1. home and garden
2. appliances
3. stoves

Gear Guide stoves
how to buy a
Featured
p
roduct
primus O
mniLite T
£175
i
stove
sales@rosk Stockists
er.co.uk; w
w
w.primus.e
u
burn times
fuel
Average 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.
Stoves 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.
windshield
Some 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.
SIZE
It 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.
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.
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.
b
urner
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.
ignition
Some stoves need lighting
with matches, while others
come with easy-to-use
piezo-electric igniters.
98 Trail gear guide 2012
Fuel type
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.
0.5 Litre boil time
(min)
Max burn time (h)
Pan support
diameter (cm)
Packed size (cm)
Weight without
fuel (g)
Made in
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
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
Fuel Type
no
50
New for 2012?
15
Lightweight Cooking Set 0.7L
Price (£)
Pepsi Can Stove
name
Trail Comments
Antigravity Gear
Campingaz
Twister 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
F1 Lite Stove
25
no
Coleman screw valve butane/propane
cartridges
1.6
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
Kiro 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
Coleman
Edelrid
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
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
Sirocco
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
esbit
Titanium Foldable Solid
Fuel Stove
GoSystem
Hi Gear
Intensity 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
Zip
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
Jetboil
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
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
mKettle
SAS
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
��
April 2010
trail99
77
gear guide 2012
Trail
Gear Guide stoves
TOM BAILEY
Jeremy looks forward to a hot snack
(which, knowing him, probably
means a loin of venison
with a red wine jus)...
100 Trail gear guide 2012
Price (£)
New for 2012?
0.5 Litre boil time
(min)
Max burn time (h)
Pan support
diameter (cm)
Packed size (cm)
Weight without
fuel (g)
Made in
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, highaltitude stove available. But noisy and poor flame control
Titanium 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
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
Fuel Type
name
Reactor Stove System
Trail Comments
Nordisk
Optimus
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
Mimer
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
PRIMUS
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 re­flector, 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 multifuel 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
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
SOTO
Single Burner Stove
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
12-10 Meths Stove
15
no
methylated spirits
4.5
0.25
various
7x4.5x4.5
16
USA
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
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
Flameless 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
Compact 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
Trail Designs
The basis of the Trail Designs cooking system, but without a windbreak
or pan support
Trangia
Mini Trangia
Trekmates
VANGO
gear guide 2012 Trail 101