MSR PocketRocket -
When it comes to canister-mounted stoves, MSR proves less is more. The PocketRocket is a favorite of BACKPACKER Magazine Tester Andy Dappen, who said, "This midget flamethrower is one of the lightest backpacking stoves available, and the best cartridge stove Ive used."
The PocketRocket backpacking stove provides full cooking function in an incredibly efficient form. Barely noticeable in your pack, it delivers impressively in camp. Precision flame control goes from torch to simmer while our Wind Clip wind shield boosts efficiency in breezy conditions. The PocketRocket stoves diminutive size is also the foundation of a solid emergency kit for home or trail.
* Ultralight, Ultra-Compact: Weighs just 3 oz. (86 g), with palm-sized dimensions: 4 x 2 x 2 in. (10.2 x 5. x 5.1 cm).
* Simple Operation: No need for priming, pressurizing, or maintenance.
* High Heat Output: Boils 1 liter of water in under 3.5 minutes.
* Full Flame Control: Glove-friendly controls allow precise flame adjustment, from a simmer to a boil.
* Flame Protection: Tri-sectional Windclip wind shield protects flame and boosts efficiency.
Specs:
Minimum Weight: 3 oz / 85 g.
Packaged Weight: 4.2 oz / 119 g.
Burn time (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g / 8-oz. canister: Appx. 60 minutes.
Boil time (MSR IsoPro), 1 liter: 3.5 minutes
Fit:
- Compact size allows this stove to fit inside the MSR Insulated Mug (sold separately)
- Extremely packable, collapses and easily fits inside your pots or pans
- Includes a protective, custom-fit travel case
Support and Cushioning:
- Serrated pot-supports prevent the pot from shifting; folds up compact for travel
- Reinforced pot supports provide superior stability over similar compact stove designs
Insulation:
- Ultralight and pocket-sized the WindPro weighs just 3 oz. and packs down to 4x4x2 inches.
Sizing:
- Super light, pocket sized, maintenance free
Weather and Wind:
- Focused burner head pushes a strong, consistent flame that resists interference from wind
- Tri-sectional Windclip™ wind shield protects flame and boosts efficiency
- Micro-burner, tri-sectional clip protects flame in light wind gusts.
Size and Dimensions:
- Weights just 3 oz. (86 g). Palm-size dimensions, 4x4x2 inches.
Pockets:
- Lightweight and compact, weighing just over 3 oz., the Pocket Rocket boils a liter of water in less than 4 min.!
Manufactured:
- Made of stainless steel, aluminum, brass
Features:
- Glove-friendly controls allow precise flame adjustment and stability.
- Compatible with most self-sealing canister fuel, making it a great choice for global travel
- Efficiently boils over 16 liters on one 8 oz. canister of fuel
- Weighs only 3 ounces (not including fuel canister) and includes a durable plastic carrying case
- Weight includes stove, not the canister
- Performs well in gusty conditions and high altitudes
- Burns MSR IsoPro™ Premium Fuel
- Clean burning, ultimate performance from start to finish of canister life.
- Blazing heat output boils a liter of water in under 3.5 minutes.
- Simple, Lightening-Fast Operation
- Impressive burn time of up to 1 hr., depending on altitude and burn setting, for every 8 oz. of fuel
- Fully-adjustable flame, from a rolling boil to a slow simmer, lets you cook gourmet meals; control valve is easy to operate even with gloved hands
- approximately 60 minutes of burn time on one 8 oz/227g canister.
- No priming or pressurizing needed; lights with a touch of a match
- Includes WindClip microburner windshield
- Only 4" x 4" x 2"; weighs only 3 oz.
- Stove is simple to operate, with no priming, preheating or pressurizing required; simply turn it on, light and start cooking
- Fuel Canister sold separately
- No maintenance, easy usage
Campmor
This compact and powerful butane stove is the lightest MSR stove ever made. Made with high quality stainless steel, aluminum and brass, the PocketRocket is durable and maintenance free. Simple in design, this stove requires no preheating, priming or pressurizing - just twist the control valve and light. It quickly delivers a steady, hot flame that users can adjust to simmer or boil. Serrated pot supports prevent pots from slipping and fold in for packing. Designed for use with MSR IsoPro\x99: Premium blend fuel for maximum efficiency, the PocketRocket also fits other threaded butane canisters. Great for overnight climbs, light multi-day alpine ascents or expedition high camps. Includes a compact, super tough carry case. Fuel not included.
Backcountry.com
Minimalist, lightweight camping adventures call for MSR's PocketRocket Stove.
The MSR 3-ounce PocketRocket defines ultralight for all you gram-counting backpackers. Its compact stature does not eliminate functional controls, as there is no preheating, priming, or pressurizing required. Just twist the glove-friendly control valve and light. The PocketRocket stove quickly delivers a steady, hot flame that backcountry chefs can adjust to a simmer or boil without taking off their mitts. It excels on any trip where low weight and a hot meal are optimal; fast-and-light climbs and multiday ascents included.
Oregon Mountain Community
The MSR Pocket Rocket Stove is the world's best-selling canister stove. The inexpensive Pocket Rocket is an ideal stove that first time hikers or backpackers will likely never outgrow. This lightweight stove gives you full flame control in a very efficient package.
Christy Sports
MSR's PocketRocket backpacking stove is ultra lightweight and super efficient. You won't even notice it in your pack. It's precision flame control, that's glove friendly, goes from torch to simmer while the wind shield boosts efficiency in breezy conditions. There's no need for priming, pressurizing, or maintenance and it will boil a liter of water in a little over three minutes.
Minimum Weight 3 oz / 85 g.
Packed Weight 4.2 oz / 119 g.
Burn time (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g / 8-oz. canister Appx. 60 minutes.
Boil time (MSR IsoPro), 1 liter 3.5 minutes.
Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g canister 16 liters.
Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 1 oz. of fuel 2 liters
BassPro.com
MSR® (Mountain Safety Research®) backpack stoves are lightweight, compact and-above all-reliable!
Ultralight 3-oz. pocket-sized canister-mounted stove with blazing heat output. Simmer or boil with lightning-fast operation. Includes carrying case. Serrated pot supports fold in. Uses one 4 oz. fuel canister (not included). Dimensions: 4'' x 2'' x 2''.
Manufacturer model #: 11792.
Backcountry Edge
With a weight of only 3 oz, a compact design that fits in your pocket and a high heat output for fast boil times, it's easy to see why the MSR PocketRocket is the world's best selling canister fuel stove.
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)
A mountaineering marvel, the lightweight, incredibly compact PocketRocket stove from Mountain Safety Research is super easy to use. Just screw on an MSR isopropane canister (sold separately) to the stove, turn on the valve and light the match. No priming of the Pocket Rocket is required!SummitHut.com
The ultimate entry-level offering in MSR’s IsoPro Stove Line, the PocketRocket was designed for the Fast-and-Light set. It excels on any trip where weight is a premium: minimalist overnight climbs or traverses, multi-day light alpine ascents, or expedition high-camps.
Mountain Gear
Forget preheating, priming, or pressurizing - MSR's Pocket Rocket Stove is compact, powerful, and maintenance free. Fitting snugly into the super light category, this butane stove weighs in at only 3 ounces and includes a durable, fitted carrying case to protect it when being knocked around in your pack.
Gander Mountain
At only 4" x 4" x 2" and weighing just 3 oz., the PocketRocket is small yet powerful enough to boil a liter of water in under four minutes. Adjust flame to simmer or boil without priming, pressurizing, or maintenance. Burns clean from start to finish with IsoPro premium fuel (not included).REI
Hands-down winner in the race for space! The tiny MSR Pocket Rocket stove delivers full-size performance yet fits into the smallest corner of your pack.
Imported.
Cabelas
This ultralight, ultracompact backpacking stove weighs only 3 oz. and measures just 2"L x 2"W x 4"H. Includes a tri-sectional Windclip™ to shield the flame from wind. Glove-friendly, flame-precision controls. Boils 1 liter of water in less than 3.5 minutes.
Massey's Outfitters
Masseys Outfitters Guide to Buying Backpacking Stoves
Average Price History:
| 1 Liter Boil Time: | 3.5 min/Liter |
|---|---|
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| Auto Ignition: | no |
| Average boil time: | 3 min. 58 sec. |
| Avg. Boil Time: | 1 liter - 3.5 min. |
| Boil Time: | 3.5 minutes (per 1 liter of water) |
| Boil Time 1 Liter Water: | 3.5 minutes |
| Burn Time: | 60 minutes (per 8 oz canister) |
| Burn time (max flame): | (100g of fuel) 26 minutes |
| Cleaning Tool: | no |
| Cold Weather Performance: | Fair |
| Country of Origin: | Korea |
| Dimensions: | 4 in. x 2 in. x 2 in. |
| Flame Protection: | Tri-sectional Windclip wind shield protects flame and boosts efficiency. |
| Folded Dimensions: | 3.5 x 2 in |
| Fuel: | Iso/Propane/Butane Canister |
| Fuel Bottle or Canister Included: | no |
| Fuel Type: | MSR isopropane canister |
| Fuel Types: | MSR IsoPro Premium Fuel |
| Full Flame Control: | Glove-friendly controls allow precise flame adjustment, from a simmer to a boil. |
| Hard Case: | yes |
| Heat Reflector: | no |
| High Heat Output: | Boils 1 liter of water in under 3.5 minutes. |
| Ignition Method: | Manual |
| Lightweight: | Minimum weight |
| Material: | Stainless steel/brass |
| Note: | fuel canister sold separately |
| Packaged Weight: | 4.2 oz |
| Parts Kit: | no |
| Pocket-Size: | 4 x 2 x 2" / 10.2 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm |
| Priming: | No |
| Recommended Use: | backpacking, camping, cooking |
| Simmer: | yes |
| Simple Operation: | No need for priming, pressurizing, or maintenance. |
| Size: | 4 x 2 x 4in. (10.2 x 5.1 x 5.1cm) |
| Stove Type: | Canister Stoves |
| Stuff Sack: | no |
| Type: | Canister-Fuel |
| Upc, Ean, Isbn: | 040818117927 |
| Warranty: | lifetime |
| Water Boiled: | Per 8 oz / 227 g fuel canister |
| Weight: | 3 oz. (86 g). |
| Weight [with packaging]: | 0.6 lb |
| Weight w/o Fuel: | 3 oz. |
| Windscreen: | no |
| Windscreen Included: | No |
Compare specifications to related products.
Subcategories of Stoves & Fuel:
Related Categories:
- MSR Camping Stoves & Fuel Bottles
- Camping Stoves & Fuel Bottles
- Everything from MSR.
MSR PocketRocket Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Great stove but Not for everyone
I have owned this stove for a few years and it has been good to me. You see, I hate being in my house and/or neighborhood so I'm outdoors quite a bit, backpacking, fishing, camping, hunting, biking, hiking geo caching, exploring, boating, 4x4ing, basicly anything to get me away from these less than human people on my block. I've owned this stove for a few years now and it has done me well. This is not the only stove that I have so I can see how they stack up against each other and this is how I view it. Match your gear to what you need. If you are in cold climates this is not the stove for you. If you plan on cooking for groups, other stoves would be a better choice. if you plan on traveling to other countries you may want to check about the availability of this fuel ahead of time. If you are an oafy caveman (like me) you will have mishaps. Now with that being said. This is my go to stove. It goes on every trip and I bring it to work to make coffee Daily, for years. If you use a Heineken keg can as a pot to boil water (3 minute boils) like I do, be careful when it boils over because the water that boils over runs right to the valve handle. There is a cool little thing I figured out with this stove that I'm sure MSR doesn't want you to do. Take a mantle from a propane lantern and wrap it around the burner and set it at barely on and you have a one-time lantern. it will only last one time but it puts out crazy light. This is a great stove but No gear should ever get a 5 star rating because there is no "be all, end all" gear. Match up your gear to the style. If you backpack this is a fast, light, cheap, hot, Clean stove that hasn't failed me even after being submerged twice. and its multi-purposed.
My Stove of Choice
What a great stove! I live next to the Sangre de Cristo range in Colorado, and take regular back country trips. Up until two years ago my stove of choice was the MSR Whisperlite. That has changed. The size of this stove alone is a dream come true for the ultralight backpacker. The stove itself takes up almost no room, and weighs next to nothing. Set up and light time is twice as fast as my Whisperlite stove. And the stove takes no time at all to boil water, which saves fuel. I will admit that cooking over the stove has always been secondary to grill grates and a fire pit, which allows me to limit my fuel weight. That is exactly what makes this stove so great.
Stability and temperature control seem to be the only complaints about this stove. I must say, that no matter which stove you choose, finding a stable platform for the stove must be your first priority. That being said, I will admit that my whisperlite seems to be a bit more stable. As far as temperature control is concerned, the stove concentrates the flame on the center of the pot or pan. Because of this, the stove requires that you constantly watch and stir you food to keep it from burning, even at low temps. Windy conditions also seems to be a problem since you are not able to use a windshield on the stove. (A drawback to using any stove with the same style of fuel canister.) In my opinion, this only requires that you find a more sheltered campsite, or sit upwind from the stove to act as a windshield yourself. Also a great time to utilize the vestibule on your tent.
Overall, if weight and size are your main concern, I would highly recommend this stove. If you don't mind carrying a little extra weight, and spending a little more time setting up your stove, I believe the Whisperlite Internationale should be the only other stove you consider.
Stability and temperature control seem to be the only complaints about this stove. I must say, that no matter which stove you choose, finding a stable platform for the stove must be your first priority. That being said, I will admit that my whisperlite seems to be a bit more stable. As far as temperature control is concerned, the stove concentrates the flame on the center of the pot or pan. Because of this, the stove requires that you constantly watch and stir you food to keep it from burning, even at low temps. Windy conditions also seems to be a problem since you are not able to use a windshield on the stove. (A drawback to using any stove with the same style of fuel canister.) In my opinion, this only requires that you find a more sheltered campsite, or sit upwind from the stove to act as a windshield yourself. Also a great time to utilize the vestibule on your tent.
Overall, if weight and size are your main concern, I would highly recommend this stove. If you don't mind carrying a little extra weight, and spending a little more time setting up your stove, I believe the Whisperlite Internationale should be the only other stove you consider.
Nice Little Stove
I'll start off my admitting I like gear. I have stoves ranging from homemade to commercial in all price ranges. I didn't need another stove, but I wanted one and I had a dividend to spend. Now that that's out of the way, we'll get to the pocket rocket.
Upon setting up the stove, I felt it was reasonably constructed and compact. I set it up and performed the boil test. 2 cups of cold water in my Snow Peak cup and timed it until I got a boil. The water came from the picher in the fridge and I'm not sure of the actual temperature. I went to the back yard and fired it up. Boil time just over 3 minutes. Great! Next is control of flame. I grabbed my frying pan and made some crispy bacon and an omelette with shrooms, bell peppers and onions. Oh, don't forget the cheese! It came out perfect. We're thumbs up on the flame control end. Fuel consumption wasn't the worst of my stoves, but wasn't the best either. But that flame control makes it worth it. The only improvement I can think of would be to have 4 legs on the pot stand rather than 3 resulting in better stability of larger (8") pots and pans.
I read some complaints about the flimsiness of the pot legs. They are thin steel. Thin steel will give a little. For the length of the legs, they are fine. The legs could be fluted for strength, but the improvement would be minimal. 4 legs and it's golden.
Overall, it's a lot of stove for the money. Light, compact, and simple. I'm getting another one for my son. He can't have mine.
Upon setting up the stove, I felt it was reasonably constructed and compact. I set it up and performed the boil test. 2 cups of cold water in my Snow Peak cup and timed it until I got a boil. The water came from the picher in the fridge and I'm not sure of the actual temperature. I went to the back yard and fired it up. Boil time just over 3 minutes. Great! Next is control of flame. I grabbed my frying pan and made some crispy bacon and an omelette with shrooms, bell peppers and onions. Oh, don't forget the cheese! It came out perfect. We're thumbs up on the flame control end. Fuel consumption wasn't the worst of my stoves, but wasn't the best either. But that flame control makes it worth it. The only improvement I can think of would be to have 4 legs on the pot stand rather than 3 resulting in better stability of larger (8") pots and pans.
I read some complaints about the flimsiness of the pot legs. They are thin steel. Thin steel will give a little. For the length of the legs, they are fine. The legs could be fluted for strength, but the improvement would be minimal. 4 legs and it's golden.
Overall, it's a lot of stove for the money. Light, compact, and simple. I'm getting another one for my son. He can't have mine.
Alright, I have had my MSR Pocket Rocket Stove now for time enough to gather not only a sound impression of the device, but to also muster up the courage for a review.
I've used it in many conditions, windy, wet, dry, hot, snowy etc. and have seen the performance level vary from condition to condition. Things I love about the stove are, its pack-ability, lightweight design, and the little wind triangle screen that prevents all sections of stove from outing during high winds. The little wind block works! That's the beauty of it.
However, it is not the most lightweight, packable and wind resistant stove out there; but for the price you cannot argue that it is a solid purchase. I cannot give this product a 5 star review only because of its lack of versatility. don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY POCKET ROCKET, so don't go flipping your titanium stove lids at me on this review! I just wish that there was a way to really get the simmer going on butane stoves such as these. Also I can't spring for a five seeing as how I'm trying to go SUL with my gear, and to truly get nerdy and dig deep, this stove is a little heavy. Once again, the price is right for what you get, and I have NEVER not loved ANYthing that Mountain Safety Research has to offer! Way to go guys! Way to go!
*Notice in the picture that I'm using the MSR Titan Kettle! And sadly Coleman fuel? ha ha I had a Coleman canister left over from another trip and instead of buying more gas I decided to use it. Normally for aesthetic purposes I use MSR gas just FYI.
MSR Pocket Rocket
I bought the MSR Pocket Rocket this past year and am happy with my purchase. In the past I used one of my cousin's extra stoves when we backpacked but decided to get my own and after researching different stoves I settled on the Pocket Rocket. The price is great for such a light weight stove (and of course finding it on sale at REI was even better!). And I have had no problems lighting this stove thus far. Plus it is very low maintenance. Pros of this stove- lightweight, affordable, easy to light, low maintenance. Cons of this stove- Not very efficient in cold weather or high altitudes, not the most stable stove around. That being said, it does still work at higher altitudes and in cold weather, just be prepared to use a little more fuel and take precautions to not have it freeze up. Also, it's not that hard to create a solid base to set the canister on to keep it from being too unstable, rocks, small sticks, anything can become a temporary addition to help stabilize the base. That and do not expect to use big pots with this stove. It was designed small so of course it is going to be most compatible with smaller pots. The current mess kit set that I have is the REI Campware Mess Kit which is a little wide and therefore somewhat unstable in itself but I expected that so if you have a bigger pot set, of course you need to expect it to add to any lack of stability.
sweet lil' stove
while this is the only stove i've ever owned - and thus nothing else to compare it to - it is by far the favorite piece of all my camping gear. i have owned the pocket rocket for several years, and have never had a single problem. it lights right up every time and boils fast. plus it's so tiny and compact, it really does fit anywhere. i love dork-ing out and showing folks how it folds up into its tiny plastic carrying box.
my only real issue is that with a full pot of water, it's not that stable. the span of the tri-prong pot support is not that wide (4 1/2 inches?), and even though they are "grooved" to be a little grabby, you definitely have to be on solid ground or you may spill your soup.
another issue is with the canisters - but this is not specific to this particular stove, just canister models in general. they are not refillable and you never know when they are going to run out, so i end up bringing an extra canister or two to make sure i don't run out. however, the pocket rocket seems to be extremely efficient, because i can use the canisters for probably a dozen meals (i swear i've used the same canister on at least five 2-3 day trips)
i keep thinking i am going to buy a second stove, a larger, more stable one for car camping, but why? this guy has never let me down.
my only real issue is that with a full pot of water, it's not that stable. the span of the tri-prong pot support is not that wide (4 1/2 inches?), and even though they are "grooved" to be a little grabby, you definitely have to be on solid ground or you may spill your soup.
another issue is with the canisters - but this is not specific to this particular stove, just canister models in general. they are not refillable and you never know when they are going to run out, so i end up bringing an extra canister or two to make sure i don't run out. however, the pocket rocket seems to be extremely efficient, because i can use the canisters for probably a dozen meals (i swear i've used the same canister on at least five 2-3 day trips)
i keep thinking i am going to buy a second stove, a larger, more stable one for car camping, but why? this guy has never let me down.
Small, light and fast!
I bought this as a smaller, lighter backpacking alternative to my faithful MSR Whisperlite and it did not disappoint. It sets up and tears down very quickly and puts out a lot of heat. The flame level is easily adjustable from simmer to full power. I think about cubic inches as well as ounces in my gear choices and the Pocket Rocket scores high in both departments. The stove and a fuel canister easily fit inside my cook kit.
It was a bit an adjustment switching from white gas to the iso-butane fuel canisters as it's now a bit harder to know how much fuel is remaining. Two 7 oz Jet Boil canisters got 2 of us through a recent 6 day backpack trip with a bit to spare. Figure on about 0.25 oz of fuel per pint boiled.
Since the fuel canister is the base of the stove, you do need to be a bit more careful in selecting a flat surface for your camp kitchen. You can buy or make feet that will attach to the bottom of the canister; the wider base adds stability. Just make sure it fits the canister brand(s) you like since not all are the same diameter.
I have not yet used this stove in cold (near freezing) conditions, although current fuel blends claim to be designed for this. Until I find otherwise, I would still bring a white gas stove for snow camping.
It was a bit an adjustment switching from white gas to the iso-butane fuel canisters as it's now a bit harder to know how much fuel is remaining. Two 7 oz Jet Boil canisters got 2 of us through a recent 6 day backpack trip with a bit to spare. Figure on about 0.25 oz of fuel per pint boiled.
Since the fuel canister is the base of the stove, you do need to be a bit more careful in selecting a flat surface for your camp kitchen. You can buy or make feet that will attach to the bottom of the canister; the wider base adds stability. Just make sure it fits the canister brand(s) you like since not all are the same diameter.
I have not yet used this stove in cold (near freezing) conditions, although current fuel blends claim to be designed for this. Until I find otherwise, I would still bring a white gas stove for snow camping.
Been using it for 3 years and love it
I bought this stove when I went on my first backpacking trip in 2010. It worked great and I continue to use it for backpacking and car camping alike (when car camping I use it primarily for morning coffee).
A few notes from reading others' reviews:
- Cons tend to be related to stability. I can see how if you're trying to balance a bigger pot on it or something requiring a lot of stirring, or if you're cooking on an uneven surface, that you might have issues. But I use it with GSI cookware and have had no problems. It's especially nice with the GSI tea kettle.
- I can't imagine how people find it difficult to light. In my experience it's incredibly easy to light. Maybe they got a lemon.
- Temperature control is just fine, in my opinion.
The fuel canisters are slightly awkwardly shaped for packing but they are easy to screw onto the stove and I like that there is no residual smell with the gas canisters. The limitation I am running into now is when going to a secluded place (Kauai) that may not have this particular canister (since you can't fly with fuel canisters), I might have to find something else to use.
All in all, it's a tiny lightweight stove that performs very well for most situations and 3 years later I'm still happy with my purchase!
A few notes from reading others' reviews:
- Cons tend to be related to stability. I can see how if you're trying to balance a bigger pot on it or something requiring a lot of stirring, or if you're cooking on an uneven surface, that you might have issues. But I use it with GSI cookware and have had no problems. It's especially nice with the GSI tea kettle.
- I can't imagine how people find it difficult to light. In my experience it's incredibly easy to light. Maybe they got a lemon.
- Temperature control is just fine, in my opinion.
The fuel canisters are slightly awkwardly shaped for packing but they are easy to screw onto the stove and I like that there is no residual smell with the gas canisters. The limitation I am running into now is when going to a secluded place (Kauai) that may not have this particular canister (since you can't fly with fuel canisters), I might have to find something else to use.
All in all, it's a tiny lightweight stove that performs very well for most situations and 3 years later I'm still happy with my purchase!
Packs a punch!
This Stove is very good. I always research products ALOT before I buy them, and still sometimes im dissapointed, But not with this stove. It is truly a great stove.
Very easy to setup, use, maintain. boils water VERY fast. and is also very lightweight.
It isnt too stable but so far I have had no problems with that, and in reality, its not too hard to stick a few rocks around the base to keep it from tipping.
Of course it dosnt perform too well in cold temperatures. If it starts to get colder, I suggest you get it going and do all the boiling you need to asap, the more you turn it on and off, the more likely it will freeze up.
with that said, I have used it in below freezing conditions, I just dont recommend it, get a wisperlight for that.
conclusion: great lightweight stove that packs a punch, if you are carefull you dont need to worry about tipping, never had it happen to me.
ps: i have heard people say they didnt like the flimsy stands that fold out. I have not had problems with flimsyness either, maybe i dont try hard enough. but I have cooked larger sized aluminum pots with it. either way, use common knowledge, this stove is really only meant for use with other ultralight (titanium, aluminum) pots.
Very easy to setup, use, maintain. boils water VERY fast. and is also very lightweight.
It isnt too stable but so far I have had no problems with that, and in reality, its not too hard to stick a few rocks around the base to keep it from tipping.
Of course it dosnt perform too well in cold temperatures. If it starts to get colder, I suggest you get it going and do all the boiling you need to asap, the more you turn it on and off, the more likely it will freeze up.
with that said, I have used it in below freezing conditions, I just dont recommend it, get a wisperlight for that.
conclusion: great lightweight stove that packs a punch, if you are carefull you dont need to worry about tipping, never had it happen to me.
ps: i have heard people say they didnt like the flimsy stands that fold out. I have not had problems with flimsyness either, maybe i dont try hard enough. but I have cooked larger sized aluminum pots with it. either way, use common knowledge, this stove is really only meant for use with other ultralight (titanium, aluminum) pots.
Stove Good on 1500 miles of the PCT
I used this stove for 1500 miles of backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail for the last two years. It folded up and stored great inside my pot and started quickly at the end of the day--much better than priming gas stoves. There was only one cold morning (frost on the ground)where the isobutane cartridge stopped working--I learned to keep them warm when it was cold by storing them in my sleeping bag overnight. The cartridges seem to cool off rapidly if the stove is turned up to full blast, which I avoided in cold weather.I thought that finding the isobutane cartridges would be a problem, but it wasn't on the PCT--many people would leave partially full ones in the hiker boxes along the way and many outdoor stores, including field and stream type hunting/camping stores carried them.I did have to have some isobutane cartridges shipped to me in Washington where there were no stores or hiker boxes available. There were special regulations to send the cartridges, but when the postal person was told about the exact section of the postal code that allowed this, it went fine. The box has to have a certain label.One drawback--the pot is unstable on the top of the stove. I tipped over the pot a few times reaching out of my tent. I just needed to be more careful.
Negative Reviews:
I have my opinion...
The Pocket Rocket is my second backpacking stove. In an attempt to downsize, I chose this new stove to replace my campgaz unit. Well, it will not be a replacement. I know it is slower and heat is more centralized. I bought it because it was more compact, easier to find fuel for and the expectations behind the name. What I found is a pretty nice unit except for the legs that you place your pot on. When folded out, they are fairly flimsy. If made of titanium they would be stronger and still extremely light however that would add to the cost. My other concern is that when opened, the top is not flat. A three point contact is ok and prevents rocking however the serrated arms are tilted in. If your pot, like mine, is the same circumference, when you start heating it, the arms move and the pot falls into the center on one leg. First it drops off the upper serration and then slides the rest of the way.
I spent 4 days cooking on this on a trip and it is no fun to have to sit there and hold your pot to keep if from falling off and when your packing in your water, you can't afford to spill what you have due to a design flaw. Though the stove was less expensive then my other stove doesn't mean attention to detail should be ignored.
It is hard to recommend but for reasons it is hard not to. The stove works, It is small and light. I recommend looking at a higher level of the same stove. It all depends on what your intent is and what your willing to accept. I will most likely keep looking at other stoves but in the mean time, I will use this for my long backpack trips.
I spent 4 days cooking on this on a trip and it is no fun to have to sit there and hold your pot to keep if from falling off and when your packing in your water, you can't afford to spill what you have due to a design flaw. Though the stove was less expensive then my other stove doesn't mean attention to detail should be ignored.
It is hard to recommend but for reasons it is hard not to. The stove works, It is small and light. I recommend looking at a higher level of the same stove. It all depends on what your intent is and what your willing to accept. I will most likely keep looking at other stoves but in the mean time, I will use this for my long backpack trips.
Not Very Sturdy
Got one to replace my Wisper light for 3 season use. Worked OK, but has some issues...
Pot supports are flimsy. Hinge seems OK, but struts are so thin that pots sway and twist when sturring Lipton noodles & rice dishes. Happens too much even with the MSR 1.5 litre pot, and much more with the 2 litre pot.
Replace pocket rocket with Snowpeak Gigapower. Pot no longer sways or twists. Gigapower is also less tippy on uneven ground.
Gigapower flame pattern also created less of a hot spot and was easier to cook Lipton Fettacine Alredo without sticking. (2-3" circle had sticking problem with pocket rocket and MSR teflon coated aluminum pot.)
Gigapower was also a lot better in a light to medium wind - but both needed a wind break of some sort for medium to heavy wind.
Pot supports are flimsy. Hinge seems OK, but struts are so thin that pots sway and twist when sturring Lipton noodles & rice dishes. Happens too much even with the MSR 1.5 litre pot, and much more with the 2 litre pot.
Replace pocket rocket with Snowpeak Gigapower. Pot no longer sways or twists. Gigapower is also less tippy on uneven ground.
Gigapower flame pattern also created less of a hot spot and was easier to cook Lipton Fettacine Alredo without sticking. (2-3" circle had sticking problem with pocket rocket and MSR teflon coated aluminum pot.)
Gigapower was also a lot better in a light to medium wind - but both needed a wind break of some sort for medium to heavy wind.
Unstable
Highly unstable. Both too high and tripod design.
Other stoves such as the Snowpeak is better.
No ignitor option.
Other stoves such as the Snowpeak is better.
No ignitor option.
Neutral Reviews:
Great for some conditions
I bought this for my trip along the narrows in zion. It is great because it is extrememly light weight and the canisters are not too bad either. I was able to fit the stove and the canisters [$] in with my pots. I felt that i was able to control the temp really easily and it was pretty easy to clean. It was really easy to light when there was not wind, but like all stoves, it is hard to light when it is really windy. Also, where we were camping, the only stable ground was the sand. After putting the stove on top of canister, and a pot of water on top of that, the stove was top heavy and easily knocked over. Even on a table, I felt that it got a little top heavy. We tried to cook pasta with white cream sauce, but the milk got burn to the bottom of a nonstick pot. We lowered the temp, but then the water didn't boil. It might be the pot, but I thought I was share the full experience with it. When boiling water, it was rapid!
Works well as a stove.
Overall: Using the Pocket Rocket as a stove works fine. It has no bells and whistles. But, for a Light but not ULTRA light setup, it works pretty well. Though be careful with heavy loads (More than 1 liter of water), trying to stir contents while using it, or using it on not perfectly flat surfaces, as this stove isn't terribly stable. Also, it isn't great for smaller pots, or for that matter larger ones, because of the awkwardly angled pot stands.
More Specifically: Honestly when I first opened it up, I thought it was bent. The arms that make up the pot stand are very difficult to balance a pot on. When the pot is placed on this stove, there are only 3 very small points of contact, and it seems uneasy. It is also very tall, which doesn't help things in the stability department.
Save your time and trip, and buy a different stove.
More Specifically: Honestly when I first opened it up, I thought it was bent. The arms that make up the pot stand are very difficult to balance a pot on. When the pot is placed on this stove, there are only 3 very small points of contact, and it seems uneasy. It is also very tall, which doesn't help things in the stability department.
Save your time and trip, and buy a different stove.
gets the job done
i got this lil stove from my mom after graduating high school in 2003. so far its been my one and only camping stove and has been part of everything from car camping, hiking, and the occasional power outage. its a wonderful little stove but not something i would highly recommend for rugged trips, windy conditions (unless adequately shielded) or unstable or complicated cooking environments. i have lost a couple meals because of its instability with heavy pots (i.e. when trying to boil water). but if you are crafty you can make it work. also, it doesn't have a very wide range for temperature control so pay attention to what your doing. its greatest achievement is its compatibility. for the price it is a nice piece of equipment and i would recommend it to the casual hiker or backpacker interested in lower key excursions.
Good stove for the price
The stove is light and well made, especially for the price. Very simple construction, easy to operate, and hard to kill. Like most catridge stoves it's a bit troublesome in the cold, but for warmer weather it's great. Does not work well in any kind of wind. The stove will not extinguish, but you'll wait twice the amount of time for a boil. The pot supports are a bit flimsy. You'll eventually bend one, but you can just bend it right back. One notable problem is it's height. The rocket is tall, so the stove and pot arrangement tends to be especially top heavy compared with other similar stoves. It's a great stove for the price, but for a little more money you can find something much better.
A little more stablity would be nice
Walked into REI looking to buy the ETAPower stove, but after some talking to an expert, he suggested this one for me. This Pocket Rocket is powerful and lightweight, but you really have to be careful when cooking on it. The first time I used it, I was cooking some rice and my pot fell right off. Nothing has fallen off since, but there have been a few close calls. It does boil quick, easy to control the flame, very good with fuel and it's small, but I still can't get over the issue of constantly worrying that my food and/or water may hit the dirt at the worst possible time. Also, what's the deal with all the manuals included with this stove?
Cooks some great tasting food...
This wasn't the best stove I've ever used. It is pretty unstable, and I lost my food once or twice when cooking. I was kind of nervous to boil water on it without holding onto my pots handle. I also felt like it used more fuel than it should, and this might be because you cannot use (or you're not supposed to) a windsheild around it.
However, I can't say only bad things about it. It is a very light and compact stove. It cooked my food and kept me happy when I used it. It was priced right and I've gotten my moneys worth! I'd recommend it to a friend, but only if they knew its flaws.
However, I can't say only bad things about it. It is a very light and compact stove. It cooked my food and kept me happy when I used it. It was priced right and I've gotten my moneys worth! I'd recommend it to a friend, but only if they knew its flaws.
Ultralight stove but a bit too unstable
While this stove is super light and compact for backpacking, I find that its a bit too unstable unless you plan on tending to it all the time. When i use it, i tend to have to hold my pots and pans with the handle over the stove all the time as they all tend just to "balance" on the points of the stove rather than lay flush on it. The stove offers alot of heat when used but doesnt offer much wind protection. Overall this is a good stove only under optimal conditions (no wind, steady surface).
Great system, suspect design
Great stove with quick heat time and super light. Also packs very small, with exception of fuel canisters. Biggest problems are instability when not used on a table and added stove height (because it sits on fuel canister) makes for difficult time dealing with wind screening. Best if using with a large homemade screen.
Is light and small all that counts?
This stove is super at boiling water on a calm day, in the summer. If you want the ability to actually cook and not have to worry about frozen canisters in winter than p/u a MSR WhisperLite Internationale. If you just want to boil water than this is a great stove.
Educational item
This item was purchased primarily for educational use, we have used it 4 times, 1st time student education, 2nd time to prepare their meal, 3rd time education and 4th time as a 4H project talk given by one of the students.
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