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I did a search on the forum and was surprised that there isn't a dedicated stove thread as there are much to be said on this topic.

The first discussion would probably be Canister stove vs Liquid Stove. Both have their Pro's and Con's and I would like to hear your opinions on this.

Secondly have any ever had a hiking stove explode or has something seriously went wrong.

Lastly, much can be said about windshields. I have tried to make a windshield for my canister stove that would be safe as windshields is not recommended for these. My idea was to use an empty canister and to use it up side down on top of the full canister. It sort of worked in the sense is blocked the wind and kept the heat away from the full canister but to my disappointment it did not better the cooking times at all. The usual Foil types you get at stores are so light that you need a windshield to shield them from blowing over. I'm sure there will be some good ideas by the members of this forum.

Thx

@ Boerkie, whilst this is not the lightest, this more heavy duty alumininum shield ,sold at camping stores, works pretty well and helps stabilise the pot on the small burner head.

I have used almost all hiking stoves - the first being an optimus 8R bought in Aliwal Street, Durban (Outdoor Inn - long since gone). See vid here of an 8R:

The list includes many gas stoves, meth stoves and, for the last 15 years, the benzine MSR pressurised stoves. None has ever failed me. In the beginning I even carried two stoves in case one broke - an example of early, misguided decisions.

I have done trips where we forgot matches (Bell Cave) or forgot the stove (Bell Traverse and down Tseke). Both those trips featured major snow falls and everything was frozen on the latter. We were thirsty when we got to Tseke hut!

Theoretically the most reliable is the meth stove as it has no moving parts. Time to boil is not such a big deal unless there is a really strong wind or if one has to melt snow. Under those conditions the MSR type liquid fuel bottle would be my choice. Under other conditions, a 20% increase in time-to-boil wouldn't worry me much as there usually isn't too much on the agenda once you're at destination. Putting a lid on a pot makes an important difference though.

My general use is GAS burner during summer months, and MSR XGK-EX during winter.

Choice depends on how long I'm out for vs. how many with me vs. season vs weather.

Most times I just carry my MSR, quick to get going on benzine/unleaded, light, and will cook or boil anything in under 2 minutes, being careful not to cook yourself or the grass hillsides around if you not careful hehe. It being pretty frugal on fuel too unless you cooking for a small army.

So far ive never had issues with MSR. I'm maybe a little fastidious about keeping it clean though

elandman wrote:
I think that's pretty key with those kinds of stoves. Welcome to the forum, by the way!

@mnt_tiska: I have one of those Optimus stoves. I was given it by my mountaineering buddy in Canada. He has a bunch of old gear, some it still in use (like an ice axe with a wooden shaft). The stove served him well over many years - he swore by it - and was used once by the two of us together. During that particular trip it gave up the ghost and we just could not get it going in spite of totally dismantling, cleaning and fixing what we could, and it even stopped responding to the trick of holding a lighter under the fuel chamber to build up pressure. At least we had a limited amount of tepid water to rehydrate our food that evening and late the next evening we just made use of the long daylight hours and walked out. From the first day I saw the stove and the few times I saw it operated, it had me in stitches, and added much fuel to the teasing I generally direct at him for his gear. After he purchased himself a new gas stove recently, he gave the old one to me as a souvenir and I keep it for laughs.

Thanks

Another thing to note... its really worth doing a little homework around what fuel burns the cleanest when stove it as operating level, and also how it burns when you starting up.
Usually the most soot is produced when lighting the stove and during warmup.

I generally try use the cleanest burning fuel available so that soot production is kept to virtually nothing. Then to light the stove I use meths. Burns VERY hot and sootless