Now then ladies and gents, I've fallen for these stand alone gas stoves (Primus Gravity, Optimus Stella+, and MSR Windpro) and have searched my wee heart out in an effort to sum them up. It was initially MSR Windpro Vs. Primus Gravity and I seem to have ruled the Primus out due to it's bigger weight and four-leggedness (potentially less stable) but then I stumbled upon the beauty of the Optimus. However it's folding burner head troubles me (potentially something to go wrong perhaps?). I am unwise also to the size of the MSR when it's folded up. Any help guys, much appreciative

I think your final choice will depend what flavour of backpacker you are. The Stella+ looks like it's aimed at lightweight backpackers who want a remote canister stove but, need it to fold down flat for easy packing because they use a small, lightweight pot - eg an MSR Titan Kettle - that is too small to stow a remote canister stove.

The Windpro on the other hand is much less tricksy - less to go wrong, as you say. It's cheaper, only marginally heavier and, possibly more robust in the longterm than the Stella+. Been a while since I saw a Windpro up close but, I remember thinking it would easily fit in a 1 litre pan when folded.

Have just bought the Windpro and it will definitely fit in a 1 litre pot. Haven't tried it in the field yet but it feels
robust, has a low profile and a good sized grippy pan support.Folds up to about 9cm length.

Sorry, I should have given more of an idea of my 'requirements'. I go as a pair so I use a l litre allu pot so it'd be nice if I cud fit my burner and gas cannister in also, along with my pan grip. I read somewhere that someone could fit one of the three stoves (the Primus I think) and two c100 cannisters in their 1 litre pot. I'm not sold on the idea of Ti mugs/pots purely for a few grams. Saying that, back on the burner front, I'd rather have something more robust and reliable than smaller.
A friend of mine constantly attempts to convert me to a jetboil but I'm not sold on them unfortunately. Cheers for your responses guys

If you've got 8cms depth to spare in your pot once you've got the cannister(s) in, then you should be able to squeeze the Windpro in on top.

Thanks, Jen. I found what I'd read: "Millets of all places and found that the Eurohike Adventure Cook Set they sell which is like a trangia without the stove for just £15 contains an 18cm aluminium pot with a frying pan / lid. This pot fits the Primus Gravity stove in the bottom and then two C100 Coleman gas canisters on top next to each other and a pot grabber and cutlery. The pot lid which doubles as frying pan still fits on even with all that packed in, then the folded up stove windshield and floor protector go on top and with the lid having a loop for a tie to go round its all neat."

Sounds excellent,though I find it hard to visualise all of that in a 1 litre pot.

Sounds excellent,though I find it hard to visualise all of that in a 1 litre pot.

oops. Sorry, said it twice but I still can't visualise it!

The Stella uses the same burner head as the Crux (with similar legs to the Nova multifuel) - which has been in the range and a massive seller for the past few years without problem. Scandinavians don't like kit that doesn't last! Stella won the Scandinavian Outdoor Award last summer.

All the Best,

Gus