Stove Efficiency - MSR vs BRS - Alcohol Stove?

Stove Efficiency - MSR vs BRS - Alcohol Stove?

Today I take a look at the efficiency of two canister stoves, the BRS 3000T and the MSR Pocket Rocket (original). I use them in a breezy/windy situation, with no windscreen. I compare the amount of fuel used by each to bring 2 cups of cold water to a boil.

Then we discuss the use of a canister stove vs an alcohol stove. At what point does it make sense to use one over the other?

Support the channel and get some cool Spiguyver Backpacking schwag!

[CarlZ]

Recommendation: Use two separate canisters. Weigh them w/ their stove on them. Do multiple boils. Determine the average boil time and fuel usage. Quicker (don't have to remove one stove and insert another) and more reliable test. No reduced canister pressure to affect the outcome. Ideally, you would have two identical pots and boil the water at the same time (identical conditions).

[robpelton]

Holy crap. This video is “to the T” what info I needed. Exactly, I mean, exactly the same stoves and same questions. Thanks!

[LongStraightLines]

Use a wind shield on the BRS and run it at 80 - 85% and you'll be very surprised at it's fuel efficiency. After using a stack of stoves over the years I won't use anything else.

[stevedapirate]

Honestly the learning curve on alcohol stoves is what makes me reconsider them. Especially when I'm already changing a lot of my gear. Lots of new stuff at once.

[Oldsparkey]

The greatest benefit to the alcohol stove is the quietness of it. I have a bunch of different ones but always return to my Evernew Appalachian set. Light weight (5.7 oz ), compact, easy to set up and can be used as a wood burning stove in a pinch. I figure my fuel use at 1.5 oz per meal for a hot meal at night and usually only use 1 oz so I have some to spare.
Car camping at established campgrounds canister stoves are the way to go.

[jandal]

Thanks for the video. I wish you had a done burn with your alcohol stove in these windy conditions as well, to make a fair comparison with the gas stoves. Wind can affect alcohol stove efficiency quite severely, even with a windscreen in place.

I also own a BRS, a Pocket Rocket and several alcohol stoves. The BRS-3000T is inefficient at full power, but is equally efficient to the Pocket Rocket when turned down by 30% (both use 6g to 7g of gas for 500ml water). Both gas stoves are twice as efficient as my best alcohol stove (an Easy Capillary Hoop Stove, 13g of fuel), and nearly three times as efficient as my worst alcohol stove (a Fancy Feast cat stove, 19g of fuel).

I did my tests indoors, without any wind. I would expect the canister stoves to be at least three times more efficient in a breeze.

Under trail conditions, my girlfriend and I can hike for a full week with a Pocket Rocket and 223g (8oz) gas canister. This is a one-litre boil twice a day (breakfast with coffee, and rehydrated dinner with soup). We do not use a windscreen with the Pocket Rocket, but we do shield it as best we can behind our tent/backpacks.

[chrisgeorge]

That comparison at the end was fantastic! Weight being very close, not having to worry about spilling fuel, can use in non-burn areas and speed of cooking and setup/put-away....I'm sticking w/ my Windmaster (even more efficient than Pocket Rocket) over alcohol. Granted, cost of fuel for alcohol is much more affordable.

[stowe]

Great comparison Spiguyver— always wondered about which route would be lighter over a 5-7 day trip. I’ve been using a mini atomic lately. However, for us that have a stove obsession, it’s fun to bring a different stove on every trip just to change it up.

Enjoyed watching and thanks for sharing!

[marloweheredy]

Awesome, Lots of good solid info in this one. Just knowing the MSR uses 13g for 2 cups does wonders for planning. Thanks as always.

[alexwbanks]

I'm sticking with my BSR. Its always seemed to work better than the one in your test. Of course if its windy I try to get it out of the wind.

[dunk]

I'm a recent convert to trangia stoves but keep thinking about the little gas stoves as they are a little more convenient to control. Also in fire risk areas or inside a tent gas is safer. One thing I would say is that the gas cannisters weigh quite a lot, the same as the gas in fact for the 4oz containers. Alcohol can be carried in light weight plastic bottles (eg a coke bottle). So if you add that in maybe the alcohol comes out even better.

[ProductionJMO]

Thanks, that's the kind of geeky content that I like to see

[cristalclear]

At least here in Sweden there are, or at least used to be, several types of fuel available for alcohol stoves where there are differences in energy content. Hence some wouldn't use as much to bring it to a boil which in turn would affect the weight. The same could probably apply to the gas canisters which also have several types of gas mixtures where some are more effecient in colder temperatures. Good video anyway!

[Adam_Outdoors]

If you wanted to test comparative efficiency you have don it totally backwards. You should do the test inside in perfect conditions. Doing it outside can skew the results because of the wind variable. It needs to be a controlled test.

[Orange_Tang]

I hate to be that guy but the brand is BRS not BSR. You might want to change it so that people can find the video easier.

[robpelton]

Great data points. So, for 6 days on the trail, you only need how many oz of fuel for the spiguyver? Forgive me if I missed it.

[CC-CODER]

Have you ever done tests for the time it takes to boil 2 cups between the canister, alcohol, esbit fuel tabs and the different types of stoves?

[pollock]

I think one of the biggest advantages of the alcohol stove is the fact that you can walk into any gas station and get fuel for it.

[alexwbanks]

Just started the vid but I did read a few comments. I just want to say that this is a great idea for a vid. I alternate between the BSR and a cat can alcohol stove. I try to use all my gear if I can, but really wanted an answer on this. Although I think its fun using different gear so I'll do that anyway with my stoves no matter what the outcome. Did you ever watch my first video? I'll be releasing my second one early next week. Hope you check it out, subscribe and pass it on. Unless it sucks then never mind.... Thanks Mark.

[beamer]

Most cases you will be using a wind screen.. Wonder if that would change the results