What stove for Nepal/India trekking

Many many technical articles available covering all of this.

Cheers

Here is a summary of what I've found from trying to answer the same question recently:

MSR XGK (EX): burns all liquid fuel well, lots of mountaineers use them, very popular in those areas and parts are more likely to be available. Afterburner and not very adjustable (although you can do the 3 pump low-pressure trick). Concerns about plastic pump breaking in the cold (bring an extra). Long history of use with success. Shaker jet to clear clogs (some people don't like this).
MSR Whisperlite International & Dragonfly: Burns all liquid fuels, but not designed to burn kerosene or unleaded and will have problems.
-Dragonfly is huge when opened and I have had trouble even fitting a windscreen around it, let alone keeping it close to the pot.

Primus Omnifuel: burns all liquid fuels well as well as canister. Not as popular, more of a European following. New model has two valves to adjust and less of a flamethrower. Metal pump, better in extreme cold. Long history of use with success. No shaker jet, but has cleaning needle.

Both of these stoves have a similar burner design, are sturdy, and very loud. Primus can use MSR liquid fuel containers, except the smallest one, 11oz, too short for the longer pump. Both are about $150-160. If you are an REI member, look for the 20% off member sale with the best return policy ever. Both stoves have devotees that will say they are better.

Other companies: haven't researched, sorry.

Another option: Bring one multifuel stove and 3 oz. canister stove as a backup in case it breaks.

Either way, bring an expedition repair kit for the stove. Practice disassembling the stoves and replacing every part and O-ring, changing the jets for unleaded/kerosene/canister, and cleaning everything. Practice with different fuels (kerosene needs to be primed, tricky the first time), in the snow/cold, and in the wind. Definitely need a windscreen, which are usually included with the stove.

For pots, Traildesigns (Caldera Cone) is selling the hard-anodized 2L pot. Bombproof, cheap, and lighter than titanium options at that size. Can use metal spoons since there is no non-stick coating, since I hear lexan spoons can break when it gets really cold. You may need that size or larger for snow-melting or boiling to treat (for larger, look at Open Country 1 gal). Both of those stoves should fit in a 2L pot to protect it while traveling.

-I'd recommend making a reflectix cozy to cover the pot (not higher than the lip), which makes eating out of pot much easier while keeping it warm. If you can, find a large rubber band or velcro and elastic attachment to keep the lid stuck on the pot & cozy while packing. Even if you put it in a stuff sack, the lid sometimes slides off and little things fall out.

– The best thing you can do to simplify things is figure out how to fit everything for cooking except fuel inside that pot to keep it all in the same place and protected. Stove, windscreen, bottom reflector (cut to fit inside flat on the bottom of the pot) repair kit, lighter, matches, spoon, soap, scrubber, priming alcohol, etc…

This is just what I get from perusing the web about choosing a stove for this type of trip. I wish I could actually go on it! Good luck.

Hey Buck is wrong about the Whisperlite International. It is designed to use kerosene, the non-international version is not. You will have to clean it a little more often using kerosene or diesel than with gas, but it still depends on the quality of the gas. I've used mine with white gas, kerosene, diesel, and JP-8 (military diesel). It creates more soot but is still easy to work with. I have seen people with the Optimus Nova and the only difference using them was they didn't have to change jet's out. The pump is fine even in -15 degree weather, just use some vaseline on the pump cup. For the price you can't beat it.

Optimus Nova or MSR XGK, a wood stove (like Ikea stove or BushBuddy) and small alcohol stove. Cover all bases. Mike

One detail about some of the national parks in Nepal is that you are not allowed to burn wood. In Sagarmatha there used to be scrub juniper growing all over the place, and now it is gone.

–B.G.–

We spent 5 months trekking in India/Nepal Fall 2009. We brought the Primus Omnifuel and a Crux Lite. We found isobutane canisters everywhere from Leh to Namche. Kero is also available, and the Omni burns clean and hot, but we sold it in Uttarkashi, and used the Crux from then on. One other advantage of butane is the ability to cook in your hotel room as well. For the pan we carried a Primus 1.7l Etapower with home made cozy. We even carried the set teahouse trekking in Nepal, for long dayhikes, to have tea and noodles out.
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Lunch at 5000m. Pumori in background.

The photo looks like it was shot somewhere between Lobuche and Gorak Shep. It must have been closer to Lobuche, because I don't remember any grass at Gorak Shep.

I ate a boiled potato and a piece of Yak cheese there, and I thought it was gourmet food.

–B.G.–

Bonus points for you. Atop Khumbu Glaicer lateral moraine, above Lobuche.

For next trip, have switched stove for Giga power ( 4 supports, more stable), and are bringing 1l and .75l ti pots each with cozy. Wind screen will be Snow Peak w/ sidewall extension. Much more compact, and this system works for us.

stephan

This is our travel set-up. About 18 oz. Side screen and lexan spoons not shown. Hot drinks and dinner for two, anywhere from sea level to 5000+ meters.

stephan

Are there any other multi-fuel stoves out there that burn liquid fuels as well as canisters?

I know of the Primus Omnifuel, but is there any others?

I've never tested these stoves but both Brunton and Coleman has stoves that will burn both liquid fuel and canister gas.
http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Vapor-liquid-butane-Expedition/dp/B000P3KHLE
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=9770-A25&categoryid=2005&brand=

I've been trekking in Nepal twice now, and on each occasion, the Sherpa cook for our group was using multiple kerosene stoves. I know they smell, but they are hot. I believe that kerosene has more BTU per ounce than similar liquid fuels. The tradeoff is that you might have to spend more time fooling around with priming, especially when it gets cold. Kerosene was also readily available for purchase in the larger villages.

–B.G.–