high altitude,white gas stoves are most efficient.

My old tried and true,also has been the SVEA 123 which I started using 40 years ago.There may be lighter alternatives now but it is the main one I have used.

I'm sending you a PM,Ozy.

[lpcjon2]

Just a thought you can try the military surplus sites they have some great deals on stoves and such.I used some when I was in the Marines and the work.Also trioxalene (spelling may be wrong) heat tabs work great.They are small blocks the size of micro cassette tape cover and you can cook  2-packs of ramen noodles with just one.

[BobW]

MSR - tried, tested, true.  Stick with one of the best.....

[Bjorn]

Optimus 99, I still use mine-no idea if they are still made.

[M60gunner]

Another vote here for the Svea 123. Backpacked all over the desert and mountains with mine. Had it "serviced" once in 10 years. That was almost 20 years ago. It still works fine, us it as another stove at camp.

[Pete McMiller]

Another Svea user here.  Took it and a coleman single burner up to 9500 feet about 15 years ago.  Coleman boiled a gallon of water in 60 minutes the Svea less than 20 minutes.  I have the accessory pressurizer pump for really cold weather but you could do without it.  Not easy to find but certainly dependable.

[wapiti792]

I am a big fan of MSR Pocket Rocket. It weighs about 3 oz and you can find the fuel canisters anywhere now. I have used mine at 12,000 ft with no problems getting a boil on. In cold weather (below freezing) I had trouble with sluggish fuel. I solved the problem with putting the fuel canister in my bag with me along with the morning water.

[Duckbutt]

Originally posted by wapiti792:
I am a big fan of MSR Pocket Rocket. It weighs about 3 oz and you can find the fuel canisters anywhere now. I have used mine at 12,000 ft with no problems getting a boil on. In cold weather (below freezing) I had trouble with sluggish fuel. I solved the problem with putting the fuel canister in my bag with me along with the morning water.

Exact same experience with the exact same stove.

[Jon Stewart]

google pop can stove.  Make one out of two pop cans and use Heat (gas antifreeze)  for  fuel.  I have one and it works good.

[Ceb]

I use the MSR Pocket Rocket, admittedly I haven't been in any extreme cold with it, but down to about 30 I've had no problems.

[akdd]

The Jet Boil is a great stove. If you are boiling water for freeze dried food.
 http://www.jetboil.com/

[Cane Knife]

I use a Snow Peak Giga w/Piezo Cannister and if I really want to go ultralight, I use my Trail Designs Caldera Cone Alcohol stove w/ the Snow Peak 700 mug.

[rappstar]

Pocket Rocket has worked well for me up to 10,500 and the coldest it got was about 30-35 f.  

If the weight of a stove is of concern, find a way to not take a stove.  If I was shaving weight for this fall, I could easily go without a stove.  Mt House isn't that good anyways!  

[Michael Pfander]

For the last three years I have been using a Kelly Kettle.  No fuel to carry.  All I do is boil water.
My daughter had a liter and a half boiling in a minute and a half with it stuffed full of dry pine needles.  When I travel to places where it rains I take a small tube of glue for fire starter.
MAP

[IdahoCurt]

I have a jet boil and it works awesome,Still have two MSR's but they don't get used much these days.

[slivrslingr]

My brother has a MSR Pocket Rocket, I've got a Snow Peak Giga, we used both at the same time last fall at 7500 ft. and right at freezing.  His boiled water a little quicker, mine used less fuel, basically a toss-up IMO.  I also saw a Jet Boil in action and they work great as well, just a little bulky.   I prefer the 230 gram fuel cans, they have a larger footprint and are more stable.  Also a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil wrapped around the stove works great as a wind shield and will make it more efficient.

[stykshooter]

Jet Boil  here, I like the coffee press option