MSR Reactor

Ability to simmer:	Fair
Auto Ignition:	No
Average boil time:	3 min. 45 sec.
Boil Time:	3min
Burn Time:	80min [8oz canister]
Burn time (max flame):	(100g) 39 minutes
Cleaning Tool:	No
Cold weather use:	Good
Dimensions:	6 x 6 x 7.5 inches
Ease of operation:	Excellent
Fuel:	Isobutane
Fuel Type:	MSR IsoPro
Fuel capacity:	(Canister) 227 grams
Hard Case:	Fits inside pot
Heat Reflector:	Connective and radiant heat transfer
Integrated System:	State-of-the-art stove and high-efficiency pot are combined into one compact, easy-to-use system.
Manufacturer Warranty:	Lifetime
Material:	Stainless steel
Materials:	Canister fuel sold separately
Maximum Efficiency:	Patent-pending radiant burner and heat exchanger make the Reactor the most efficient all-condition stove system, so you carry less fuel.
Minimum Weight:	21 oz. or 595g
Packaged Weight:	21.6 oz. or 612g
Parts Kit:	No
Pot stability:	Excellent
Recommended Use:	Backpacking, camping, cooking
Size:	[Pot] 1.8qt (1.7L)
Stove stability:	Unavailable
Stuff Sack:	No
Suggested use:	Backpacking/mountaineering
Unmatched Wind Protection:	Radiant burner head is enclosed by heat exchanger for total protection in even the windiest conditions.
Unrivaled Boil Time:	Outperforms the competition in lab tests—boiling 1 liter of water in just 3 minutes—with an even greater advantage in challenging conditions.
Warranty:	Limited Lifetime Lifetime
Water boiled per 100g fuel:	10 liters
Weight:	Minimum Weight: 21 oz. (595 g) Packaged Weight: 21.6 oz. (612 g)
Weight (without fuel):	19 ounces
Windscreen:	Yes

Size
Silver	127.96 139.95 12 More...

Traded in my Jetboil and won't look back
Rating:
I originally purchased the Jetboil Personal Cooking System and later added on a Jetboil 1.5L pot to carry along with it. After much debate, I decided to purchase the MSR Reactor and now will never look back. There are already many reviews on this product, so I'll focus on comparing/contrasting it with the Jetboil because that seems to be the next best product. Things that concerned me most: weight, boil time, resistance to wind, compactness. Weight: This whole setup (less fuel) weighs in at 18.2 oz. The Jetboil Personal Cooking System (PCS) is 15 oz. At first, it seems like the Jetboil wins in this, but not for me. Consider these facts: The PCS can only boil 1/2 liter of water at a time, about half of the cup (that's the recommended amount based on the markings on the inside of the PCS). The MSR can boil 1 liter at a time, which is 2/3 of the canister (again, based on the max fill line inside the canister). To boil as much water as you can with the MSR, you need the Jetboil 1.5L pot as well. This is an added 12 oz. You also need the extra stand and whatnot to go with the 1.5L pot, which is another 2.1 oz. Thus, you can either go out on the trail with an 18.2 oz. MSR system that will cook either enough for you or for a group of a few people or you have to decide whether to bring just the Jetboil PCS or the entire Jetboil system with larger 1.5L pot (29.1 oz. total for everything, over 33% heavier!). Boil Time: The PCS boils 1/2 liter of water in 2 minutes. That's 4 minutes per liter! The MSR can boil 1 liter in under 3 and without having to dump out the water and start again halfway through to get a full liter. Even if you use the Jetboil 1.5L pot to boil a liter of water, it still comes in at about 3.5 minutes. Wind resistance: The MSR is golden here. While cooking, the flames never see the wind whatsoever. With the PCS, there is a lot of space for the wind to get through and I've had trouble keeping it lit in windy conditions. With the MSR, I have never had trouble for a second. It is completely isolated from the wind. Compactness: Both systems allow all the pieces to fit into the pot. The MSR is a little bigger than the PCS because it holds more water, however. Technically the PCS wins because it's a little smaller, but if you're carrying around the PCS and the 1.5L pot, the Jetboil system takes up WAY more space. Other Considerations: Jetboil has the neoprene cozy, which is nice as you can hold it in your hands and use it as a handwarmer when there is hot water in the Jetboil. It also lights with a built in igniter, but that is prone to breaking and you should carry around a spare regardless. The MSR requires a separate lighter (but who doesn't carry around a spare anyways?) and it has a built in handle. I don't like the Jetboil's rubber-type top. It warped on my PCS and on the 1.5L pot, so now the tops are very hard to get on the Jetboil products and they don't sit evenly on the table. The MSR has a clear, hard plastic top that doesn't warp and doesn't require the same type of seal that Jetboil requires. This is very much in favor of the MSR. One thing I really liked about the PCS is that the burner attaches to the bottom, so you can actually hold the Jetboil up in the air while it is cooking. If you knock it over, it all falls over as one piece and can be righted again with no issues. It can also hang if you buy the separate hanging kit. This doesn't apply to the 1.5L pot. I really wish the MSR had this feature. Also, given the design of the MSR, you can't really use separate cooking pots on it but, with the additional kit, you can set up the Jetboil to allow it to be used like a regular burner to use regular pots and pans on it. Basically I ended up trading in my Jetboil PCS + 1.5L pot + necessary accessories for the cheaper (total price), smaller, and more compact MSR system. For me, I'll take the MSR every time unless I have an absolute need to use third party pots and pans to cook on it, and even in that case I just whip out my backup 1.9 oz. Snow Peak LiteMax Stove.
Dr. Science at REI on 10/04/2009
Jetboil convert
Rating:
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.
Todd Fedak at Backcountry.com on 03/23/2009
Usual MSR Top Quality
Rating:
Well this thing was a real surprise. I have two other MSR products and I've been impressed by both but I wasn't expecting this stove to be as good as it is. It boils FAST and boils a lot (a full litre). The thing that surprised me the most is how quickly it can be prepared. The instructions say you shouldn't use it until the burner is red hot and that should take 5 - 30 seconds. I've never had it take more than 5 and it always lights very easily. I hear people saying it's unstable and while the footing of the stove is the users' responsibility the connection between the burner and water container could be better. I was hiking with three others and each of them replaced the top part incorrectly as it's very easy to do. It actually takes a few seconds to place and ensure it's on correctly or even a stiff breeze would be able to blow the jug part off. Talk of poor temperature control is lost on me as this thing is designed to boil water quickly. If you want temperature control buy a proper stove. My next comment is about a mixed blessing. The stove looks and feels bomb-proof which is great but it makes it heavy (all up with a large gas canister and lighter it's 2lb 1oz). It's great to be strong but a little lighter would be nice. Of course a lot of that weight is lost as you use the gas but it's still quite heavy to hit the trail with. The handle also seems to twist ever so slightly which makes me more than a little nervous when pouring a full litre of boiling water. All up, it's an excellent unit which will be used a great deal. Worth every cent.
Panning at REI on 06/10/2008
MSR Reactor - WOW
Rating:
If other similar products use the word JET the MSR Reactor could appropriately be called the ROCKET. It doesn't just boil water quickly it smokes it!!! I was looking for a windproof lightweight replacement to my other MSR stoves both liquid and gas fueled primarily for sea kayak weekend island hoping on Casco Bay. The reactor was absolutely the best choice I could have made. When I first set it up I had my doubts because it looked to me to be a mini catalytic tent/cabin heater but within seconds of putting the pot on the flame smoke (steam) started spewing out of the see thru lid. Several seconds, not minutes, later I had a steaming pot of hot water. As with backpacking space, weight and size are all primary consideration for a weekend camping trip in a relatively small kayak with a skeg box. Since virtually all of my trips end up on relatively windy beaches another primary consideration is the ability to set up fast and not be bothered with wind screens and fuel hassles. Since everything you need including a stable platform, even in the sand, is included in the package this stove really fits the bill. Since I use almost entirely dehydrated food boiling water quickly is what it's all about. The only down side I saw was the inability to use my occasional fry pan with the burner. I'm assuming that MSR is working on an adapter to allow the stove to be used with conventional cook gear as we speak and look forward to review it when it becomes available. For now I am one happy kayak camper...thank you MSR.
skidog at REI on 09/28/2007
Don't wait for breakfast
Rating:
Got my reactor recently and used it last weekend in Shenandoah. This thing is an absolute ROCKET. As promised I had a liter of water ready for dinner in about 3 minutes (I didn't bother to time it, but it was fast) and was soon enjoying(?) my unseasoned chicken, corn, and rice. Water for coffee in the morning came quickly as well - so no complaints here. Turn on the stove and it lights easily with a lighter or match. It just takes a few seconds to heat up before it's ready to rock. I've read complaints about it not having an auto ignition feature, but I've never had much luck with those systems. Just make sure you have a windproof lighter/sparker/etc. if you're spending time at exposed sites. I'll add something about cold weather performance once winter rolls around. The Reactor packs nicely into the pot along with a lighter and fuel canister (but the 8 oz isopro makes for a tight fit if you insist on keeping the cap on it). The whole system fits nicely into a pack as long as you've got enough room for a 1.5 L pot. It's not the most versatile stove and it's not for gourmet cooking. It is what it is... an 18 oz. stove system for people who like to get up and go without burning through too much fuel. If you want to play gourmet chef in the backcounrty go with the Dragonfly. The pot is a little small for more than 2 or 3 people, but a larger pot is coming soon.
Matthew Johnson at Backcountry.com on 09/06/2009
Hot Water Now!
Rating:
Love this little wonder of a stove. Used it backpacking in 35 degree foggy windy wet weather. It worked like a champ. First time out of the box, it lit up quickly with no "fire ball". Used with a full pot of ice cold water and it was boiling before I had time to get the coffee out of the backpack. For hikers like me that don't like to fuss with putting stoves together with ice cold hand and just want hot water now, this little beauty is for you. The large pot holds your stove, a canister, your lighter and a few other misc items. Take everything out, screw the fuel canister on the stove, light, and presto- boiling hot water. The stove sips fuel with the quick boil times, you will use less fuel than other canister stoves, less fuel to carry in the backpack, which compensates for the heavier weight of the stove compared to the jet boil. The pot sits very nicely on the stove, with no instability on uneven ground. Easy to use and pour hot water from, thanks to the nifty handle, lid keeper. The clear see-through lid is a nice addition as well. Nicely designed stove. Small draw backs are the over-all weight is a bit heavy, has no simmer capabilities, and the diameter of the pot is a bit small for dipping your bowl or cup in to sterilize. For 2 people on the trail, this is all you will need for your cooking needs.
Mindy Randall at Backcountry.com on 12/29/2008
excellent, and try this technique
Rating:
I waited for this unit to become available and held off on buying a Jetboil. It was worth it. I think it's hard to satisfy every single desire in one product, so know what you are trying to do rather than expecting unreasonable results. That being said, this thing kicks serious butt. You will save time boiling water but then you'll spend that time gawking over it, really. The other reviews say most of the pros 'n cons but one thing I didn't see anyone say was this: Use it in conjunction with a vacume bottle or thermos, don't let that extra heated water just get cold, save it. Often, there is extra hot water, such as when your friend decides they didn't want tea after all. Have the vacume bottle ready when you start to cook. I bring one on almost any trip because there is no replacement for water thats already heated, no matter how fast your stove is. A nissan bottle or something like it keeps things hot for many, many hours. Sometimes we use the pouches of food that are pre-hydrated, save the hot water used to heat them and do it again at the next meal with very little fuel use, or something along that line of thinking. This unit shows it's true colors when the user uses their brain. A methodical approach really helps in this case.
ozard at REI on 12/08/2008
Way to fast.
Rating:
Tired of dirty pots? Tired of dirty dishes? Tired of cooking with a regular stove in the rain/snow with the wind howling? Tired of lugging around a plate, a bowl and your meal? Want to carry less? Like the idea of freeze dried meal but turned off by the lack of taste? If you answered YES to any of the above, then you my friend need to stop dorking around, get a MSR Reactor and start cooking FBC meals. (Freezer bag cooking). TO REMOVE STICKERS: Use paint or laquer thinner to remove the sticker's glue, it's about the only thing that works. This stove is only designed to boil water and that's what it does perfectly. It is almost too fast at melting water because once you add an inch or so of water and start the stove up, you have to get snow in the pot ASAP because the water boils instantly. In high winds the stove is amazing as well. I was making tea at 2 am before we started up Mt Baker and even in the darkness, high wind and pelting rain, you could only see the slight glow of the heat in the pot vents and the steam rising from the top. Needless to say we waited till 6 to start and making the tea was pointless, it performed perfectly.
Kurt Z at Backcountry.com on 07/04/2009
Honest Stove
Rating:
The MSR Reactor stove is well worth the price. There are several reasons for this. First, I admire the fact that the piezo igniter has been left off of the stove. Someone at MSR must have realized that these gadgets are problematic. I’ll give MSR points for honesty. I had bought a Jetboil and returned the Jetboil the same day because of the fact that the piezo igniter on it failed after only two uses. I went home with the MSR Reactor and have no regrets. Another reason I am pleased with the MSR Reactor is that is has a larger pot than the Jetboil (and no, you don’t have to remove the warning sticker on the side of the pot). The larger pot allows me to actually cook something rather than just boil water. Another impressive attribute is the speed in which it’ll boil a liter of water: 3 minutes flat at 70 degrees Fahrenheit – 800 feet above sea level. The construction of the stove is impressive and solid. It sips fuel very conservatively. If you’re not going to need to hang it from your tent ceiling to melt snow and you can afford to haul a couple more ounces of weight, go for it. I own a lot of gear and this is one of those items that rates.
Novorca at REI on 07/25/2008
Melts/Boils like a madman
Rating:
Used this for 4 day Emmons, stayed at Emmons flats. Melted/boiled a lot of snow. Worked perfect. No temperature issues but it didn't get below 29 F while we used it. Used every last lick of gas in the canisters. We set it on a pad to keep the canister from welding itself to the snow. For 3 persons, melted/boiled snow for cooking/drinking for 3 days and used exactly 1 small and one large canister with a couple drips to spare. At the end we were just melting and not boiling. Should have brought an extra canister with us. I'd say a small can will supply 3 persons for one day and nothing more if you are melting snow. If you are having temperature issues make sure you are using isobutane and not just butane. I bought the small jetboil and this, used them both at home before leaving - the jetboil is not even in the MSR's league. Don't buy a jetboil unless you just wanna make coffee. You can feed people with the MSR Reactor.
l_bjell at Backcountry.com on 08/12/2009

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NO GO IN SNOW!!!
Rating:
This thing might be cool in fair weather, but it's not a mountaineers tool. THE CONS: The hype about the pressure regulator making the fuel run more efficiently is total bull. If the canister is sitting in snow, the stove quickly weakens to a whimpy simmer which make snow melt times pathetic. When they say not to use it in a tent, they aren't kidding either, mine belches a 24 inch fireball every time I light it. Don't set the the pot down in the snow or the integrated heat exchanger will be packed with snow. Don't boil over either, the exchanger funnels water (or in my case hot coco) down into the heating element. No auto igniter on these puppies, which might be nice when you don't have a lighter handy. Finally, the actual stove assembly can't be set in the snow either. Getting snow in the element or in the IsoPro fitting makes the stove inoperable. Oh, and Iso is expensive! THE PROS: In warm weather, the stove rages! Mine boils a quart of water in under a minute. The pot is nice and big too. I can fit two Tasty-Bites in mine at a hard boil. The little pac-towl is handy, and the rubber knob on the lid can handle a fair bit of pack crushing. Overall the Reactor is useful for fair weather camping, but when the snow flies, leave it at home.
Lajhanata at Backcountry.com on 12/27/2007
Auto-Ignition??
Rating:
Mine doesn't have that! Is the description wrong, or was the product updated 4 months after it hit shelves??
j.scot at Backcountry.com on 11/16/2007

Rocky Mountain Trail

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Altrec

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Mountains Plus Outdoor Gear

Rock/Creek Outfitters

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REI

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TahoeMountainSports.com

Backcountry.com

O2GearShop.com (Spring 2009)

SummitHut.com

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Marmot Mountain

Moosejaw

Option Availability:

Legend

MSR Reactor Reviews Summary:

Positive Reviews:

Traded in my Jetboil and won't look back

Jetboil convert

Usual MSR Top Quality

MSR Reactor - WOW

Don't wait for breakfast

Hot Water Now!

excellent, and try this technique

Way to fast.

Honest Stove

Melts/Boils like a madman

Negative Reviews:

NO GO IN SNOW!!!

Auto-Ignition??