What Expedition Multi Fuel Cooking Stove should I buy?

[El Perro Negro]

I have a good old reliable Trangia at the moment. For a coming high altitude trip to the Cordillera Real in Bolivia I require a multi fuel stove.

I have had problems in the past using a MSR Whisperlite. Lots of blow backs and problems lighting. Didnt fancy trying to light it in tent on the Patagonian Icecap a few years ago, so I gave it away!

Needless to say Im a bit paranoic about setting tents on fire so i need a stable, reliable multi fuel burner. Does one exist?

Have looked at the Coleman Fyrestorm. On paper this looks the business. The blurb even says that there is no preheating in cold temps required. However researching the internet I find that this stove has quite a number of very poor reviews.

Back to square one! Anybody got any advice?

[daveporter]

I'm on to my 3rd MSR Whisperlite International.

I agree, from time to time the MSR stoves refuse to co-operate and usually at the worst possible moment. I recall spending hours with frozen fingers trying to clear a blockage to make a nice brew in what should have been a memorable camp in the higher part of the Langtang valley in Nepal. I finished up with black carbon soot on all of my clothing and no brew. In the morning the stove worked faultlessly!

Over the years I've considered replacing it but like you have never really come up with an alternative. I suppose the classic MSR XGK stove is an option, particulalrly if you need 100% reliabiltiy for group cooking and for clients.

Incidentally, the most irritating problem arose when Swiss Air confiscated two fuel bottles and pumps at Zurich whilst I was coming home from a trip to Romania (the bottles were scrubbed clean with "hotel shampoo" and smelled of nothing more sinister than very cheap Eastern European perfume).

Good luck with your search. Sorry I can't offer any useful help.

Dave Porter

[El Perro Negro]

I have decided to go for the cheaper but maybe more "sensible" option. I have a trangia set so I am buying the multi-fuel option. Will run with gas and all sorts of fuels but I dont have to buy extra pots, pans etc. Also the Trangia system is very stable, one of the reasons I bought it, as I do tend to be a bit clumsy at times.

Will test it out a lot before I commit to a Bolivia climbing trip with it though. I will report further after testing.

Isnt it funny that after 40+ years, technology hasnt really improved regarding the lighting of fuel stoves? 

[daveporter]

Have you had any problems flying with multi fuel stoves over the years? Some airports have a reputation for being very sensitive to backpacking gear and in particular camping stoves. Since the problems with the MSR fuel bottles we have been taking a simple gas stove (MSR Pocket Rocket) on trips to Southern Spain and buying cylinders at the gear shop in Granada or at Camping Trevelez.

I'll add one more supporting comment for the MSR stove. Some years back, I was in a mountain hut in NZ (Ketetahi Springs, Tongario). Amazingly I was the only person with a reliable stove. There was a young Canadian woman with cold peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (pb&j) who I felt very sorry for. By way of introduction I made up some hot chocolate using the Whisperlite. She must have been impressed because we struck up a pretty good friendship and eventually (much later) got married.!

Dave Porter

[El Perro Negro]

  ha great story that! I might just chuck in the old pocket rocket too then.

[El Perro Negro]

Never had problems with stoves on either short or long haul in the past. Im sure Ryanair will be charging extra for multi fuel stoves if they ever find out about them tho'

[La Gringa]

EPN....amongst this months 'must have' items in Trail Mag is the 'Primus Express Spider' price £40 weight 198g states 'stainless steel and brass....has a low centre of gravity for extra stability....a preheating tube to prevent flare-ups during cold weather use'. At that price worth a look !

[El Perro Negro]

Sounds too good to be true. Do you have a link to a review I can read?