Camping Stove Comparison and Mini Review

I review and test two backpacking / camping cooking systems, the MSR Pocket Rocket (circa 2005) and the Primus Eta Express (circa 2009).

For the full writeup, please visit http://cbpowell.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/camping-stove-comparison-and-mini-re...

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Education

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• review

[Wutangspam]

The one on the right was going full bore. The Pocket Rocket............was turned down oce ignited!

[christopherbpowell]

@Wutangspam Actually I had them both turned to about 85%. It's hard to tell in the video, and you could fairly argue that I probably should have had both at 100%.

I agree with the commenter below that the pot probably makes most of the difference.

[badspeiier]

Nice video, I own a MSR p-r, but thought you were fair and informative.

[YukonPete21]

The time difference is because of the heat exchanger on the bottom of the pot. Use the same pot on both of the stoves and that will give you a better comparison.

[zamestol]

Another thing. You should have weighed both gas canisters before and after !!

[fredvs79]

I'm sure this was NOT at all Scientific... you are using different pots, one is clearly larger than the other, which could translate into differences in metal thickness & surface area in contact with the water accounting for differences in boil time. Further, you could have turned on stove #1 & adjusted the flame, and then lit stove #2, and matched flame sizes, then put the pots on the stoves. Lastly the one on the right clearly has a heat diffuser ring under it, making it more efficient.

[kirikset]

Not only was the MSR turned down but also a more efficient primus EtaPower pot was used. As for heat output both stoves are not that much different.

[draagdo]

I've had a Pocket Rocket for years. Used a lot for motorcycling and cycling, both in Australia and Europe. I like the way it folds up into a very small and sturdy container.

[calvinjones]

You should weigh both the gas bottles before and after boiling the water so you could compare how much gas it takes to boil the water. That would be really interesting.

[Ggreenvideos]

@johnmonk66 I have both stoves now and the MSR Pocket Rocket I believe is 8200 BTU while the Primus Express, which is the same stove but with out the pot is 8600 BTU. I think the Primus is faster. I will do a comparison between the two stoves using the same pot for both coming soon :o)

[Wutangspam]

All good mate. Although the pocket rocket is good value for money, I'm seriously considering getting an ETA. I can't actually find one here in Australia but might well do the eBay thing and get one sent over as you get alot for the money. REALLY handy for my solo cycle tours!