If you really need to cook or melt snow at temperatures approaching -40 F (-40 C), you might fantasize about running a lightweight backpacking stove on propane. Flame King recently released an interesting product:
Top to bottom, roughly to scale:
- MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe, or any similar stove.
- Kovea Lightweight LPG Adapter $17, 1.2 ounces (35 g) claimed.
- Flame King Refillable 3.85 ounce Propane Tank $22, 0.9 oz (26 g) claimed (empty) but that weight seems too low.
This is just an illustrated example that is probably too tippy. Tank and adapter should work on remote canister stoves even without a preheat loop. Might need to prop up the tank to feed gaseous propane.
Won’t melt a lot of snow with 3.85 ounces (109 g) of propane. You could carry more tanks. Flame King also sells refillable “one pound” canisters that weigh a lot more.
They also sell gadgets for refilling this tiny tank from traditional “20 pound” barbecue tanks, as do other vendors that can refill one pound canisters.
Many BPL threads discuss other options. This might be another one. Haven’t used, hope I never will.
— Rex
