MSR PocketRocket

The PocketRocket is a compact, high power stove for those looking to cook small meals on the trail.

I purchased my old MSR PocketRocket right after college and used it quite happily for several years before finally upgrading away to a Snow Peak GigaPower stove.  

The PocketRocket is a relatively small stove with great power output. It does have a few drawbacks, but nothing you can't easily work around. In the end, I put mine on a shelf due to its size. While the PocketRocket is compact compared to the stoves I had known as a kid, it isn't small enough to fit inside my current cook kit.

DESIGN: The PocketRocket is nice and durable thanks to steel construction. I'm not sure exactly which kind of steel was used here, but I haven't seen any rust on mine over the years.  

The stove is comprised of a central stalk and three retractable arms. The burner is situated at the top of the stalk while the three arms are hinged at the bottom and collapse around the burner / stalk for storage. All in all, I like this design, but it does have a few issues.  

First, the three-armed design doesn't produce the most stable platform. My Snow Peak pot sits stably enough when the stove itself is stable (cooking on the ground has always worked out just fine). However, if you're cooking on a picnic table and it wobbles even slightly, that wobble gets amplified when it reaches the pot. I have had two pots of water tip this way in the past.

Second, each of the three arms is rather pointy. This isn't an issue if you intend to always store your stove in its plastic case. However, if you don't use your plastic case, it's possible that these arms could puncture your gear.

BOIL TIME / EFFICIENCY:  For my boil tests, I used 1 cup of water in my Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo pot and set the stove to full power. The MSR PocketRocket was able to bring 1 cup of water to a simmer in 1 minute 20 seconds. It reached a rolling boil at 2 minutes 14 seconds. This is faster than either my FireAnt wood burning stove (1 minute 35 seconds to simmer) or my GigaPower gas stove (1 minute 29 seconds to simmer).

When it comes to efficiency, this stove could be better. MSR's specifications state that the PocketRocket can burn for 60 minutes on 8oz of fuel. To measure this one, I weighed a fuel canister before and after a 1-minute burn (full power) to determine just how much fuel was used. The PocketRocket used approximately 0.2 oz (with a +- of 0.05) for a 1-minute burn. This would put the burn time for 8oz of fuel somewhere around 40-50 minutes.  

By comparison, the GigaPower stove used less than 0.1 oz (with a +- of 0.05). Given the time to simmer water was only 15 seconds faster with the PocketRocket, it's hard to see why it needs to use more than twice the fuel.

At the end of the day, this is a very powerful little stove. It will easily boil enough water to cook a meal for one or two. It appears that MSR took the Kerbal approach here and just kept adding more power. It definitely gets the job done, but be sure to plan your fuel accordingly if you intend to do more than 4 or 5 days in the backcountry.

WIND RESISTANCE: Like any gas stove, the PocketRocket needs a wind break for peak cooking efficiency. While it does gutter a bit in light wind, I have never had it go out on me. I have found that a bit of foil or a stone windbreak is usually enough to get the job done here. The main benefit of a proper wind screen here is that your boil times won't suffer as much on windy days.

STABILITY:  As I mentioned above, the three-armed design isn't the most stable. I have found that wider pots suffer less here than narrower pots. Again, this isn't really an issue if you have situated your fuel canister in the dirt. If, however, you're cooking on a rock, picnic table, etc., you should be careful about accidentally wobbling this stove.

EASE OF USE:  Gas stoves are pretty easy in general and this one is no exception. Screw the stove onto the fuel canister, twist the control knob, use a lighter, flint, match, etc. to light the stove. So long as you have turned the control knob enough times, you'll get a flame without any hassle.

PACKABILITY:  The packability of this stove is what eventually made me put it away. At 3.1 oz, the PocketRocket is lighter than my GigaPower and rivals even my FireAnt. However, when collapsed, this stove doesn't fit easily inside my cook kit and has three pointy edges which make me nervous about leaving it out with my other gear.

If you have wider pots and pans, this won't be an issue for you. However, if you use the Snow Peak Ti-Solo kit or something else of similar size, this stove will be difficult to pack inside your cook kit with your fuel canister.

A great small canister stove that work in most 3-season activities, but that can be pushed to for season use for day or short trips. It is perfect for the fast and light adventurer who needs a stove that can just work with out any priming required in temp from 50 Celsius to about -7 Celsius. This stove is not for mountaineers or people who spend all there time below freezing on long expeditions.

The MSR Pocket Rocket is a great stove for general backing packing, big wall climbing in warm conditions, adventuring in the mountains or day trip in any weather. I have used this stove in the higher areas of the kootenays in BC and on the coast near Vancouver from temperature of 10 degrees Celsius to -10 degrees Celsius. It has boiled water every time except when I was backpacking in the snow and the cartridge got too cold.

Setup 

This is my cooking set up with the Pocket Rocket

The setup of this stove is very easy first remove it from its case which you can see below.

Then you screw it on the canister making sure you don't strip the screw threads. You can see it on the canister below. 

As you can tell this is very simple. Now let's talk about how easy it is to pack this stove. It is very easy! It fits right in the case and you can put in any wear in your pack but I choose to put it in my pot which is the excellent Snow Peak Ti mini solo cook set. Check out my review of this excellent product also. It fits in its case with the GSI spice missile a lighter a candle and a folding spork  in a plastic bag so I give it a 4.5 stars of of 5 for pack ability.

Cooking 

The stove lights very easily with a lighter or matches and is resistant to wind to a certain degree but a natural wind screen can go a long way to keeping the flame lit. In my experiences one third of the burners  usually goes out and the other two keep going but the stoves efficiency is greatly decreased. The burner that goes out is usually the one facing the wind also. 

After lighting the stove and putting you pot on as you can see below it boils water fairly fast. In boils in about  2 minutes and thirty seconds on fuel blast in good conditions but in cold conditions it can take four minutes when the valves open all the way.  

Cooking can be difficult also which may be surprising as it has simmer control which work but it is not as efficient at simmer control as some other stoves. But it's fine for making soup, stew or oatmeal but not quite good enough for frying or baking. 

The stove is uses fuel very efficiently. Since you don't need to open the valve all the way to get the most heat if you find the balance point where it burning all the fuel and not letting any escape. Then it will last for about 60 minutes in good conditions. This is with a 230 g Jetboil 4 season mix, which I believe is the best fuel for four seasons with this stove. 

The stability is ok. It's fine with my snow peak pot but the two liter pot I tested it in you had to be careful. I wouldn't recommend this stove to any one using it for pots 2 liters or over most of the time. 

Here it is with the Jet boil ti mini solo cookset pot 

Conditions of Use

I used this stove from minus 10 to about ten degrees Celsius. I first used an MSR canister with it, which worked ok. It failed to boil water before the fuel got to cold to work properly. You can tell when this is happening when the wind screen in the middle becomes orange in stead of the pot supports. The fuel is starting to liquidize and it doesn't flow put very easily any more eventually it goes out.

When the canister becomes too cold this happen one way to fix it is to keep the canister warm. I keep it in my shell beneath my in insulting layer. The best fuel I have found through is Jetboil 4 season mix, it works much better in colder temperatures. The flame spread better and colder temperatures so now it's my go-to fuel for every trip. For these reasons I don't recommend this stove to mountaineers looking for a stove for use on mountains.

Conclusion:  

This stove is great for general backpacking and day trip or overnighters in the winter but somewhat poor wind resistant, poor pot support, and poor performance in the cold keep it from being 5 out of 5 stars. This is not just a canister thing as Jetboil and some MSR models of canister stoves work much better in the cold (MSR Reactor, Most Jetboil models ) . However its price its a notable thing to consider and this could be the perfect stove for beginning back packers.

I highly recommend this stove for its intended propose. 

The Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Pocket Rocket is a canister mounted, single fuel, IsoPropane stove.

One of the greatest benefits of this stove, my main reason for purchase also, is its size and weight. As can be seen from the images the stove fits within the palm of my hand, and weighs only 86 grams or 3 ounces.

Starting from a top down approach on the stove we can see that there are three ‘legs’ which fold out when in use and back in towards the main body when packed away. The legs are tightly hinged at the base so there is no instability.

When the legs are in the outer position they are not completely level, as can be seen from the image, the manufacturer advises that this creates better stability for a wider range of pots or pans. The legs are also 10 cm or 4 inches apart, (point to point) and have small serrations for extra grip.

At flame point there is a Windclip Windshield, (tri-sectional) designed to help protect the flame from light winds.

The stove has a standard screw type connection valve to the gas cylinder, however one point which I find
advantageous is that there is a differing in texture around the area where it is tightened to assist with grip. The stove is sealed to the cylinder with an o-ring.

Located near the base of the assembly is the flame control valve. The flame can be turned right down
(counter clockwise) to simmer and conversely turned (clockwise) up to a very fast boil. The control valve also folds away close to the body for packing and to prevent damage.

There is no ignitor with this model which does not create any issues as far as I am concerned, it always starts first time with a match or lighter which I generally carry for other fire lighting purposes.

Stability of the Pocket Rocket is surprisingly good, to date I have not had any issues with the stove toppling over. I have used the Titan Kettle, mainly to boil water, and prefer to use an aluminium pot which provides me with the ability to cook meals.

Both the titan kettle and the aluminium pot I have used have been very stable which attribute to the serrated edge and inward angle of the legs. The performances of the cooking pots are not discussed in this review.

In normal conditions I have experience whilst hiking, boiling water takes approximately three minutes as per the manufacturer’s website. On most occasions I do not bring the water to the boil as this is too hot for my liking and also saves on gas. Two and a half minutes is sufficient for hot drinks and dehydrated meals.

Testing has made it is apparent that the Windclip Windshield this does prevent the flame from blowing out but it does not protect it from being blown sideways thus reducing the efficiency of the flame.

The o-ring which provides the seal between the stove and cylinder has not shown any signs of wear after 18 months.

The control valve has proved to be exceptionally good, as mentioned above in the product description, and shows no signs of wear. I was initially concerned about the location of the valve and thought that it might be difficult to get to or become hot as the stove is in use, neither of these proved to be an issue.

There are few safety items, specific to the stove, which I would like to mention, as per the instructions that came with the stove.

*Ensure the stove and the canister is correctly assembled before operating.
*Do not light indoors, in a tent, vehicle or other enclosed area (Carbon Monoxide hazard)
*Do not obstruct the flow of combustion and ventilation air.
*Always check for leaks before operating.
*Never disconnect stove while still lit.
*Do not place heavy loads on the stove, maximum of 3.6kg or 8 pounds.
*Never leave unattended.

The pocket rocket comes with a red plastic case for storage which due to the pointed nature and legs and the
build up of soot from burn time is a great idea to help protect my pack and other items. (also protecting the stove).

Upon reading the information on the back of the MSR branded IsoPro canister I was amazed to read about a warning that the use of, in some states in America, can lead to cancer. An email was sent to the customer service with a very prompt reply to state that legally they are obliged to note this as legislation in some states requires this, other states do not. Other brands of IsoPro that I currently use to do not note this, I will be following up to see if there are any specific reasons for this.

* Conclusion
This is a great stove and I highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for fast, effective cooking with minimal weight and at a great price.

* Pros
Light, efficient, durable and affordable.

* Cons
Unable to utilise a windshield (as with any canister mounted stove).

When I first received the PocketRocket I was a little disappointed it didn't have a piezo ignition. After having used it in countless hikes against other stoves, I have nothing to complain about. I almost always heat, eat, and finish my meal before anyone else's water is even boiling.

Setup: Fast. Just flick out the three prongs and screw it on. 

Ignition: If using a portable piezo, always lights in just a couple of clicks, or if you get to know your own stove, lights on the first click. I bought a portable piezo pen ($9) that I stuff in with the stove in its own little container. 

Flame control: Goes from a crazy jet engine down to a dancing little feather of a flame.

Cooking: The better you get at adjusting the flame, the more success you'll have. It takes finesse but the stove performs well for just about anything. You have to move the pan or your food a bit since the flame is concentrated in a small diameter. Again, once you get to know your stove intimately, you will do fine.

Boil Time: 

I kitchen tested the stove with room temp tap water using a Primus Isobutane canister. Ambient room temperature was 68°F (20*C). Altitude 1,200 ft (366 m). The pot I used was an MSR non-stick aluminum lightweight 2.5L  7in diameter.

Here are the times for water to boil on full blast:

• 8 oz (2.4 dL) = 32 seconds
• 16 oz (4.7 dL) = 2 minutes 28 seconds
• 32 oz (9.5 dL) = 5 minutes 7 seconds

Wind: Does pretty well in strong wind. It pushes the flame a bit but doesn't extinguish it. I was cooking in strong winds next to my brother who bought a 5 dollar pocket stove off the internet. Before we started cooking, he was telling me how foolish I was for owning a $40 stove. When we started cooking, his blew out every 10 seconds while the MSR kept going.

I ate my meal with a big smile while he cursed. After about 8 minutes he kept on about how his water was still ice cold. I finally dumped his water into my pot and boiled it in 2 minutes. 

I have had it in situations where I just build a small wall of stone around it to help speed things up.

Fuel efficiency: I've cooked 3 meals a day for 3 days in back country with an 8.9 oz (460 mL) and had a bit of fuel left over. These meals were usually just boiled water meals with exception of Fish Fry. 

Stability: I just rub the fuel can in the dirt to level it and stabilize it. The stove itself holds a full 2.5L pot. It's a hairy situation watching it up there but I've never lost one yet. The 3 prongs are still close enough at center to hold a can of Campbell's soup. The prongs have good grip.

Packability: Packs down to 2 3/8 (5.8 cm)  in by  4 3/8 (11 cm) inch triangular prism. 

Ease of Use: Really easy

Features: Creates a super cool Mach 1 jet sound.

Construction and Durability: I've been using it for 4 years now and the 3 prongs still have their resistance tension.

Conditions: I received it new as a gift.

Best little stove I have ever used while backpacking. Yeah, you can go with a lighter alcohol stove, but this little bugger is so reliable I wouldn't choose anything else.

Set-up is simple: Take the stove out of the case, screw onto your IsoPro fuel canister, open up the fuel control, light, and enjoy. I have people tell me all the time to light your lighter before turning on the gas but I have not had a problem with this yet. I use my PocketRocket primarily for boiling water for coffee and Mountain House meals. The IsoPro fuel canisters come in the 8 oz and 16 oz size, and despite the warnings on MSR's website, you can use this stove with pretty much any mix of IsoPropane or IsoButane.

As long as your lighter is working then you will light this stove. I have even used just a spark when my lighter has "mysteriously" ran out of fluid. 

The burner on the PocketRocket is adjustable by a wire knob on the bottom of the stove. It is marked with a small "+" and "-" on the knob that shows you which way to turn the knob to increase or decrease the amount of IsoPro to put off.

This little stove makes cooking a breeze. Even with my old MSR Alpinist 2 pot set, boiling water never took any longer than seven minutes and as short as one minute depending on how much water I was boiling. Very consistent flame even if you have minimal fuel left in your canister.

In sheltered conditions, I would place the boiling time of 1 liter of water at around three and a half to three and three-quarters minutes (1 liter equals about .3 gallons). MSR gives the burn time for an 8 oz IsoPro canister at about 60 minutes.

Although the stove does stay lit during high wind, the flame is diminished severely without a windscreen (the PocketRocket does NOT come with a windscreen so I would highly recommend that you buy/make one if you plan on using this stove in alpine or mountainous conditions). I would say that the boiling time of 1 liter of water is extended to around five and a half minutes in windy enough conditions (25mph and greater).

I usually only use my PocketRocket to boil enough water to add to Mountain House meals (around two cups), so I have only boiled large amounts of water three or four times. I have owned my PocketRocket for around a year now and have only recycled fuel canisters four times (I am on my eighth canister and I use my PocketRocket almost three times per month). For a given canister of fuel (8 oz), you can expect to boil around 16 liters of water, or 2 liters per 1 oz of IsoPro fuel.

Stability-wise, the PocketRocket leaves a bit to be desired, but what can you expect out of one of the lightest backpacking stoves in the world?! After switching to the SnowPeak TI Mini Solo Cookset, I saw an immediate difference in stability (and weight!!) that I did not have with my MSR Alpinist 2 cookset.

The stove packs away into the 4 x 2 x 2 red plastic carrying case the comes with the MSR PocketRocket. It is a mere 3 oz without the plastic carrying case but I've found that it protects my things from the small amount of soot that has accumulated on the burner. If you're really concerned about the 1.2 oz plastic case, just don't take it.

I have used this stove three times on the 80 mile Springer Mtn. to Bly gap, 40 miles on the Florida trail,and I use it on all my car camping/ weekend trips. I have used it in conditions ranging from flood conditions and heavy rain, to temps down into the low 30s, to normal sunny conditions and it has yet to fail me. Bottom line: I would recommend this to everyone from a beginner looking for an inexpensive backpacking stove to a seasoned veteran trying to to go as light as possible without sacrificing consistency.

If you're still using your WhisperLite for three-season solo or two-person backpacking, you need to upgrade to a good canister stove. The MSR PocketRocket is the gold standard and for good reason. It is lightweight, folds up and fits into a compact plastic case, is simple to use, and puts out all the heat you need for heating water for meals.

To get the most out of a canister stove, you need to understand what it's good for and what it's not so good for. If you don't expect it to melt snow for you on Denali or cook gourmet meals for your entire NOLS group, you will be happy with the MSR PocketRocket.

Setup & Ignition: Easy as can be. Unfold the supports, screw onto canister. Light a match and turn the valve until you have ignition. I definitely prefer this setup to automatic igniters that inevitably fail.

Flame Control: Good enough. I use this stove primarily to boil water for dehydrated meals, meaning all I really look for is a lot of flame.

Cooking: This is where you really need to know what you're getting and why you're getting it. If I want to make pancakes, I'll take an old Coleman camping stove. For backpacking, I use dehydrated meals that require only hot water to get them ready. Think ramen noodles and oatmeal. I also like having hot water for cleaning or making coffee or tea. The PocketRocket is perfect for that. Simmering, baking, frying — if you're doing that, then why are you looking at this stove? It's not a camping stove. It's a backpacking stove.

Wind: Wind will ruin your day with this stove. You must use a windbreak in anything but totally calm conditions. Be careful to make/buy something compatible with a canister stove - you don't want to blow yourself up.

Fuel Efficiency: I usually can get about an hour of cooking out of a standard size MSR canister.

Stability: Not great. Use a small pot. My tea kettle does just fine with the three small supports, but you might run into trouble cooking soup for the whole crew. I'd be nervous putting too much weight on the supports.

Features: This is a simple stove. Not a four-season stove. Not a backcountry easy bake oven. The feature is light weight and ease of use. Use it. Love it. It will heat stuff up!

The MSR PocketRocket is a quality, lightweight canister stove that is easy to use in 3.5 seasons. It can bring 2 cups of water to a boil in 1/3 the time it takes for an alcohol stove. Using an adjustable flame, the PocketRocket can simmer as well as boil.

I used the MSR PocketRocket as the sole cooking stove for two men during a six-day hike in March 2013. Temperatures ranged from low-20s to mid-60s. A few meals were prepared under my Funky Forest Tarp as it poured rain. We primarily used the stove to boil water in the evening to rehydrate foil bag dinners. In the morning, we would heat water for oatmeal and coffee.

On a particularly cold, miserable day, we did a mid-day stop to make more coffee. I loaned the stove to two of my hiking partners for a second 6-day hike in April 2014, where similar conditions were found. The stove has never failed to light. And those using it are eating faster than those using alcohol stoves. 

Overall, I am more partial to alcohol stoves (no canisters to dispose of; fuel is easier to find at any convenience store.) However, I have to admit the MSR PocketRocket has several features that often makes me wonder if it's not a better choice for a long trail, such as the AT.

• First, it gets my water up to a super fast boil (1.5 minutes-2 minutes, depending on conditions). This shortens my cooking time significantly. That is a big factor when on a cold, rainy day when you are miserable and hungry.
  
• Second, the adjustable flame provides simmering capabilities that a catfood can stove can't offer. Personally, I am a boil and rehydrate kind of backpacker, but for the on-trail gourmet, this is a consideration.
  
• Third, while it takes a while to master the use of an alcohol stove, the PocketRocket is always reliable and ready to use out of the box.
  

Compared to other canister stoves, the price & weight on the PocketRocket is a big selling factor. This little stove is $60-$90 cheaper than a JetBoil system and weighs much less. (Of course, my catfood can alcohol stove is free and weighs so little it can be blown by the wind.)

If you're looking for a lightweight, entry level (and beyond) stove, this is well worth a look.

We use this stove for canoe picnic breakfasts (paddle to an island and make breakfast), for canoe camping trips, and for short winter hikes when we may want to stop and make a hot drink. It has shown itself to be reliable in the temperature range we have used it in, and certainly works well at its basic purpose for us...boil and heat up water!

First used this stove on a late winter breakfast hike...temperature was about 30 degrees, and the stove worked just fine. Obviously, if there is a strong wind, the lack of a wind screen can impair its functioning. We use this stove on canoe camping trips, basically to boil water, for quick drink mixes or freeze-dried meals. It has worked quite well, and is actually in competition with our other canister JetBoil stove, for title of favorite quickie canister stove!

The stove packs up nicely into the XTSPot we use with it, but we have also carefully used the larger Sea to Summit X-pot. Since the stove's pot base is not a large area, you must be careful with larger pots. We have found that the PocketRocket boils very fast...though it is noticeable louder than the JetBoil stove. It has its nice little red case, which packs within the XTSpot, along with the add-on canister base legs, and the fuel canister fits nicely into the top of the mesh bag that comes with the XTSpot.

The stove is easy to light ( no integrated ignition), and has yet to fail...we have used it many times, in temperature ranges 20 degrees to 80 degrees. I understand it may be balky in colder temperatures, but being aware of that, we try to use it within its designed capabilities.

I am not sure we would have bought this stove, since we have another canister quick-boiling stove...but it does not take a lot of room in the canoe kitchen kit, and it is nice to have two stoves available, as we are often preparing two different items.

It seems like a nifty little stove, and we feel confident recommending it to others.

This little stove is a powerhouse for its size. Packs down light and small with a small fuel canister, so it doesn't take up much room or weight in your pack. Great for warming up a cup for coffee but not for large amounts of liquid. Biggest flaw is it's not very efficient in the wind. a little breeze throws the cooking pattern off kilter and takes a long time to warm it up.

Best for lightweight, overnight trips. Wouldn't take it on a long one. I would recommend this for regular camping but not for long or high exposure trips. Works well in your tents vestibule.

I love this little MSR PocketRocket. Super simple to setup, just screw it on and turn it on. Without an onboard ignition switch you just need a couple matches or a lighter along for the trip but the small size and ease of use more than make up for the extra step of lighting it. 

The burner is easy to control and allows for a fairly adjustable flame. There is little in the way of guard for the burner and thus in the wind it looses much of it's punch. It works well to boil a small amount of liquid or heat up something small but not a great meal cooker. Great for small boils but I'm not impressed with cooking much on it. The small stance of the prongs also make it very easy to tip a pot off or tip the whole stove over while cooking. 

Generally this little stove seems to  be fairly fuel efficient, I usually only take a single canister with me, if I'm going for a weekend. 

Overall, I'd highly recommend this stove for a solo backpacker who is concerned with weight and doesn't need to have instantly boiled liquids. I use this more often then my bigger stoves and usually grab it whenever I'm headed into the woods overnight. 

I've owned it for about two years and use it for all my summer camping. 

The MSR PocketRocket is a staple in my backpack for all my trail hikes and overnights. MSR engineers have done their homework on this little marvel making it super lightweight and compact while delivering high power to cook your meals on the trail. Be sure to add this gem to your list of 'mission critical' equipment.

Setup: The MSR PocketRocket sets up in under a minute ready to get to the task of cooking your next meal.

Ignition: The Piezo lighter that comes with the purchase is marginally effective at igniting the stove. I choose rather to use either my own hand lighter or flint and steel to get the stove running.

Flame Control: The built-in adjustment lever does a fine job of adjusting the flame through a fairly wide range. And with flame control like this, not only can you conserve fuel when full burn is not needed, but the flame control also allows the chef in you a little more finesse with your trail cooking.

Cooking: In prime conditions, the MSR PocketRocket can bring 2 cups of water to full boil in just over 3 minutes [assuming start temp of 70°F].  And the flame control stated above allows you to make temperature adjustments easily.  Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Wind: Although the MSR PocketRocket does not come with a wind screen, building your own out of light gauge metal or several layers of tin foil is easy to do. Wind screening will make your PocketRocket more efficient, but I've found that it's not a necessity to have one.

Lifespan: I've owned my PocketRocket for nearly 6 months and have had it with me on around 4 excursions.  It shows no signs of wear and I expect a long lifespan from it.

Base/Stability: The fold open pot base is quite secure and opens/closes easily. I did find, however, that the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set Pot does not fit very well on this base. The cockpit bottom diameter is a bit too small for the fold out arms and the pot does notify securely on the arms. Larger posts will do much better on the MSR PocketRocket.

All in all, I'm a big fan of this MSR product. It has been a very reliable piece of equipment that delivers every time I expect it to.

The MSR PocketRocket is a lightweight and easy cooking solution. It's easy and fast to set up, and cooks food really fast. I highly recommend this to my friends, as well as use it myself.

Let me start off by saying "I LOVE this product." I can't tell you how many times I've come into camp really late, and had to set up just before dark. Not having to wait for the fire to heat up is SOOO nice.

The MSR PocketRocket cost about $40, depending on where you get it. Now you may be thinking "40 bucks for a little hunk of metal?!?!?!" Let me tell you something.... IT'S WORTH IT! This is one of my most used and appreciated objects in my backpack.

It is very well made, and sturdy. The fuel cans cost about $5 to $10, again, depending on where you get them. They will last you for about 30 minutes on medium heat. But that will last you about 4-5 camping trips, depending on how many times a day you're cooking.

The MSR PocketRocket weighs probably 8 oz. (I can't find the MSR website :( ) and takes maybe 30 seconds to set up. To set it up all you have to do is screw it onto the fuel canister, fold open the arms, turn on the gas, light it, and "Viola!", you're ready to cook. Taking it down is just as easy.

It takes about two minutes to cook a cup of water, depending on your outdoor temperatures, and the heat of the flame you are using.

I went on a backpacking trip to the Tobermory, Canada, area towards the end of December, 2013. My friends and I hiked through two feet of snow, without snowshoes (a dumb decision. :( ), for about eight hours. When we got there, the snow had been melting because it got about 36°F that day, so almost all of the available firewood was wet. But, I had my trusty PocketRocket, and we cooked dinner regardless of the conditions. 

Then it got down to 15°F, with a wind-chill -20°F off the coast off Lake Heron, but it still cooked like a champ the next morning. So, this stove cooks in almost any conditions, but it may take a little longer to cook in the temperatures mentioned before.

It is a little wobbly on uneven ground, but this can be quickly remedied with some rocks or piling up some dirt.

One of my main complaints about this system is really just about the fuel canisters. I have about four canisters with maybe five minutes of burn-time left in them, and I don't want to waste space by putting them all in my backpack. I am hoping that in the future, MSR will develop a one-way valve to consolidate one can into another. This would be SO helpful to me. So, if any MSR reps are reading this, I'd appreciate it if you would tell that to your CO. Ha ha!

Also, I usually use my Zippo lighter to get my stove going or sometimes my backup BIC in my backpack. But it is possible to light it with a flint starter. I've seen it done. It does take a little longer though, and for that reason, I use a lighter.

I hope this review was helpful, and I hope you can also partake in this product's many great attributes.

Great stove for all around use.

I bought this stove in about 2008. It's been my go-to stove ever since. 

Easy to setup, easy to light, easy to control the flame, no mess dealing with liquid fuels, packs up great, weighs next to nothing. You can fry, warm, toast, simmer, or boil no problem. 

Being able to use the Coleman fuel canisters from Walmart has been a big help as well.

I've used it on week long trips here in the Appalachian mountains, car camping, and at the house when the power goes out to do everything from boil water to frying sausage in a larger pan. It also works really well with woks. I even use it to melt Vaseline to make fire starters. 

I boil a pint of water from room temp in a GSI Pinnacle Soloist in just over 2 minutes. 

The pot stands get hot but cool down quicker than I'd have thought possible. This thing can be packed back up after use in no time at all. 

A neutral point with this stove, something I knew going in, being a canister stove its a bit tippy. I like to dig holes or surround the canister with rocks. I've fit the canister into tree stumps and all kinds of things. Just be creative and you wont have any problems. No point in buying the expensive legs for canisters. 

Another little thing to add here, One might want to build or buy a windscreen if they live in windy places. The wind will slow down the cooking. Windscreen will also help keep the heat in. That said, I've never had one, and never had a problem.

My only real issue with this little stove is how the pot stands hold a narrow pot. They slant down towards the center slightly and have little steps. If a pot isn't sized perfectly it wants to sit crooked. I honestly think it would work better without the steps/teeth since they really don't stop pots from 'rocking' 

In conclusion, If you want one, buy it. You won't regret it. I recommend this stove all the time. 

Pics from doing a boil test when I bought my Soloist. 

A reliable lightweight workhorse of a backpacking stove.

This stove works every time. It is reliable. It is so easy to set up—just screw it on to an isobutane container and you're ready to go. I don't even bother with any additional stand.

There is no piezo igniter, so you must use a fire steel, lighter or match. The flame is adjustable and works great from simmer to full blast. With my GSI Soloist kit or my simple camp cup the cooking is easy and the boil time less than 3 minutes for 2-4 cups of water. It has a small wind screen built into the flame outlet. I rarely need to use any additional wind protection. If I do need wind protection I just make a natural barrier.

I seem to be able to get at least 10 boils from a small canister and 20 boils from a large canister so it seems to be very fuel efficient. It packs down small and fits into my cup/pot along with a gas canister and sponge. This stove is so easy to use and super reliable. I've never had a single issue with its function or durability. I have owned the stove for about three years and probably have 100+ outdoor days use with it.

The newer version of this stove, MSR PocketRocket II, seems to be a solid upgrade being lighter and more compact. The quality should be typical MSR—bulletproof!

Great little stove for the solo backpacker; easily recommended for those who favor simplicity and ease.

I purchased my PocketRocket stove used some five years ago, and the little bugger is still going strong. Used mostly on multi-night trips around the PNW, generally to heat water for beverages and freeze-dried meals. Works excellently for those purposes as long as one can set up a sufficient windscreen.

Flame control and ignition both simple and easy; in optimal conditions will boil a half liter of water in under two minutes. Windy? Make that something closer to five, but i've never yet had it blow out. Depending on the quality of the fuel canister and the wind conditions, I've a single canister last a full season—call it eight meals, plus another eight cups of tea. Good stuff.

A little caution might be needed to keep it from dumping over, but I am a cautious fellow. Compared to the old Sterno stove i'd been using for the previous decade, this thing is heavenly.  

Can't really compare it to other cook systems, except to say that it is ever so much less expensive and fidgety—no cleaning required in over five years of use.

update: 10/2019 - The little blighter is still going strong after 11 years.  Same solid performance from a light, compact unit.  I have since upgraded to a larger, more wind-resistant stove, and use this one as my wife's back-up when we're out together.  Then it comes in handy for cooking up multiple meals simultaneously. I now expect this little guy will last longer than me.

I also own an MSR Whisperlite and several alcohol stoves, but this is now the only one I take backpacking.

It's durable - almost 6 years, a few boilovers and not one problem.

It's fast and efficient. It heats enough water for a dinner or a beverage in just a few minutes. Its pinpoint flame is great for heating small, one-person pots (no flame is wasted up the sides of the pot).

This stove is REALLY easy on the fuel! I always overestimate how much I'll need for a trip. I typically use about 2oz. for a week in the wilderness, and when I take it out for a long weekend, I can't tell that my 8oz. can has been used. (I'm going to start buying 4oz. cans.)

The flame is easily adjustable from a tiny, silent lick of blue flame to a 6" roaring brazing torch. I find that this stove performs best when the flame is about 1.5" tall. Sure it takes a little longer than at full-blast, but it doesn't waste fuel.

As far as wind screens go... I use myself, some trees/rocks (if available), or a makeshift "wall" of Nalgene bottles. No problems yet, even in a strong bora! If you need to heat a big pot, prop it up on 3 rocks over the stove (so the stove isn't bearing the weight.

This is the gold standard stove for hardcore, no frills mountainfolk for many reasons. It's ridiculously light, durable, simple to use, HOT, efficient... Its design hasn't changed in a long time. How often do Primus or Coleman change designs with similar stoves?...

I love this little stove. I've used it at home on the deck, in a tent, and winter cabin camping. It's super easy to carry — packs small and light, even in provided carrying case — and is quick to use.

The setup is super easy — pop the cap off the fuel, screw in the stove, open the valve and light it up. No built-in ignition, so you'll need a lighter or match to get it going, but it's super easy to light. 

The flame control is great — you can get a slow steady flame or turn it wide open for a quick water boil that only takes a couple minutes. We used a medium pot on the holders, and with much wind or uneven ground it would've been a bit tough to keep it solidly in place; however, if you keep an eye on it and hold the handle if there's much wind, you'll be fine. 

Also, the stove really concentrates the flame in one middle area, so if you don't watch your food, it may burn a bit over the center — we used it mainly for soups, noodles, water, etc. 

You may want to invest in a windscreen if you'll be in super windy areas, though. Boiled water quickly and didn't use too much fuel in the process. Using a small canister of fuel, we were able to boil water and cook food for several days - not sure of measure on fuel usage, however. 

Simple, easy-to-use, packable stove for when you just need something quick and straight-forward. It's affordable, and I definitely recommend it for light packing. We used the stove mainly summer and fall, but we did use it during winter hut camping and it worked fine! Have fun!

This stove is pretty nice. I like stove over my old Superfly because it is more compact, lighter, and cheaper. Plus, I have had problems with push button ignition stoves in the past. I know, I can still light it with a match or lighter, but why carry the extra weight? It's just one more thing to go wrong.

This stove is truly designed according to the KISS philosophy. I use it for ultralight hiking when I want to take a stove. It's very compact, and folds up into its own little triangular prism shaped storage bin.

It doesn't boil quite as fast, but I don't really care about a few seconds here or there. It does have trouble in colder weather (as all canister stoves do) and the wind can wreak havoc on it. For one person, the pot supports are adequate. I use it with an MSR Titan Mug or Evernew Titanium Kettle and don't have any problems. I would definitely be hesitant to use something larger like my 1.5 or 2 L pot.

This thing has been running strong for over three years now, which is also a plus.

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

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. 

This stove is not best for people that want to cook for groups or want to travel over very long periods of time.

I have used this stove several times and I find it to be the best for the type of camping I do. The stove is easy to setup because all you have to do is remove it from its case and screw it onto its fuel canister/stand.

I have only tried the stove in wooded areas with little wind so the ignition has been fairly easy to do so long as you have matches or a lighter. The flame is easily controllable and fully met my needs as all I required of it was to boil water though the flame does not vary as much as some other stoves.

I only used the stove to boil water so was never able to try to cook actual food using this stove. However, it does seem too small to use to cook over about 3" wide. Using the stove on its highest flame I was able to boil 2 cups of water in about 3 minutes in very little wind. I have cooked about 4 meals with one canister of fuel and I still have lots of fuel leftover.

I haven't used any pot bigger than 20 oz and it seems to be fairly secure with this size of a pot. Anything bigger than this seems like it would be very likely to tip over. The stove packs down very small into a triangle -shaped plastic box but the box itself can't be used as a cup or anything because it has a drain hole in the bottom. 

MSR's PocketRocket is a back-country blowtorch. It is great for heating water quickly for dehydrated meals or water purification. It is also fantastically loud, hence the name.

I've used the MSR PocketRocket for backpacking and car camping for the better part of two years. It is a fantastic little stove, easy to set up and ignite (no priming or pumping), packs down very small, and heats water rapidly.

The PocketRocket is not built for cooking elaborate back-country meals, since the flame control is basically binary. In my experience it usually takes around 3 minutes to get water to a rolling boil with this stove. There are wind deflectors built into the top of the stove which are small, but do a sufficient job, with the only effect of wind being increased boil times. 

Stability is a problem for this stove, as I imagine it is for most small canister stoves. I remedied the issue buy purchasing a canister stand (the MSR branded stand is around $14), which improved my confidence in the stove significantly. Stability issues aside, using isopro as a fuel always has the downside of being expensive and non-refillable. But I think the weight savings are worth the hassle. 

Overall, I'd recommend this stove if your back-country cooking needs are centered on heating up water. If you needs are more involved, I'd suggesting looking at the MSR Whisperlite, which is more flexible in terms of flame control and fuel, but at the cost of increased weight and complexity. 

I bought this for my first long trek, the JMT in 2002 or early 2003. Back then it was THE ultralite stove. I used liquid fuel stoves before this—MSR, Svea, Coleman—and was never totally happy. I bought this and have used it on every trip since. Even the gasket is OG.

The original Pocket Rocket lasts 21 years, so far. I bought mine in late 2002 and it is still going. Even the rubber gasket is original. 

Background

40 years of backpacking.

It's OK to make a pot of tea, but it's a small cooker for small trips only.

Obviously, if you buy something called a "pocket rocket" you know you're not getting an industrial stove that will feed a dozen mouths on expedition, but still — this is a very fidgety and limited stove.

However, I've owned mine for 5 years and it works as well as it did the first day I used it, so it's consistent and reliable.

The main issue is you can't put a large pot on and leave it unattended — and by unattended I mean you can't chop carrots without holding the handle. It looks like you can just screw the rocket into the canister and voila — cooking time.

But in any kind of adverse conditions — wind, rain, unstable terrain — you need to be with your cooker the whole time.

Another issue is that it's a completely unprotected flame — no cover, no safety measure; so if your stove falls over — you've got a flame thrower. Otherwise the wind can just put out your cooking.

On the plus side, I can fit my flint into the little box, and then fit the whole stove into my pot, so it's compact as hell, which is great for an overnight hike warming up some soup.

Just don't expect to get much else done.

I have used this little stove for a lot of things. I have not tested it on the trail yet, but will be doing so soon. I have had a lot of kitchen and back yard adventures.

I used to be a chef and I was looking for a good controlled flame simmer for stuff like rice, curries, stews, soups, noodles, and oatmeal. A higher setting for boiling water, melting snow, freeze dried stuff, as well as my own dehydrated dishes. I love one pot meals so this will be great. I also cooked spam, hot dogs, steak chunks, toast, marshmallows over the open flame with great success.

I love this stove I feel it will meet all my needs in the woods and it already has met my expectations in the backyard.

I have a chemist friend that said it works great as a lab burner as well. Two thumbs up.

Great! Super light, very compactable, good power.

This stove is pretty dang awesome, and has been fueling me for a couple years now. Great reliability, super light, but sturdy, takes up very little space, ect. Great for any backpacking!

Haha.... now, if you are using a weird-shaped pot or something, this could definitely be a "noodle-dumper". It's very small, including the cookware supports, but as long as you're careful, this should not be a problem.

All in all, great product. I highly recommend this for lightweight/ultralight backpackers.

Easy to use is a gross understatement.

I had to break out my SVEA 123 last trip just to get a feeling for a stove that would take more than 1 second to light.

Miserly on the juice too, one canister (MSR 8 oz/227g) for a week at 6000-8000 feet. This constitutes water heating duties only.

Very quality, and super small.

With the provided red plastic container, a baby BiC lighter fits inside and will permit the lid to still be snapped on. I really like this little stove!

Downside is that it is a canister stove, but that is just the way it goes for this type of performance.

UPDATE:

Still love this little guy! Maybe kind of tippy 'cause it sits high, but it boils water quick. I have taken this stove to 12,000 feet and it still works just fine. 

Tiny in size, light in weight, easy to set up, and quick to cool down and pack back up; this is the ideal backcountry canister stove for the minimalist backpacker.

Pocket Rocket is my go-to stove for backcountry adventures. It ships with a red triangular prism box that it easily fits into and no matter how cold/hot it is outside is easy to attach to the canister. 

To start it, all you need to do is turn it enough to hear the hiss, and hold a lighter or a burning match above it, and it immediately picks up. Usually boils a 2 cup water in my titanium pot in about 3-5 minutes. Flame is adjustable so you can trade boiling time for more fuel usage.

I've been using it for over a year now, and it's gotten wet, sandy and dusty and has held up through all conditions. For windy conditions, I recommend using a screen to make sure flame is standing up right, but even in high winds, most of the flame was still hitting the bottom of the stove. With the red MSR canisters you'll also have to make sure ground is level and there are no debris around it, but that's common sense with all backcountry stoves.

If you are looking for a cheap, light, powerful and outstanding backpacking stove, the MSR PocketRocket is for you.

I purchased this stove for Philmont Scout Ranch. After finding it on Amazon for $28, I couldn't pass it up! 

Setup is a breeze, take the stove out of the included protective cover, screw onto canister, adjust the fuel flow, light the flame, crank it up!

This unit does not include an ignition source. I made a sparker from an old grill push button sparker. This stove is very easy to light. The flame control is fantastic; you can go from a Batmobile flame to a nice controlled simmer.  This stove will boil a liter of water in just under three minutes.  

Some people have complained about the wind with this stove. I have never had a problem, even in 40 mph sustained winds. There is no windscreen included, but the burner head has three partitions that even if two are blown out, the third will remain lit to relight the others.  

Lastly, the packability is uncompromised. In a one liter pot, I pack the stove, an 8oz canister, my sparker, backup matches and lighter and my pot grips.

You really can't beat this stove for the price, performance, packability or simpleness.

Powerful little backpacking stove. Boils water rapidly and is durable for its size and weight.

I've personally used this stove on several backpacking adventures with my son's Boy Scout troop and they are durable, and have performed very well in lots of different conditions.

The stove comes folded up in a small plastic container that acts to protect it in your pack. It easily is set up and connected to the fuel canister in moments. The burner does not come with an igniter, which is a bit of a disappointment, but I've used matches, a bic lighter, and even a flint and steel to light it.

The burner is fully adjustable from simmer to 'blow torch' and will boil water in just a few minutes. In a protected environment I was able to boil a liter in under 3 minutes (optimal conditions). Each outing we've had several boys share a single stove and fuel canister and we always come home with fuel to spare.  

My one issue with this unit is that you have to be very careful in your pot placement. It can be unstable if you don't pay attention to placing it on a sturdy environment or if your pot is too heavy.  

The Boy Scout troop has several of these stoves that are four years old and still going strong, so I would say these are durable and well made.

I bought this thing about a year and a half ago from REI. From the start I knew this would really only be good for boiling water. It has a pretty small hot spot. Yeah, you could cook something with this if you really wanted to but it's more effort than I wish to expend. With the freeze-dried food out there nowadays why bother cooking?

Anyways, this heats up a pot of water pretty quick as long as the wind isn't blowing. If it is, forget it. I made a deflector/wind screen out of a piece of 4" aluminum dryer vent that I "paperclip" to the pot. It helps but you have to shelter the stove from the wind. I would imagine that this problem it not unique to this stove. As far as the "tipping" problem suggested in other reviews I haven't experienced it. At all. I've always used the large gas canister and find a flat spot to put the stove before lighting it.

I use the GSI "hard anodized" boiler set with the stove. I recommend it highly. The large fuel canister, inside a clean sock, fits perfectly inside the tall pot which fits inside if the short pot. Toss the steel handles that come with the pot set and get an aluminum pot handle. The bag that comes with the set is big enough to put the handle and PocketRocket on top of the pots so all your water heating equipment is in one place in your pack.

I often take the kit with me on day hikes with my girlfriend so we can have something hot to eat for lunch. For boiling water it does the job very well.

This lighweight stove is perfect for backpacking, camping, fishing or any outdoor activity. It boils water in a matter of minutes, is quick to set up and the fuel is cheap.

The most costly part of this unit is the burner attachment itself which is made of good quality stainless steel; the fuel can only cost $5. It comes in a durable, nearly water-tight plastic case that it folds into making it easy to stuff in a pack.

The fuel can itself has a neat little description of how to tell how much fuel is still in the can (place the fuel can in a bucket of water and the amount of displacement will tell the level of fuel inside)

The stove is easily lit by match or lighter and the gas adjustment on the side can be folded away to avoid bumping it. It can support a 4-8 cup percolater full of water and boil it at a rate of approx. 5min / 1.5 cups of water. High winds only affect boiling time by a few minutes.

I've used this stove in -20C conditions as well as +35C conditions and it performed perfectly.

33 reviews on this stove say it all — it's a living legend and one of the best canister stoves in the market regarding the prize/quality ratio. 

It's literally a rocket in your pocket — small, light and very efficient. You won´t need to set it on the maximum flame very often.

It's durable — no worries about causing a damage to this small rocket.

The small integrated windshield on the burner is helpful, of course it won't stop strong wind, but it will definitely help.

The flame regulator is big enough to work with it while wearing gloves. 

The burner is smaller, which is good for using smaller pots or mugs — it won't burn their sides. The legs are also small and definitely not for big heavy pots, but that's not a negative. People must be aware of the fact, that this stove is designated mainly for solo or couple use and it works great with Ti mugs and small pots.

It's compact — the red plastic box is perfect, but you can also put it into the MSR Titan Kettle together with mid size canister.

Yes, you can find even more compact (but a little bit heavier) stove on the market (Optimus Crux, which I am also starting to use by now), but the price, simplicity and durability of this stove is incredible and beats the others (Primus, Coleman, GoSystem...).

Pros:

• weight
• durability
• efficiency
• price 
• simplicity

Cons:

• nothing in this category, but if you are looking for both light and very compact stove, check the Optimus Crux

For reliablility of product in 3.5 seasons it is easy to carry, use, and appreciate. Sets up in less than a minute to connect and go into operation. Boil/cook times are very acceptable and reliable. A great product for the camper, backpacker and hunter.

MSR PocketRocket is as it suggests. A small go anywhere stove that connects to the fuel cannister is less than a minute to go into operation. The hard part may just be getting the stove and cannister out of the pack/container you put it in to carry it outdoors.

Lights easy and goes into operation quick. Boil cook times are very reliable for use within 3 to 3.5 minutes. For the outdoor adventure of camping, backpacking, hiking, fishing or hunting you can appreciate its ability to serve.

This stove has become a favorite for me for 6 years to the point I give them as gifts to friends and family who have similar interests.

From a simmer to a boil, no problem for this lightweight stove. Reliable and simple to operate. This stove takes very little space in your pack.

The PocketRocket is a great little stove for the money. It comes in a small lightweight case, that nests right inside most pots. You can put a small bic lighter in the case as well. It is easy to light and boils a pot of water very quickly. The use of a sheet of folded aluminum foil for a wind break increases the stoves ability to work in windy conditions.

This stove is great for lightweight backpacking and for day hikers who want a hot lunch or a cup of cocoa on the trail.

The main detraction of this stove is its ability to hold a larger pot with some stability. It is best used for boiling small pots of water for dehydrated meals and for hot drinks. As with most canister stoves it suffers in cold weather with gas flow.

I would recommend this stove to friends.

I've used this stove all over, in everything but the most extreme conditions and it has always done exactly what I needed it to.

I've had this stove for years and used it everywhere. Cooked for three on the Buffalo River, used it countless times in Big Sur, hot tea at 8000' in the San Gabriels, etc.

The biggest test was in Domeland Wilderness in Sieretta Pass, 9600' and blowing up a gale. We were camped on the edge of a meadow and when the sun went down the temperature dropped to 35 degrees before windchill. Luckily we found a tree stump that didn't break off clean and left a 12" piece of bark sticking up and it was up wind of the flat part where the stove was going to go. It wrapped around the stump about 60 degrees and kept the wind off admirable. Even with this natural windscreen it took 6 or 7 minutes to boil water for ramen but the wind was blowing so hard (25, 30 mph?) that I didn't think it would work at all.

I purchased this for backpacking and weekend camping. Used it over the past weekend with outstanding results.

This was purchased just before a weekend camping trip in the early spring.  I purchased a GSI Dualist cookset at the same time and am pleased with the compatibility.  It will fit inside the cookset with enough room for a canister of fuel if packed correctly. I used it for the constant coffee I needed, but also for regular cooking. 

The canister still feels at least half full after a full weekend of use. It boils a cup of water in about 4 minutes.  Highly recommended, lightweight and easy to use. You do need to make sure it's on relatively level ground with the cookset.

Overall I really like this stove.  I'm sure the more I use it, I may find a couple flaws in the system, but so far I am really happy with it.  Now stop reading this and get your butt outdoors away from a signal :).

Small, lightweight, powerful stove for all types of backpacking.

This little thing has been with me for 10+ years and I have never had a problem with it. It's so easy to stash and yet powerful enough to cook for 1 or 2 people. It cuts down on the weight for any backpacking trip. 

I bought the fuel canister feet, which is easy to pack and easily locks onto the fuel canisters to provide stability. It's as easy as screw on and light. It's easy to hear when it is sending gas and can be lit. It lights easily as well.

The flame can take out to a 10-inch pot and distribute the heat well. But that is pushing it for size. It also is pushing it for cooking. This is best for solo or doubles use. 

Background

I have owned this for 10+ years, taken it all over the U.S. and it's held up in multiple conditions and all three seasons except winter/ice/snow camping. I have not tested it there.

Love this little stove. Canister is definitely the way to go if you aren't going to be out in the cold, and even then I've heard of some ways to weasel around the cold (though they seemed to be a bit of a hastle). You can't beat the ease of getting the stove going, as well as the super low maintenance. Weight is wonderful and so is the size, esp if you use the smaller canisters.

Be careful of stability. Three prongs is fine as long as ground is level, and you have to watch it if you use bigger pots. The only downside I would give this stove is its performance in windy conditions. A small breeze can blow the flame around very easily. I have not used it yet in stong winds (and don't look foward to doing so for I know that I am going to have to find someway to shelter it rather well). Overall very please and would buy again.

p.s. on a side note, fuel consumption has been good too. I have cooked a number of meals, sometimes for more than one person, and in one instance boiled a qt of water for purification. I guess to have used about half of an 8 oz fuel can.

Never failed me, reliable, boils fast, small and convenient.

I can always rely on MSR products. In fact I will not get any other brand stove. It has never failed me once or needed maintenance in the two years that I have used it. And let me tell you, I have used it everywhere in the Cascades of Washington!

It performs miraculously, boils fast, loud, but that's OK. Can't be any easier to use, and it cools off fast, which is a real plus for meal in the morning when you want to get going.

This thing is so small and lightweight, you can pack it in your pocket if you want—hence the name. It is as convenient and easy to use as it gets. Would recommend one to anyone, because of all the pros it holds and it is priced at a very reasonable price.

Doesn't get much better or more simple than this. Definitely Recommend.

I would say it's the best manufactured stove on the market. In my experience, it lights wells and heats water very quickly. Setup is easy, and contrary to my predictions I have yet to have any issues with the balance of the stove itself or cookware on the stove.

Knocked off half a star for the lack of better wind protection. MSR designed the stove so it won't blow out in the wind, but I wish they offered some more general protection around the flame to avoid heat loss. Still, not too big a deal because as I stated previously, the water does heat up fast.

I prefer this to the Jetboil since I can choose my own cookware and am not stuck with just the Jetboil cup.

Seems well built and has handled great through my trips in the Central Cascades and Sawtooths.

I love my PocketRocket! It does exactly what I need it to do... boil water.

Very light weight and compact. I have been using it now for about three years. It has never let me down.

Overall great backpacking stove! Great for the money.

I got my PocketRocket about two years ago for an upcoming backpacking trip. It worked great on that trip and still is after about 150 days of use! I really like how light it is to carry in my pack and how easy the set up is. I've used MSR WhisperLite before and it takes a little more work to use (not much).

One thing I don't like about the PocketRocket is that it's not the most stable of stoves, but that's to be expected when you're going for lightweight and compact. I also don't like that you can only use one fuel type for this stove. That can be limiting when traveling abroad.

I would recommend this stove to anyone looking for a lightweight backpacking stove!

This is an awesome stove!!!! I spend my time hiking on the A.T. and take this with me every time!!! Boil time is fast and a fuel canister will last a week or more no problem. I usually make oatmeal and coffee every morning and boil water for dinner time. Sometimes I'll throw in a hot lunch too...

I fabricated a light wind shield and got a three legged foldable canister support from the internet and Presto !! the perfect setup !!! The stove, Lg. fuel canister, cookpot, spoon, cup and pot grabber weigh under a pound ... The whole "kitchen" fits in the side pocket of my pack.

REMEMBER, DO NOT wrap your windscreen around the canister just the burner!! You could go BOOM!!!!! I have not done this, I just read a warning somewhere. Jay

Incredibly light and versatile, and is ideal for most situations. Perfect at high altitudes, and just as good at normal heights.

Ease of use: Getting the stove going is very simple and easy to do through gloves however if it is really cold it will take some time to catch and light.

Features: The fact that the gas is pressurised makes it brilliant in the hills. 

Construction and durability: Very strong and very well made with a lovely finish to it with lasts over its age. 

Conditions: Had it for around ten years never let me down, up in the hills down near the lochs, in the cold and in the rain, always worked when it's needed it to.

Love it. 1st stove purchase in 18 years.

This was my first stove purchase in 18 years and I couldn't be happier. It packs up in this neat little triangular plastic case that fits in those little gaps of wasted space in your pack.

No assembly, remove from the case, screw it on the tank, open the three support stands, unfold the gas control valve & fire it up. Boils 2 cups of water in about a minute or so on high (Estimated time).

You should be certain to have your pot centered on the support stands (3) or that could prove an ugly result. Because the flame is exposed you could experience performance issues in windy conditions. Nothing that moving the stove can't fix. 

Easy to use, lightweight burner stove.

I've had a liquid fuel stove for years (MSR SimmerLite), but wanted something more compact and lighter for when I solo backpack or for short overnights with another person.

The burner is small and compact. It fits into my cook set, taking up less space in my pack. Easy to light and control the amount of flame form the burner. Connection to fuel canister is easy. 

One downside is the wasted fuel canister when the fuel is spent. But you can always scrap the metal. Another downside is the cost of canister fuel. For the cost of two canisters you can buy a can of liquid fuel that would last you much longer.

But if you are only planning on short trips with minimal amounts of cooking, a canister is definitely recommended.

Light, compact, efficient cooking solution. Both the stove and the fuel are fairly inexpensive and widely available.

Super easy setup (literally just screwing the burner to the canister), easy ignition with a match or lighter. Burner is adjustable, my wife and bought two of these and we've only used them to boil water.

The cooking surface is limited, so only the smallest of pans/pots would balance on the supports. Level ground is a necessity.

This stove really shines when it comes time to pack it away and carry it on the trail. The plus side to the small burner is that is cools very quickly. We've used ours many times to boil water and the stove is ready to pack well before we're finished eating.

Great 3.5 season stove. Lightweight, convenient, easy to operate, efficient, and packs very small.

There really isn't anything bad to say about this small, very lightweight, convenient, easy to use, idiot-proof, and no frills stove. Simply attach it to a compatible canister (i.e. isobutane, propane, and n-butane), turn the gas on, and light it (no priming or pumping necessary). It comes with a plastic case, packs very small, burns clean, and is not messy at all.  

The only complaint, and it's an issue with all canister stoves, is it is not very efficient in the extreme cold because the fuel will vaporize (in winter, the higher the propane content in the blend, the better - I prefer Primus canisters).

Decent stove for boiling water.

I have used this stove for 5 years. It boils water extremely fast. It works great in the wind and it is lightweight. I mainly use it for boiling water for Mountain House meals and warm beverages. It does not simmer real well if you are going to cook food with it you need to watch it closely or you will burn your chow.

It is a bit larger than some of its competition. Like just about all canister stoves it does not work great in cold weather.

If you've been researching what stove to buy, you found it, stop looking and buy this one!

I've had my PocketRocket stove for over 8 years now and it impresses me every time I use it. It's very fuel efficient, extremely lightweight and takes up hardly any room at all in a pack. The fuel is readily available at most camping stores and Walmarts. The flame is adjustable and stays lit in the wind.  

I didn't time how long it takes to boil water but it is fast, even in cold temperatures.

My favorite piece of equipment!

I'm on my second MSR PR, but the other one was used and abused and held up long past what I expected. I carry a small neoprene pad for under the canister when it's below 10° F.

Full-on for boiling water is its strength. However, flame control is great—I have a small titanium pan for cooking quesadillas and vegeburgers. (A little bit of olive oil keeps the food from sticking and burning directly over the flame.) Does okay in the wind and altitude, I've used it at 15.5K'.

No regrets. I will by a third no doubt if I live that long.

This thing is hotter than a supermodel! I got the PocketRocket back in '09 for the AT thru hike and used it all the way to Maine. It gets hot without using too much fuel. I plan on using it for my PCT thru hike this summer as well.

This was a wonderful product that was very reliable and never failed me once!

An excellent value. I got mine at Adventure16 for only $30 - they had a 25% off sale on all MSR products. It has a wide range flame adjustment, allowing you to perform most cooking. It isn't the greatest for delicate foods like pancakes or baking, but is perfect for frying and boiling water.

You need to make a homemade windshield for it (just google canister stove wind shield) out of tin and aluminum foil. Also, for cold weather, a copper wire heat exchanger is a must (you can google that also). But with those 2 items in your pack also (adds about 1 oz extra weight) you can even use this stove in frigid weather.

If you take the time to make the wind screen and heat exchanger, then this stove becomes the best combination of weight, performance, and price on the market.

Super simple and compact ability at a great price.

This stove is so simple yet is perfect for everything I do. From camping on the Washington water trails while kayaking to backpacking through national parks it does the trick. You can't beat the packability. It sets up super quick and it's easy to control the flame.

Personally, I like keeping it simple and that's exactly what the PocketRocket is, "simple". I have gone through about 20 cans of fuel with mine and it has held up great. 

Fantastic small stove, easy to pack and use.

I found this stove at a garage sale and paid a quarter! I wasn't expecting much -- but thought it would be a good example for our Boy Scouts to try out along with some other backpack stoves. 

Much to my delight this stove has been a fantastic workhorse for me and my son (who has now decided it belongs to him). Quick to light using his magnesium striker, and works great with his GSI Halulite Microdualist Cookset.

Great product, great price.

The MSR PocketRocket is a great little stove. It is lightweight and compact. Boils water quickly as well.

The only drawback that I have found is that there is no igniter built into it. It is however very easily lit with a lighter or match (that you are probably carrying anyhow). Fuel is readily available and pretty easy to find.

This is a great little stove, with a very nice price to go with it.

Good lightweight stove.

Manual on-line reads never use a wind screen, very bad advice. Without a wind break the stove can have one or two of the stove segments blow out, and while you are still heating the pot you are wasting fuel. I learned this the hard way.

I think the the instructions should read: do not tightly encircle the stove in a wind screen. If the stove isn't working well in cold, just place canister in a bowl with an inch or two of water to liquefy fuel.

Quickly heats up water or anything you are cooking. Boils water in less than 3 minutes. Very light at just 3 oz. Would thoroughly recommend to anyone.

Very easy to setup. Just use a cylindrical fuel canister and screw on. Ignites right up. Easy flame adjustment on side. Boils quickly (water in under 3 min). Great packability at 3 oz and comes with plastic case. Being an MSR, very well made.

Great little stove. It is easy to pack, super simple to connect to a fuel bottle and light, and easy to maintain. I've had no problems with this stove in general, but I'll state the obvious by saying you must ensure a stable placement on the ground before loading a heavy pot onto it. In the cold it keeps up pretty well, but windy conditions will leave you in need of some kind of wind screen (usually I just cup my hands near the flame) to keep the flames directed onto the pot. Forget about stoves that require priming and/or pre-lighting in all but the extreme cold- the PocketRocket is enough to do almost any outdoor cooking job.

My favorite stove.

I bought this at the Natahalia Outdoor center 3 yrs ago when the Coleman stove I brought sprung a leak. We used it to cook with and it worked like a charm. It has been my go-to stove ever since. For one to two people it is perfect!

Lightweight and small. It works really well with a liter pot. Has a really fast boil time and can be adjusted to a simmer.

The stove is an effective one. I first got to try it out in South Dakota in December. The cold didn't seem to bother it at all. It's light as hell, it heats up fast and MSR makes durable good products so I'm pretty confident it will be as good in 4 years as when I got it over 1 year ago.

The negative is obvious, go sit on a 3 legged stool. You need to make sure your pot is balanced.

All in all, if you're like me you're between the PocketRocket and the Superfly. I think it's a good choice to go with the PocketRocket. The Superfly doesn't seem that much more stable than the PocketRocket.

I am a big fan of the Pocket Rocket. I have used it on multiple trips and it hasn't failed me yet. There is good control over flame size, and when going full throttle it can boil stuff fast.

My concern is the same as others, I often get quite scared about it tipping when using it. I haven't yet done it, but every meal seems to get my heart racing. I think I could do without that.

Overall, this is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone. Indeed I recommended it to my friend this summer. He got it and loves it as well. So long.

Lightweight, no problems at all. Do not store without the case.

This is a great lightweight stove that is easy to carry, set up and use. For the price, there is not a better "entry-level" backpacking stove. I would not recommend putting in your pack without the case as there are sharp edges. 

Small and easy to use. Easy to store, and doesn't get damaged.

This product is simple, consistent and great. I have yet to have a problem with it (aside from needing a wind shield). It does what I need and it does it quite quickly. It fits into the pot I purchased, making it easy to set up and get going as soon as I want to.

I've used this for about 4-5 years and it is nice for a light weight no nonsense stove. You can't take it to altitude or really cold climates but for most of my trips it has been great. It does have a fairly tight heat pattern so be careful using it to cook eggs and pancakes on. We use it mainly for heating water. Lately we use the Jetboil though. The Pocket Rocket is small, lighweight, adjustable, and so far I've had no problems with it. Just the limitations of a cannister stove and the tight heating pattern.

This is a great stove. I've owned this for about 6 years and I can't find any complaints!

Great boil time, lightweight, small size.

I'm in the process of testing a Jetboil stove!

Love this stove! lightweight, tiny, fuel efficient. Perfect for boiling water, and  it does boil fast its name suits it.

A little tricky when it comes to frying pan use, it get so hot you have to perform like a pro chef picking the pan up and such. But i would recommend this stove for all your boiling needs.

Oh yeah i guess it's not the greatest in the cold or high altitudes, but that's where the Whisperlite comes in handy.

Small, lightweight, works perfectly every time!

I picked this stove up secondhand, so I'm not sure how many times it had been used before me, but it worked flawlessly for me. Even heat distribution and even when it was windy it boiled my water quick. I will have the PocketRocket for many many years.

The MSR PocketRocket is a great feat of engineering! I have used it now for over a year and a half on many an excursion (car camping/backpacking/overnighters) and it lives up to its name.

It is truly pocket sized, but packs the punch of a rocket! With a pair of legs on the canister, it is well balanced and despite a few really windy experiences I have yet to see a breeze/minor wind blow my flame out.

Once I decided to go the lightweight backpacking route, not ultralight mind you, I needed to find a stove that worked well and was lightweight. The Pocket Rocket fit that bill very well.

Mind you no stove is perfect in all ways and conditions but this little beast comes close. I only use it for 3 season camping and yes it is a little tippy, but the PR and the MSR ti kettle are perfect for its weight class.

Really light, well made backpacking stove.

Really well made, lite backpacking stove. Better for small pots, use on level ground because can be tippy. Over 5 yrs use with no problems.

A great little stove. I bought mine about four years ago and it has not let me down. I had looked into the DragonFly and the WhisperLite when this stove came out and I am glad I got it. It is much lighter than the other two stoves and only a little heaver than the ultralite alcohol type stoves. It is very easy to use and there are several sizes of fuel canisters to choose from.

This stove is truley impressive in comparison to some of the other backpacking stoves I have seen. The flame can be turned into a rather large torch and if you want to just have a small simmer flame it can also serve that purpose. My favorite thing about the stove would have to be the weight and the space saved in your backpack. Truley a must buy for a hiking stove.

Incredible stove! This is the type of stove that you can use at any time. If you are looking for a Jetboil or anything like that look no further. This little stove has everything you need and more! Of course it's not a mug like the Jetboil, this is the best backpacking stove on the market. It's so lightweight and extremely cheap!

I started with a much heavier multi fuel stove. Now I will never go back. Very light weight and boils a cup of water in about two minutes, and with practice this can be done in 25 MPH winds. I fry spam and eggs in the mornings without a hiccup. What a great little stove. Don't leave the home without one...

This is a great stove. It's small, light, and it works. Just make sure you use it out of the wind or the heat will blow off or the flame will go out. I have used my stove for a year now with no problems so the durability is good as well.

I love the name. Who doesn't like a pocket rocket?

But really this little stove is simple and effective. I haven't had any problems at all. Make sure you use the bigger can though—it is easier to balance. For $40 you can't really go wrong.

Great lightweight stove for 3-season use. Boils and cooks best if you use a tall narrow pot as the heat source is small. Not recommended for winter trips, had one in norther Wisconsin in Feb with temps in single digits and just didn't keep up.

i love this stove. i used it on winter trip. i had no problems with it.

the downside is that you have to carry the empty canisters out when they are empty.

other than that this is the best stove i have had.

As with other reviews, kinda small burner, but beyond that, love the thing. I use it with my DragonFly to teach Boy Scouts and have had no problems with it for the 8 or so camping trips it has gone on.

Great compact stove, and it's not too loud even at full power. My only gripe is the stability of this, and many other canister stoves -- I'd recommend some kind of support underneath the canister to prevent accidental spills.

Got my eye shined when first used it. Like the name suggests, the jet of flame is pretty like a rocket! From tiny simmer to full throttle, any cook who possesses it can adjust very specifically. Nice one!

On long trips this thing will really help you stay fed without taking up a lot of space. It's lightweight, compact, and boils water fast.

Great warm weather stove. Very light and small. Not great for very cold weather or high altitude. Don't forget to bring a wind shield.

Best burner, hands down. Light, strong, and fast. Boils water in 3 minutes. Won't leave home without it!

I've been mainly a gas stove person after a bad experience using a old blue canister stove in the 1970s. I decided to try this one since the price was right and had seen so many on the trail. After using this stove on a recent overnighter, I started to rethink about my choice in stoves. It will now be my fast-pack stove for future three-day trips. One drawback to this stove, is that you need to close the valve when hooking up the canister .

I had boiling water at the top of the mountain in under 5 minutes...

I'm impressed!!

Update: January 18, 2011

Cooked tomato soup and hot water for hot chocolate, super fast!!

5 stars!!

Fast boiling, lightweight, awesome stove for hiking, backpacking, or lightweight mountaineering.