Downsizing from a 2-burner. What single burner stove

Curious to hear what folks are using for cooking on the tailgate. I recently sold off my Everest 2-burner and in the market for a compact single burner that is still good for cooking real food. considering the MSR whisperlite universal or maybe a jetboil system.

 

Jetboil seems to be the go to in that category. Know a couple folks with it and they like it

 

Jetboil's "Mo" system supposedly simmers but the others are designed primarily for quick, efficient boiling. I haven't tried the newer stoves but definitely would not recommend whatever model mine is for actual cooking (older Zip maybe? I've had it for years). It lives in the back of the truck and it's great for making coffee and quickly heating water but it does not simmer well and will burn food in a pan quickly if you aren't careful and watch it.

The MSR Whisperlites don't tend to simmer well either. They used to make one called the "simmerlite" that was designed to allow simmering but I don't see it on their website. I've got a Whisperlite packed away somewhere (I still have a lot of stuff stored from when I was living overseas). I'd basically quit using it when I got the Jetboil since it was faster and easier to use and not as susceptible to wind although both can benefit from a wind shield when windy. It's also not as stable as the Jetboil when you use the canister legs on the Jetboil. If you plan to use a pot or especially a pan on the smaller stoves they can get unstable quickly.

I use one of the butane Asian stoves (you see them all over Asia and they're commonly sold in the various "Asian food" stores here); mine's a Gas One, IIRC. You can use the standard butane canister but it also came with an adapter hose to connect a 1# propane cylinder. Not the most compact and you'll need some protection from the wind but you can actually cook anything on them. I've also got an old brown Coleman Peak 1 Coleman fuel single burner that works great (I've got a regular Coleman model too, green, that was my grandfather's and still works) and my favorite is still my old Coleman two burner- partially nostalgia but you can actually cook on them as well. I've got a propane adapter for it too but it works better with Coleman fuel. I've actually got three of them including my grandfather's version from the '50s too, my parent's from the late 60s early 70s and mine from around '86- all still work great). Yeah, I know you wanted something smaller but they really do work well if you actually want to cook.

Yes, I might have a bit of a stove problem (I've got a couple of others too including an old Svea, a couple of Esbits, some penny/alcohol stoves, a modern Chinese single burner, etc). Got a couple of lanterns as well.

 

I've used a couple of MSR Pocket Rockets for the past 2 decades; small, light, good for backpacking or tailgates; although I wouldn't recommend it for use below zero degrees F.

 

I recommend the MSR, too. Been very reliable for me. I have had good luck with all-season mix fuel in cold weather, even below 0F.

$50 Perune Iso-Butane Camping Fuel Gas Canister All Season Mix - 230gram (4 Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084P5NHSP?ie=UTF8

 

Ive used this for several years. I like how small it is.
https://www.coleman.com/grills-stov.../bottle-top-propane-stove/SAP_2000038235.html

The green 1lb propane tanks are versatile for other things too like a basic blow torch if you carry one in your toolkit. Just got to keep them in the truck during extreme cold.

Downsides are it can be a bit top heavy - need a firm base to safely use it on. It is also a bit difficult to regulate on low, I also wish there was one more low setting. Coleman does offer other configurations of a single burner stove that are not so tall, but a bit bulkier.

 

Jetboil
It’s just simple and fast
If you are thinking of buying their French press kit, don’t, it sucks

 

I have a jet boil I use for motorcycle camping, it's a liquid heater, it sucks for real cooking. It's got a major downside, it's exposure to wind, if you're in a windy area and trying to heat (not cook) it's not very good. It's great for making coffee in the morning when the wind is almost nil. I'd never consider it for actual cooking when I had the space to carry (truck) something a little larger with some wind protection. There's allot of compromises compared to an actual stove to make a jet boil that small.

 

I have the Walmart version (Ozark Trail). Cheap and works well. I moved to a 2-burner Coleman but keep this one around.

 

I have a use a jetboil halfgen with jetboil flash and that take cares of all my cooking needs. I have everything stored in their 5 liter pot and in their basecamp bag so it's relatively compact. It also helps I found it all second hand haha.

 

Can confirm, bought one for my Jetboil and it's not very good (maybe they've improved it since I bought mine). I have a GSI Javadrip (GSI makes a variety of coffee and tea products along with some other good camping gear) and a Bodum unbreakable French Press that ride in the truck. When carrying a pack I'll sometimes carry the Javadrip and some filters but usually just toss some Starbucks Via packets or even Folgers in my bag.

 

Jetboil makes an extension kit for the can-base, a larger plate that uses an extension feed. Not used that extension yet, but it looks like a better way to heat in a skillet.

 

I camp a lot with a kayaking group. Jetboil Flash if all you want to do is boil water. JetBoil Mo or Stash if you want to actually cook something.