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.

Read more: Primus Essential Trail Kit review (1)

Featured review by Ultralightliving

This is an awesome winter stove for 1-2 people, and is light and compact enough that you may end up carrying it year round.

Kovea Spider (KB-1109) Stove Review Backpackers need a stove that is compact, lightweight, and can be packed and set up easily—and of course, it has to function well. Kovea, a Korean company with a solid reputation in stove design, has addressed all of these issues and created what could be one of the best remote canister stoves on the market. If you need better cold weather performance than an upright canister stove can offer, and don’t want to fuss with white gas or other liquid fuels, then this may be the stove for you.

Read more: Kovea Spider reviews (5)

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.

Read more: Jetboil MightyMo reviews (3)

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.

Read more: MSR WhisperLite Universal reviews (12)

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.

Read more: Jetboil MicroMo Cooking System reviews (4)

Featured review by AlexT.

The most lightweight and the most compact yet powerful backpacking butane canister stove is the only stove one needs for 3-season backpacking trips. It only weighs 25 grams, yes, this is true, and takes virtually no space yet brings 2 cups of water to hard boil in less then 3 minutes, and all those features for less than $15. If you can use butane canister fuel in your conditions, you can use this stove.

I own and use a few different canister stoves: Primus ClassicTrail, Primus Express, even no name China made cheap one, but none of them can beat the combined features of this BRS-3000T "titanium" stove (the word "titanium" here is in the quotes because this is how the manufacturer describes the fact that they use titanium alloy among other materials in the stove construction). After I used it once I now use it for all my backpacking trips: so small and lightweight I cannot feel it and yet does the job to my satisfaction.

Read more: BRS 3000T reviews (10)

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?!?!!).

Read more: Soto WindMaster reviews (4)

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.

Read more: Snow Peak GigaPower Auto reviews (44)