BEST BACKPACKING PORTABLE STOVE 2021 | Soto Amicus Compared to Windmaster | Tuba Solo the Hiker (4K)

[@ColonialDoctor]

Greetings, All, I have to say, as I've been backpacking since the late 1950's, and have backpacked all over the US, including the PCT, and outstanding trips up to Alaska, all this seems to be "much ado about nothing", to me!! The trip is the important thing, and "ounce counting" seems to me to be antithetical to the entire experience of "being out there"!! I love kerosene stoves, white gas stoves, Alcohol stoves, and every once in a while, cartridge stoves. My wife and I do NOT do "boil in the bag meals", and instead, dehydrate our own meals, which are outstanding. We prefer actually cooking our meals, and not just boiling water. In any case, for those who wish to worry themselves to death over tiny details, more power to them. That type of backpacking would ruin the entire experience, for us! Get a stove, learn it's in's and out's and get out there and enjoy being in the wilderness! Take care, and God Bless! Doc Mark, and Sweet Bride

[@modestadventurers]

🤗

[@rogerkomula8057]

OK, Boomer.

[@rogerkomula8057]

This is important because there's lots of cheap junk out there along with many choices. The burner size, connection, locking pot rests and ignitor quality are not tiny details . I'd rather learn its ins and outs, then spend my cash.

[@lewisjones7153]

Some people enjoy the gear side of it too

[@Oldsparkey]

I use to carry a pack that would make a Mule envious. That's after I started , now my basic pack weight ( no Consumables ) is about what the empty pack was back then , less then 10 pounds. The flicked Finger of Fate woke me up to a lighter pack ( 1993 ) being a dam site more enjoyable and more fun. It's called 3 Cardiac Arrests and a implanted Defibrillator/pacer followed with a Heart Attack and triple by-pass. I started at the age of 12 and am now 76. Sometimes the best things are not planned and when life gives you Lemons , Make Lemonade. I hope you nave have to make Lemon aid but if you do , keep going. After all , it just gets better and lighter.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Both stoves are amazing. I like them for different reasons. The Amicus has really impressed me the past few times I’ve used it in the field. Great discussion, Steve!

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Backcountry Exposure Agreed they are both great. Piezo is fixed. Video coming next week Wednesday. Yeah, I’m a pretty happy camper!

[@xmetal280]

I switched from a BRS to the Amicus and am very happy with the choice. The stability, wind performance and ease of use on the Amicus is worth the extra ounce for me, 100%.

[@trackerfiend]

I completely concur, I used the BRS for two years, no issues, but the fuel consumption was ridiculous and it took forever to bring water to a boil, average time for me was 4-5 mins with a mild breeze. Was torn between the Windmaster and the Amicus, ultimately went with Amicus, because I didn't want to fiddle with the pot support and shaved a full min off my boil time, zero complaints so far. Worth the additional weight.

[@texmexia49]

What are your experiences with the Amicus in the wind please?

[@s.fernandes7560]

Thanks, size and fitting in to pot shown here made me decide Amicus, also ability to slightly simmer. Had no issues igniter, 1 or 2 clicks mostly and works.

[@pecarew2003]

Good review Steve, but the biggest reason (which you forgot to mention) I'd stick with the Windmaster over the Amicus is the gap difference between the pot and the burner, hence, the name "Windmaster". In my opinion, the smaller the gap between the flame and pot, the more efficient the stove. The Amicus burner is also a tad less recessed than the WIndmaster, adding even less efficiency. Two different reasons for which stove one might purchase, more like comparing compackness and convenance over efficiency. In windy conditions, I'd put my money on the Windmaster. Different stoves and hard to compare.

[@garyharkinson5466]

On some of the new experimental pots like the Bear Pot the effort is to make them lite and in that effort you can melt the metal on at the contact point of the flame. I need one that spreads out the flame contact to help prevent melt downs when just boiling water.

[@mykoreandreams7636]

Wow, great stove and nice review mate! Thumbs up

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Thank you for the kind words and view!

[@BeCCaWhere2GoNext]

wow! how small it is!! even with Igniter! definitely this stove will be my next one!!! thanks for the great review Steve! Just Hit the bell for more!😉👍

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Thank you Becca. You've got a pretty cool channel too my friend. Take care!

[@Leadmeoutdoors]

Nice discussion and very informative! Thank you for sharing!

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Thank you Matt!

[@rogerkomula8057]

Soto just talked me out buying the ignitor. I'll spend the $5 on a 4-pack of Bic lighters.

[@tylerreeves8026]

14:19 - I can manage to fit my BRS 3000t and a 100 g canister in the toaks 550 ml and have the lid sit flush. The trick is to put the BRS in the concave section of the canister. It's not the greatest stove, but does the trick if your only looking to boil once or twice a day supplemented with a silicone stretch lid over the pot to do cold soaks for lunch and breakfast.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Some good info there. Thank you Tyler! Happy adventuring.

[@Motorep146]

Another great and informative video!

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Thank you sir!

[@fjdkfdfjdf33]

I like the four legs and windshield on such a small stove. Great comparison

[@Rashoop]

Hope you get the piezo sorted. I have the non-piezo version, and love it. Yeah, it means bringing a lighter (for me, the Clipper lighter out of Spain... more wind resistant, unique feature where the flame gets bigger as you tilt it, refillable, changeable flint, available on Amazon...), but I always have one anyway. The pot stands really are ingenious. And, while it may not be as good in the wind as the Windmaster, it’s still darn good. Enjoy yours Steve; I am confident there are many adventures you will use it on. Best regards, Bob

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Rashoop Hello Bob. Thank you for the comment and the view. The piezo is sorted out. Video drops next week Wednesday. Soto Stoves took care of me no questions asked. Yeah this little stove is an absolute beast! I love it!

[@RonMTube]

Wonder why they increased the pot support height with the Amicus? Wasn't the pot being close to the burner one of the great features of the WindMaster, earning it its name?

[@danielcluley870]

I want Soto to make a version of the Amicus with 3 leg pot stand, a micro-regulator, and no piezo. I carry a lighter anyway and hate the non-attached legs on the windmaster.

[@hike2bhuman110]

Def a very informative comparison, I'm still not sold on either of the Soto's. Thanks buddy.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Hey Donny. Yeah I totally hear you. I keep looking at my Snow Peak LiteMax. That thing has been absolutely awesome for me. I feel like I may be going back to that stove in the very near future. Unless this Amicus blows me away on the next adventure, its going to be time to dust off the LiteMax.

[@kyriee.2717]

Good review!....You can't go wrong that is made in Japan!....Banzai!

[@HangingontheTrail]

just the video I was looking for. I love the windmaster, but it's bulk for nesting irks me. Thanks for the very informative video, I knew you would have it.

[@modestadventurers]

Great review.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Thank you!

[@shaneintegra]

A higher end company needs to make a BRS style stove. All these other ones are so big

[@alanmcvicar8608]

Does it matter using the primus gas cannister which is 25/25/50 propane/ isobutane / Butane , other than the recommended 70/30 Butane / propane for the windmaster.?

[@TechnikMeister2]

They have cheapened the Windmaster to make the Amicus. The regulator is cheaper and its much harder to get an even low simmer than with the windmaster. If you can find a new windmaster for sale, buy that but its almost as expensive as the Pocket rocket deluxe (not the Pocket Rocket 2) which is the best stove in my opinion.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Yeah I have both the Amicus and the Windmaster. I'm clearly with you that the Windmaster is a better option.

[@isaacmoyer5266]

How would you say the Windmaster compares to the Amicus in terms of actual cooking (frying an egg, pancakes, sautéing vegetables, etc.)? I do long distance bike tours with my wife, and am looking for a compact, top-of-cannister style stove for actual cooking, not just boiling water.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

For actual cooking I'd go with the Windmaster with the 4-Flex arms over the Amicus. For actual cooking the the wider the better and the Windmaster is certainly a wider stove. If I were in your situation, that is what I would choose if you are looking between the Windmaster and an the Amicus. Happy Adventuring!

[@isaacmoyer5266]

@@TubaSolotheHiker Thanks for the advice! I like the Windmaster's wider, more stable pot support and the wider burner head, but wasn't sure if having the its burner closer to the pan would cause a worse hotspot in the center of the fry pan, or if there was any difference in how low the stoves can get at their lowest setting.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

@@isaacmoyer5266 The unfortunate problem with any of these backpacking stoves is that you will produce some level of center hotspotness (Sorry I don't think that's a word..LOL). The important thing is to be able to have good simmer control and keep stirring. Also, I've found that the Pinnacle Soloist/Dualist with its coating technology is by far the best pan ever for actual cooking. I wish it wasn't so tall, but with just a little bit of oil or coconut butter and you can just about make anything in those pots. I've often said that if GSI came out with a squatty version of the Pinnacle Soloist/Dualist with that coating technology they have, it would be the best ever pot for a backpacker who actually likes to cook real food. Hope all that helps.

[@Hector_Outdoors]

It dosen't bother me that the soto windmaster has the stands separat Also at dobbs you dropped you breakfast using the triflex and my four flex was sitting next to you. LOL I love all the information and research you put in to your videos!! Till the next one BRO!

[@Leadmeoutdoors]

@@FindingOurAdventure I guess the more you get out, the greater your chances improve?

[@Leadmeoutdoors]

@@FindingOurAdventure haha. Who said I was talking about you? I was being pretty vague?

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

LOL...oh yeah...too many "indiscretions" with that triflex...maybe one day I'll learn my lesson....maybe..

[@stephenverchinski409]

12 grams of fuel use for water boil.

[@did61two]

Like it thank you

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Thank you Dave!

[@kalekalekale]

Do you have any concerns with storing the stove "unprotected" in a pot with fuel? I just got the stove and have the MSR Titan. I don't care about a few scratches, more so about bending the pot supports or valve. I am very impressed with the fuel control so far. PS you have a new subscriber!

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Excellent question. To date I have not experienced any adverse effect to keeping the stove and fuel together in a cook pot.

[@billybastar4022]

I’m good with my minimo. Click...phooooooo...all the time.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Yeah I hear you. I'm a JetBoil person now as well. The MicroMo, to me, is the perfect setup. Take care.

[@billybastar4022]

@@TubaSolotheHiker that’s my next solo stove. I bring the minimo because I carry the cooking gear for me and my wife.

[@XJarhead360]

Explain the difference between the "triflex" and "4flex".

[@bribaldwin3693]

Tri flex has 3 prongs to support the pot where 4flex has 4 prongs :)

[@remzguy7530]

Any chance you know if you can best this stove with a 100g fuel canister in a 650ml pot? I know it'll fit the 750, just wondering if I can go smaller. Thanks.

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Not sure, I'm not too familiar with the 650 pot. I've seen people use the 650 pot and from what I recall I think it would, but I can't say for sure. It would be interesting to see if the canister upside down would provide enough room to fit that stove.

[@rogerkomula8057]

Just got mine, no ignitor.

[@camojoe83]

Assdrop. Where companies go to sell you the fakes of their products before you can find them on Alibaba.

[@markblanco7636]

Learn to flow for lighting.