German brand Edelrid is best known for its ropes and climbing hardware, but from next spring 2011, it will also have a range of three gas stoves available in the UK as a result of having taken over the Markill brand.
That's what we've been told, but actually a quick google suggests that you can actually buy the stoves in the UK from at least one retailer right now.
There are three stoves, already on sale in Germany, aimed respectively at light-weight backpackers, mountaineers and general campers. All three are gas-powered and fit a standard, threaded gas canister. Edelrid also has an adaptor in its range, which allows the stoves to be used with bayonet or puncture type gas containers.
The Kiro Ti is Edelrid's lightweight, fold-away, canister-top option in the Pocket Rocket mould. Made from titanium, it weighs 72 grammes, meaning it's up there in the gramme-counting stakes and is also claimed to be able to boil a litre of water in just three minutes. There's no integral ignition system, so you'll need matches or a lighter.
The fold out pan-support arms are reckoned to be wide and stable enough to cope with 'up to a three-person pan', though in our experience lack of stability from the base is apt to be an issue regardless of the pan support widths. Price will be £39.95 and the stove comes complete with a transport bag.
The Opillo stove is aimed principally at mountaineers operating in low temperatures and is a remote canister burner with a pre-heating tube to vaporise liquid gas at low temperatures. It also has a wide base and anti-slip pot supports for stability when used with larger pans. It has the same claimed boil time as the smaller stove.
Like the Kiro Ti it folds away for storage and comes with a transport bag. Weight is quoted at 170g and the UK price will be £59.95.
Finally, the Dragon II is an all-round, stove-top camping burner with a wide base to cope with larger pans and family camping. It has an integral wind screen, piezeo electric ignition, a weight of 310 grammes and a price tag of £36.95.
All three stoves will be available in the UK from early next year, details already available on the Edelrid web site at www.edelrid.de.
