Snow Peak GigaPower Stove Manual

As I do with most of my purchases, I researched a lot, and agonized the decision. Finally, I wound up at Campmor to look them over first hand and make a purchase. I had been considering another brands "pocket" size stove but the thin, flat pot holders just felt flimsy and I didn't like the minimal contact with the pot. The Snow Peak is solidly built and well engineered. The pot holders feel very strong and have full contact with the pot. I was surprised at how stable it is.

The flame is very adjustable from barely on to high power that boils water quite fast. Fuel consumption is on par with any of this type stove.

I've used it on several trips including some in temps in the low 20's with no issues. Wind does affect the flame but that will happen with any stove, it just distorts it, it never blew out and using a rock or log as a shield it gives you no trouble. On one trip I had nowhere to hide and a good wind, it just took a little longer to boil the water and again, this would happen to any stove.

I really can't think of how I would improve this stove, and that's rare.

I have been using one of these for a number of years. Doesn't get any better for light weight, adjustability and reliability. Mine has been there and back, believe me. The only problem I ever encounter is wind. I just carry the light MSR crunchable wind screen and find a nice nook to place the stove and it works fine. I have had one spillage with it once, but it made a nice little trail poem (Pink Animal Cookies), so it isn't the most stable like the MSR white gas stoves, but just be careful with it, and enjoy. I cook soups and pasta dishes from scratch outon the trail and the nice thing about this stove is how well it adjusts down to simmer where the white gas stoves will not without great careand constant vigilence. There is some waste with the fuel cans, so I still carry white gass when the weight is not an issue, but the Iso-Butane canisters are still lighter than white gas for long solo trips.
I figure the small 110g canisters last me about 3 to 3-1/2 days depending on how much coffee and what kind of meals I am prepairing. I think I have got four days from one when I was more careful...but I gave that up.

I have loved this stove. I use it at least twenty times a summer. It has never failed. Went without the Piezo cause it just seems like one less thing that could foul up on you. It is sooooo tiny and lightweight, which is numero uno for me. I bought the windscreen for this stove, which works really well. I always pretend like I am going to ditch that for tin foil and save, like, an ounce or something, but this all fits so well into my titanium pot with the lighter, the windscreen, the fuel canister, and spork. I do recommend making sure that the canister is slightly buried in the dirt or at least that you are sure the pot is balanced in the center as we have lost a few meals over the years from the pan tipping over. To be fair to the giga, that mostly happens with our skillet and doesn't happen when we fold its handle up to give it more of a centered feel. I highly recommend this stove. It's little case is very handy for packing and protects it well, too!

I have been using this stove for over ten years in the Colorado Rockies in temperatures from the low 80's down into the teens. It's only failed to fire up once and that was after it sat out all night in a thunderstorm. Even then, with a couple of shakes and a few wipes with my bandana it fired right up. With respect to the stability issues, I have found that to only be the case when you are using the smaller 110g canister and I have never had an issue when I was using the larger 220. I would also recommend getting the optional $10 windscreen which I have found improves the stove's already impressive efficiency and makes it more resistant to ridgeline gusts when you are brewing up some tea.

Bottom line: I bought this stove because I was looking for a more compact, lighter stove and I have never regretted the purchase for a second. In fact, the reason I came online tonight wasn't to replace my ten year old model but to buy one for my son.

It's what I use for a light weight, up to a week long backpacking trip stove. And almost all high altitude Summer Sierra trips.

Good Part:
-Weighs nothing
-packs small
-superior range of temp. control
-a well thought out design with a very good execution
-quality material
-burns clean
-needs very little maintainance
-technical qualities are first rate
-reliable

Bad Part:
Not much is actually bad. Its virtue of being small is also one of its vices. The tiny burner head doesn't spread the flame out very far(at low flow), and so there is a tendency to burn food just above the burner head, in a little black circle in the bottom of your Trek 700 mug. So, just stir your food more often?

Also, it is wind sensitive, so you must use something to keep the wind off. But what stove isn't wind sensitive?

Just buy this thing. Your back will thank you.
It would take a huge advance in backpacking stoves to obsolete this thing.

Just do it.

This is a terrific option if you're looking for an ultralight stove that can still do some real cooking. It weighs only a quarter-ounce more than a Pocket Rocket, but is far more stable (lower center of gravity, four arms instead of three), and it spreads the flame better across the bottom of the pot. Contrary to what a few other reviewers have said, it's also very adjustable - from jet engine down to a simmer. My only gripe is that this stove is pretty sensitive to wind (what canister-mounted stove isn't?). On the other hand, Snow Peak makes a great windscreen that goes with this stove; get it if you plan on camping in a breezy area.

All in all, I think this is still the best all-round ultralight stove out there. Only a few stoves are lighter, and none I know are as versatile as this one. If you do more than just boil water, but still want to save ounces, get this stove!

Just recently got back from a trip on Standing Indian (5500+ ft.) where I used the little Giga Power and it performed wonderfully. Cooked some Tetrazini one night and a Jambayla mix the next and both came out awesome. Lights extremely easy, weighs nothing, packs away anywhere, and is simple to operate. Some complain about the stablness of the canister mount, but I haven't had any of these problems. Take the time to prep your cook site, and use the right pot combo (I use SnowPeak 700 Solo cookset) and all is well.

Only complaint I do have is the temperature control can be a bit tricky. Especially in windy conditions. I recommend getting the wind screen for this stove if you plan on purchasing. Well worth it. Helps out a bunch. If you cook in the vestibule like I have before, have no worries.

I bought this stove for backpacking and have loved using it. This little sucker will boil 20 ounces of water in a few short minutes! Supported enough weight for me to boil a 1.5 liter pot, and then throw in 16 crawdads we pulled out of the river.

I've also used it car camping with the family to make a cup of coffee without having to start a fire, or wait for charcoal to be ready. My dad was jealous.

Fuel canisters are reasonably priced, and to last a long time. I would comfortably carry one canister for a 3-4 day solo trip.

The only down side is the stove is not nearly as efficient in windy conditions. I haven't bought the available windscreen yet, but it might be a good idea if you are heading to an area with high winds.

This thing rocks. It is inexpensive but world-class quality and compares to perhaps better known brands like Primus and MSR. It comes with a plastic case that is just big enough to hold a lighter as well and is still small enough to fit in your pocket. It is remarkably stable for the size, add a canister stabilizer and you'll be set.
I have used this on multiday trips where weight is an issue and car camping when making simple food. If you like to cook up complex stuff or bake in the backcountry, this isn't the right stove.
My one dislike is that to fold it up into the box the flow control has to be a little bit "on". If you forget when you use it next, you'll waste fuel.

For the same price as MSR's Pocket Rocket, this stove can't be beat. I decided against the piezo-equipped version because of reliability issues with the igniter and to save a few bucks, and I couldn't be happier. The GigaPower is really light, tiny, and powerful. Power output is adjustable from a low simmer to a roaring flame, and, so far, the stove doesn't seem to be fazed by wind. The four folding wire supports are sturdy and much more stable than those on the Pocket Rocket.

Cons: The stove does seem to have a relatively "narrow" flame. This isn't an issue with boiling water, but may be annoying for other uses such as cooking pancakes on a skillet.