REI put together a nice write up on choosing a backpacking stove. I know some folks still haul in a big Coleman multiburner unit so this doesn't get into those options.

My lesson learned is bringing in a backup even if traveling light. As well as manual and repair kit. The last two trips I had a pump go bad and had to completely tear down a whisperlight and clean it. Also test stoves before you go!

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-stove.html

Good resource! I've got an MSR Windpro 2 that takes any type of canned fuel, so it's pretty versatile. I weighed mine in at 10oz. It's not exactly ultralight, but definitely within backpacking territory. Still, when I can, I'll be bringing an alcohol stove for my warm weather section hikes - the stove weighs 1oz and the fuel including plastic bottle is only 5-6oz, whereas isobutane canisters are kinda heavy, weighing up to like 15oz for an 8oz fuel canister (don't remember exactly).

I'll probably bring a tiny can of MSR isobutane and my Pocket Rocket 2 as a backup. For section hikes in SNF, you can probably get away without a backup unless you're going to some remote area where you're not likely to run into someone within 24 hours (in case your stove is broken and you can't make a fire). On something like the AT or PCT I would definitely recommend a backup, but you're probably likely to run into people every day or every other (considering the popularity of those trails). I would hope not to have to clean/repair my only stove while out in the wilderness! Always be prepared...

Instead of a full repair kit I tape the 2 tools and o-rings to the fuel bottle.

Just to clarify WindPro2 is canister only and a bit over 7 ounces, I think flyn is talking about the Whiperlite Universal a bit over 10 ounces and multi fueled canister and pressurized liquid fuels. Both the new style Whisperlite Universal and the discontinued canister fueled Rapidfire are waffle plate burners with a wider flame front and higher heat output than a WindPro. Not a lot, but measurably higher output. Probably the highest heat producing stoves I have in my pile-O-stoves!

butthead

Mine is definitely the Windpro 2 but I think I had it in a bandana when I weighed it. Maybe the bandana adds 3oz? I use it with the bandana anyway to protect it a little.

I would question this one:

"Don't spill fuel on bare skin. In extreme cold, this can cause frostbite due to the rapid evaporation of fuel."

In my experience in temps that I would consider extreme (i.e. -20f or lower) liquid fuel (like white gas) doesn't seem to evaporate quickly enough to cool things down much, it can even be difficult to light with a lighter sometimes as it doesn't have the vapor coming off it that normally lights right up... One of the reasons I always have matches packed with my stove for winter camping.

In general though I think it's probably good not to spill fuel on your skin anyways. ;)

I do think the first choices are fuel source and size/weight - and maybe number of burners, thought I'd usually recommend using two one-burner stoves rather than a single two-burner stove.

I've tended to use white gas (Coleman fuel) stoves because use of fuel canisters always made me nervous that I'd unexpectedly run out of fuel. Canisters are sure much easier to use.

Traditionally, white gas is generally perceived as a better choice for very cold weather, but today's iso-butanes and similar fuels seem to be getting much better (I have limited personal experience with this though).

Is there any simple/low-weight way to track the amount of fuel in the canisters while in the field?

Any tips on not being surprised?

Iso-butane canisters cold temp performance depend a lot on % of propane in the mix. So called winter mixes run as much as 45%, more common 30-40 though. Straight butane does not work well below 30 degrees F. Canister stoves designed for cold operating feature a heat feed back to the jet area via a heat sink, the copper rod loop from jet to above the burner.

or a fuel preheat, the fuel line loops partly around burner before delivering fuel to the jet, Alocs G22 .

It's also helpful to preheat (indirectly), and insulate canisters. Checking remaining fuel is somewhat guesswork mainly surrounding weight of canisters. MSR marks their canisters to indicate remaining fuel when floating in water. Carry a full 4 oz spare canister, if you need backup to anticipated supply.

butthead

Most of the canister manufacturers will give a burn time in minutes. I've tracked my usage for several years and can estimate my needs pretty accurately. It takes me ~90 seconds to heat water for a dehydrated meal and ~60 seconds to heat water for coffee. Just have to multiply those by number for a trip and a little margin for error. For partial canisters I just weigh them to determine how much fuel is left.

I mostly solo and I bring a small canister stove and a twig-burning stove (Emberlit). I use both. The Emberlit collapses down to the size of a CD and is very simple to use. I know that I will never run out of fuel, especially when I go back and forth between the two.

(I do have to clean the pot when I use the Emberlit.)

Dave

Preventive maintenance to chase away cabin fever these next couple of months.
Whenever I've packed the MSR Dragonfly I also take a micro-stove/4 oz canister as a backup. Seems like a spare pump should be on packing list. I like the Dragonfly's little roar. That said, I've come to appreciate the simplicity of the Primus Classic Trail Stove too.

A good thread, the needs here in Norway may be slightly different, we are quite depending on the stove in the winter cold, and that will again make our needs different. Light weight are not necessarily good for reliability. You may need to add extra weight for protective packing.

For most of us the expertise is here: https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/

When it comes to the stoves it selves, there are forums for collectors etc, but for practical use those are pretty complex, and you may dig in to small detail...

dsk

I've, tried many stoves and most fuel sources in the last 40+ years. Today there are MANY great choices and it is hard to go wrong. That being said, my vote is for the before mentioned MSR Windpro2. I feel that canisters are more reliable, the fuel never leaks, the stoves last forever with zero maintenance, costs are not too much more. These are pretty quiet, fully adjustable, 7oz, and comes with a wind screen which saves a TON of fuel. You cannot use a wrap around screen with the stoves that sit atop the canisters as there is a very real danger of overheating the canister and causing an explosion. Also MSR customer service is top notch. Example: My wife cross threaded a canister stripping the threads on the stove. When I called for a replacement part, they insisted on sending it for free, postage paid. The stove was 6-7 years old and not under any warranty. Again there are MANY great choices depending on what you like or need. As a back up take a MSR Pocket Rocket which uses the same canisters fits in palm and weighs 2.6 ounces for the newer version. I saw one for 30.00 recently.

I use canisters and liquid Coleman fueled stoves about 50/50. Often travel with friends who's use splits close to the same.
Never encountered a pump or stove failure from the liquid fuel stoves, maybe they are better cared for or something but never a failure.
Canisters have. 3 times valve pins bent when attaching to a stove/fuel line rendering the stove unusable, 2 times a stuck Lindal valve on a canister leaked the fuel contents emptying the fuel canisters.
Not frequent and because other stoves were available no trip interruptions. I'm not making any reliability assumptions other than stating experiences I've had.

Canister stoves are simpler to set up and use, less expensive, offer good control and heat output over liquid fueled stoves. But once broken a canister stove is less repairable than a liquid fueled stove. Add in the cold weater performance and I have to give liquid fueled stoves a reliability edge over canister styles.

butthead

svea 123

In the BWCA, I take my MSR Dragonfly and my Vargo titanium stoves. Both work incredible and both are reliable. When I hike, I take my Jet Boil flash, which works perfectly.