User Review: MSR PocketRocket

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January 16, 2013

RFC (Guest)

Rating:
Source: bought it new

Summary

Overall a very good choice for light to medium duty cooking on the trail. Easy to use, lightweight, good heat control.

Pros

Light weight
Ease of use
Good heat output and efficiency
Accepting of various sizes of fuel canisters
Storability
Price
Easily heat various type of cooking pots, cups

Cons

Need for wind protection in breezy conditions
Not as efficient as a product like Jet Boil
Small canister can make for tricky balancing with large pot

I have owned and operated a Pocket Rocket for 7 years. It is a great stove for younger scouts because it is easy to use and is a confidence builder. It makes for a good backup stove on a backpacking trip. (Jetboil + Pocket Rocket) Main + backup and can consume same fuel canisters.

I have used for day hiking and for heating a fast cup of tea, coffee, or noodles. Its simplicity is one of its greatest assets. It does need protection from wind and breeze. But, that is generally not hard to provide. Good heat output. Can be used to heat many type of pots, cups — no proprietary cup/pot needed like Jetboil. The price is right.

Stability is something to be careful with if you use a small canister. But, I have never lost a meal due to tip over. Very good variable heat output.

I have a few different stoves but this is my favorite for day hiking when I want to fix something warm. I find the Pocket Rocket to be efficient, fast to light, easy to control. We have benchmarked it and it performs to its published specification and competes well for boil time with other stoves. It will always lag a stove with a special pot like Jetboil. But, it size, weight, easy of use make it my favorite for light to medium duty cooking going solo or on a small crew.