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PSA: That expensive ultralight camp stove I got barely boiled water for a single cup of coffee
I spent $80 on one of those tiny titanium stoves last spring thinking I was all smart and saving weight for backpacking trips. First real test was at a campsite near Flagstaff in June, and it took 12 minutes just to get a half liter of water to a lukewarm simmer. The wind was barely blowing, maybe 5 mph, and that little burner just couldn't hold a flame steady. I ended up eating cold oatmeal that morning and felt like a fool for ditching my old Coleman two-burner. What I learned is that those micro stoves are fine for boiling a cup of tea in a sheltered spot, but if you need to cook a real meal or feed more than one person, you're better off with something that has a wider base and a proper windscreen. Has anyone else had a bad experience with those tiny ultralight setups in windy conditions?
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anna_craig16d ago
Yeah I used to be one of those ultralight fanatics who swore by the tiny stoves but you're totally right, they're useless in wind. @gavin80 makes a good point about the lid but even then the flame just can't compete with a real burner. I switched back to my old coleman after freezing my butt off trying to cook dinner one night.
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