what is a good camping stove and H20 purifier?

G

gooblegop

Joined
Nov 29, 2001
Messages
26
Hello everyone. I am looking for a compact, rugged camping stove that is light weight and does not require many accessories.

Also, I am interested in knowing what you all think is a good water purifier for camping/hiking/climbing. Again, I am looking for something small and uncomplicated. I have seen some systems that have hoses sticking out every which way, and these kinds of purifiers look like they would break in about a day.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd like to hear them, from the lowest price to the top of the line...
 
Neither request is very specific:

Do like white gas or butane stoves? Cold weather or warm weather? Gourmet cook or boil and eat?

I recommend a MSR Whisperlite or Whisperlite Inernationale for a liquid fuel and whatever is the right size for the canister fuel.

The Whisperlites are rugged and easy to clean in the field. However, they do not simmer well and require priming at colder temps.

I tried a Primus Alpine compact Iso-Butane stove the last time I was in the mountains (spring). I was pretty impressed by the ease of lighting, the heat output for boiling water and the compactness.

In water filters/purifiers, a simple look is not necessarily the best. The "straw" filters are really only good for Giardia and other large protozoa. Most bacteria and viruses can flow right through. Which you buy will be determined by where you will use it. I don't know of any filters that claim to eliminate viruses. Water Purifiers, on the other hand, usually use some sor tof chemical process to inactivate or kill viruses. The PUR purifiers used an Iodine resin that is now off the market. I believe it was that PUR could not guarantee that viruses were killed. The best way to kill viruses is to use iodine, chlorine, or boil the water. Note that Cryptosporidia is not affected by Iodine treatments. In the US, a filter will probably be sufficient unless you're planning to use water that is contaminated. If you're going to a third world country where Hepatitis A is a problem in the water, then a methos for delaing with viruses is recommended.

The REI (www.rei.com) website has information on both items. The outlet (rei-outlet.com), campmor.com, or sierratradingpost.com have good prices.

gm
 
I use a Primus Ultralight(?) stove, not sure if that's the model, and a PUR Voyageur water purifier.
The Primus folds up, and the provided pouch will fit in a shirt pocket. It screws directly onto bottles of 70/30 butane/propane mix which serves as the base. It's tiny. I pack it in a small MSR pot along with the pot handle, a Lexan mug, Lexan bowl, and a spoon. Makes for a very compact package. Takes about 3 minutes to boil enough water for a couple of cups of coffee or packs of oatmeal.
The PUR Voyageur is, I believe, their smallest purifier-same size as the Hiker, which is a filter. Takes ~1-1 1/2 minutes to pump a liter of water. One hose in, one hose out. It attaches directly to wide mouth Nalgene water bottles.

Using a coffee filter over the purifier's prefilter (the end that's in the water source) keeps particles out of the hose. Small stoves like mine are great for one person, but I'd want something bigger if I were not solo all the time. I've used the PUR to pump water for 3 several times, and never felt a need for a larger, faster pump.
Both my Primus stove, and PUR purifier have been in use for a couple of years, and other than discoloration of the stove, they are like new. I keep both in their supplied pouches when not in use.
Very happy with both of them.
 
This is what I have - though I do like some of the newer Snow Peak stuff.


Waterfilter = MSR Miniworks
Cooking =

For my extended Trips:

MSR Whisperlite 600 International Stove, stuff sack, matches, padded OR case.
MSR Trillium stove base, aluminum windscreens.
MSR .8L Titanium fuel bottle.
MSR Stove maintenance kit.
MSR XPD Cookset (2L, 1.5L pots, lid, heat shield, lifter, stuff sac.
GSI Non-stick 8” fry pan (nests on top of XPD cookset).
MSR Small Stow-away pot (4 ½” x 2 ½”).
MSR Mountain plate(s) (nest on bottom of XPD cookset).
MSR Stainless tool spoon.
Stainless / plastic cup.

My lite set-up:
MSR Small Stow-away pot (4 ½” x 2 ½”).
MSR Whisperlite 600 International Stove, stuff sack, padded OR case.
MSR Trillium stove base
MSR .8 L Titanium Fuel bottle
MSR Stove maintenance kit
MSR Tool Spoon
 
I personally like the Peak 1/Apex Dual fuel 442. Tank and burner are one unit, no hunting about for the seperate components after packing. Also,it can burn white gas, coleman fuel, or gasoline. For a purifier I have the Pur Hiker. Seems to work fine.
Lagarto
 
I have a PUR Voyageur as well. Been very happy with it.

Will have to look at what stove I have.

Clay
 
The Whisperlite is a good old standy that I've used for more than 15 years but my new Snowpeak Gigapower does simmer well and weighs only 3 oz! The light weight canister has a one hour burn time. Those fit inside the titanium 1.3 qt pot as will the 600 mil double wall cup. They all weigh a total of 1.5 lbs!!! An outdoors gourmet's dream.
 
I have a MSR mini-works filter, and I really like it. It is relatively simple and also field-servicable. For a stove I have the MSR dragon fly for winter and extended trips, and the MSR Pocket Rocket for weekend trips. I really really like the pocket rocket for its size and weight (actually it's lack of weight). It is pretty similar to the snowpeak gigapower in design. I chose it for a few reasons: more commonly found fuel, and also a little cheaper for basically the same product.
 
Thanks for all your feedback. Now, as far as giardia is concerned, I have been told that it is some sort of bacteria that comes from certain kinds of animals...does that mean it is only a problem in certain parts of the country?

I hike/camp/canoe in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. I know some mountain streams and rivers there have giardia, how about elsewhere?
 
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