Researching a new piece of gear for a trip to the outdoors? Then check out the reviews, or email me (livkelly@fastmail.fm) for some advice if you need it, I've used a lot of kit and worked in the trade for several years. Want to tell me and the world about your disgust/ love of a product? Then write a response or email me your review and let your views be known or post a question/ answer at the bottom of the blog. Off on a hike and want some info on the area? Drop me a line. Been on an epic journey, got a wicked blog? Link it to mine...easy!
Showing posts with label stoves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stoves. Show all posts

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Gear Reviews: Edelrid Hexon Multifuel Stove

Edelrid Hexon Multifuel Stove 9/10
I saw these guys at a Trade convention a while ago and thought their stuff looked awesome, turns out it is awesome, especially for the ultralights amongst us.  These stove is one of the lightest multifuels on the market at 220g (+ fuel bottle weight 220g + tradapter 14g) totals at 454g, which therefore isn't the lightest on the market.  Their real competition in this category is the MSR Dragonfly Multifuel which weighs in at 396g.  So comparitively the Hexon is slightly heavier, just.  It compacts minutely smaller though, if you're looking for the mm! Their both sturdy on rocky terrain though the Dragonfly's double frame stand seems to keep your pan a tad more stable.  The differences are minimal though and for the price the Hexon stands clear: Hexon £100, Dragonfly £140, beat that MSR, oh wait they have...with the 'remarkably similar to the Hexon' Whisperlite Internationale Multifuel (total weight with fuel bottle 464g) cost, well would you look at that £100... again, I'd say that the Whisperlite is a little more sturdy, but the difference is 'whisper-light'...all in all the Hexon is an excellent stove, and for compactness alone is a great investment.
SPEC:
A new generation ultra light multi-fuel stove. At only 220 grams, the Hexon is one of the lightest stoves in its class. This stove is distinguished by its compactness and versatility (it works with gas, gasoline and kerosene). Further advantages are the foldable feet and pot stand which gives the Hexon a stable base on the ground and for the pot as well. With its rugged design allowing for easy use and servicing, a long life is guaranteed. Due to its high quality aluminum alloy construction, the fuel pump is useable at all temperatures. With the EDELRID Tradapter (not included), the Hexon is suitable for all storm cooking. The Hexon comes with fuel bottle, pump, tool set and transport bag.
Weight 220 g
Output 3000 W
Consumption
80-240 g/h
Cooking time
3,1 min
Tradapter: Weight 14 g

Sunday, 16 May 2010

Gear Review: JetBoil Cooking Systems

JetBoil Cooking Systems 10/10
My first cooking system was a Trangia, the old kind, slow, painfully so, heavy, temperamental that burnt most food that went within a ten mile radius of it, but I loved it dearly (they've improved a lot, so don't right them off!).  The JetBoil Personal cooking system (£60, 425g) offers a super fast and simple cooking system for outdoor use.  Many a time I have (and so have many others) whipped out their JetBoil in high winds, pouring rain, or freezing snow, popped on their water for a nice brew with this 'mountaineers new lover' and been seen happily sipping from their HUGE mug 2.4 minutes (my quickest time for the complete procedure) later 'happy as Larry'. It's one of the quickest stoves on the market, if not the quickest, it's dead easy to use, lightweight and all integrated (burner, cookware, the lot so no needless searching for 'that bit' at the bottom of your pack!).  The heat transfer system is excellent (coil technology I believe) that means nothing gets burnt and it's pretty darn speedy.  Gone are the days of uncooked rice, burnt curry, grassy soup, snow in your tea and burnt-down tents- it works excellently on any surface in pretty much any weather.  It's light, compact and expandable (you can buy add on bits for larger parties, it's not all solo you know!  The group system retails at £85 (660g), which isn't bad,  considering- although there's an additional 1.5l pan for the personal if you want it for a bit more.  Alternatively you could fork out £115 for the Helios Cooking System (£115, 793g) which adds even more cooking options and power with a butane-canister injection, a 2l flux ring or step up again with the highly attractive Helios Guide Cooking system (same thing but with a 3l and 2l flux rings at £159, 1349g) which is awesome power, and excellent in the field, ridiculously light, especially spread between 3 of you! (£54 and 450g each, in case you can't be bothered with the math).  JetBoil have recently bought out the Flash system, (£85 450g) which is basically the personal system but changes colour when the water's hot- very clever. In the range there's also a rather fancy Flash Java System, which includes a coffee filter/ plunger, sample coffee, stabilising tripod, and a sip through lid as well as the usual insulation mug.  


SPEC:

Convenient


Jetboil includes all the elements required for outdoor cooking in a single unit. Burner and cooking cup are integrated into a single package. Assembly and priming are not required.
Fast
'FluxRing' technology makes
Jetboil a faster boiler than competing stoves. This speed, coupled with minimal setup, makes it the quickest way to get hot food into your stomach.
Fuel Efficient
FluxRing yields fuel efficiencies of over 80%, compared with the 30-40% typical of standard stoves and cookware. Bottom line: weight and money savings because a canister of fuel boils twice the volume of water. A single 100-gram Jetpower canister boils 12 litres of water.
Light and Compact
With the diameter of a
Nalgene bottle and less height, Jetboil stows in places standard cooksets won't go, like your fanny pack or side pocket. At 15 ounces, Jetboil rivals the very lightest titanium cooksets and micro-canister stoves. When adding the weight savings from fuel efficient operation, Jetboil is without rival for fast and lightweight use.
Usage
Jetboil's functionality and ease of use are unparalleled. The base and cooking cup snap securely together during use. Piezo electric igniter lights quickly and easily. Heat level can be dialed in to meet your exact needs. After heating is complete, the cooking cup unsnaps from the base and the contents stay insulated. For stowage, the base and canister nest inside the cup and the lid seals it closed to form one compact unit. 

Wednesday, 28 April 2010

Gear Review: Superfly Stove

Gear Review: Superfly Stove 10/10
The Superfly Stove is a lightweight 3 season backpacking stove the stove lights quickly with the auto start and burns hot.  The large burner is great for even heat distribution and simmering.  It's lightweight, it's good value (£50), and has great temp control and is quick to boil.  This is a superfly stove!  It's robust and has been dropped on rock so I know!  Obviously it doesn't work well in cold conditions because it's a canister rather than liquid fuel with a pump so it lacks 4 season use, plump for the whisperlite MSR if you want one.
SPECS:
  • Minimum Weight 4.6 oz / 131 g
  • Packaged Weight 5.9 oz / 177 g
  • Burn time (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g / 8-oz. canister Appx. 60 minutes
  • Boil time (MSR IsoPro), 1 liter 3 minutes
  • Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g canister 15 liters
  • Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 1 oz. of fuel 1.8 liters
  • Country of Origin Made in Seattle, USA