Winter Stove Favorites - Page 2 - Views From The Top

skiguy · 01-31-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkrew81

It takes some practice and patience, but it is nice to be able to leave the gas at home. With one Esbit tab you can really get a good fire going. It takes more time to melt snow, but it is worth it in my book. Best of all the entire stove setup weights 5 ounces.

Never used one of these. What kind of residue does the fire leave afterwards.

This is something a bit different to try too.

MadRiver · 01-31-2008, 03:44 PM

I need to change over from my Superfly canister stove to white gas for winter. I like the Svea 123, yet I keep hearing that it is loud. Just how loud is it? I do not winter tent camp, I tend to use the RMC cabins so is it too loud for the other guests?

KayakDan · 01-31-2008, 04:28 PM

I use a couple of Primus cannister stoves in winter. I don't own a white fuel stove.
The trick is put the cannister inside you jacket a half hour before you stop,and use a good windscreen to drive the heat down towards the cannister,being VERY careful not to overheat the cannister. At night toss a cannister in the bottom of your sleeping bag.
I usually put the stove down in the boot pit,and with good ventilation,I'm drinking hot coffee before I leave the tent in the AM.
Also,if you're setting up on snow,use a foam mouse pad tp insulate the bottom.

sardog1 · 01-31-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadRiver

I need to change over from my Superfly canister stove to white gas for winter. I like the Svea 123, yet I keep hearing that it is loud. Just how loud is it? I do not winter tent camp, I tend to use the RMC cabins so is it too loud for the other guests?

Louder than a Jetboil. Quieter than a Whisperlite user cursing.

sleeping bear · 01-31-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sardog1

Quieter than a Whisperlite user cursing.

I thought you were tired of giving your opinion on stoves and wanted to hear those of others?

Nobody has mentioned cursing while using their whisperlite... On the contrary, several have mentioned that they use and like theirs...

sardog1 · 01-31-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeping bear

I had trouble getting all three to light in super cold temps (again, between 0 and -10). All fuel seems to need a little help at that point.

Once you go Swedish below zero, you never go back.

Oldsmores · 02-01-2008, 07:18 AM

The Svea has never failed me, though it can get exciting at times and I blame it for my hearing loss. I do use fire ribbon to prime it in the winter.

MadRiver · 02-01-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsmores

The Svea has never failed me, though it can get exciting at times and I blame it for my hearing loss. I do use fire ribbon to prime it in the winter.

So I gather if I light it off in a cabin I should make certain everyone is already up.

giggy · 02-01-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadRiver

So I gather if I light it off in a cabin I should make certain everyone is already up.

I don't know - I think anyone staying in a cabin kind of knows the deal. Playing loud music at 2am is one thing - but lighting a stove to cook or melt is fine I think. You have just as much right to get an early start as people have to sleep late.

Just curious, if you don't winter camp and stay in cabins - why not a cannister?

I winter camp a bit (maybe 2 to 3 times per year) and the cannister has always been fine if you sleep with it, warm it up. To me - thats easier than dealing with the MSR gas stoves... but - the MSR gas are the standard and if I was going out for more than 1 or 2 nights (I never do in winter) then I would like the gas stoves

I use the pocket rocket with primus 4 season fuel. As long as its out of the wind and warm it works ok - I am very basic with food though - boiling water is all I do.

--M. · 02-01-2008, 08:49 AM

There's no question it would awaken the average bear, but hikers can be weird that way: some easily disturbed, others like the dead.

I fired my Optimus up once at the Imp shelter a bit after everyone else had finished their quiet little cooking (got there late), and everyone acted like they'd never seen such a thing. They laughed louder than the stove's roar, and it took hearing from yet others that yes, in fact, such things are still in use. But for those first-time observers, it was a real comedy. I must have looked like Old Man Phelps (uh, albeit in the wrong mountain range; maybe "Joe Dodge" is the more accurate local characterization).

I've since been reassured that many still swear by their loud gas stoves, and I still love mine. Except for it being loud. And heavy.

skiguy · 02-01-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by --M.

There's no question it would awaken the average bear, but hikers can be weird that way: some easily disturbed, others like the dead.

XGK power and some baked beans.....only one answer: EarPlugs

Double Bow · 02-01-2008, 09:31 AM

Big fan of my JetBoil, year-round. I warm the cannister slightly by putting it in my jacket pocket and don't worry about if it's a little less efficient. It probably puts the fuel usage on par with what other stoves use in summer.

If it's gonna be wicked stupid cold, I'll break out my Peak 1 Apex II stove and use the white gas. I've had that thing completely engulfed in flame before so I'm a little hesitant...

cbcbd · 02-01-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiguy

XGK power and some baked beans.....only one answer: EarPlugs

Second answer: Nose plugs!!

MadRiver · 02-01-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giggy

Just curious, if you don't winter camp and stay in cabins - why not a cannister?

.

I have been using my Superfly in the past and I put the canister in my down booty to keep it warm and have had no issues so far. I was just curious if I do decide to switch if the noise will be an issue. I remember doing a Pemi loop a few years back and a person at the Garfield platforms lit off his stove a 5:30am and woke everyone up. The other hikers were not pleased.

Peakbagr · 02-01-2008, 09:39 AM

MSR XGK. 2 settings: Off and blowtorch.

View Poll Results: Which is your favorite fuel type for a WINTER stove?
Alcohol (whether home made or commercial, e.g., Trangia)	1	1.61%
Solid tablet (e.g., Esbit, etc.)	1	1.61%
Wood chips or twigs in a kettle (e.g., Kelly Kettle, etc.)	0	0%
Candle (e.g., Nuwick, etc.)	0	0%
Canister only (e.g., PocketRocket, Reactor, Jetboil, etc.)	9	14.52%
Liquid fuel only (e.g., SVEA, Whisperlite, Exponent, etc.)	43	69.35%
Combined liquid fuel and canister (e.g., Primus ETA MF)	4	6.45%
Wood fire but no stove	0	0%
Other (specify in your post below)	2	3.23%
Why would anyone be nuts enough to camp in winter?	2	3.23%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

01-31-2008, 03:44 PM	#17
MadRiver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Thornton, NH Posts: 1,306	I need to change over from my Superfly canister stove to white gas for winter. I like the Svea 123, yet I keep hearing that it is loud. Just how loud is it? I do not winter tent camp, I tend to use the RMC cabins so is it too loud for the other guests? __________________ Circus Boy: Nuff said!

02-01-2008, 09:31 AM	#27
Double Bow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ashuelot, NH (anyone know where that is?) Avatar: Hiking brings people closer Posts: 1,184	Big fan of my JetBoil, year-round. I warm the cannister slightly by putting it in my jacket pocket and don't worry about if it's a little less efficient. It probably puts the fuel usage on par with what other stoves use in summer. If it's gonna be wicked stupid cold, I'll break out my Peak 1 Apex II stove and use the white gas. I've had that thing completely engulfed in flame before so I'm a little hesitant... __________________ "I like to collect experiences the way other people like to collect coins and stamps." Michael McGuire "13.1 is my lucky number." -- Me 59/67 Winter NE4Ks [On hiatus] 33/53 52WAV [In progress... sort of]

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01-31-2008, 04:28 PM	#18
KayakDan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 140 miles south of Bethlehem! Posts: 728	I use a couple of Primus cannister stoves in winter. I don't own a white fuel stove. The trick is put the cannister inside you jacket a half hour before you stop,and use a good windscreen to drive the heat down towards the cannister,being VERY careful not to overheat the cannister. At night toss a cannister in the bottom of your sleeping bag. I usually put the stove down in the boot pit,and with good ventilation,I'm drinking hot coffee before I leave the tent in the AM. Also,if you're setting up on snow,use a foam mouse pad tp insulate the bottom.

02-01-2008, 07:18 AM	#22
Oldsmores Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Walworth, NY Posts: 433	The Svea has never failed me, though it can get exciting at times and I blame it for my hearing loss. I do use fire ribbon to prime it in the winter.

02-01-2008, 08:49 AM	#25
--M. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Upper Works, Tahawus, or Massachusetts. Posts: 1,009	There's no question it would awaken the average bear, but hikers can be weird that way: some easily disturbed, others like the dead. I fired my Optimus up once at the Imp shelter a bit after everyone else had finished their quiet little cooking (got there late), and everyone acted like they'd never seen such a thing. They laughed louder than the stove's roar, and it took hearing from yet others that yes, in fact, such things are still in use. But for those first-time observers, it was a real comedy. I must have looked like Old Man Phelps (uh, albeit in the wrong mountain range; maybe "Joe Dodge" is the more accurate local characterization). I've since been reassured that many still swear by their loud gas stoves, and I still love mine. Except for it being loud. And heavy.

02-01-2008, 09:39 AM	#30
Peakbagr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near the Blue Line Posts: 2,457	MSR XGK. 2 settings: Off and blowtorch.