Canister stove + pot recommendations?

[skibug]

Re price of pots, I found the local k mart had a pair of nesting alloy pots plus spondonacles for around $10 about a year ago - very light (in fact lighter than anything else I own), around 1 litre. I have used them on around 2 dozen occasions this year quite happily. They are very thin so protect them in your pack, they can bend a little but not a serious issue. I replace the lids with oven tray alloy to save weight, use some tie wire to create a "handle".

So far as gas stoves in the snow, I have never had a problem with standard stoves (no pre heat tube), as the gas mixes (propane and Iso butane) are fine to -5 and below. If you look at the climate almanacs (e.g. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/ ... 1032.shtml. ) you see temps below -5 are uncommon, especially around cooking times. By simply warming your canister for half an hour inside your jacket, you should never have a problem, in Australia.

Skibug

[DavidBW]

Yes you definitely need a wind shield. Aluminium builders flashing is perfect.

If anyone needs any I have a roll at home that I got from Bunnings to make windscreens for my MSR white gas stoves. A whole buttload of it, so I'd be happy to cut off pieces as necessary. I got stuff that was a bit thicker though, so heavier, but it will definitely last longer than the thin foil that MSR supplies with their stoves.

Would you be able to post a picture of your wind shield? And how much are you selling pieces for?

[benjabimon]

Would you be able to post a picture of your wind shield? And how much are you selling pieces for?

I could potentially do that some time this weekend, but they're not much to look at particularly since I spilled chai all over one which kinda burnt. Oops. The dangers of stoving while half pissed.

However I am not asking for anything. The roll was something ridiculous like $30+ for way more than what I needed for two stoves, so I'm happy to cut off lengths here and there.

[DanShell]

I know the OP has his question answered but of the sake of others who might be researching I asked a similar question a while ago here viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19111&p=263819&hilit=ultimate+cook+set+up#p263819

But i now use two titanium pots and the BRS3000T. One pot is 1100mls and the other is 650mls it all weighs 270g and packs away into one compact unit.

I can use it for myself to cook and drink or with my wife as two cooking pots.

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[RonK]

So far as gas stoves in the snow, I have never had a problem with standard stoves (no pre heat tube), as the gas mixes (propane and Iso butane) are fine to -5 and below.

By simply warming your canister for half an hour inside your jacket, you should never have a problem, in Australia.

I've had issues getting an MSR Pocket Rocket to burn from MSR canisters even inside the huts on the OLT.

And ended up with a canister with no isobutane left.

No doubt warming the canister works, but I don't want to be stuffing about with that when I can have a stove with a preheat tube that lets me use every drop of fuel, has a lower, more stable, safer trivet - and will never have an issue whatever conditions I encounter.

Last edited by RonK on Thu 17 Dec, 2015 1:26 pm, edited 4 times in total.

[RonK]

Double post deleted.

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

So far as gas stoves in the snow, I have never had a problem with standard stoves (no pre heat tube), as the gas mixes (propane and Iso butane) are fine to -5 and below.

By simply warming your canister for half an hour inside your jacket, you should never have a problem, in Australia.

I've had issues getting an MSR Pocket Rocket to burn from MSR canisters even inside the huts on the OLT.

And ended up with a canister with no isobutane left.

No doubt warming the canister works, but I don't want to be stuffing about with that when I can have a stove with a preheat tube that lets me use every drop of fuel, has a lower, more stable, safer trivet - and will never have an issue whatever conditions I encounter.

That's the exact reasons that i wish the AGA would approve inverted canister stoves for sale on the Aussie market.

[DavidBW]

Would you be able to post a picture of your wind shield? And how much are you selling pieces for?

I could potentially do that some time this weekend, but they're not much to look at particularly since I spilled chai all over one which kinda burnt. Oops. The dangers of stoving while half pissed.

However I am not asking for anything. The roll was something ridiculous like $30+ for way more than what I needed for two stoves, so I'm happy to cut off lengths here and there.

Great! How much would shipping to Sydney be?

[Moondog55]

Would you be able to post a picture of your wind shield? And how much are you selling pieces for?

I could potentially do that some time this weekend, but they're not much to look at particularly since I spilled chai all over one which kinda burnt. Oops. The dangers of stoving while half pissed.

However I am not asking for anything. The roll was something ridiculous like $30+ for way more than what I needed for two stoves, so I'm happy to cut off lengths here and there.

Great! How much would shipping to Sydney be?

Having sent a few of these over the years it fits in a standard business envelope usually, interestingly the pocket rocket windscreen needs to be higher than for the XGK-EX due to the height of the gas canister, bout 200mm is OK but 250 is better my roll of flashing is 155mm

[Tintin]

I know the OP has his question answered but of the sake of others who might be researching I asked a similar question a while ago here viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19111&p=263819&hilit=ultimate+cook+set+up#p263819

But i now use two titanium pots and the BRS3000T. One pot is 1100mls and the other is 650mls it all weighs 270g and packs away into one compact unit.

I can use it for myself to cook and drink or with my wife as two cooking pots.

IMG_0175.jpg

IMG_0175.jpg

I have never used a hiking gas stove, but is the higher center of gravity an issue with these top mounted stoves (compared with the remote canister)? I get a feeling they are not as stable and that might be an issue?

[north-north-west]

I have never used a hiking gas stove, but is the higher center of gravity an issue with these top mounted stoves (compared with the remote canister)? I get a feeling they are not as stable and that might be an issue?

Can be. It's why I moved from a top mounted stove to a remote burner. A little more bulk and weight but the stability more than makes up for it, in my opinion.

[RonK]

I have never used a hiking gas stove, but is the higher center of gravity an issue with these top mounted stoves (compared with the remote canister)? I get a feeling they are not as stable and that might be an issue?

Yes, I have witnessed an unfortunate incident, and have been uneasy about them since.
It is one of the reasons I also moved to a remote canister stove.

[benjabimon]

Great! How much would shipping to Sydney be?

Um, I think Moondog55 and I might be talking about different things with regards to the aluminium flashing, as I would say that it's actually a bit too big for a normal envelope. I think AusPost would think I was taking the *&^%$#! if if I tried sending it that way, as it's substantially thick.

If I did send you some I would only be asking for the $$$ to cover the cost of postage. For the simplicity I would probably go with a prepaid satchel, which can be regular post or express. Up to you

[kitty]

Aluminium Windsheild on sale $7.46 if you live near a Macpac.
Its 15cm high and 75cm wide.
http://www.macpac.com.au/equipment/acce ... hield.html

I used to use the Aluminium Windshield. Now I use TierGear carbon felt

[Gadgetgeek]

Any stove can cause trouble, especially a tall burner on a 100g can. A stand can help, as can some careful placement. In reality, you should never cook on any stove on a table while your legs are under it.

[DanShell]

I have never used a hiking gas stove, but is the higher center of gravity an issue with these top mounted stoves (compared with the remote canister)? I get a feeling they are not as stable and that might be an issue?

As the others have suggested yes it can be.

I use a stand under my smaller gas cylinders but there is still a high centre of gravity and stability is not great especially with a larger pot on the small stoves.

But I have never had an issue with it. I am careful and mindful of this while I'm cooking. It's usually only a few short minutes at a time so it's not a big issue for to be careful about it.

[DavidBW]

Aluminium Windsheild on sale $7.46 if you live near a Macpac.
Its 15cm high and 75cm wide.
http://www.macpac.com.au/equipment/acce ... hield.html

I used to use the Aluminium Windshield. Now I use TierGear carbon felt

Thanks for the heads up Kitty. Is the aluminium wind shield enough for the BRS 3000-t? And how does it compare to the Tier Gear carbon felt?

[Tintin]

I don't really understand these windshields. Most I have seen appear really flimsy and can't hold their own, let alone a gust of wind. I could imagine cooking on some compact dirt and wedging the shield into the sand to hold up better, but as a standalone shield they looks quite light.

After everyones comments regarding preheat tubing and gas issues I am officially confused.

Do most people agree the extra weight for the preheat tube, in this case 48g (FMS-117 vs FMS-118), is worth it? I will only be hiking in Australia (I am from Perth so I doubt it will never get under 0-5 degrees C at cooking time).

Apologies for all the questions. I feel like such a info-leech.

[corvus]

I don't really understand these windshields. Most I have seen appear really flimsy and can't hold their own, let alone a gust of wind. I could imagine cooking on some compact dirt and wedging the shield into the sand to hold up better, but as a standalone shield they looks quite light.

After everyones comments regarding preheat tubing and gas issues I am officially confused.

Do most people agree the extra weight for the preheat tube, in this case 48g (FMS-117 vs FMS-118), is worth it? I will only be hiking in Australia (I am from Perth so I doubt it will never get under 0-5 degrees C at cooking time).

Apologies for all the questions. I feel like such a info-leech.

G'day Tintin,
If you are doing all of your walking in WA I doubt you will ever need a stove with a heat exchanger and you will be able to use the el cheapo upright gas canisters with the appropriate stove ,as for windshields as a "gear freak" I do not own or use one but choose one of my many stoves to suit the expected conditions down here in Tassie ( if I encounter severe winds I can most always find some rocks or sumsuch to do the job.

[RonK]

Do most people agree the extra weight for the preheat tube, in this case 48g (FMS-117 vs FMS-118), is worth it?

You would quibble over 48g?

[Tintin]

Thanks, corvus.

Do most people agree the extra weight for the preheat tube, in this case 48g (FMS-117 vs FMS-118), is worth it?

You would quibble over 48g?

No not really. But if I don't require it, why carry it? I am just trying to think what else the FMS-118 adds except the preheat tube for cold climates and canister inversion.

[kitty]

Is the aluminium wind shield enough for the BRS 3000-t? And how does it compare to the Tier Gear carbon felt?

Ive never used a BRS300-t stove...but you can calculate...the alum windshield is 15cm high, your BRS300-t is 6.85cm high (I think?) and the canister is 9.5cm high (230g) or 7cm high (100g). So it should just about work. Maybe a BRS300-t stove user can give you some advice on the best dimension windshield for you. Moondog suggested 20-25cm. I used a 20cm foldable alum shield with my micro-rocket but that stove is taller. Im sure you all know, but there is a safety aspect with using a windshield around a gas canister.
The reason I much prefer the carbon felt is because its soft and flexible and I can fit it in my pot along with my stove and other bits, but most importantly it has no pointy bits and sharp edges (which is a consideration when packing). I initially had a 20cm high piece of felt for the microrocket and it was a bit floppy but it still stayed vertical, its pretty chunky felt. But now I have a the FMS117t I cut the felt in half to 10cm high and its perfect.

[DanShell]

I've carried a flimsy sheet of titanium as an emergency wind shield (it's weight is negligible) but never used it! I've always been able to find natural wind shields or I'm laying in my tent cooking in my vestibule :-0

[Tintin]

Where is the best place to buy the propane/iso-butane mix canisters? Or I should say which shops stock them. Is it limited to camping shops only?

[Gadgetgeek]

any camping, disposal, or touring store should have. They can be shipped via ground if needed, but that adds to your cost, depending on where you are.

[Chris-Toms Outdoors]

Just watch the mix ratio in the various different canisters. Some canisters have are using a bit of butane in the mix and thus lowering the cold weather performance (though not as much of an issue if running the canister inverted). The jet boil 4 season mix doesn't have any butane, same as the msr (although you don't see this often). The primus/companion gas mix contains butane and i'd stay clear of it if you want cold weather performance.

[Moondog55]

Great! How much would shipping to Sydney be?

Um, I think Moondog55 and I might be talking about different things with regards to the aluminium flashing, as I would say that it's actually a bit too big for a normal envelope. I think AusPost would think I was taking the *&^%$#! if if I tried sending it that way, as it's substantially thick.

If I did send you some I would only be asking for the $$$ to cover the cost of postage. For the simplicity I would probably go with a prepaid satchel, which can be regular post or express. Up to you

Didn't I say business envelope?
They can be up to 20mm thick and still go at the nominal postage.
I've sent some before using an ordinary Foolscap envelope for the 155mm stuff; just need to flatten it a bit
Drop into Geelong and I too can cut you a 300mm length
There are several grades of aluminium flashing, don't use the bituminised one; it stinks if you forget to wash the asphalt off with petrol before using and can catch fire
As an aside on stability I do use one of those El-Cheapo plastic canister bases and they do make a difference if using the pocket Rocket on a 110 gram canister
http://www.macpac.com.au/gas-canister-stand.html
I paid $3- for mine with free shipping from Hong Kong just took about 6 weeks to arrive

[benjabimon]

Didn't I say business envelope?
They can be up to 20mm thick and still go at the nominal postage.
I've sent some before using an ordinary Foolscap envelope for the 155mm stuff; just need to flatten it a bit

So you did! Apologies Anyway the offer is there for anyone that can be stuffed dropping into Seddon for it. It's definitely not ultralight stuff, but it does take a bit of a abuse pretty well.

I think Aliexpress are also selling cheap titanium windscreens these days too, and that stuff rolls up quite nicely.

[Strider]

Be very careful using a wind shield with a canister top stove and always make sure the stove isn't fully encircled. Reflecting heat back onto the canister is a very real risk.

[Moondog55]

https://plus.google.com/photos/10449691 ... 9837993890

My solo survival pot and cup
You can fit quite a bit into the pot
Toaks 1100 pot and MSR Titan kettle