The Only 3 Backpacking Stoves You'll Ever Need

Today we're talking stove systems! Specifically, the three that I keep in my gear closet to cover my bases through all four seasons. These range from ultralight to, uh, not so much.

As noted in the video, the upright canister stove needs a good cleaning to start function normally again. It's not super difficult to do, and maybe I'll make a video on it when I get around to it (feel free to drop me a comment if that's something that you'd like to see.) The good news is, you get to see me nearly light myself on fire.

Enjoy!

STOVE SYSTEMS

GEAR USED TO SHOOT THIS VIDEO

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Instagram: @timbschwartz

[JohnJones-fkti]

Perfect choices, I'm a traveller I use choice 2, goes in my farpoint 40 and used all over the world. Great video.🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[CBne]

There are devices like the FlipFuel that allows you to transfer fuel from one canister to another. It works very well, and I now never worry about the amount of fuel for a trip. I always take a small 110g canister (keep total weight to less than 200g to prevent over-filling).

[jcavenagh]

I have 2 stoves...Trangia and a Svea 123R. I have had the Svea since 1978 and it has traveled the world with me and some other to whom I lent it. I got the Trangia just a few years ago and love its light weight and simplicity.

[AugustWest]

I"ve carried a Whisperlite for yrs. I prime with denatured alcohol to prevent all the soot.

[tomsitzman]

I'n not sure about fire codes concerning stove types. I'm still using my tried-and-true Seva 123 brass stove with roar burner for one or two person trips. It is still in production after 80 years, A little shorter than a beer can It runs on white gas. I carry it in a one or two or three quart pot, pull it out prime and go to work, melting snow and cooking a pot of grub. My Second choice for a powerhouse is the Optimus 00 kerosene stove. It is a little larger than the Seva 123 but is more stable with a larger pot. It breaks down to the brass tank housing the pressure pump and the screw on roar burner tower. Nice powerhouse for a group of two to four. I'm taking it out in a week or two for a weeklong bike trip. Very adjustable burner, but in the field, I want a meal packed with calories takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. I have been using them both since the early 70's in summer as well as -30 F on back country ski trips. White gas burns hotter than alcohol and kerosene burns almost twice as hot as white gas or any fuel in a pressurized can. The only time alcohol is nice for cooking is when you have a pan of fish to fry. I can carry as many fuel bottles as I need for the length of the trip, I top off the stove after cooking, so I always start the next meal knowing I have a full tank. Both stoves are low to nearly no Maintenace. I use Sigg nesting pots 1, 2, 3, 4 quart and take the sizes need for the specific trip. I believe in using the most appropriate technology not the latest new great idea. Today I see too much needless emphasis on weight.

[danielteeter]

I'm going to add a second to the Svea 123. I have mine from when I biked cross-country in the late 70s and even though it looks like hell, it still runs like a champion.

[MillerSean]

👍👍 With so many cheap cannister stove options out there these days, it seems like the Whisperlite doesn't get as much love as it deserves.

[memathews]

Flame on with the Winterlight! Probably a little over-pressurized. But this is a nice stove survey. Matching the stove to the season and use is important for hiking outside of summer. Canister stoves are probably the best match for all-around use and for beginners, they are ready to use anytime and safe during burn bans.

I love my Whisperlight for winter, especially on snow or with a group, but it's heavier and takes a bit more watching than a canister stove. My old Svea123 is a fun throwback on solo short trips. Outside of fire season a very small fire is my lightweight and easy go-to, even here in the PNW Cascades it's pretty quick to gather dry wood for something small.

[sutty]

new subscriber here only because you like the three cookers i have, , i use the first msr rocket though, ,to tight to buy the rocket two when the first still works great, , only trouble with the rocket it will wake the hole campsite up, ,gets me coffee quick though lol

[hoser]

Solid fuel stoves are compact snd easy too. But you nailed it. I’d maybe add a contained stove like a Jetboil or MSR Windburner for high winds or exposure like kayaking. Far from essential because we canshelter stoves but mondo convenient.

[peterp]

For me, the 3 choices would be:
1. a screw-on gas burner for backpacking or backup / second burner. Usually with 2 big canisters, one new and one already started, to use up the one already started during the trip, start the other one, and get a new full one at the next opportunity (usually at home after the trip).
2. a biolite cooker for bicycle or boat tours when the charging source availability outweighs the additional weight and volume compared to the screw-on burner. Without the grill though, that additional volume is not justified in a bicycle bag.
3. a cooker capable of burning gasoline for motorcycle tours, with a big fuel bottle doing double-duty as spare canister and being refilled together with the motorbike’s tank
And for car camping, the biolite with the grill as primary cooker, with the screw-on gas burner as second flame for more elaborate meals or when precision in flame size is required like for simmering.
I think I can recommend the trangia for starters due to its versatility, it’s good enough for any type of outdoor trip, and it would be my choice if I could have just one cooker. But as the other cookers arrived over the years, they were better for their use cases, and I have used the spiritus cooker less and less, meantime it’s just gathering dust in the basement.

[arcticradio]

Coleman F1 ultralite at 77g for gas

Goshawk Era & windshield at 130g for alcohol

Two of the best smallest stoves that really pack a punch in boil times too.

[markheming]

here on the East Coast, I typically use a alcohol stove or a solid fuel stove ezbit. I do use the canister stove and colder weather but honestly, my go to is the solid fuel stove most of the year.

[austinhowden]

Giving a like simply because of the first line😂

[simplesolutions]

Note that the msr whisperlite international can also burn alcohol if you drill out the kerosine jet. I haven't tried this in really cold situations, but it burns quite well.

[SultanofSpey]

Oh well Andrew Skurka uses it so that’s that. I’m in.

[keithmeyers]

Upright canister stoves are tippy. Sooner or later, it and they just don't produce below 32 F. It's cold up here. I love my alcohol stuff however. Keep up the good work.

[slikerdet]

I can’t believe that some
People fall and hit their head over and over again. The best stove is promised omniful. You don’t need to change that and that and this and this when using different filler types like this stove or from
Other brand. Simple change the nozzle with a tool in 5 seconds and then u are ready with another fuel type. You don’t need to change other stuff on the fuel bottle for using other fuel types. This is smart and clever in the field and not take out this and that. No people want to use from America want to do it the hard way that is not the best way.

[halerobert]

I've used an msr XKG? burn anything that's a bit scary to light. but it's been loyal, and I've had it for years. But once it gets going its Katie bar the door. It needs to retire, and I've been eyeing a windster but I'm having trouble turning to canister. I've resisted so long I don't know if I can do it.

[joshuaparker]

Greetings from Kazakhstan. Subscribed!