Pocket Rocket Stove

MSR ultralight gas stove

The Pocket Rocket

MSR really made it big time here. The Pocket rocket stove is really the best ultralight propane stove you can get. It's light, simple, small and burns real well. The pocket rocket functions great through all kinds of flames. It boils water in no time if you need it to. You can cook on it on a moderate flame. And, you can easily get it to work with candle-like flame.

As for its design. Two things that I really like: first is the on-burner-wind-screen. They welded three plates on the top of the burner in such a manner that no matter where the wind is coming from, the flame won't go off. This feature keeps the stove running, but it doesn’t keep the heat from blowing in the wind... For this, you have to add some additional wind protection.

Another feature, that for me makes the pocket rocket best in class, is the folding mechanism. In no time, the stove is ready. No unfolding, no screwing, nothing. Just spread the potholders and it's ready.

To sum it up, here is what I like and dislike about this stove. What I mention here is when comparing it to other canister stoves.

Like

Simmers very well
Small and light weight
It got a unique wind protection on the top of the burner.
It is ready for use, unlike other ultralight propane stoves.
Price.

Dislike

Well, let me see…
Nop, nothing here…
Oh, one minor thing – there are stoves that fold just a bit smaller.

Comparing Ultralight canister stoves

Coleman F1 Ultralight Stove Vs MSR pocket rocket Vs Optimus crux

Here is a small comparison between three ultralight gas stoves. Yes, I know, there are also the Snow Peak LiteMax (2oz), the Soto Micro Regulator (2.6oz) and others. I simply have less experience with them so I stick with those I konw the best.

	Coleman F1 Ultralight Stove	MSR pocket rocket	Optimus crux stove
Weight	2.92oz	3oz	2.7oz
Power	Very good	Good	Not as the others
Simmer	Good	Good	Bad. It tends to turn off in low flame.
Assembly involved	Locating the pot holders in place. Screwing the burner in place.	None	Just unfold the top of the burner
Something else	The plastic parts that hold the pot holders in place are somewhat fragile.	A Best seller, for a reason. Deals well with winds.	It's cool! The look you get whenever someone sees the folding mechanism for the first time…
Bottom line		Go get it! It's also about 15$ less.	Only if you have to have the coolest gadget