Lightest & smallest stove for extreme cold?

[Macintosh]

I posted earlier and got no replies, so trying in the LW forum.

Havent found a lot of info on this. I have a pretty light stove for backpacking that all packs into a small pot so it also takes up very little room, but it uses the butane cartridges which Ive had a few issues with in very cold weather. What are the smallest-packing and lightest stove and fuel options that work well when soaked in very cold temps? (0f or below)

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

You’re looking at only liquid fuel stoves in very cold weather. Nothing will be that small and packable. An MSR Whisperlite is what I use for below zero temps.

 

[BBob]

No real experience but I'd guess one of the inverted canister isobutane or the old standby white gas. MSR has the Whisperlite Universal (inverted iso or liquid fuel) that might be one to look at. I have a really old Whisperlite Int that I wouldn't hesitate to use in really cold conditions.

 

[Runningwater]

I'll start with I'm not up to speed on what all is available in canister fuels these days that might work well in sub-zero. I myself go with traditional white gas and my whisper lite international when it's cold.

 

[Macintosh]

I can strip, clean and reassemble a whisperlite in my sleep from using them decades ago, so if thats the best out there Im a bit surprised, but thats certainly an easy answer that im very familiar with.

Is anything smaller in packing volume even if its a little heavier?

Are there very small gas bottles available? Iirc even the smallest gas bottle from when I used these was good for a lot of cooking, more than I need for sure.

 

[BBob]

Are there very small gas bottles available?

I have and used the little 10oz or so bottle. Not sure if there's smaller out there.

 

[BBob]

Optimus Nova

The legendary multifuel expedition stove

www.katadyngroup.com

OmniLite Ti

This ultra-light, titanium, multi fuel stove has incredible flame control and uses multiple fuel options so you can cook anywhere in the world. The OmniLite Ti is our lightest multi fuel stove, and is based on the same technology as our award-winning OmniFuel Stove.

primusequipment.com

 

[Macintosh]

Yep, I would use like a 4oz bottle, but never seen anything like that. Space is about as important as weight in this case.

 

[BBob]

Borde Bomb, a mountaineering stove meant to be slipped in between three rocks holding your pot while hanging out on a cliff face

 

[Macintosh]

Well, thats more or less the use case, but I’m pretty over hare-brained Swiss design.

Although that katadyn stove is swiss too. Dammit.

 

[Macintosh]

Some of those linked stoves above arent available in the US. Anyone try ordering from eu?

And, 460g is a full pound. Thats WAY heavy. Does that include the bottle and pump (I hope)??

What does an empty whisperlight including pump and smallest fuel bottle weigh? I didnt see any specs list what is included in the 11oz advertised weight.

Curious why there isnt a 4oz-ish fuel bottle available.

Honestly seems like this is an opportunity for any one of these 2oz cannister stove manufacturers to make them compatible with a refillable small bottle with pump. Especially with the move to restrict the non refillable fuel cartridges.

 

[Runningwater]

The MSR xgk "might" pack smaller than a whisperlite at the cost of a few ounces? I know my dragonfly is much bulkier than my whisperlite fwiw.

 

[BBob]

What does an empty whisperlight including pump and smallest fuel bottle weigh? I didnt see any specs list what is included in the 11oz advertised weight.

I can drag mine out later and see.

 

[Macintosh]

not a biggie, but thanks if you are able! appreciate it.

 

[Jethro]

What about Kovea Spider? IIRC, can burn with isobutane canister turned upside down making it a 4 season stove.

 

[Macintosh]

Sweet, that sounds like a contender. Id rather have something refillable, but I guess the pump is a significant part of the weight that comes with that.

Kovea Spider Inverted Canister Stove Review - SectionHiker.com

The Kovea Spider Inverted Canister Stove is a four-season backpacking and camping stove with many ad

sectionhiker.com

 

[bushpilot]

Sweet, that sounds like a contender. Id rather have something refillable, but I guess the pump is a significant part of the weight that comes with that.

Kovea Spider Inverted Canister Stove Review - SectionHiker.com

The Kovea Spider Inverted Canister Stove is a four-season backpacking and camping stove with many ad

sectionhiker.com

The Kovea spider is what I have converted to from my old msr white gas dragonfly. Way easier to pack and use. No problems for the late season stone sheep and goat hunts I do. I think I have used it below -10C on a couple of trips. Get the wide 900ml toaks titanium pot, everything nestles nicely together. If memory serves the whole setup with gas weighs less than my jetboil, <17oz.

 

[BBob]

The Kovea Hydra Dual Fuel Backpacking Stove: A Hikin’ Jim Review - SectionHiker.com

The Kovea Hydra is a dual fuel backpacking stove (canister gas or white gasoline) from Kovea Co., Lt

sectionhiker.com

 

[BBob]

not a biggie, but thanks if you are able! appreciate it.

Gen 1 Whisperlight Int stove and pump: 11.5oz
11oz bottle and cap: 3.6oz
22oz bottle and cap: 4.9oz
My bottles (11 & 22oz) are coming in lighter than what MSR says. All the new bottles have larger child proof caps.

Smallest fuel bottle I've found is the 11oz/300mL. Looked at AliExpress and nothing there either.

Because of the pump length you'd only be able to go mby 30% shorter in a bottle. You might be able to go a bit smaller diameter. I've searched a little for a substitute but all I've found so far are thin walled cosmetic bottles.

 

[Sundodger]

I went down the rabbit hole of lightweight stoves, small titanium pots and found that what I saved was more than lost by my needing to carry extra fuel. My fuel burn was about double.

Went back to a jet boil setup, the Stash, but I really miss my old titanium .8L jetboil that they discontinued a while ago