MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove

it doest get much simpler. great flame control and simmers down nicely, however its got a very small "flame" area and can easily burn a meal if you dont stir or move the pan around. i wouldnt want to try frying fish with it.


the hard case is a nice addition.

Worthy in both simplicity and function. This stove is light weight and easy to use. It is a great companion on my canoe solo trips. Truly an excellent product.

Simple and lightweight. Lights very easy. Had zero problems. All the talk about burning is true, but just adjust the flame to low and stir. I would recommend this product to anyone.

This stove is great! We use this mainly for boiling water; coffee, rice, noodle sides. I have used this to cook one pot meals for two people and it works well. If you are cooking for more than two or three people or trying to fry large amounts of fish this probably isn't your stove. The size is awesome, and it looks really, really cool. I kind of feel like Macguyver every time I use it!



Authors note: I purposely did not read other peoples reviews of this stove, as to give it an honest and unbiased review.

Best lightweight camping item I have bought in years, k.i.s.s. keep it simple stupid. Have boiling water in seconds.

I have used the pocket rocket for many years and it has never let me down. Great for lite weight travel.

I've said this before, I think the Rocket sometimes doesn't get respect because it's 40 bucks. If you're not gonna do a bunch of elaborate cooking you can use it as your #1 unit, and for a backup it's gonna be hard to beat.

I have this and a MSR WindPro. In comparison, this one is cheaper, lighter, and smaller. However, it isn't an efficient cooker, because it sits higher off the ground, and it doesn't come with a wind shield. Having a pot of food on top of this tall narrow stove provides stability issues. This stove might work better for 1 or 2 person groups that don't cook big meals. I'm usually in a group of 6 where we use the Pocket Rocket for simple stuff like boiling water, and the WindPro for cooking the food. If you get the Pocket Rocket I highly recommend getting the shorter gas cans, and get the snap on base to provide more stability. Place this stove next to rocks, or logs to protect it from the wind.

I have this and a MSR WindPro. In comparison, this one is cheaper, lighter, and smaller. However, it isn't an efficient cooker, because it sits higher off the ground, and it doesn't come with a wind shield. Having a pot of food on top of this tall narrow stove provides stability issues. This stove might work better for 1 or 2 person groups that don't cook big meals. I'm usually in a group of 6 where we use the Pocket Rocket for simple stuff like boiling water, and the WindPro for cooking the food. If you get the Pocket Rocket I highly recommend getting the shorter gas cans, and get the snap on base to provide more stability. Place this stove next to rocks, or logs to protect it from the wind.

I love this little stove, it fits perfectly in the GSI Dualist cookset included stove pouch, along with plenty of room left for the larger MSR fuel canister.
You do really need the additional MSR canister stand to help stabilize and my feeling this should be included with the stove.

I'll admit I bought this stove because it was one of the least expensive out there. And OMG this thing is tiny, literally small enough to fit in a pocket.
Over the years I have been impressed by how well it actually performs.


Boiling a pot of water is a piece of cake for this jet engine (note: the stove can be loud) of a stove but watch out, meals requiring more delicate cooking / frying may lead to burnt spots if it can't be stirred / turned regularly.


Using this stove with a tall fuel canister and large pot is a burn disaster waiting to happen due to its tall / narrow profile so I use the shorter fuel canisters and reasonable sized pots. There is a stabilizing foot thing that can be added to the base of the fuel canisters this stove uses so you may want to consider that as well but I have survived without it.

Small, lightweight, extreamley pack able and easy to use. Great for backcountry use. The only negative is that it is difficult to balance a larger pot on the pocket rocket in the backcountry. It needs a very level surface. Not every campsite has a flat rock or perfect log bench. It works great for bwca trips if you use your canoe as a counter top.

I was going to use this as my back-up stove but it is so convenient and small I use it as my primary stove. I purchased a tall collapsible windscreen for this but so far I have never needed it. Very dependable and easy to use. I mostly use this to heat water for freeze dried or dehydrated meals, drinks, scrambled eggs and such. Pairs great with an GSI Halulite Dualist cook kit and GSI Halulite Tea Kettle.

Going on my 5th year using the pocket rocket - small, lightweight, compact, cheap make it a good value purchase IMO. I would recommend purchasing the pot stabilizer as well because it is difficult to balance a large pot of water on the small stove.

This is a great simple backcountry stove. It would be nice if the wings that support the pot or skillet were a larger diameter. But it is basic, reliable, and quality.