Top 4 Most Popular Backpacking Canister Stoves 

I am kind of a stove nerd so I have all of these stoves except the BRS but I have a Fire Maple that is similar to the BRS. Where I live in Northern California the wind is always blowing at least 5 mph so I mostly use the Windmaster. If the wind is blowing a hoolie I use my MSR Windburner which I have used in a steady 30 mph wind with no problem. I should mention that I don’t backpack anymore and only do day hikes so weight is not a big issue for me.

I bought the 4-Plex Soto Windmaster at the point in time where I wanted to buy a canister stove because I determined that it would be the most fuel efficient stove on the market. Agreed, it doesn't pack down like the MSR Pocket Rocket, however, the Soto igniter works every time whereas the MSR igniter has been reported as troublesome by many. It replaced my MSR Whisperlite which as you know is a liquid fuel stove that never failed me. It is a stove I bought way back in 1967 when it first appeared in the market place & replaced my Sterno stove which I happily discarded. TIP#1 - contact Soto & ask them for a set of O-Rings for your Windmaster so that you'll have an O-Ring if ever needed while out on the trail. To date, I've never replaced any O-Rings, however, I do have a replacement with me, if needed. TIP#2 - Get yourself a G-Works fuel transfer valve so you can always begin any hike with a full 4oz fuel canister. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada

Mark, with the Peak Refuel meals needing 8-10oz I use the BRS stove to boil water. It has always worked and it packs down so small you just cannot beat it. I would never go to another stove. Happy Hiking

Hey Mark.. I've been using the BRS for as long as I can remember 8-10 years. It has never failed me in hundreds of nights out. I recently purchased the Windmaster but have not taken it out on a trip yet. The BRS is just so light and small its been hard to switch. I have worked on going as light as possible over the past 6-7 years, so its hard to add any weight back lol. Base weight was around 13lbs on the CT last year with a Helinox Chair Zero and it was never too heavy. Even when loaded up on water and food for . So the next trip I'm taking the Windmaster. I don't think an ounce or two will change that. Oh I'm also going out this weekend just to camp with a buddy and I'm using my Ridge runner. With the 4" thick Sea to Summit pad in it it is so comfortable. Finally!! For years I did not like it and now its the most comfortable sleep ever.

I got the BRS when I got into backpacking a few years ago (two actually, since I could get one for my son as well and still spend way less than I would have on most stoves). It's not great in the wind, but I usually just use some kind of wind stop (log, food bag, backpack, etc) if need be. I do plan to get one of the better performing stoves at some point. It just hasn't been high on my upgrade priority list as I'm still able to make my coffee on some mountaintops with the BRS.

The Soto Windmaster is my go to. The igniter is failing on me though.

Fancee feast for me every trip.

Hey Mark, I like my Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium. 1.9 oz, although as you are aware, it can be useless if you forgot to bring a lighter/sparker/etc. lol Good comparison video!

Well I have the 9 dollar orange box I'm sure everyone has seen and it has never failed me but it splits time with my ff just depends on my mood speaking of did you finish the alcohol stove series? just wondering if I missed it I would like a windmaster but don't know that I can justify it since I do about as much car camping as Backpacking these days good thing is I'm getting the wife to go occasionally