| Shopping for backpacking stoves isn't complicated, | | | | Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stoves |
| but there are a few important factors to | | | | The main alternative to canister stoves, liquid fuel |
| consider. Occasional campers, serious | | | | stoves come into several different categories. A |
| backpackers, and international travelers all may | | | | basic distinction is between stoves that burn white |
| have different things in mind when choosing a | | | | gas only, and multi-fuel stoves that can burn a |
| backpacking stove. You'll have to decide if you | | | | variety of liquid fuel types. White gas-burning |
| want something compact and lightweight, rugged | | | | stoves were the traditional choice of backpackers |
| and reliable, powerful, versatile, or all of the above. | | | | for decades, and still are favored by many. The |
| And you do have one major decision to make at | | | | fuel is widely available, burns hots, and performs |
| the outset: do you want a canister or liquid fuel | | | | well in very cold conditions. |
| backpack stove? | | | | Multi-fuel stoves tend to be more expensive, but |
| Canister Backpacking Stoves | | | | provide the major advantage of running on |
| Canister stoves have become increasingly popular | | | | practically anything. The MSR Dragonfly for |
| in the U.S. for their ease of use. Canister camping | | | | example can burn white gas, regular automotive |
| and backpacking stoves burn butane, propane or | | | | gas, diesel, aviation fuel and other solvents. Other |
| isobutane locked in sealed canisters. There are no | | | | models like the Coleman Exponent are |
| worries about filling up fuel bottles, which is a | | | | categorized as "dual fuel" stoves, burning white |
| major convenience. On the other hand you'll need | | | | gas and unleaded gasoline only. |
| to stock up on fuel canisters--and be sure to | | | | Having a stove that can be powered by multiple |
| carry the empties out with you. | | | | fuel types is particularly important for international |
| Canister stoves do have some clear advantages, | | | | travelers, since white gas is unavailable in many |
| and are now favored by many backpackers. One | | | | places. Multi-fuel expedition stoves like the |
| major convenience is that canister stoves are | | | | Optimus Nova are designed to perform well on |
| easy to light, with no pumping or priming required. | | | | any fuel in practically any conditions. |
| The flame adjusts easily, which makes canister | | | | While comparing liquid fuel stoves make sure you |
| stoves great for actual cooking, beyond just | | | | know which type is which, as the differences |
| bringing water to a boil. Some integrated canister | | | | between white gas and multifuel stoves are not |
| fuel stoves like the Jetboil Personal Cooking | | | | always clear. An MS or AF at the end of a |
| System and MSR Reactor come with stove and | | | | stove's name means it's a multifuel stove. The |
| cook pot combined into a single compact package. | | | | MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet is a white gas stove, |
| What are the disadvantages of a canister stove? | | | | while the MSR Whisperlite Internationale is |
| You may not like being dependent on finding fuel | | | | multifuel. |
| canisters that will work with your particular stove | | | | Hybrid Backpack Stoves |
| model. In the past that's been a problem | | | | In recent years some great new stoves have |
| particularly for people who travel a lot, and must | | | | appeared which bridge the canister-liquid fuel |
| buy fuel as needed along the way. Increasingly | | | | divide. Foremost among these is the Primus |
| however many of the newer stoves are | | | | EtaPower MF (not the EF), which can run on |
| compatible with a variety of sealed canister fuel | | | | isobutane canisters AND various liquid fuels. The |
| types available worldwide. | | | | Coleman Exponent Fyrestorm Ti can run on |
| With fuel included, canister backpacking stoves | | | | butane/propane canisters, or switch to liquid fuel in |
| are often a little heavier than most liquid fuel | | | | colder conditions. The Brunton Vapor AF is |
| stoves, though there are exceptions. The | | | | another interesting canister/liquid fuel hybrid. |
| ultra-light and compact MSR Pocket Rocket is a | | | | The best advice is to take a look at several |
| great example. You must dispose of the | | | | different stoves, and try them out if you can. |
| canisters--they can't be recycled. Be aware also | | | | Think about what factors matter most to you, |
| that canister stoves that burn butane or propane | | | | and what stove will best meet your needs and |
| perform poorly (or not at all) in below-freezing | | | | personal tastes. More more information and a |
| conditions. For colder weather choose an | | | | great selection of canister and liquid fuel |
| isobutane model like the Primus EtaPower. | | | | backpacking stoves, visit The Packstove Store. |