Compressed Fuel Canister Stoves

Reviewed by Andy Gotto

A good redesign of a classic. For those who like the ease, speed, and the versatility of a compressed fuel canister stove to boil and simmer, the MSR PocketRocket 2 is a great choice. It’s very easy to use and very reliable. It’s more compact and sturdier than its predecessors, and fairly lightweight, especially without the case. Any cons associated with a PocketRocket2 involve gas canisters and not the stove. If you use a canister, I recommend this stove.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 (PR2) is the latest generation of canister stove from MSR. It replaces both the original PocketRocket (PR1) and the MicroRocket, which are now discontinued (though the original PocketRocket is available for purchase in the MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit), and combines the best elements of both. It is more similar in design and specifications to the MicroRocket, though after extensive use of all three, performance differences are negligible.  MSR’s write up: The next-generation PocketRocket™ 2 stove takes everything impressive about the iconic original and puts it into an even smaller and lighter high-performance design.

Read more: MSR PocketRocket 2 review (1)

Reviewed by Wade In The Water

The Primus Essential Trail Kit is an inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile stove kit from a renowned manufacturer.

I received this Primus Essential Trail Kit in the winter of 2020-2021 for the purpose of reviewing it. Winter weather, Covid, and major surgery have all done their best to keep me indoors, but I have managed to sneak out on a few occasions. So without further ado…. Primus is a Swedish company known for producing top quality stoves since 1892 (!). They balance out carbon emissions from the use of their fuel by helping reduce emissions elsewhere, claiming the industry’s only carbon neutral fuel canisters.

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Featured review by Sean Van Cleve

The MightyMo is a compact canister stove that will not disappoint! With features like a piezo-style ignition and a simmer control that idles lower than ever, this efficient burner is ideal for many styles of campers and backpackers. Ultra-light hikers and backcountry chefs will both find this little piece of gear part of their everyday carry!

SPECS Output: 10,000 BTU Fuel Type: Isobutane Propane Ignition: Built-In Piezo Igniter Dimensions- 4"x6" (folded for storage) Weight- 95g/3.4oz Included Fuel Can Stabilizer Included Cloth Storage Bag Setting up the kitchen in Monongahela NF, West Virginia Jetboil has been a household name in the outdoor industry for a while now, selling their all-in-one style canister stoves. The company has recently broken the mold, releasing the compact MightyMo. Looking briefly at the burner, the MightyMo could easily be mistaken as the venerable MSR PocketRocket.

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Featured review by Trouthunter

Finally here is a true multi-fuel (MSR calls it a hybrid) stove that burns both liquid fuels and canister gas (upright or inverted). Not only does it burn these fuels, but it does it well — plus it simmers...no it really does! In just a couple minutes the stove can be configured to burn the various fuels (see below) by simply changing a couple parts using the supplied tool. This is a great option for anyone who wants a stove that can be used year round in multiple climates, with multiple fuels. For groups it allows flexibility through the use of multiple fuels — or for those who travel abroad to places where some fuels may be harder to get or if it's not clear what fuels will be available. The Universal will burn: White gas – Unleaded auto gas – Kerosene Canister gas – (upright or inverted)

A review of the MSR Whisperlite Universal Hybrid fuel stove A backpacking stove made by Cascade Designs – Seattle WA, USA I received this stove from Cascade Designs for testing and used it on five separate outings as well as a lot of testing at home. Stove Description: The stove arrived in a nice looking cardboard package (see photos), it included the stove, all parts for changing fuel types, pressure pump for liquid fuel bottles, canister stand, wind screen and ground protector, a nice stuff sack, and full instructions in three languages (three separate booklets) plus a quick reference guide in two languages, along with warnings etc.

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Featured review by Ben Sparks

The GigaPower 2.0 Stove is a 3-inch stove that's light durable and easy to use! It gives a big flame for a small stove and works with many types of propane brands.

The GigaPower 2.0 stove works great and works well constantly. The stove can easily twist off and on. To light all you have to do is twist the handle and light it with a match or something like that. And it also fits into a 3.5 x 1.5 x 2 inch box. It is well made, so that it can't break or burn itself. I've had it for a few years and it hasn't changed. It works just as well as when I got it. I have used this stove on many winter campouts and sometimes it takes a little bit of time to get it started, but in the summer it lights very fast.

Read more: Snow Peak GigaPower Manual reviews (12)

Featured review by TJ1984

The MicroMo is the latest in Jetboil’s impressive line-up of personal cooking systems for backcountry use. Conceptually, the MicroMo attempts to provide a compact, low weight solution, without compromising either quality, features, or performance, which includes the much lauded ability to simmer; in my opinion, it succeeds.

The MicroMo is the latest in Jetboil’s impressive line-up of personal cooking systems for backcountry use. Conceptually, the MicroMo attempts to provide a compact, low weight solution, without compromising either quality, features, or performance. Below are the currently listed specifications found on the manufacturer's website. In addition to the MicroMo system, I also received the Coffee Press, and the Pot Support for testing. They will be discussed within the overall context of the cooking system.

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Featured review by Bill S

The SOTO WindMaster is a very lightweight stove top that screws onto gas canisters having the industry standard threaded coupling. In my tests, it performed very well in a range of windy conditions, on cool mornings, and with an intentionally chilled half-full fuel canister. It also works well for simmering and "gourmet-style" meals. I recommend it for use by backpackers and others aiming for light weights for solo and 2-person outings. It is not suitable for large groups (4 or more).

Warranty: No warranty listed in instruction sheet or on website Update: I spent the weekend going in to Carson Pass, intending to go to Round Top Lake. For various reasons (see my trip report) I ended up at Frog Lake. No matter - I had the SOTO Windmaster to use for several meals and melting snow. See the update addendum "Cold Weather Test" below Note: Because of the extended warm spell, mostly under clear, warm, but often windy skies, the tests results do not include cold weather or in-snow testing (80° days in Feb and Mar?!?!!).

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Featured review by Chuck Lawson

If you're think you're too old-school to go with a canister stove, put your scruples aside. I finally gave my Svea a break and started packing this lightweight, hassle-free babydoll of a stove.

For both sentimental and financial reasons, I like to use the trusty backpacking equipment that I bought in the mid-1970s. Amazingly, nearly all of my equipment from back then is still serviceable. But it's not all ultralight, nor is it hassle-free. Take my Svea 123 stove, for example. I bought it in 1975, but its design dates back long before that. This stove even has its own Wikipedia page. I'm pretty sure it's the stove that will eventually get me through the Apocalypse.  The Svea is a thing of beauty—bright, shiny brass when polished up, it's even cooler looking when it's covered with soot after a week of trail duty.

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Featured review by StoicFabian

High-quality, compact canister stove for camping and backpacking from Japanese masters Soto. Very efficient and economical, built to last and can simmer, too.

I chose the Amicus over the “king” Windmaster because it has a functional, 4-arm integrated foldable support that won’t get lost or forgotten—ever. It has the same assuring built, minus some features that impact very little real-world functionality. Just holding it in my hand I can feel this thing will perform every time and last for a while, even with little maintenance or care. It’s also lightweight and small, and a joy to use. This has been the case for the months I’ve been using the Amicus indeed.  The arms have springs and lock in place by way of small hooks attached to the burner head (see photo).

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Featured review by Jayson Merryfield

A great, cheap, no-frills, somewhat lightweight stove.

I went backpacking just this past weekend and found myself in a predicament; the Solo Stove I had planned to use was out of the question as I would be traveling into an area under an open fire ban. And so, I found myself needing to get a cheap, simple to use stove for the weekend.  The Primus Classic Trail fit that bill to a tee. With a 225g canister, both items came in at under $30, and worked perfectly with my Solo Pot 900. The pot wasn't quite large enough to store both the canister AND the stove, so it's clearly not a stove for the gram-weenies of the world, but on the trip I was on where weight wasn't an enormous concern, it was just fine.  Design-wise the stove is pretty much fool-proof.

Read more: Primus Classic Trail reviews (12)