Which stove do you use most?

For melting snow as a water source I've used the Jetboil since it was introduced and loved it, but didn't like the weight. Alcohol and esbit are slow. Last week on a two day trip I took an old Snow Peak Gigapower to save weight but ran out of fuel while melting snow, so it's back to the Jetboil for the mountaineering.

Hi Bearpaw!

Question for you. Do you only use snowpeak canisters with your snowpeak gigapower stove? Or do you consider your snowpeak gigapower interchangable with most fuel canisters?
There were some posts on one of the backpacking sites a while back that said only snowpeak canisters can be used with snowpeak gigapower stoves!!

Has anyone used the Caldera Cone Stove system but substituted a White Box Stove (to hold more alcohol fuel (59 ml v. 40 ml) to support better cooking for two? I'm talking about these two links:

http://traildesigns.com/products01.html

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/White_Box_Stove.html

I have the Caldera stove, not used it on the trail, but timed it in my back yard and would like to see it hold more fuel (I think 59 ml would be fine).

The White Box Stove does not have a primer pan, but Caldera sells a Primer Pan independently for $3.00. I'm curious with the Caldera stove if one should get a wick added to the White Box Stove like Tinny at minibull designs talks about:

http://www.minibulldesign.com/myadventure/index.php?query=white+box+stove&amount=0&blogid=1

First, to answer the question, I use my Jetboil more than anything else; only four components, fast and efficient.

However, lately I have been learning and experimenting with TrailDesigns Caldera cones.. using these has been the only way for me to make alcohol cooking almost as hassle-free and convenient as my jetboil. Caldera cones combine the windscreen and pot support into one unit. The base of the cone is MUCH more stable than a little wire pot holder, and the windscreen envelops the pot, unlike aluminum foil. Also, it just looks a little more elegant than chicken wire and wrinkled aluminum foil. One good thing about the cones is that they can be used with multiple fuel sources, while maintaining the wind-resistance.
This photo shows some of the setups Ive tried.. when using a canister stove, the caldera friction fits to the pot and 'hovers' a few inches off the ground.. The cansiter stays cool, and the burner stays protected from the wind.

Cat, to answer your question, Snowpeak says the warrantee will be voided by using any other fuel, but I mix and match whichever canisters are cheapest with no fuel-related problems.

Cat,

I've used Jetboil and MSR cannisters with no problem, but I usually use Snow Peak (because they're the least expensive cannisters we carry at my REI).

I'm a big fan of my minibulldesign Mini-Sith alcohol stove. It's really efficient and light.

Chalk another up for the Esbit stove and beer can pot (kit by Ultralight Outfitters). I use this set-up 90% of the time now. If I am cooking for more people or the weather is going to be particularly volatile, I'll bring by Pocket Rocket with an SP 600 mug instead. I've found that using Esbit is just as convenient as a canister for my hiking needs (September-May in Arkansas), though.

Canister – Pocket Rocket – car camping

Alcohol – Caldera Cone – backpacking

I too tried the Caldera with different stoves and found it did not really make a difference. Great Stove …to mean its the cone/windscreen/pot support that makes this stove perform so well.
Since it cooks so fast on just 1/2 ounce of fuel, I just use 1 ounce when needing longer cooking times.

Ok, I have to add my comments about this one. I tried using the White Box stove with my Caldera Cone and succeeded in drastically discoloring my Caldera Cone. I definitely would not recommend it nor does Trail Designs seem to do so. I recently tried my White Box stove on a trip in Utah and found it to be a fuel hog compared to my friend's Thermojet. Because this stove is such a blowtorch, in my opinion, it can be difficult to safely remove a pot (I used a MSR Kettle) from the stove due to the intense heat. I probably will not use it again.

Kevin Sawchuk wrote >In winter I use a hybrid of the bush buddy and a whisperlight (for long trips).

Now this sounds interesting! Have you posted the details somewhere and I missed it?

Svea 123; it's the only stove I own, but I use it all year round (including Quebec winter).

Most? Sadly my old Primus Multifuel from 1998 on canister fuel.

Most when backpacking? Brunton Crux

Most when solo backpacking? Definitely the Caldera cone with Titan kettle

E C: …si je partait dans le bois du Québec l'hiver, j'apporterai une poele ben simple, ben rude, et don ben fiable

>"E C: …si je partait dans le bois du Québec l'hiver, j'apporterai une poele ben simple, ben rude, et don ben fiable"

KISS would be the advice, I believe.

Brian James & Sam Francis – the KISS principle definitely applies to almost all of my gear, backpacking or otherwise ;-)
As far as my Svea goes – it's been on 4 continents with me on duty as well as in a civilian capacity, and hasn't let me down.

Three seasons: Snow Peak GST-100 (Gigapower) with a 30/70 Kovea canister. There are a couple of quite similar stoves which are nearly the same.

Winter: Coleman Xtreme (although the Fyrestorm would also do).

No doubt common amongst us here, I have gone down most roads with stove types…and a wood stove is just great for fuel weight savings, but a little bit of a pain for me if I roll into camp late and just want food "now". I currently bring a Pocket Rocket with one small canister and my windscreen turns into a wood burning stove (with tent stakes). This way, I don't bring enough fuel for all my meals, anticipating that I would use the wood stove/windscreen on the shorter days, and the canister on longer days…or when I'm lazy.
Short solo trips would most likely be my MYOG apple juice can wood stove (1.95 oz.)…and I make a new one when they start to get gross.
If I'm with my girlfirend (which means gourmet meals and feasts), I bring my Weber Silver B ;)

I always camp with my wife. I cook in either a Vargo titanium 0.9 L or 1.3 L pot.

If temps are above freezing, my Go-Torch alcohol stove from Gossamer Gear. (However, I'm close to pulling the trigger on the Caldero stove, unfortunately I'll need two setups).

When below freezing, I use a remote canister MSR WindPro stove with the canister inverted.

I mainly do day-trips on the weekends, occasional overnighters, and a three-day trip each season. So for short trips it is definitely the Caldera Cone with the TD alcohol stove. I made a bunch of my own alcohol stoves, but the cones are tuned to the TD stove, so that combo works best. About 30ml methanol per 600ml water; takes 5 minutes.
When I need heavy artillery for melting snow or heating a bunch of cups of coffee for a group or something, I resort to my heavy old jetboil; sure wish they would make a lighter stove/titanium pot jetboil…

Seva 123, summer and winter.

For "gourmet meals" that don't include SVEA + freezer bag, I make a small bed of coals using wood fuel as available (even when not in a survival mode, be sensible about minimal impact SMALL fires/sustainability/safety), then grill steak or fresh caught fish; I sometimes skewer premarinated onions, maters, peppers & shrooms on a titanium wire tent peg to get that complete balanced meal experience, chased by a couple ounces of Old Forester.

All in all, my pack weighs <35lbs including food, fuel, a small hatchet, recurve bow (sometimes) a good book & snowshoes for a week in the backcountry in winter.

When I'm out there, I take what's neccessary to keep me alive/safe in minimal comfort, and enjoy the experience without getting bogged down by the vast array of gear choices out there.

While car camping I use the gigantanormus 3 burner coleman suitcase stove. while backpacking I have been using the Ti esbit stove or my old standby triangia burner. I now have a Bushbuddy and can use the triangia in it or an esbit tab with just the crown from the BB as a backup.