In regards to the Kelly Kettle, I'll quote a friend who has one: "It's Irish, and it works. Don't see that very often!" He's Irish, by the way.
Is a Kelly a great deal bulkier than a Jetboil? Heavier? I have not had a chance to see the two together. Pete
Do you think, then, that the two cup Kelly (which I have) is a close match in size and weight with the Jetboil? Pete
I have just bought a Trangia 25 UL HA / Optimus Nova combination to replace our heavyweight Optimus of more than thirty years. At just over 1100 grams I think this integrated combination is wonderfully powerful, efficient and light weight for two people. It allows us to cook real meals, even in very bad weather, and offers a wide range of fuel options (though kerosine will remain the fuel of choice). Sometimes, however, I also go on solo trips, and I would love to have something lighter still, and preferably also with a multifuel or kerosine burner. The new Primus EtaExpress for gas cannisters is only just over 400 gram, but I would much prefer a multifuel burner. Alternatively, there are integrated alcohol stoves such as the Clikstand, but these are slow enough to impair my cooking style, suffer from high fuel weight if you are away for long, and alcohol may not always be easy to get. Downscaling to a Trangia 27 shaves off 150 gram, and is therefore not really worth it. Of course, I could use the Nova with its original stand, a separate windscreen, and a simple pot and frying pan/lid, for a total weight of about 700 grams, but I quite like the idea of an integrated system such as the Trangia. I wonder if any of you experts know of an integrated multifuel or kerosine system for the solo camper, with a max weight of some 600 gram. I guess, what I am looking for is a modern and even more integrated kerosine or multifuel version of the venerable Svea 123 Climber. Alternatively, is there any ultralight alternative for a Trangia 27 set, usable with a TrangiaNova burner? best wishes, and bon appetit, Willem
yuk. I meen nay. Anything w/ FOAM around the pot... hell no. I know it's supposed to help, I just don't like haveing a cover for my kettle that can give me third degree burns becuz it's made of FOAM. I may be ingnorantly ranting here, but either way I just don't see the point. Looks like a booster pack. No style or charm.
Resurrecting a very old thread here because it's the only one I could find that mentioned the Bibler Hanging Stove. As it happens, I was in a mountaineering consignment shop last Friday and spotted a stuff sack with the word "Bibler" on the side. Intrigued, I asked to see it. Sure enough, it was a Bibler Hanging Stove. It appears to be complete (from what little I know) except that the pot gripper is missing. It has the pot, windscreen with suspension cables, burner, pot lid, and stuff sack. A bit worn and some dents, but looks like it may be serviceable. It's been unused in someone's garage a long time, by the look of it. Quite a lot of rust on the valve spindle and pot supports. The jet looks a bit corroded. I may need a bit of consulting here; resurrecting gassies isn't my strong suit. Perhaps PressCall can be pressed into service? Not sure if I trust the valve, but a bit of testing will reveal the truth, no doubt. I'll have to post photos when I have time, perhaps this weekend. If there are any other threads that somehow I've missed, by all means call them to my attention. Wish me luck with this most intriguing relic, HJ
I believe that the burner may have been made by Primus. Looking around at photos on the web the burner head and supports look a lot like the current Yellowstone Classic model. It might be possible to use it as a substitute if the original is not serviceable.
Yes, everything I've read says that the burner is a Primus gassie. And you had the exact same thought that I did: using Primus' "Classic Trail" or "Yellowstone" burner (I've seen it advertised multiple ways). That burner is bit heavy by modern standards though. I'm trying to think of something lighter. The Monatauk Gnat might suffice. HJ
The JetBoil system is perfect for quick nutrition on a climb. You can stop climbing, pull out the food bag and JetBoil and have a meal in three minutes. For camp cooking, there are much better stoves. My favorite is the MSR Dragonfly with a silent burner cap.
I didn't do an actual side by side, but I tried the jet boil a few times and sold it to exeter_yak. I got it at an REI garage sale, so someone else didn't like it either. I have all 3 sizes (1, 1.7, & 2.5 L) of pot for the MSR Reactor and there is no comparison of it to the jet boil. But, that's my opinion. Other tests I have read have compared the 2 for their ability in strong wind, and the jet boil gets blown out of competition. Ken in NC
Hey, Ken, My experience, and also my opinion, mirrors yours. I will keep my JetBoil, but prefer the Reactor by a huge margin. But, hey, if others like the JB, more power to them! Each to his/her own, right? But, for me, I'll take the MSR Reactor over the JB any day. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark
I'll give my 2p worth, gas canister stoves for lots of reasons. I use a SVEA 123 (without the cover/'pot' and holder) and an Optimus Terra Weekend HE which has the heat exchange ring on the bottom. The SVEA fits inside with lots of room to spare. If I'm counting grams, SVEA 123 (15.5 oz) with a SnowPeak Ti Mini-Solo titanium pot set (5.5 oz which is only 2 oz oz more than the SVEA pot and handle). The SVEA also fits inside the set for portability. Given that all items are still available from their respective manufacturers they are a great choice and hands down better than a jet-boil.
I dont know if I should turn this into a canister v fuel debate but the current range of gassies do make a fair bit of sense for an occasional hiker whos not going into super cold places. Fuel might work out 3 or 4 times the price and there is the issue of the empty canisters or worse the almost empty ones but at the same time $15 buys a reliable light basic stove where in NZ at least the likes of a new liquid fuel stove is $150 + Thats a lot of canisters to break even. I still like my fuel stoves although the 123 hasnt seen real work for a while as it keeps being usurped by the coleman 505b but I would struggle to say gassies are bad. I even own 5 of them
After having used MSR liquid fuel stoves, alcohol soda can stoves, solid fuel tab stoves (Trioxine sp.), and now a JetBoil, I will stick with the JetBoil for backpacking and climbing. I have never camped in snow. Freezing weather, yes, but never snow. So melting snow for water is not part of the equation. And there are usually only two people to cook for. So the JetBoil is just too quick and easy not to use.
Yes, it may be quick and easy but my mind keeps returning to a class on BLEVEs and propane hazards, one lb of propane has 15% the explosive power of one stick of dynamite! If I keep one for the stove an a backup I'm carrying the explosive power of a third of a stick of dynamite, more than enough to kill you and those close to you. I know the chances are remote, but just carrying something like that under pressure, even it it was inert, would give me a reason for concern.
