stove upgrade

Hmm, I typically use a Pocket Rocket and have no problems. What are the issues you're running into?

A friend uses the Jetboil system and loves it. I may try it one day if my PR ever goes kaput.

I have kicked around the idea of jetboils lighter set ups but have settled upon continuing to carry my ti pot and a separate stove. Couple things that crossed my mind was that I can use ANY stove under the tie pot. The pot is perfect size for me and my wife. I can stick it in a fire if I have a fuel failure as leaking alky bottle or canister leak and most importantly if it works don't #$@^ with it. Also funds are needed for other gear that will save me more weight at this time.

I still use my crux canister stove. Its a bit heavy but its Soooo nice. Simmers great too. I have an alky set up but find that for the length of our trips its almost break even weight wise.

Good luck gear hunting, jimmyb

pocket rocket has no problems. theres just lighter, more fuel efficient options now. alot of my kit is pretty well set i think, and this is an area with room for improvement.

as for separate pots, if you havent used a pot with HE fins, i think youre missing out. its noticably more efficient.

i would prefer a pot capable of going on a fire, and i dont see why if i had a failure, i couldnt do that with a jetboil cup.

Seems like the esbit option with maybe a beer can pot would be a lightening up for you. Those that like esbit really like it. It is hard to beat the weight and the parceling of just the right amount of fuel. You would have to weight it against its drawbacks as all other options out there.

jimmby

I don't use isobutane stoves all that often but I do own the Olicamp XTS paired with the Soto ODR1. From what I've found, the Olicamp pot does boil quicker but to achieve the quicker boil time, I have to crank the flame pattern up to fully saturate the fins than I do with one of my smaller ti pots. When I do this, my fuel consumption is about the same as it is with smaller pots/mugs. If I don't, it takes longer for me to boil water. The longer boil time = more fuel burned and again, I don't see any fuel economy improvements when compared to boiling 16oz of water in a smaller non heat exchanger ti pot.

So in a nutshell, I'm of the opinion that the XTS will never justify its weight penalty by saving fuel. There are some jet boil hacks where people have found the Sol Mug paired with the Soto ODR1 was lighter than using it with the Jet Boil stove and achieved basically the same fuel economy. Search the forums for "Jet Boil hack" and you'll find it.

I don't own a pocket rocket but I'd replace the pot with the smallest/lightest one you can find before replacing your stove.

I'd also give alcohol stoves or esbit a try as my kit and a week's worth of fuel is about 8oz.

I used my MSR Micro Rocket on my shortened vacation this summer. Under three minutes for 14oz of water, 16oz. took a little over three minutes, did not take water temps. I did not run it wide open, as they say that is not efficient. I sold my PR a couple years ago. I used a Evernew .6L ti pot, no windscreen this trip.
Duane

For a very light stove try a Trail Designs Caldera Cone Sidewinder with ESBIT (OK, alky if you must, for trips under 4 days.) This is good only where fire regulations permit, though it is a very safe system when using the Ti bottom shield..

This roll-up Ti stove is very light and with a Brian Green improved Gram Cracker ESBIT tab holder (see his blog) you can get the maximum weight reduction in stove and fuel. It requires a dedicated pot to exactly fit the cone top. I like my 3 cup pot for solo cooking/boiling. Just the right size and shape for max efficiency.

thanks for the jetboil hack search. lot of reading to do now.

I think the Sol Ti has been discontinued, so unless you get one used you might need to get the Sol Al.

Here's the initial thread (part 3 with links to earlier hacks):

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?bo=watch&forum_thread_id=59535

I picked up a Jetboil Sol Al Companion Cup last year to pair with a Monatauk Gnat stove after reading some of the Jetboil "hacks" thread Ian mentioned above. I have yet to dremel out small slots in the bottom to fit the arms of the stove but i still plan to do so.

Edit:
As JB may be discontinuing the Ti version, I thought someone might want the weights for the AL cup:

Sol AL Cup "bare" (no lids, covers or neoprene sleeve) = 4.0 ounces
Replacement plastic lid (not for cooking, just storage): 0.2 ounces.
JB orange cup/bottom cover = 1.1 ounces

So for me: the Companion cup + lid, a full JetBoil 100g canister & the Gnat stove = 12.9 ounces

Still need to add in the weight of whatever wind screen is used, some kind of pot grabber and maybe a foil lid for cooking.