BWCA Camp stove Boundary Waters Gear Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Gear Forum
      Camp stove     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

ashlandjack
distinguished member (145)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/13/2020 04:06PM  
Would love to buy a new single burner stove. I used to have a Coleman 533 and loved it, but am determined to buy U.S.A. Is Coleman now Chinese? And what is a good U.S. single burner stove?

Thanks Jack
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
AirPrex
senior member (92)senior membersenior member
  
05/13/2020 04:14PM  
The stove I use is made in Japan so I don't have a firsthand recommendation but MSR is mostly made in the USA and is very popular so if it were me I'd start there. I think a lot (but not all) of Coleman is made outside of the states now.
 
kjw
distinguished member (106)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/13/2020 06:01PM  
MSR Dragonfly would be similar to the stove you had because it can simmer.
 
mschi772
distinguished member(806)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/13/2020 06:02PM  
Some Coleman products are China-made and some are still US-made. The 533 is still available and still US-made (though US-made can and often does mean that some or all parts can be imported).

Not every MSR stove is made in the US, but many/most are.

At least some Jetboil stoves are made in the US, I believe.

----

Primus is Estonia.
Snow peak is South Korea.
Soto is Japan.
Etekcity (cheap popular pocket-rocket-like stove often from Amazon) is China. Numerous clones sold under a variety of equally stupid brand names all over Amazon and other sites.

---

I personally use a Kovea Spider. I am pretty sure it is made in South Korea as Kovea is a South Korean company. It is as good or better than any other similar remote canister stove (including MSR) and for a lower price on top of equal/superior construction and performance. I'm more than happy to support US-made products when all other things are roughly equal, but the reality is that we live in a global market, and when someone elsewhere can produce a significantly better product with at a significantly lower price without significant ethical concerns, I'm going to support them as I believe supporting inferior products simply due to being made in the US risks disincentivizing American companies from actually trying to innovate and produce better products.
 
ashlandjack
distinguished member (145)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/13/2020 07:09PM  
Thanks for the list.
 
05/13/2020 07:42PM  
I will add that I have and used both Coleman 533 (a classic) and a Dragonfly. Heavy advantage to the Dragonfly for high output yet lower steady simmering, add the fact it is lighter and more stable with frypans and has an external fuel tank. It is loud though due to the burner design.
Considering liquid fueled stoves similar to the Dragonfly, Primus Omnifuel, Otimus Nova, and their variants. I have and use 2 Dragonfly's one original and another with an OmniDawg silent cap for sound reduction.
Canister Isobutane fueled stoves are many and varied but work quite well with some limitations on ambient temperatures (they do not work well below freezing temps), and fuel cost.

butthead
 
ashlandjack
distinguished member (145)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/13/2020 09:20PM  
butthead: "I will add that I have and used both Coleman 533 (a classic) and a Dragonfly. Heavy advantage to the Dragonfly for high output yet lower steady simmering, add the fact it is lighter and more stable with frypans and has an external fuel tank. It is loud though due to the burner design.

Considering liquid fueled stoves similar to the Dragonfly, Primus Omnifuel, Otimus Nova, and their variants. I have and use 2 Dragonfly's one original and another with an OmniDawg silent cap for sound reduction.

Canister Isobutane fueled stoves are many and varied but work quite well with some limitations on ambient temperatures (they do not work well below freezing temps), and fuel cost.

butthead"

Are they really that loud? I have heard they are annoying.
 
05/13/2020 10:52PM  
If you are referring to the MSR Dragonfly, it is certainly louder than many other liquid fuel stoves, but it's what I trip with and I don't mind the sound it makes at all. It's a great stove for both boiling and simmering. I highly recommend it.
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
05/14/2020 07:52AM  
I've been using the MSR Whisperlite for around 20 years. The Whisperlite is not a "simmering" stove in the sales brochure, but utilizing the gas valve and tank pressure, I have gotten very good at cooking on low temps. I can fry fish and cook pancakes with excellent results.

The Whisperlite weighs about a pound, packs into my MSR Blacklite cook pot and has the external fuel tank like the MSR Dragonfly, but it's a lot quieter.

There's give and take with both, but I don't see a reason to switch to a different stove at this point.
 
Pilgrimpaddler
distinguished member (263)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/14/2020 08:23AM  
I used to use a Coleman 533, but found it to be pretty heavy. I moved on to an MSR Simmerlite (that I still use as a backup or 2nd stove) but I don't think is available from MSR any longer. My main stove now is an MSR Whisperlite. It's been very reliable, easily serviced in the field, and can cook at low temps if you get the pressure and valve setting dialed in.
 
05/14/2020 08:24AM  
I also have enjoyed my MSR Whisperlite (not cheap though). Unfortunately I have owned very few camp stoves over the years since I relied heavily on someone else bringing the stove in the past so I don't have much to compare my purchases to in order to provide a good review.

I will say though in my limited experience that the MSR Whisperlite has really done a great job. It's compact and I found it to be quieter than my friends Dragonfly. I will note that you can buy a aftermarket cap for the Dragonfly that makes it quieter.

There are a lot out there but I don't think you could go wrong with the MSR products.
 
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/14/2020 08:52AM  
MSR user here. Whisper, simmer, and dragonfly. All have their pros and cons but I like them all for certain things.
 
chessie
distinguished member (343)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/14/2020 09:08AM  
We used Coleman single burners for years. We primarily make "one pot" meals that we have pre- prepared at home. The last few years we made the switch to Trangia, which burns denatured alcohol. Very simple, no moving parts. No complaints. We have used this reliably in the BWCA, and backpacking in the Grand Canyon. It may not burn as well in really cold conditions, but we have not noticed a significant uptick in the amount of fuel needed. I believe they come in 2 sizes.
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/camping/products/trangia-cooksets
They are made in Sweden.
 
05/14/2020 10:29AM  
Trangia styled stoves are not allowed during fire bans.
 
05/14/2020 10:37AM  
ashlandjack: "
butthead:

Are they really that loud? I have heard they are annoying."

I use the silent cap version when camping in state parks to keep the sound down. Traveling in remote areas I use the standard Dragonfly, for ease of repair. Never had a failure with either but the cap can be stubourn to get off if needing access to the jet.

I have several louder stoves than the Dragonfly. Optimus Nova, MSR Firefly, any of my MSR XGK's and did have a Brunton Vapor AF all these utilize a "roarer burner", a cup with the jet at the bottom that sprays fuel up to a plate where the flame forms. You mention the Coleman 533 so I assumed a desire for flame adjustment not found on MSR Whisperlight, Simmerlight, XGK.

butthead

PS; Uploading some stove videos to Youtube will add a link when done. bh
 
05/14/2020 01:22PM  
Video of a Dragonfly in use.

butthead
 
05/14/2020 01:31PM  
butthead: " Video of a Dragonfly in use.


butthead"

Man, I love that sound!
 
pswith5
distinguished member(3687)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/14/2020 02:46PM  
To butthead, is that blues traveler in background? To original poster Ash? Are you maybe looking to replace your 533. I think I have one that has had almost no use
 
Garny
member (14)member
  
05/14/2020 05:54PM  
I love my MSR Dragonfly. I also use the Silent Cap, but I have never had issues with it sticking. I remove it after each use. It REALLY helps with the noise. It's not bad as is, but with the Silent Cap it is no different than a MSR pocket rocket, etc. I have done frying, simmering, fish (deep fry, pan fry, etc), and even bake morning pan biscuits or muffin mix on that thing. Very stable and can handle anything you throw at it. Powerful enough for a giant pot of spaghetti/pasta or can bake.
I also always bring a canister style stove for boiling water (Morning coffee, etc) while we make the main meal on the Dragonfly.
 
05/14/2020 06:20PM  
I need to qualify the cap I have. It's not a DragonTamer, instead it's a bigger OmniDawg with 6 rows of holes vs 5. I swap around this and a 4 row cap on different stoves. The Omni is not supposed to fold on a Dragonfly but with a bit of trimming it works fine, maybe a bit more heat out of it at full burn.
Pete that is not Blues Traveler and I cannot remember, as it is on my Pandora Moxy Fruvius station.

butthead
 
blackdawg9
distinguished member (199)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/15/2020 07:24AM  
are you a soloist or a group camper. group campers use larger pots and MSR is your answer. you need to use heat shielding or your pump will hate you. i really want to try a optimus primus. i like the pot stands and that might work better for small pots. MSR XPG would be the equivalent.


i have a MSR whisperlight besides melting a pump occasionally. if you have a slightly larger pot . it's probaly a good start.

my goto for small pots in a svea 123 [original slant valve] i don't trust in line needle cleaners like your coleman. if you got a svea R model. you need to learn how set the needle and or remove it.
i like wet gas stoves personally.

if you want a iso stove stay away from $6 amazon sales. they leak to much gas and sometimes won't attach to your bottle and pass gas. with out really messing with them . just stay with a name brand . MSR/snowpeak.
 
05/15/2020 08:01AM  
I believe blackdawg9 means an MSR XGK and XGK EX both have the same size burner cup and plate as the Dragonfly.
The idea of matching a burner size with pot/pan size is a good idea, I like more shallow pots with a minimum 5 inch diameter over small diameter tall pots.
The windscreen is for a lot more than keeping the fuel pump cool. It increases the stove efficiency saving fuel, I always use a windscreen in the field If you are melting the pump you are placing the fuel tank and pump too close, the fuel line may be stiff because it's braided metal cover and a steel cable inside, but it can be twisted and bent to get the tank/pump away from the stove.

blackdawg9, if your looking at Optimus Nova's (their only liquid fuel stove) look for an old used version with CAEN fuel fittings they went to a different make years ago that is troublesome in comparison. The Primus line has kept their quality high consistently, the Omnilites are a bit heavier than a Dragonfly, but more compact, and have a good flame adjustment range.

butthead
 
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/15/2020 08:09AM  
butthead: " Video of a Dragonfly in use.


butthead"


Love the roar. Is that fuel in the beginning in an old Mio squirt bottle?
 
05/15/2020 08:45AM  
Alcohol. It helps keep the soot from priming to a minimum. The "Mio" bottle holds between 1.5 and 2 ounces and will prime my Dragonfly's and XGK's over ten times. Whisperlight's and Simmerlight's need a bit more prime to easily ignite. The prime hog I have is a Firefly with a long heat shunt from the valve to the jet. The FireFly was the predicesor of the Dragonfly, a bit cold hearted to prime but the hottest stock stove I have used, also loudest!


butthead

 
ashlandjack
distinguished member (145)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/15/2020 07:02PM  
butthead: "Alcohol. It helps keep the soot from priming to a minimum. The "Mio" bottle holds between 1.5 and 2 ounces and will prime my Dragonfly's and XGK's over ten times. Whisperlight's and Simmerlight's need a bit more prime to easily ignite. The prime hog I have is a Firefly with a long heat shunt from the valve to the jet. The FireFly was the predicesor of the Dragonfly, a bit cold hearted to prime but the hottest stock stove I have used, also loudest!



butthead


"

Thanks Man
That really helps
 
ashlandjack
distinguished member (145)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/15/2020 09:41PM  
pswith5: "To butthead, is that blues traveler in background? To original poster Ash? Are you maybe looking to replace your 533. I think I have one that has had almost no use"

I would be interested what do you need.
 
Matchman
member (7)member
  
05/21/2020 02:50PM  
Butthead, et al, what's your liquid fuel of choice? I've got an Optimus Nova. White gas seems like the obvious choice for cleaner burning, good heat output, etc. Is there a difference between the "off brand" white gas I found at my local hardware store and the MSR Super Fuel other than price?
 
singlebladecanoe
distinguished member (163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/21/2020 03:25PM  
American made is going to be most of the MSR stoves.

I've got a couple of older MSR whisperlights that have done well for me. I picked up a SOTO windmaster, made in japan, to try out canister stoves. I'm still on the fense myself between canister vs liquid gas stoves. Knowing what kind of fuel source you want to use will help you narrow down which stoves as well.
 
05/21/2020 06:32PM  
Matchman: "Butthead, et al, what's your liquid fuel of choice? I've got an Optimus Nova. White gas seems like the obvious choice for cleaner burning, good heat output, etc. Is there a difference between the "off brand" white gas I found at my local hardware store and the MSR Super Fuel other than price? "


I mostly stay with Coleman Camp Fuel, but find Crown the same. Prices have gone up but still a much less expense than canister isobutane. The premium brands seem a more filtered and costly alternatives. They just have not been needed in my experience. Kerosene is a good international fuel but I have no problem finding Coleman or Crown fuels, lesser expensive fuels can be found but not worth my while as I have never burned more than 2 gallons a year. For the amounts used I'll stay with well established fuel brands and possibly save on maintenance and problems.

butthead
 
ashlandjack
distinguished member (145)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/22/2020 07:02AM  
You guys have really shared some great knowledge from experience and logical opinion.
Thanks Jack
 
05/22/2020 07:37AM  
singlebladecanoe: "American made is going to be most of the MSR stoves."


MSR has begun marking Made In USA, Assembled In The USA, or no mention of origin. Generally all liquid fueled are made in USA, Canister top stoves like the PocketRocket are not. MSR cook systems like the Windburner are assembled in the USA from imported parts. MSR has partnered with Kovea (S. Korea), for a lot of canister stove parts and full built stoves.

butthead
 
05/22/2020 08:30AM  
ashlandjack: "You guys have really shared some great knowledge from experience and logical opinion.
Thanks Jack"


I'd like to emphasize the used market as a source perfectly fine useable stuff available and stoves no longer marketed,
Peak 1 Apex
MSR Dragonfly
I have around 25 single burner stoves most MSR and all but 5 were purchased used, including my most used stoves, Dragonfly and Simmerlight.

butthead
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
05/22/2020 09:21AM  
butthead: "Pete that is not Blues Traveler and I cannot remember, as it is on my Pandora Moxy Fruvius station. "

I did a check of the song with the Soundhound app on my phone... the song playing is "Hook" by Blues Traveler.
 
05/22/2020 10:35AM  
Well paint my bottom blue it certainly is! Moxy Fruvious Pandora station is primarily a political satire grouping of songs and artists, I was thinking Blues Traveler did not fit the group. Apparently they do!!
Could be worse I try to not have Stephen Lynch station playing in the background.

butthead
 
05/22/2020 03:10PM  
Dragonfly, hands down, best stove I have ever used. They are loud, but, as other said, but you can purchase an aftermarket tamer that baffles the sound really well.
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next