Snow Peak LiteMax Stove - 2008 BCS

I’ll preface this review with my cut and paste statement that I work as a backcountry backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park. Nearly all of the products I take the time to review have seen at least a half a season, if not more, of use... and I’m committed to not bothering to write a review until I feel like I’ve really gotten to know a product. I never thought I’d bother to write reviews, but I’ve recently decided that since I’ve spent so much time over these last many years reading reviews, and finding a tremendous amount of value in articulate and well-informed opinions, that I wanted to give back to the community. So, with that being said, here we go...

Great ultralight stove. Packs down so small I've almost lost it once or twice. I just wrap it in a bandanna and toss it inside my Snow Peak two piece mess kit, along with a can of fuel. Though I've never had a problem with it, it does appear a bit fragile. I wouldn't handle it like a monkey and expect it to work for long. I make sure to hold the base firmly when screwing it on or off a can.

I've had it up to about 12,500 or 13,000 feet and its always worked like a champ, though I sleep with my fuel in my bag. Now... what Snow Peak needs to start making is a fuel can koozie that's a teddy bear. That would certainly be a little nicer to snuggle with than a metal can.

This is one of the lightest, if not THE lightest, canister stoves you can buy! Slightly more difficult to thread on a canister than heavier models but the performance more than makes up for it. This thing also puts out crazy BTU's for the weight. This is the perfect stove if you're solo or just like to boil some water for freeze-dried meals.

Coming from the PNW I have been a MSR loyalist for 20+ years. Not anymore! I bought this little beauty for an unsupported fastpack across the island of Hawai'i (The Big Island Traverse). It is tiny and light as can be. It was basically stable and with careful pot/mug placement I had no spillage issues. Burns hot and I saw no noticeable changes in performance just under 14,000. It is well built, sturdy and should last for years to come. A perfect UL stove.

My kit contains this guy, a 450 cup, a Trek 700 and folding utensils. With a can of fuel, it all fits in the mesh sack that came with the Trek 700 and weighs 17 oz. total. In the Texas parks, mostly sub 1k ft, this guy has never failed me yet.

If you're looking for an ultra lightweight, super hot stove, this is for you. I mostly camp at or above timberline (11,600') for extended periods of time & this stove will boil 16 0z. of water in 6 minutes @ that elevation. The folding pot supports are stable enough to accommodate an 8 in. diameter pot or pan. (Just remember to factor in water weight which is 2 lbs. per 1 quart/liter). Total weight with the little velvet stuff sack is 2.2 oz. Another high quality Snow Peak product.

I just picked up the stove and did a quick, at-home boil to test some of the claims. 2.5 cups (20oz) of water (for a Mountain Home meal) rolling boiled at 2:05. The stove used ~15g of fuel, although I wasted a bit initially figuring out the flow control for a few seconds. There was a light wind, water was cold, temp was in the upper 80s.

The stove construction feels very solid despite the feather weight, and the arms extend with ease. The arms were also long and flat enough to give an impression of good stability.

I compared the LiteMax to the Coleman F1 and MSR PocketRocket, and feel it is clearly superior in construction to the F1 and stability to the PR. Being lighter (1.9oz!) is countered by the slight ($15) increase in price, but I feel it is offset by excellent design and construction.

Ok, enough fanboi hype from me! If nothing else, LiteMax is definitely worth adding to your list to consider.

So far, I've only used this for a few days of camping, but I've been very impressed. The stove is very stable; the supports extend 2-3mm beyond the edges of the Pinnacle Solist (1.1L) pot that I've been using, and they also fit within the fins of the EtaPower 2.1L, so it works with it, too, for cooking for larger groups.

On the smaller pot, it is dangerous to turn the stove up all the way -- flames go way up the outside of the pot and are very hot -- but water boils very quickly at about 1/2 output. Long valve control makes it easy and safe to go from full blast to controlled simmer. Supports cool very quickly and stove can be put away only a few minutes after use.

As far as fuel use, my experience has been in 60-75 degree weather, and I've used 2.8 oz of fuel across six meals (four requiring 6-8 minutes of simmering) and boiling water for a couple of cups of coffee.

The only gripe I had when I got the stove was that it was stiff and hard to fold/unfold. That went away after the first use -- I guess something about the heat loosened up all the joints, and it now is a breeze to open and to pack. It fits easily with a 220g canister in my GIS Pinnacle Soloist cookset.

I have used this at home as well on the trail. Great stove couldn't be more happy. Good in light wind. Boils water fast! Packs small. Packs nicely even after you have used it. Does not become stiff.

This stove is awesome! You would be hard pressed to find something lighter. easy to use just remember to close the valve when you screw on gas...

This disarmingly small stove was recommended by a friend who runs an outfitting shop, and she was right, it's about as light as you can get! I keep it and a canister inside my GSI Dualist kit, and it's a perfect fit. Just put it in the bowl on bottom, and put the canister on top of it, viola! The only pitfall for this handy little stove is that it does not have a self-contained ignition source, so make sure to bring your fire making device of choice.

Its all I have wanted in a stove. Its light and compact. I have used with with and MSR fuel container as well. Starts very easily. Last trip I used my firesteel only. I don't see much of a down side!

I got this stove right when it came out directly from Snow Peak and I am completely in love with it. I also own the MSR Pocket Rocket and this stove blows it out of the water. It smaller, lighter, and puts out more heat than the PR. I have only been able to use it once on a three day backpacking trip in Arkansas and it performed flawlessly. Excellent simmer capability, relatively stable platform, and solid construction makes this a must buy. I don't know how it behaves in windy or cold conditions, but canister stoves in general don't work amazing. I can't speak to the fuel efficiency of this stove, but it still seems like I have a fair amount of fuel left after cooking for 3 other people in Arkansas. I would recommend this to anybody who is looking for an ultra-light stove.