Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove

Hi John

> I was a bit wary of the negative comments about the Soto Micro Regulator as they
> seemed theoretical only, not based on side-by-side trials comparing the Regulator
> against needle-valve type stoves.

With all due respect, I suggest you should subscribe to BPL and read our TECHNICAL reviews of stoves before judging. The custom test system we use includes the real-time data logging of emitted CO, water temperature, canister mass (rate of fuel consumption), burner-pot clearance, and several other factors as appropriate too. And I have a PhD in physics to drive all this.

> Product reviews on the REI website include testimonials from users
Without hard science measurements, testimonials are just gossip. You get what you were looking for. Sure, a comment that X did not work has value, but that is about as far as it goes.

> since scientific theories are themselves highly susceptible to
> misunderstanding and misapplication, experimentation is needed to prove one
> has got the theory right.
Quite right. However, with 35+ years of professional research experience, I think I can run an experiment without making too many bungles. And the results are published here.

You will find a full and very technical review of the SOTO OD-1R stove here at BPL:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/soto_od-1r_canister_stove_product_review.html

> But I can’t see how a pressure regulator would help where help is most needed
Indeed, and our review does say that.

Cheers

Thanks all for a very good and insightful discussion. This thread has added to my understanding of how gas stoves work

I think Roger’s review is succinct, to the point, and well written, and it was a pleasure to read in this context.

I also greatly appreciate the information Stuart posted. In my simple but inaccurate view (before this thread), I thought more propane = more cold wx performance. While that’s true to a degree, it’s not the most important consideration. Getting the blend with the lowest overall boiling point is the most important consideration, particularly since the propane burns off first. I was shocked to find out how little propane is left in a canister as the canister approaches empty — even in fair weather. It’s nice to know that 20% propane and 80% isobutane is better than 30% propane and 70% n-butane, and to know why.

Thank you to you both.

HJ

Hi Jim

> I was shocked to find out how little propane is left in a canister as the canister
> approaches empty — even in fair weather
True, and we have an article coming up which goes into that in some detail, with graphs of what happens. Co-authored with Stuart Robb (he did all the spreadsheet mathematics), to whom my thanks.

Cheers

Hello Roger,
I regret having posted, as it has only created confusion.

>…read…before judging.
Being wary at first of negative comments that seemed (to me) unsupported is not judging; it is reserving judgment pending further study on my part. Further study took the form of finding an explanation of gas pressure regulators, which led me to agree with your position. I was trying to add this bit of information here as it seemed some may have needed it, although I am sure, as I stated, that it has already been said better by someone else somewhere else.

> …testimonials are just gossip.
I wrote that testimonials cannot overturn the laws of physics, so you are echoing my sentiments, although I put them less strongly. Testimony is also evidence. Resolving conflicting testimony is at the center of the discussion.

>…I think I can run an experiment without making too many bungles.
I wasn't aware of any question of bungled experiments.

> Indeed, and our review does say that.
I saw it before, and tried to read it, but as you know it is available to subscribers only. I only found this forum recently. It seems a bit hard to open the discussion to non-subscribers, and then expect them to have read the subscription stuff.

Regards,
John

Hi John

Well, the subscription is only ~$25, which is peanuts compared to the cost of the gear. And you might save far more than that by reading our reviews too.

We would love more subscribers.

Cheers