MSR Stoves

Truly field serviceable stoves have been something of a rarity and some folk, especially those brought up on Gaz, will consider them a bit odd. But they have their place and for open canoeists a very firm one as they are ideal for tripping, both here and abroad. Multi-fuel stoves, they burn everything from meths to petrol and diesel - although the beggars are happiest with expensive specialist fuel marketed as ‘White Gas’ or ‘Coleman Fuel’ - expensive in the UK but a pittance in the US. I discovered by accident that Calvados works too - but is not recommended if the owner finds out! [Lesson to alcoholics: do not store your favourite tipple in a new fuel bottle, thinking that it must be good for alcohol!] Anything other than the specialist fuel causes a bit of a smokier burn and the build up of residue means more frequent cleaning of the burner - but as the jet contains a self-cleaning ‘shaker’ pin don’t think that this is too often.

The burners, stands and fuel lines are all metal and of very high quality. Strangely, the bottle connector/pump/pressuriser unit is mostly plastic despite the fact hat it would obviously be both do-able and better for it to be metal too - maybe its not in the commercial interests of the manufacturer to provide their customer base with indestructible everlasting stoves! If the pump piston breaks then you have to replace the pump. Having said this, its the only apparent weakness, and you would have to be using this kit an awful lot for this to become a problem - I carry a spare nonetheless.

With its roaring flame this is a stove which both looks and sounds dramatic when its running. No quiet hiss or benign behaviour here. Perhaps annoying to some its a useful signal of hazard - in contrast, on unassuming but effective Trangias there isn’t this signal and this impression is misleading as horrific tales of accidents with even that apparently gentle bit of kit demonstrate too well. This stove audibly and visually commands respect so is probably inherently safer in use.

These stoves are also unsubtle when it comes to heating things up, which is what they’re designed for after all, and can boil a prodigious quantity of water very quickly. This last weekend we prepared a meal for four within 20 minutes of getting back to camp cold and tired, including a main course, coffee and enough water left over for washing up. Not bad. The frustrations over seeing others tucking in whilst I was still patiently nursing my Trangia are long gone.

There are a variety of models to choose from but the ‘Dragonfly’ is perhaps the most versatile as its flame is adjustable. There are also plenty of well thought out accessories, such as small maintenance kits, stabilising supports, pots and pans and implements to fit. All high quality and potentially durable.

These little beauties are made by ‘Mountain Safety Research’ in Canada and cost a lot less over there than they do here - by around 30%. If you are sufficiently keen, and you aren’t across there paddling, you can join the Mountain Equipment Coop (‘the ‘MEC’’) from home. The postage on an order would eat up the saving if it was just for one stove but if you look at the catalogues and buy more (lots & lots of kit not seen here, from Dutch ovens to paddling kit for kiddies), or gang together, then it can be worthwhile.