Editor's Choice 2007 -- MSR Reactor and Primus Eta Power

[secretmuse420]

Thats a huge ass mess kit.

[solobackpacking]

Agreed, Backpacker Mag could use a guy that knows how to at least buy descent audio gear.

[BlackRainClothing]

God backpacker Mag needs a video person so bad, these reviews are so dry.

[panzerliga]

Why does it matter if it's quite?

[adamrep128]

@panzerliga for ninjas. but noise is lost energy

[zukowitz1]

How much they run,, do you know ,,, i can lookup. Saw two guys batteling out on whose stove would boil quicker and the one with the long pot kicked butt. The other guy had a newer more techno,,, but the big battlship one took first prize.. msr reacter. i will have to look into it,,, plus it holds quite a bit looking at its size.

[unibicle]

not to say that MSR stoves are bad because they arent but I personally like perferthe Jetboil, or a Trangia

[kbckiwi]

@unibicle

the jetboil is a good system, but the reactor is more eficent and faster than the jetboil

[ahoyhoy79]

efficient? as in you know for sure that one canister with such and such a system will provide consistently faster boil times with use of less fuel?

or is it opinion or from a youtube test?

[bluesmangil]

I dont think it matters what stove you go with as long as its an MSR.

[FifThenCounTer]

Great review Kristen. Fantastic advice based on type of cook.

[toddness]

He clips the puck

from Bobby Oah

he shoots,

he scoahs.

[222bored]

Just a comment for the campfire folks. West of ther Rockies in the US, you will find a lot of areas where campfires are strickly forbidden, but where convetional camp stoves are allowed. Some places where the fire danger is really high apparently even ban liquid-fuel stoves but allow propane or cannister.

Out here, it isn't a matter of choice. Too many wildfires started from campfires.

[KickRocks5000]

I live in AZ, Ive never had a green truck mess with me about my little wood stove or alky stove. Even when you when they have had designated smoking areas, they've never sweat'd me over a hibachi (car camping with the young'ns). What's your point?

[222bored]

Lucky you. In southern CA the "green truck" will be all over you for a hibachi or a wood stove. The point's pretty clear: there are places you can't use burning wood. Don't take my word for it; ask the USFS.

[KickRocks5000]

Wasn't trying to jump on ya. My reply was a bit curt. Your post made the issue sound a lot larger than SoCal. "West of the Rockies" was a bit vague, and I don't consider SoCal, "a lot of areas" in the context of west of the Rockies. Too bad, campfires help clear dead wood out of higher use areas.

[222bored]

No worries. Campfires are forbidden in a lot of places west of the Rockies, but the Feds may be a lot more lax than they are out here. Given the number of nutcases here, that probably makes sense. I may be a bit touchy about it, my house nearly burned in 2003, and 3 houses on my street burned in 2007. One gets tired of such things.

[ArmyRanger10]

I bought a reactor without realizing that It could freeze up in winter. How long does it take for the canisters to not work?

[rezzoro7]

In extreme weather conditions, the canisters should be warmed up just a bit before attempting to use them. You can warm the canisters up by placing it inside your jacket or a coat for a few minutes.

[digitalhawkeye]

I believe IsoPro fuel has a boiling point around 11º F, meaning the liquid fuel will vaporize inside the canister until that temp. At temperatures below that, you'll either have to warm the can somehow, or better yet go with a liquid fuel system like the Whisperlite, which fare better in extreme cold and alpine environments.

[jasonmartin206]

You should check out Mini Bull Designs. They have ultralight alcohol stoves that burn strong and clean. When I say ultralight I mean it, one of the stoves weighs only 17 grams!

[ArmyRanger10]

I honestly thing Minibull designs is a rip off. Hes selling you cut up soda cans that you could make yourself.

[jasonmartin206]

Then I guess every restaurant you go to is ripping you off as well. You could make the food yourself, so why pay someone? Well, maybe because they will do a better job or you just aren't interested in making it.

He makes a product that works well and that's why I bought one.

[rezzoro7]

Which model did you buy and how does he take paypal or credit card only? Also, what did you pay for shipping? Thanks!

[mammalianmushroom]

Good video, MSR reactor would be a better choice for me.

[epicstove]

alcohol.

[bluem3]

the best way to cook is with natural elements around you when camping. I like to start a fire and use wood or wood chips to cook. It takes out the element of camping if you bring those stupid canister. I am glad you guys agree...

[gabriellopesmonteiro]

@bluem3 You should only do that, if your fuel ends.

[andrewsacht]

I wonder if there is a place where you can send the canisters to be refilled and reused. I honestly rather use a liquid fuel stove, than a wood stove, of fire. Not because It is easier to use a liquid fuel stove, but because dead-wood is important to the ecosystem, providing food and a home to many plants and animals. It also in my oppinion adds beauty to a landscape. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but foot prints.

[dinnerandashow]

@andrewsacht

All the rednecks supporting the use of American made Rambo knives for batoning firewood are very angry at your comment.

It's not about the scenery, its about the size of the knife.

[protuberant]

@andrewsacht

Ahem, how much carbon neutrality can you maintain by burning fossil fuel? Wood is carbon neutral. Besides, you really pissed off a group of rednecks. Then again, who cares.

[akmcconnell]

If you do a little handy research, you'll quickly find that most places strongly discourage the use of campfires. The appalachian trail for example is heavily dependent on it's hikers not to burn wood in fires because it would deplete the surround area of fallen wood, which in throws the entire eco system off balance. If you're worried about being eco friendly the canisters are about the best way to go, as long as you carry out your trash and recycle it when you're done.

[Redshift21]

Again my vote goes with my Trangia as the only thing you take in is the fuel (Methylated spirits / Denatured alcohol) andt when you've urnt that everything else is reusable.

[JonSpink]

I wouldnt waste my time with disposable gas canister stoves. Why go out into the country side to enjoy nature with a stove that turns into landfill. The last time i looked the woods were full of that brown stuff that burns. It doesnt mess up the environment, its free and it doesnt run out when your a days walk from the nearest shop.

[yuandrew]

Problem with wood is that in some places (and under dry conditions in many of my cases) gathering wood or building a camp fire is not permitted.

[JonSpink]

In those cases it will probably be prohibited to use any camping stove or naked flame. It doesnt need to be just an open campfire when you burn with wood, there are camping stoves as neat as any gas one that burn wood and keep the flames enclosed.

[Redshift21]

I know they have no snob value but I still love my Trangia, yeah it's heavier and takes longer to boil stuff but I've had it 22 years and it'll probably still be working long after I'm gone also I hate the new super stoves these days their just so damn noisy

[BHagey]

haha snob value.. but yeah i get what your saying, it probly has alot of sentimental value

[Redshift21]

You find a lot of people who buy the latest gear because it looks cool and not because it's any better to use, I'm a clumsy oaf and if a stove has stood up to 22 years of me then it has to be good also there are no moving parts to break which is always another plus, I've seen people have mechanical breakdowns with these new super stoves.

[BHagey]

start a magazine/zine/news letter or website or youtube on the stuff that is clumsy/oaf proof or just the stuff you swear by

[BobLoblaw23]

She's like the Martha Stewart of the back country.

MSR Whisperlite > All

[johngo6283]

the reactor looks very tippy - don't spill!

[Hinge57]

PRIMUS SUCKS!!! ROCK ON!!!!

[Austinjoke]

How did u get those/ I thought reactor was out yet?

[takadi]

MSR is like the kelly kettle, just more high tech

[manateepunch]

excellent review! i've featured you at YouTubeReviews com