MSR Reactor 1.0L Stove System

Yes, this stove is pricey compared to a Jetboil, but it is well worth the price. It is excellent quality and you can boil water in practically in seconds. It will also last you for years!

I'm a victim of believing that you get what you paid for... this stove is gonna last you a lifetime, boils water in no time and packs pretty conveniently. But is it worth $200? It's a quality stove and if you use a stove frequently or plan to go on any crazy high altitude excursions, then by all means. But if you back pack every once in a while and use it on random trips... I'd save the dough and go with a jet boil... the neoprene pot covers on jet boils are awesome too, they have an ignition system, a stand and the pot can attach to the burner as well... I got my reactor stove cheap and I love it... but if I had to choose to pay full price for both and only pick one, I'd go with jet boil...

We recently took this stove hiking in Yosemite. Waking up in the morning I was expecting to wait for my coffee. (and I'm one of those coffee before anything else type of person) Wait no more! This baby boils water in 2 minutes flat. It also scrambled eggs in about 30 seconds.

Effective, light, and easy to pack up. This is what you've been looking for.

While living in Seattle I had the opportunity to pick up the first MSR Reactor with 1.7 L setup and put it to use on many glacier adventures. While on the summit of Rainier we put it head to head with the Jetboil and boiling time was nearly a third less. It works great in wind, you can regulate the flame and it's lightweight.



I've noticed since MSR has since changed to the 1.0 pot that many are having difficulties with packing it. Having a couple of friends at MSR I sent off a message to find out if they're improving it or a recommended method to packing it and awaiting an answer. I'll post it when received.

I used this stove while backpacking in the Uinta's. Not only is this thing super light and easy to pack, it cooks super fast.

The worst chore I have when alpine climbing is getting drinking water from the snow. The Reactor cuts that time in half. This sucker melts it so fast it makes others jealous. Buy it, you'll like it.

Most uses between 7000 and 12000 feet elevation in the Northern Sierras. For a canister stove, the Reactor performs well in the snowy, windy, and colder temperatures. With that said, I have been ready to throw the stove down the mountain on several occasions as a result of fighting it to go together.



I must physically wedge the stove in the pot with the infamous "valve in the pour spout" technique. Then the lid still doesn't fit flat because the high point of the stove (inverted) hits directly with the low point of the lid in the center. Causing the lid to fit almost twisted.



The design for packing the 1.0L is a poor one. I fear each time I pack the stove I will either break the stove valve and/or break the lid. Not to mention when I do get all the stars aligned and the lid snaps shut under load, I then have to fight to get the stove out as it has been wedged in so hard.



I first thought that I may have received a defective pot that was slightly off in diameter or a stove valve with an unusually long stem. Then for a split second I though maybe I was on one of those hidden camera TV shows to capture my frustration and choice words when the two parts would not come together.....



Lastly on the point of furl. My local retailer has the 4oz canister for 4.99 and the 8oz canister for only 5.99. The 1.0L reactor will only pack the "new" 4oz fuel. I find it difficult to purchase the 4oz when I would get double the fuel for only a dollar more.



Bottom line: I have packed and attempted to pack/unpacked the stove on more that a dozen occasions. Packing the stove & canister in the 1.0L pot is at best very aggravating and at worst an invitation to damage the stove and/or pot. I have chosen since to pack the stove and 8oz fuel canister outside the pot and fill the pot with other items.



Bryan, CA

I own the reactor stove and started with the original 1.6 liter pot. I recently bought the 1.0 liter pot for a little less weight and pack size. While this one boils water just as well as the 1.6 liter version (which is AMAZING), the stove doesn't fit in the pot as well. It does fit, but requires a bit more careful planning to get it to work. The pour spout is very handy, but the burner adjuster is meant to fit right into the spout when the stove is packed into the top of the pot. A bit tricky and can risk scratching the interior of the pot.



Overall - a worthwhile purchase. But, consider getting the 1.6L setup if you don't absolutely need the 1.0 L. Same great water boiling prowess (which really is significant - this thing boils fast, is impervious to wind, etc. etc. - just like others have reported) with easier packing.

I have been using the reactor all around the Coast Mountains and Cascades for some time and am very happy with it. Ridiculously fast. Sometimes a bit tricky to light in the wind but never had to take more than a couple tries. Best use is for melting snow and boiling water to pour into dehydrated meal bags. I try to keep the pot clean but have even successfully simmered noodles and pasta by holding the pot.