Re: Gas Canister Stoves Question
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:58 pm
I have two canister stoves, a complete Jetboil system and a Soto OD-1R Micro-Regulator. The Jetboil came with a windscreen. The Soto came out in 2010 and won awards from several groups (including Backpacker magazine). REI doesn't carry it anymore, but on their tables it was rated as the most fuel efficient. Reviews by the groups that gave the awards say that it performs better than other canister stoves at high altitude and cold temperatures. It does seem to work better for me than the Jetboil. Here are some reviews:
http://www.backpacker.com/editors-choic ... gear/14015" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacki ... Soto-OD-1R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews ... 0Peterson/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here is a seller:
OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove by SOTO Outdoors on Amazon.com
When I am baking with my Omnia (previously Optimus) mini-oven, I use the Jetboil because the three pot support arms are longer and the oven is more stable than on the short arms of the Soto.
Not all of the canisters are purely propane; some are mixtures of propane with butane and/or isobutane. Some of the stove manufacturers recommend a specific mixture for their stove. I don't know how much difference it makes if you don't go with the one they recommend.
I also preheat water by putting the water container inside a little black plastic bag and setting it in the sun for an hour or so. For a cozy, I use a lightweight kid's lunch pail made of nylon fabric and insulation. It sits upright with a freeze-dried pouch and lays flat for a bowl of soup, oatmeal, etc.
I have tended not to use the windscreen on the Jetboil because its radius is smaller than the pots or billy cans I use. I haven't found anything for the Soto, but would like to. I always try to find a well sheltered location for the kitchen. I try to cook away from where I sleep, especially if in bear country.
For many years I used the NOLS cook from scratch group system, but as I get older weight matters more and I just use freeze-dried pouches or instant oatmeal and grits for breakfast most of the time. This uses less fuel than having to simmer for extended periods. We used to take a big frying pan, but now use a small thin foldable one, if we take it at all.
Canister stoves are so much simpler than pumping white gas or building fires like we used to do. I know alcohol is simplest of all and the stoves made from soda cans weigh next to nothing. They can be really good on short trips when you're going for super-ultralight weight. Canister fuels get about 3 times as many calories of heat per ounce as alcohol though, so for longer trips, canisters turn out to be more weight efficient. The stove and can weigh more, but you can carry fewer ounces of fuel.
http://www.backpacker.com/editors-choic ... gear/14015" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacki ... Soto-OD-1R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews ... 0Peterson/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here is a seller:
OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove by SOTO Outdoors on Amazon.com
When I am baking with my Omnia (previously Optimus) mini-oven, I use the Jetboil because the three pot support arms are longer and the oven is more stable than on the short arms of the Soto.
Not all of the canisters are purely propane; some are mixtures of propane with butane and/or isobutane. Some of the stove manufacturers recommend a specific mixture for their stove. I don't know how much difference it makes if you don't go with the one they recommend.
I also preheat water by putting the water container inside a little black plastic bag and setting it in the sun for an hour or so. For a cozy, I use a lightweight kid's lunch pail made of nylon fabric and insulation. It sits upright with a freeze-dried pouch and lays flat for a bowl of soup, oatmeal, etc.
I have tended not to use the windscreen on the Jetboil because its radius is smaller than the pots or billy cans I use. I haven't found anything for the Soto, but would like to. I always try to find a well sheltered location for the kitchen. I try to cook away from where I sleep, especially if in bear country.
For many years I used the NOLS cook from scratch group system, but as I get older weight matters more and I just use freeze-dried pouches or instant oatmeal and grits for breakfast most of the time. This uses less fuel than having to simmer for extended periods. We used to take a big frying pan, but now use a small thin foldable one, if we take it at all.
Canister stoves are so much simpler than pumping white gas or building fires like we used to do. I know alcohol is simplest of all and the stoves made from soda cans weigh next to nothing. They can be really good on short trips when you're going for super-ultralight weight. Canister fuels get about 3 times as many calories of heat per ounce as alcohol though, so for longer trips, canisters turn out to be more weight efficient. The stove and can weigh more, but you can carry fewer ounces of fuel.