Canister Refiller -- WARNING

I've been seeing a particular canister refilling device on eBay lately as a "MacCoupler Liquefied Gas Refill Adaptor Gas Charging Valve Inflatable converter" [sic].    This particular device is just downright dangerous and in general should be avoided.  I'll explain why I say "in general" in a minute.A very dangerous canister refiller.  ** AVOID! **OK, so what's wrong with this refiller?  Well, in case you don't recognize...

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The New Jetboil Sol

In 2004, backpacking stoves experienced something of a revolution:  The Jetboil PCS was introduced.  The Jetboil PCS is the very definition of a "game changer" -- The Jetboil PCS really shook up the backpacking stove world (in a good way, I might add).Has Jetboil rested on its laurels?  No, indeed not.  Jetboil is now on what I would consider its third generation of stoves, the new, high-tech Jetboil Sol.The new, compact, lightweight...

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Canisters, Cold, and Altitude: Gas in a Nutshell

OK, so here's the deal on canisters in cold weather and at higher elevations, in step-by-step form:1.  Choose good gas.  For weather below 50F/10C, avoid butane mixes. Get an isobutane mix.  I've got all the major US brands evaluated on my blog in What's the Best Brand of Gas for Cold Weather?  Above 50F/10C, it typically doesn't matter what brand or blend you buy.2.  Know your limits.  Canisters containing isobutane mixes work reasonably well down to about 20F/-7C at sea level throughout the life of the...

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Aluminum JetBoil Sol -- Trail Report #2 and Cooking Report #4

I'd done several cooking reports on the aluminum JetBoil Sol already.Aluminum JetBoil Sol -- Cooking Report #1Aluminum JetBoil Sol -- Trail Report #1 and Cooking Report #2Aluminum JetBoil Sol -- Cooking Report #3But I wanted to be sure that the JetBoil Sol that I was testing wasn't somehow unique.  So, I called a buddy -- a buddy who owns a JetBoil.So, I thought I'd do side by side omelettes on two different JetBoil Sol's.  I don't have...

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Aluminum JetBoil Sol -- Cooking Report #3

I did some fancier cooking in Cooking Report #1 and Cooking Report #2 -- but I didn't use the Jetboil Sol's "cup."  I used a nice MSR Blacklite fry pan.So, what about the Jetboil Sol's cup?  Is it only good for boiling water?  Or can it do a little more?I thought I'd find out. An aluminum JetBoil Sol cupSo, time to try one of my old standard trail meals, ramen noodles with dried veggies.  For today's cooking, I'll be using...

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Aluminum JetBoil Sol -- Trail Report #1 and Cooking Report #2

We had a little snow earlier in the week, but it was a beautiful day, so I decided to take the Adventures in Stoving team out on the trail.The Adventures In Stoving team en routeOur destination?  Valley Forge Trail Camp on the West Fork of the San Gabriel River.Valley Forge Trail CampToday's objective?  A little cooking on the aluminum version of the Jetboil Sol. Many people seem to think that the only thing a Jetboil Sol is good for is...

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Cheap Deals on Good Stoves

If you read my recent "Starter Stove" post, I recommended the Snow Peak GigaPower (GS-100) stove, 88g/3.1oz, as my "value for the dollar" pick.  The GigaPower is a really good stove, and I've seen it on the web for only $40 (not including any taxes or shipping).  Other stoves of comparable quality are about $60. But there is another way:  eBay.  You can get some really cheap stoves on eBay.  Now, be really careful on eBay.  Some of those really cheap stoves aren't worth what you pay for them.  In fact, some of...

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Titanium Pots

People have asked me what pots I use, so I thought I'd list out my collection and make a few comments as well.  I've listed all the weights below which may be useful in and of themselves. Item Capacity (ml) Pot (g) Lid (g) Total Grams Total Ounces Total Pounds 1 Snow Peak Trek 1400 1400 125 62 187 6.60 0.41 2 Snow Peak Trek 1400 with cheap Al lid 1400 125 29 154 5.43 0.34 ...

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The "Starter" Stove

I've been asked a number of times a question something like this:  "Hey, Jim, I'm just getting into backpacking; what stove should I get?"Good question, and I've got a couple of ideas, naturally.  :)My recommendation for a "starter" stove for someone getting into backpacking is typically going to be a canister gas stove, that is a stove that runs on a canister of compressed gas (typically propane mixed with either isobutane or regular butane).  A canister stove is going to be the most like a gas stove that you might have at home...

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BushBuddy vs Ti-Tri Cone

Recently, I reviewed the Ti-Tri Cone and the BushBuddy Ultra.  Today, I thought I'd do a quick comparison of the two.A Ti Tri Cone (Sidewinder type), left, and a BushBuddy Ultra, right. First, let me say right up front, that these are two really good quality wood burning stoves.  They're both well designed, well constructed, and a pleasure to use.  If you're in the market for a wood burning backpacking stove, I have no problem...

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