I’m sure this question has been asked a million times before, but here goes: I have used single burner, liquid gas stoves for 30 years, but am curious about a canister stove.

Several questions…..
1. What is the best stove for simmering?
2. How long will your stove run on simmer and with what size canister?
3. Will all brands of canisters fit your stove?
4. Have you had any problems with your canisters or stove?

We've never had any issues with IsoPro stoves. MSR Pocket Rocket, Pocket Rocket Deluxe, and BRS 3000-T. The deluxe seems to be a little more efficient, wind resistant, and includes the ignitor. We always make sure to have 2, either with 2 people bringing the rockets or including the BRS as a backup due to it's very small size and low cost. They all fit the standard ISO-PRO stoves. Pocketrocket fits into my MSR 2-person pot kit, and the BRS fits into a nested 750 and 350ml Toaks kit.

Medium canisters seem to work best for base width and height. Add the JetBoil folding base for extra stability. For a 5 night trip with 4 guys only boiling water for beverages, occasional oatmeal, and dehydrated bag meals every night we run 2 canisters and 2 burners and have only once had a can actually run out. Typically they just get very close and we'll burn the remains out and poke holes with the Jetboil can puncher. We carry a small IsoPro cannister as backup incase lower temps or windy conditions affect our useage more.

As a bonus, if you use a thermacell there is a unit that can fit on top of the Isopro cans or you can buy an adapter that can refill the small cartridges with a little modification. Same is true for the adapter to fill up a windproof lighter.

I use a Soto Windmaster and I love it. Small, lightweight, and it's been super reliable for me. The piezo igniter even works every time. I've used both GasOne and MSR canisters with it and haven't noticed a difference in performance. I have no idea exactly how long it'll run on simmer, but if you're just using it to boil water I would expect quite a few boils on one canisters. I do all my cooking over mine, so I go through canisters faster. I took an 8oz MSR canister on my 5 night trip last year and used about 3/4 of it. But I used it for almost every meal, including things like cooking fish.

I am new in this area too. I just bought MSR Pocketrocket Deluxe. I also bought the large stand that MSR makes to make fuel canisters stable. For boiling I have used MSR Windburner last couple of years. For cooking I used MSR Dragonfly. Going with group of at least 6 this summer. Now I need to split up batches of food and cook on two stoves at same time. Worried the Pocketrocket Deluxe may not be stable enough to hold 2.5 liter MSR ceramic pot (it is within stove's specs for height and width allowed). Also, I hate carrying two types of fuel. I would suggest you listen to what some members have to say and look at review on at least 21 backpacking stoves done by outdoor gear lab. It has some good information. I will try to put good link here.

Outdoor Gear Lab

Here is stand I bought (actually bought 2).

MSR Stand

MSR how much fuel to carry

MSR estimates on fuel use

I've been using the same Jetboil Sol canister stove for about 10 years now and another canister stove for several years before that. I use it to boil water for coffee and rehydrating dehydrated meals in a cozy. Jetboil makes other canister stoves better suited for simmering (see website). Although I can't say how long it simmers, I can tell you how much fuel I use to boil water for the coffee and meals. Depending on what you are simmering, you may be able to just "cook" it with a pot cozy.

Last year I used 3 grams per boil on average (120 grams/40 boils), but usage varies somewhat with wind and temps. I usually figure 3.5 grams and add a 10% margin for error. YMMV

The Sol is a system stove and the pot is somewhat protected by design. I don't use an additional windscreen with it, but generally use it on the grate which is level and stable and often somewhat shielded by rocks. If using a windscreen with a canister stove only enclose the half facing the wind; enclosing the canister could cause overheating and explosion.

The old "Adventures in Stoving" blog has a lot of information you'll find useful and indicates stoves are more efficient when run at 35-40%, which is what I aim for. It takes me about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes to boil 8-12 oz.

I usually use MSR or JetBoil canisters, but most any of the major isopro canisters will work interchangeably. The only one that I've heard of occasionally being problematic was some Coleman canisters.

I have not had any problems with the stove or canisters, but I do test each canister with the stove before I leave. I also weigh and mark each one to monitor fuel used and remaining. Problems with canisters are sometimes created if the stove is ratcheted down too tight on the seal.

Some things I like about them: They are simple and quick to use (screw it on and light), virtually maintenance free, there's no fuel to spill, and they can be used during fire bans when only pressurized gas stoves with a shut-off valve are permitted as opposed to my old alcohol stove, twig burners, or esbit (solid) fuel. It is also easy to carry a spare burner for only a couple of ounces.

If you are going to do a lot of cooking, you may want to look into the remote canister stoves.

My Virgo titanium ( Pocket Rocket) type stove has been flawless after many years

If you like simmering food then you want a stove that is nice and stable. We like the MSR windpro stoves. They have a good stable pot support and because the fuel canister is separate on a hose you can use a wind screen on them. Sorry, but I can’t cite specs on fuel usage. We just bring way too much.

If you are considering a one burner canister stove I would throw this out there as the best value on the market. We have two and they are bulletproof, significantly larger burner which helps to eliminate hotspots as opposed to tiny little flame heads, goes down to a simmer easily or up to a blowtorch. Does not have a igniter, not a problem for us. Made by a reputable company and the reviews on sites like Amazon are stunningly positive. At this price you can buy two and use them on flat ground to put a griddle on them for a breakfast for a larger group or a fish fry(which is what we do sometimes). We have had ours for a dozen years or so and still work like the day we bought them.



Primus Classic Trail Stove



It has a 4.7 rating on 563 reviews. It is not the lightest nor the most compact but it does the job very well. Still pretty light and compact. I have no particular interest in this product or this company, just appreciate outdoors equipment that does what it is supposed to do, does it well and does it for a long time. And it is ridiculously affordable. (Paid $19.95 for mine back in the day)

Works with numerous brands of canisters, never had one that didn't work. They come in small, medium and large, we tend towards the large ones because they are a better value and a bit more stable. Bring two of those for a 5-6 day trip and usually have plenty of fuel left at the end of the trip. But we use it a lot, don't cook over the fire. Not as sexy as some of the other offerings out there. Not ever a single day of regret, one of the top 5 gear purchases we have made for sure.

lindylair: "If you are considering a one burner canister stove I would throw this out there as the best value on the market. We have two and they are bulletproof, significantly larger burner which helps to eliminate hotspots as opposed to tiny little flame heads, goes down to a simmer easily or up to a blowtorch. Does not have a igniter, not a problem for us. Made by a reputable company and the reviews on sites like Amazon are stunningly positive. At this price you can buy two and use them on flat ground to put a griddle on them for a breakfast for a larger group or a fish fry(which is what we do sometimes). We have had ours for a dozen years or so and still work like the day we bought them.



Primus Classic Trail Stove



It has a 4.7 rating on 563 reviews. It is not the lightest nor the most compact but it does the job very well. Still pretty light and compact. I have no particular interest in this product or this company, just appreciate outdoors equipment that does what it is supposed to do, does it well and does it for a long time. And it is ridiculously affordable. (Paid $19.95 for mine back in the day)


Works with numerous brands of canisters, never had one that didn't work. They come in small, medium and large, we tend towards the large ones because they are a better value and a bit more stable. Bring two of those for a 5-6 day trip and usually have plenty of fuel left at the end of the trip. But we use it a lot, don't cook over the fire. Not as sexy as some of the other offerings out there. Not ever a single day of regret, one of the top 5 gear purchases we have made for sure.

Could not have said it better myself! Primus classic trail all the way. REI sells a GCI knockoff that is just as good. I have two of each to get a couple skillets going for 8 person fish frys.

I can’t speak to fuel use as we always bring too much and don’t worry about it at all.

'1. What is the best stove for simmering?'
Pretty much all the canister stoves are adjustable and can simmer well.
'2. How long will your stove run on simmer and with what size canister?'
Simplest answer ounce for ounce of fuel the same as a liquid fueled stove.
'3. Will all brands of canisters fit your stove?'
With a few exceptions any "lindal valve: canister will work, most branded
canisters are made in the same plant in S. Korea
'4. Have you had any problems with your canisters or stove?'
Very few, mostly bent valve pins in the canisters, and boil-over clogging the
burner.

Think of how you like to cook and the size of pot-pans. Small burner for small diameter pots, larger burner for larger pots. On canister burner, MSR Pocket Rocket/Jet Boil, lightest most compact, but small burner tall and less stable with limited windsreen compatability, best suited for solo and small groups. Remote fuel can burner Primus Spider/MSRWind Pro, larger burner on stable support for larger pots, can use wrap around windscreen, better all weather use with inverted canister, more complicated cooking and group size.

What type of stove do you use currently?

butthead

Butthead, as the resident expert, wondering if you have any experience with the Olicamp Kinetic canister stove?

I had been searching for a very light canister stove that would simmer better than my 1-ounce BRS (yes, I know that a bic lighter will simmer better than the BRS). Really have been impressed with the Kinetic so far...took it on 3 trips last year and it did well. Weighs 1.7 oz.

With canister stoves, colder weather affects the ability to vaporize fuel. Lowering the BTU output until the canister is heated back up. So colder weather does affect the fuel.
A regulated burner also helps prevent this issue. This would be most likely be found on the heavier and costlier stoves.

I think most people have covered things pretty well, but on the topic of problems/durability/longevity with the canister stoves it helps a great deal to try and keep them clean. Not only the stove, but also the valve/connection on the canisters themselves. Keep the caps on your canisters when not in use and keep your stoves in a bag/container. If you happen to get dirt/dust somewhere between the outlet on fuel canister and the jet/orifice on the stove burner it can clog somewhere along the way between the two and disable the stove. In addition most canister stoves aren't built well for you to be able to clean out the jets &/ fuel lines in the field.

My personal vote goes for a remote canister stove which allows you to invert the canister (a must for cold weather) from any of the main brands (primus, optimus, msr, kovea, etc). That seems to be the best all-around stove setup for most people if you could have only one. There are better stoves for specific uses, but you didn't call out any of those.

sns: "Butthead, as the resident expert, wondering if you have any experience with the Olicamp Kinetic canister stove?


I had been searching for a very light canister stove that would simmer better than my 1-ounce BRS (yes, I know that a bic lighter will simmer better than the BRS). Really have been impressed with the Kinetic so far...took it on 3 trips last year and it did well. Weighs 1.7 oz."

No, but have looked at midsize canister top burners, Kinetic Ultra/Fire-Maple FMS-116T Titanium/SOTO WindMaster Stove. Light and compact still rather carry and cook on remote canister stoves. I prefer to add the weight for the stability and use of a full windscreen.
I do feel the canister top stoves are hard to mess up. Have 3 oddball orientals and a Pocket Rocket. Solid, good simmer, in spite of the small burner, I only use my smallest pots on them, and inexpensive.
That Kinetic Ultra looks like a great burner, until something like a Primus Trail Classic is made with weight in mind, if made in Ti comes along.
If you want better simmer use a 3/4 windscreen with your canister top stove.

butthead

My favorite canister stove Alocs G22, right next to the slightly larger MSR WindPro, shown heating a 1 quart pot.

butthead

I have been using an old Coleman single burner multi fuel for 30 years. Had some problems with it last time out getting it to burn right. Someone suggested running a dab of carb cleaner through it and that seems to have fixed the problem, but it made me think about the need for a backup. A spare liquid fuel stove is pretty heavy, a twiggy stove is lightweight if one is adept at using one and there’s no fire ban. That leaves a canister stove, lightweight backup to one’s primary stove, and could be useful when two stoves might be needed. I wouldn’t have to worry about fuel spillage (as long as everything seals right) and maybe, just maybe, I need a good excuse to buy a new toy.

One consideration is that your primary and backup stoves should use the same fuel so you don't have to carry two different kinds.

Butthead....Regarding your answer to question #2.....Ounce for ounce, canister fuel is equal to liquid fuel.....my last trip out for 8 days I carried a 30oz MSR bottle and a 20oz MSR bottle for a total of 50 ounces of Coleman fuel. I figured 3oz of fuel per meal, two meals a day. So....if each canister has 8 oz of fuel in it, does that mean I would have to carry at least SIX canisters for the same usage? That seems quite bulky in comparison.

Canisters come in a larger size of 16 oz. An advantage of that is that a greater percentage of the total weight is fuel, i.e. the total weight of a large canister is less than the weight of two of the medium size.

Lindenknight: "Butthead....Regarding your answer to question #2.....Ounce for ounce, canister fuel is equal to liquid fuel.....my last trip out for 8 days I carried a 30oz MSR bottle and a 20oz MSR bottle for a total of 50 ounces of Coleman fuel. I figured 3oz of fuel per meal, two meals a day. So....if each canister has 8 oz of fuel in it, does that mean I would have to carry at least SIX canisters for the same usage? That seems quite bulky in comparison.
"

Have been alternating canister and Coleman fueled stoves since 1995. I'm quite conservative on fuel using windscreens and cooking methods. I can do a solo 7 day and nite trip on 1 8oz canister or an 11 oz fuel bottle with 9 oz of fuel. Either will weigh 13+ oz, the Coleman liquid fuel tank and pump combined. a new/full canister with 8 ounce isobutane empty fuel bottle and MSR pump 5 ounces, add 8+ ounces of fuel and it's the same weight. Right around 1 hour full blast on either for cook time. My 11 day solo trip in Quetico used 9 ounces Coleman fuel in a MSR Simmerlight stove Next favorite stove solo tripping Alocs G22. If I needed 50 ounces of fuel it would be the same canister or Coleman. But you would bring back more empty weight and spend $48 (8 times $6) on canister while $6 (1/3 times 128 ounces @ $18) for Coleman.
I do conserve fuel wit a windscreen always used and bringing most items to a quick boil shutting the burner off and putting pot in an insulated container. I find most baked items (biscuit) take about 20 minutes of simmer and around 1 ounce of fuel

butthead

Thanks everyone......you've been a great help.

If you substitute 3 16 oz. canisters for 6 8oz. canisters in buttheads example the comparisons of weight, bulk, and cost are changed and differences are not as great. The 3 16 oz. canisters will weigh 69 oz vs. a 20 oz. fuel bottle at 5.9 oz and a 30 oz. fuel bottle at 7.7 oz. and 48 oz of fuel = 61.6 oz. The cost of 3 16 oz. canisters is $33 vs. $48 compared to a cost of $7.13 for white gas (48/128 X $19.00) so definitely more expensive for a trip or more if you use a lot during a year. The 3 16 oz. canisters are less bulky than 6 8 oz. canisters and probably about 25% more bulky than the two fuel bottles. I don't know how your stove would compare with what you would replace it with either.

butthead also alluded to the fact that it's not clear how much fuel you actually use of the 50 oz., how much you bring back, and what you do to increase efficiency and conserve fuel. Like him I also do all the suggested things to do that.

Only you can decide based on your variables and priorities.