Stoves & kitchen

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How to choose: Jetboil backpacking stoves || Zip v. Flash v. -Mo v. Joule

By Andrew Skurka / November 16, 2018 /

Yesterday I attended a Jetboil press event in Boulder. It was an opportunity to examine the product line and to speak with Jetboil reps in a less time-crunched setting than Outdoor Retailer. Stove system overview To simplify decision-making for its dealers and customers, Jetboil seems to have worked hard to keep its product line tight. It…

Stove face-off: Kojin, StarLyte, 12-10 & Supalite || Boil times & efficiency

By Andrew Skurka / February 24, 2018 /

The new Trail Designs Kojin competes head-to-head with the Zelph Modified StarLyte, which for several years I have used as the burner in my go-to solo alcohol stove system. They have similar weights and size, and are both designed to work with a cone-style stand/windscreen like the Trail Designs Sidewinder. After an interview with Russ Zandbergen of Trails…

Preview: Trail Designs Kojin Stove, a StarLyte replacement || Russ Zandbergen interview

By Andrew Skurka / February 18, 2018 /

While I am frequently linked with the Super Cat Stove and was a longtime user, for the last three years I have relied on a more engineered system that is more fuel-efficient, wind-resistant, and stable. Its cornerstone is the Trail Designs Sidewinder Cone. Trail Designs has just released the Kojin Stove, which is meant to be…

Preview: Primus PrimeTech Stove || Stable, efficient group & winter system

By Andrew Skurka / January 31, 2018 /

Two years ago I shared my five go-to backpacking stove systems, including what I use in the winter and when in a group. These systems are proven, but they’re less efficient than integrated kits, and the a la carte components are less convenient to obtain (and perhaps more expensive) than multi-piece sets. Last week at…

Preview: Sea to Summit Alpha Series Cookware || Remarkably thoughtful

By Andrew Skurka / January 26, 2018 /

So much thought went into the new Alpha Series Cookware from Sea to Summit that I feel compelled to write about it. The retail prices and weights are very good, but I was most impressed with the attention to detail and the willingness to look with fresh eyes at an otherwise tired category. The Cookware…

DIY || An original: The Cat Food Can Stove, by Roy “TrailDad” Robinson

By Andrew Skurka / January 11, 2018 /

Roy “TrailDad” Robinson created and popularized the Cat Food Can Stove, one of the original DIY homemade alcohol stoves. Roy was the father of Flyin’ Brian Robinson, who used this stove on his groundbreaking Calendar Triple Crown in 2001 and who still uses one today. When Roy passed away last year, the family decided to…

Win an Esbit ultralight solid fuel cook set || Holiday Giveaway #3

By Andrew Skurka / December 10, 2016 /

For each of the next four days I will be raffling off an item featured in my holiday gift guide, which we broadcast last week via Facebook Live. Return back each day to enter to win. Yesterday’s winner Jonathan Jay R. is the winner of a LuminAID PackLite 16 Light. Congrats! Today’s giveaway The weight, simplicity,…

Coffee-flavored Fritos: Tips to prevent food smell contamination

By Andrew Skurka / November 11, 2016 /

“Would you like some?” Steve asked, holding out a loaf of yummy homemade cookie dough. My belly was already full from dinner, but I broke off a piece anyway, knowing that ahead was a long November night in the sleeping bag. After taking a few chews, I remarked, “It would be better without the taco seasoning…

Nifty: Refill & transfer fuel between canisters with G-works Gas Saver

By Andrew Skurka / November 1, 2016 /

Most of my complaints about upright, remote, and integrated canister stoves like the Kovea Supalite, MSR Windpro, and Jetboil Flash relate to the fuel canisters, not to the stoves, which are generally excellent: powerful, user-friendly, durable, lightweight, etc. In particular, the canisters are: Heavy, in consideration of the amount of fuel they contain; Expensive, relative to other…

Gear List || Fast & light backpacking stove for soloists & couples

By Andrew Skurka / October 31, 2016 /

While preparing for a backpacking trip in the Colorado Rockies this coming weekend (early-November), I had to consider the appropriateness of my ultralight alcohol stove and my powerful remote canister stove systems. I concluded that both would be functional, but that with an extra $50 purchase I could have a perfectly optimized kit. Intended applications This “Fast & Light” setup is suitable for solo backpackers and…