Jetboil convert

By Todd Fedak Ranked #234 - Canister Stoves March 23, 2009

I loved the concept of the Jetboil but it tended to lack performance after 1/2 of the canister was gone, and the small burner tended to burn whatever was inside to a quarter sized char spot in the center of the cup.

I got a Reactor in late 2007 (before the pot redesign) and have not looked back. It is heavier but much more useful. The capacity is perfect for almost anything I've tried to make in it. I do tend towards simplicity, i.e. things that cook in boiling water which is exactly what this was designed for. At first I missed the auto igniter from the Jetboil but the rather lo tech Mini-Bic lighter fits well inside the packed stove. The anodized interior coating is much more nonstick than the Jetboil and the burner surface is about as large as the pot itself. However you need to be diligent with the stirring as this stove doesn't seem to have a simmer setting.

I am very impressed with the performance in the wind. I have never had it blow out while cooking and if you're interested the stove (w/o pot) stayed lit when held out a car window until about 28 MPH.

The stove packs best with the MSR canister, I have used the similar sized Snow Peak and Coleman canisters and they are a bit shorter and therefore let the contents rattle a bit. Then again you could always fill that gap with by folding the supplied packtowel square.

The controls are easily operated even with gloves on, but then again it's not like you can regulate the temp much. Realistic temps range from really hot to really hot +1 (Nigel would say it's one hotter). The small vent hole in the lid can work as a really slow pasta drainer and the rubber handle stays nice and cool.

Occasionally the stove will take a while to fully light (once the bottom surface gets orange) and I have yet to figure out what causes this but it is of little concern. The logo on the stove surface is a neat little touch.

View Details: MSR Reactor Stove

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