MSR Pocket Rocket Stove Test
Lightest ever MSR stove at a great price too
Posted: 6 February 2001
by Jon
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MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
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Price:
£30
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Weight: 84g (case 34g
extra)
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Features screw-on
canister-top stove with folding pan supports and flame
adjuster to regulate flame. Fire comes out of
top.
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Good for:
ultra-lightweight use, cooking Not much cop at
big heavy pans
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Tine to boil one litre: 3 mins 40 secs
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You could, of course, splash out a load more money on a
lightweight titanium backpacking stove like the Primus Titanium which
weighs, um, a claimed 85g or you could save yourself a pocket-full of
dosh and opt for the new MSR Pocket Rocket, which on our scales was
actually a gramme lighter, though MSR claim 86g on the
packaging.
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Very simple, very light, very
effective... The Prince Naseem of
backpacking stoves
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What's it like? Once you've dispensed with the 34g red plastic
case, it's very light and as nicely made as you'd expect from MSR
with weight shaved off everywhere; the flame adjuster is a stiff wire
affair, the pan supports are thin but resilient.
Like most canister-mounted stoves, you lose out on stability and
need to take care with full pots, but the serrated edges of the pot
stands minimise any slipping from the pan itself and the arms
themselves, though thin and prone to a little light swaying are
plenty tough. What you won't be able to do though, is cook for the
Heckmondwyke Ramblers in one pot.
Controllability is typical gas, which is to say, straightforward
with easy adjustment and no hassle lighting and the cheerfully
roaring burner works well, albeit indiscreetly. MSR claims
three-and-a-half minutes to boil a litre using their own
Isobutane-Propane mix and indeed, it took us 3 minutes and 40 seconds
to boil a litre of water using a 70/30 butane/propane canister.
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Verdict: You want light? You got
it, together with classic gas controllability, fast boiling
- though times go up as the canister empties - and great
build quality and detailing. Downsides? You won't be
chucking a five-litre communal pot on this one and gas isn't
exactly cheap, but for lightweight walkers, travellers and
racers everywhere, this is the boyo. Also a good standby
option if you use a multi-fuel stove, but think you might be
able to lay your hands on gas at your
destination.
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Performance
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Value
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Whisk me effortlessly to the MSR
web site right now!
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Pushed for time:
One gramme lighter (or heavier) than the Primus Titanium
and about 70 quid cheaper... Not only that but it boils like
a demon, roars like a angry boar and packs down to near
nothing. Throw away the plastic case which weights almost
half as much as the stove, screw into a canister, light and
cook. It's not as stable as a tripod-type alpine stove and
won't take really big pots, but the trade off is that
incredible lightness and a very reasonable price Nice
one.
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