98 Trail gear guide 2012

Gear Guide stoves

gear guide 2012 Trail 99

burn timesAverage minimum times to boil 1 litre of water are provided in the data tables. The length of time the fuel will last is also listed so you can judge how much fuel you need. The times given are based on 0.5 litres of petrol or a 250g size gas canister.

fuelStoves with the fuel canister to the side of the burner have a lower centre of gravity and are therefore more stable than stoves that sit on top of the fuel cartridge. They also usually have a ‘pre-heating’ tube that enables better performance in colder conditions, but are generally heavier and bulkier.

Gas stoves burn pressurised propane/butane mixes. Petrol stoves burn pressurised liquid fuels like diesel, petrol, kerosene and refined petrol like Primus Powerfuel or paraffin. Trangias burn unpressurised fuels such as meths. Methylated spirits No need to be pressurised, so stoves are easy and safe to use. But it is slow and the fuel isn’t always available.Diesel Cheap and very easy to get hold of, but dirty and smelly to use.Petrol Easily bought, but 4 star may clog

the jets, and it contains harmful additives. Best is unleaded, or ‘refined’ petrol such as Primus Powerfuel or white gas. Petrol has to be pressurised and converted into vapour, so care is required when using it.Paraffin Widely available, it burns under pressure like petrol. But you also need a volatile liquid, such as petrol or meths, to prime the stove. It also has a strong odour.Propane/butane Widely available and easy to use, but the power of the flame reduces as the pressure reduces inside the canister during use.

windshieldSome stoves have a windshield built in to either the pan supports, the legs or the burner, while others have a folding stand-alone barrier around the burner. If it’s blowy a windshield is vital, so if one is not provided you’ll have to improvise.

PAn suPPOrts Pan supports vary from under 12cm to over

20cm in diameter. On uneven ground a wide support is best for stability. When cooking for two or more people a large-diameter pan support will be required to hold a large pan stable.

ignitiOnSome stoves need lighting with matches, while others come with easy-to-use piezo-electric igniters.

burner size

The bigger the burner, the wider the heat distribution, which means a quicker boil time and more even cooking. A solo camper can save weight by using a stove with a small burner and smaller pans.

sizeIt makes sense to carry the lightest and smallest packed size that will suit your needs. It’s worth checking to see if the burner nests in your pan (or if anything else will), which will make use of the space inside when packed.

fuel tyPe

flAme cOntrOl For boiling and simmering, the

amount of fuel reaching the burner is adjusted with a flame control valve. If this is near the burner it is usually easier to control the flame, but it can get hot. A valve on a separate fuel tank is safer, but doesn’t always provide immediate control.

stOvehow to buy a Featured product

primus OmniLite ti £175Stockistssales@rosker.co.uk; www.primus.eu

April 2010 trail 77

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AntigrAvity geArPepsi Can Stove 15 no methylated spirits 4.5 0.25 various 7x4.5x4.5 11 USA The world’s lightest meths stove, according to the manufacturers. But the

lack of a windbreak is drawback

Lightweight Cooking Set 0.7L 50 no methylated spirits 4.5 0.25 - - 322 USA Transforms the basic stove into a super-light cooking system. Ideal for solo travelling if you want basic functionality

cAmPingAzTwister Plus 18 no Campingaz CV Plus valved cartridges 2 2 12 18x8x4 263 China The new Easy Clic Plus cartridge connection provides safe and easy use

Twister Plus PZ 23 no Campingaz CV Plus valved cartridges 2 2 12 18x8x4 274 China Jul11: 2 stars. Includes piezo ignition and new Easy Clic Plus cartridge connection

Twister Plus PZ Kit 30 no Campingaz CV Plus valved cartridges 2 2 12 9x12 464 China Pan set included; features piezo ignition and the new Easy Clic Plus cartridge connection

Bistro 300 30 yes Campingaz CV300 Plus Cartridges 3 1.10 - 3x22x12 1500 China New for 2012: convenient carry case, table-top stove

cOlemAn F1 Lite Stove 25 no Coleman screw valve butane/propane

cartridges1.6 0.6 10.5 4.3x8x5 77 China Jul11: 2 stars. Pan supports not as good as other similar stoves.

Lightest stove in the Coleman range

F1 Power PZ 30 no Coleman screw valve butane/propane cartridges

1.25 0.5 15 9x12x7 153 China Jul11: 3 stars. The most powerful stove in the range at 7000W, with wide pan support

PerfectFlow 1 Burner 30 yes 100% propane cylinder 4.15 2 20 - 810 China Sturdy design; ridged pan support evenly distributes heat

Powerpack Single Burner 35 no 100% propane cylinder 6.20 3 - - 1480 China Low-profile single burner that copes effortlessly with large pans

Sportster 80 no unleaded petrol or Coleman Fuel 4.58 8.5 12 15x12 1185 China May01: a well-proven petrol stove, but the Coleman Feather 442 is a more stable option

edelridKiro ST 30 no gas 1.5 2.8 12 - 84 China Stainless steel version of the Kiro Ti; ideal if you don’t need the ultimate in

weight saving

Kiro Ti 40 no gas 1.5 2.8 12 - 72 China Jul11: 3 stars. Wide pan support for direct screw-on gas burner; but there are lighter similar designs

Opilio 55 no gas 1.5 2.8 16 - 170 China Jul11: 3 stars. Lightest remote gas burner around, but in trail tests only produced 3.5 minute boil times

Hexon Multifuel 110 no gas, unleaded petrol, paraffin 1.6 2.8 18 - 220 China Jul11: 3 stars. Simmer control not as good as other petrol stoves, but ability to use with gas and petrol is a benefit to travellers

Stormy EVO 119 yes gas 2.25 3.8 - - 700 China Can be used in suspension or on the ground. Supplied with 1.8 litre pan that allows all elements including gas canister to be packed inside

esbitTitanium Foldable Solid Fuel Stove

11 no Esbit solid fuel hexamine block 14 0.25 8 8.4x2.9 11 China Ultimate in superlight cooking but lacks performance of gas stoves

585ml Cookset 25 no Esbit solid fuel hexamine block - - - 8.6x11 197 China 585ml pot and lid sits on a stand above a solid fuel burner

985ml Cookset 40 no methylated spirits/Esbit solid fuel - - - 12x12x14 417 China Burner, 985ml pan and lid cookset with option of using solid fuel

Cookset with Alcohol Burner 90 no methylated spirits - - 11 20x20x12.8 1050 China 1.8 litre and 2.35 litre pots held in windbreak/pan support above meths burner

gOsystemSirocco 35 no gas: butane/propane mix 2.5 2.5 11 11x8.5x7 242 China Includes separate windshield

Fly Ti 40 no gas: butane/propane mix 2.25 2.25 5.9 5.9x3.5x8.8 48 China Jul11: 3 stars. If weight is your priority then this is hard to beat, but there are lower-priced similar options

Apollo Ti 100 no gas: butane/propane mix 2.25 1.8 12.5 12.5x11x10.5 199 China Jul11: 2 stars. Price, pan support diameter and height above ground are all disadvantages of this elaborate design

Gemini Extreme 110 no gas, petrol, paraffin, Coleman gas, white spirit, red diesel

2.25 2.5 9 9x10x9.8 300 China Comes complete with pump, non-return valve and 0.5 litre fuel bottle

hi geArIntensity Gas Stove 15 no gas 2.5 - 12 - 102 China Jul11: 3 stars. Same design as lower-priced Vango Compact Gas Stove

Inferno Folding Gas Stove 25 no gas 2.5 - 17 - 246 China Jul11: 3 stars. Piezo ignition and low, stable profile plus wide pan supports make it ideal for low-priced backpacking

Blaze Titanium Gas Stove 35 no gas 2.5 - 11 7x6x6 46 China Jul11: 4 stars. Virtually identical to GoSystem Fly Ti, but lower price. Superb weight and price

JetbOilZip 70 no gas: propane & isobutane 2.5 1 12 10x16 345 USA Distilled from the flagship Jetboil PCS design with a 0.8 litre pot

Flash 95 no gas: propane & isobutane 2.5 1 12 10x18 397 USA Jul11: 4 stars. Updated version of the original PCS: modern classic for solo backpackers who want a neat and easy means of boiling water on weekend trips

Sol Aluminium 115 no gas: propane & isobutane 2.2 1 12 10x16 300 USA Aluminium cooking cup and lower pot capacity version of Flash to save weight

Sumo Aluminium 120 yes gas: propane & isobutane 2.2 1 12 12.x21 355 USA 1.8 litre pot is ideal for snow melting or group use

Sol Titanium 140 no gas: propane & isobutane 2.2 1 12 10x16 240 USA Very light titanium lower capacity cooking cup version of Flash to save weight

Helios 140 no gas: propane & isobutane 3 1 - 21x11 793 USA Jul11: 4 stars. 2 litre pot provides very efficient gas stove for two or more campers that sets new performance standards for group use

Sumo Titanium 180 yes gas: propane & isobutane 2.2 1 12 12.5x21 340 USA A weight-saving titanium version of Sumo with 1.8 litre pot

Helios Guide 185 no gas: propane & isobutane 3 1 24x13 1349 USA As Helios but with 2 litre and 3 litre pots for group use; 3 litre pot also available

mkettleSAS 49 no solid fuel, methylated spirits

(with burner)13 - 10 17x10x10 400 UK Place fuel in base to heat integral pot. Now with titanium pot support

which fits inside kettle

msr (mOuntAin sAfety reseArch)Pocket Rocket 30 no gas 3.5 (1 litre) 1 20 11.4x6.4x5.3 85 Korea Jul08: 3 stars. A classic modern lightweight stove that is ideal for most solo

campers, but there are lighter and lower-priced options

MicroRocket 40 yes gas 3.5 (1 litre) 1 20 8.9x5.7x5.7 75 Korea Lighter and more compact than the Pocket Rocket

WindPro II 90 yes gas 3.6 (1 litre) 1.16 25 15.2x10.2x8.9 187 USA A remote-canister stove redesigned for 2012, with inverted canisters for increased cold-weather performance, boil times and more consistent output over the life of the canister

WhisperLite International 100 no paraffin, Coleman fuel, unleaded petrol

3.5 (1 litre) (petrol) 1.8 (petrol) 25 15.2x11.4x10.2 309 USA Jul11: 5 stars. Best in test. Now 10% lighter but still the classic stove for backpackers in need of reliable performance using a variety of fuels

WhisperLite Universal 125 yes gas, paraffin, Coleman fuel, unleaded petrol

3.75 (1 litre) (gas) 1.25 (gas) 25 15.2x12.7x10.2 326 USA The first hybrid-fuel stove from MSR that burns liquid fuel as well as inverted gas canisters for increasing cold-weather performance and efficiency

Dragonfly 125 no paraffin, Coleman fuel, unleaded petrol, diesel

3.5 (1 litre) 2.1 (petrol) 25 15.9x10.8x10.2 401 USA Jul11: 3 stars. Flame control, wide pan support, fuel efficiency and fuel choice make this ideal for group and longer solo expeditions �

gear guide 2012 Trail 99

stOve

Gear Guide stoves

100 Trail gear guide 2012

Jeremy looks forward to a hot snack (which, knowing him, probably means a loin of venison with a red wine jus)...

gear guide 2012 Trail 101

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Reactor Stove System 140 no gas 3 (1 litre) 1.3 - 17.1x14x13.3 496 USA Jul11: 3 stars. Radiant and convective heat design makes this extremely efficient and unmatched in wind or for melting snow

XGK EX 140 no paraffin, Coleman fuel, unleaded petrol, diesel

3.5 (1 litre) 1.8 (petrol) 25 15.2x10.8x10.2 374 USA May04: the XGK EX is a multi-fuel blowtorch. The fastest, most reliable, high-altitude stove available. But noisy and poor flame control

nOrdiskTitanium Esbit Stove 9 no hexamine block 14 0.25 12 8x2.5 13 China Ultimate in superlight cooking but lacks the performance of gas stoves

Abisko 53 no meths 5 0.75 15 205x80 864 China Jul11: 3 stars. Similar design and direct competitor to the classic Trangia stove; highly recommended to novice campers

OPtimus Crux Lite 42 no gas 3 1 10.6 7.5x5.7x5.5 72 Japan Jul11: 3 stars. Ideal for most lightweight campers but you can get similar

performance at lower prices and lower weights

Crux 50 no gas 3 1 10.6 8.4x5.7x3.1 89 Japan Jul08: 2 stars. Folding head was more wobbly than Crux Lite. Palm-sized, fits in base of gas canister

Svea 100 no Coleman fuel 7 1.25 13 10x13 550 Taiwan Cult stove for outdoor people, but modern stoves outperform it

Hiker+ 120 no Coleman fuel, paraffin, diesel, jet fuel 3.5 2 15 18x18x11 1590 Sweden For 70 years this stove has been a classic expedition stove. now upgraded with new burner. Packs into a steel case, but heavy

Nova 126 no Coleman fuel, paraffin, diesel, jet fuel 3.5 2.5 16 8.8x6.5x13.5 428 Sweden Award-winning best-selling single-jet multi-fuel stove; includes windshield and stuffsack

Nova+ 142 no Coleman fuel, paraffin, diesel, jet fuel 3.5 2.5 17 9x6.5x13 425 Sweden Jul08: 3 stars. Excellent performance but others of lower price offered similar. Includes 0.6 litre fuel bottle, windshield and stuffsack

PrimusMimer 19 no gas 3 (1 litre) 1.16 12.5 12.5x12.5x5.5 227 Estonia Directly attaches to gas canister; wide burner for broad flame where the

pan supports provide wind protection to flame

Express Ti 43 no gas 4 (1 litre) 1.5 8.7 8.7x8.3x4 72 Estonia Jul11: 3 stars. Great price and weight. Made from titanium to reduce the weight. Available with or without piezo igniter

Express Spider 45 no gas 4.5 (1 litre) 2 15.6 10.5x8.5x5.5 198 Estonia Jul11: 4 stars. The best low-profile, stable gas burner on test: the wide pan supports are a bonus. Comes with a heat reflector

EtaExpress 78 no gas 2.5 (1 litre) 1.5 12.4 11.5x14 430 Estonia Jul11: 3 stars. Jul08: 4 stars, Best Value. Excellent compact system of stove and pans with heat exchanger on base of pot ensuring excellent performance. All of the components, as well as a 230g gas cartridge, can be packed into the pot

Eta PackLite 95 no gas 2.5 (1litre) 2 16.5 11.5x16.5 596 Estonia Jul10: very efficient stove that competes with Jetboil Helios. Supplied with 1.2 litre pot and lid. All the components and a gas cartridge can be packed into the pot

Express Lander 100 yes petrol 4.5 (1litre) 3.5 15.6 10.5x8.5x5.5 176 Estonia An extremely small, lightweight and stable white gas stove. Comes with a heat re flector, fuel pump, multi-tool and a nylon storage bag

OmniFuel 155 no gas, petrol, paraffin, diesel 3 (1litre) 1.16 7 14x8.5x7 339 Estonia Jul11: 3 stars. An ideal stove for world travellers due to its true multi-fuel capacity. Low profile is very stable;, easy to control flame due to long control knob

OmniLite Ti 175 yes gas, petrol, paraffin, diesel 2.8 (1litre) 1.6 5.5 11.2x9.2x5.5 239 Estonia A titanium stove that’s designed for use with a new range of Primus pots that have a heat exchanger for more efficient performance

sOtOSingle Burner Stove 45 no gas 2.5 1,5 - 3.4x4.6x6.4 160 Japan ‘World’s smallest stove in the single burner stove with igniter category’

says Soto

Micro Regulator 75 no gas 2.5 1.5 12 5.2x5.2x8.1 73 Japan Jul11: 3 stars. Includes piezo ignition; designed to provide good performance down to -5 deg C

Muka Non Priming Stove with Fuel Bottle

175 no unleaded petrol, paraffin 2.75 1 15 8x6.5x8 320 Japan Jul11: 3 stars. Includes fuel bottle, but high price for performance and not the best simmer control; however, no priming required

trAil designs12-10 Meths Stove 15 no methylated spirits 4.5 0.25 various 7x4.5x4.5 16 USA The basis of the Trail Designs cooking system, but without a windbreak

or pan support

Caldera Cone Stove for MSR 1L Titan Pot

37 no methylated spirits 4 0.25 various 18x9x9 50 USA Jul08 & Jul11: 4 stars. Add a £55 MSR Kettle (130g) to this and you have the perfect superlight basic cooker for solo use

Caldera Keg F Stove System 65 Yes methylated spirits 4 0.25 Various 18 x 9 x 9 77 USA Includes the Caldera Keg Pot, 12-10 stove and Caldera Cone for a complete lightweight system

trAngiAMini Trangia 27 no methylated spirits 10 (1 litre) 0.5 15 330 Sweden The windshield is not ideal, so needs more wind protection.

Heavy compared to some basic meths burners

27 Cooker 53 no methylated spirits 10 (1 litre) 0.5 18 18x10x18 720 Sweden Jul08: 4 stars. A classic simple-to-use stove. Slow boil time but very stable

27 Cooker Non-stick 69 no methylated spirits 10 (1 litre) 0.5 18 18x10x18 798 Sweden Jul11: 4 stars. Heavy and limited flame control, but an easy-to-use classic system

27 Cooker Hardonized 80 no methylated spirits 10 (1 litre) 0.5 18 18x10x18 720 Sweden As above but with hard anodised pans

27 Cooker with Gas Burner 90 no gas 5 (1 litre) 0.3 18 18x10x18 720 Sweden As above but with gas burner fitted instead of meths burner

25 Cooker Hardonized 90 no methylated spirits 10 (1 litre) 0.5 22 22x11x22 865 Sweden Bigger pan set version of 27 Cooker for two-person use

27 Cooker Hardonized with kettle

90 no methylated spirits 10 (1 litre) 0.5 18 18x10x18 860 Sweden Additional kettle provided for making a brew without using the standard pans

trekmAtesFlameless Cook Flask 20 yes water-activated heat pack 12 (300ml) 1 - 16x8.5x27 200 Korea Supplied with three 20g heatpacks that can be used to heat contents

to 90 deg C without a flame and associated safety concerns. Slow boil times though

Flameless Cook Box 30 yes water-activated heat pack 15 (300ml) 1 - 19x13.5x8.5 380 Korea An 850ml cook box is used with a 20g heatpack to produce flameless heat that can be used in tents as no dangers associated with flame burners. Slow boil times

vAngOCompact Gas Stove 13 no gas 2.5 - 12 10x5x5 106 China Jul11: 4 stars. Remarkable price coupled with good performance for

general weekend backpackers

Ultralight Gas Stove 21 no gas 2.5 - 11 - 73 China Jul11: 3 stars. Good price for a lightweight stove that screws directly to gas canister

Folding Gas Stove 21 no gas 3.5 - 17 - 246 China Jul11: 3 stars. One of the lowest-priced remote-canister burners; very stable low profile

gear guide 2012 Trail 101