Trying Every Type of BACKPACKING STOVE! | Miranda in the Wild

I've always been partial to the ease and simplicity of an IsoPro stove, so I thought it would only be fair to test out the first most common types of backpacking stoves and see what I've been missing. In this video, I boiled two cups of water with an IsoPro, alcohol, white gas, solid tab, and wood burning stove and gave each stove its own superlative!
IsoPro Stove: 1:49
Solid Fuel Stove: 3:59
Alcohol Stove: 6:21
Wood Burning Stove: 8:19
White Gas Stove: 10:44
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[@garlandbest6322]

My awards: Alcohol stoves - best for do-it-yourselfers. Twig stoves - best for those who don't want to carry fuel White gas stoves - best for extreme cold Solid fuel stoves - best for emergency survival kits Isobutane stoves - best for convenience.

[@backpacker3421]

Nice. But I'd say ISO is "best for everything else", unless you live in an area where the fuel is hard to get or the canisters can't be recycled.

[@BingWatcher]

Gabriel, right on the money❗ 😎

[@jdeveau6718]

We have solid fuel stoves in our work emergency survival kits. I would also recommend a wind screen for these as well.

[@BingWatcher]

@@jdeveau6718 Agreed. Solid fuel, when properly stored has a nearly infinite lifespan, for all practical purposes. And the windscreen will greatly enhance the efficiency

[@SrslyFkt]

Much, much better than the ones found in the video.

[@cramias1]

Also I agree with the comments that the alcohol stove got short shrift on this video. While alcohol is usually slower than gas, no boil at all after 15 minutes indicates user error. My trail designs stove is maximized for efficiency and is about as fast as an isopro stove. Alcohol is the most sustainable of any stove type, with clean-burning fuel that is made from fermented plant matter and no canister to dump afterwards

[@keiajinfilms]

Just commenting that this is one of the most informative comments sections I’ve seen online. Learning lots. Thanks Miranda and friends!

[@PhotonSteve]

I love alcohol stoves. However, I use a very different wind screen than Miranda, either a Trangia screen or a lightweight sheet metal screen that assembles from a few pieces. I never have a problem boiling water with my Alcohol stove. It is slower than Iso Stoves, But it is also much quieter. The Iso stoves are loud, and it really dominates the sound scape when cooking. With Alcohol there is no noise at all, and it makes camp much more peaceful. I'm backpacking year round. Just got back from snow camping last weekend and the Alcohol stove worked great.

[@johnmisrahi9922]

The Simplicity factor/lack of moving parts is another bonus, very little to go wrong !

[@melvasaiel]

For me as a beginner backpacker who was already overwhelmed from buying gear (both cost and vast options), the no-frills feel of the alcohol stove was what won out for me. Last summer (2020) it seemed like there was a canister shortage as well, because I kept hearing that people couldn't find them (overheard one guy at EMS who'd been to six stores that day with no luck)? So, that plus having to guess/calculate how much fuel was left in a cannister, plus deciding between the zillions of options for stoves to attach to the cannister, plus watching my friend fiddle to get theirs to balance a pot safely.......It just felt simpler to get a Trangia-style alcohol stove with a little stand that doubles as a windscreen. No moving parts, no guesswork, and yellow-bottle HEET is cheap and readily available. 2 cups of water in a Stanley pot boils somewhere between 5-10 minutes, though I haven't actually timed it. Not lightning fast, but faster than boiling tea water in a regular kettle on my range at home.

[@melvasaiel]

Ok, just went and actually timed my set-up. In my driveway on a fairly windy day (and no extra windscreen besides the little stand included with my stove), two cups of cold water in my Stanley pot, I had steam in 5 minutes, full boil at 10. Definitely not speedy, but also not as slow as Miranda's demonstration. Even with the few extra minutes vs a isopro stove....the simplicity still makes it for me. I also like knowing that I can easily DIY one from a cat food can in about ten minutes, so if I somehow lose mine right before a trip, I don't have to wait to buy a new stove.

[@bonne_vie]

Are you able to control the heat or is it one setting?

[@PhotonSteve]

Bon Hart one setting.. all on, or all off

[@chrisponsano4378]

The white gas stove is best for extreme cold winter snow camping. It's bullet-proof when you must melt a lot of snow for water, especially for more than one person.

[@haraldselke]

White gas stoves are the most spectacular. Whenever there are people around when lighting this stove, everybody is wondering why I’m starting a huge fire. And the sound is impressive, too :) It is almost always a good start for a conversation. Thus, these stoves are also the most social ones :D

[@Francois_Dupont]

in the Canadian Army we had coleman white gas green suitcase stove. people would light them inside the tents, but some were so scared they would remove the tank while it was lit and burn the whole place down. we started added safety pin inside the stove so they coudnt remove the tank after that. i dont think they even use those stove anymore. it was back in the 80's.

[@sdocax]

@@Francois_Dupont I was in the Canadian military and used the same Coleman stoves. You were trained to light them outside your tent and then carry the lit stove into the tent. Yes, the fuel tank with the long tube that fit under the burners could easily be used as a flame thrower.

[@farstrider79]

@@sdocax Wow, you used them in the tent? I use one all the time while car camping, but I'd never use one in side anything.

[@aronmcinnes8313]

@@Francois_Dupont I was involved in a tent fire from someone starting the stove inside. They started the stove, it had leaked into the bottom and the whole stove lit up. Instead of waiting for it to burn down or close the lid, they panicked and threw the stove at the closed door. The tent wall started on fire. What a way to wake up at -35c. That made for a cold night of sleep after.

[@K6ARK]

To get IsoPro stoves to burn well in cold weather, bring a small bowl/cup that your canister fuel canister can sit in, full of water (better yet, warm water), while cooking. The water surrounding the canister keeps it above freezing and helps the fuel maintain it's vapor pressure for effective and efficient burning. Another great video, thanks Miranda.

[@kyleeribble7726]

Alcohol stoves need a lower screen, with more ventilation. You can find fuel in just about any gas station if you're thru hiking since you can use HEET (yellow is best) as a fuel.

[@verticledomain4210]

I've made several cat can stoves and used the yellow Heet. Although novel I don't get the advantage? then again I'm no Andrew Skurka. The weight for the fuel adds up.

[@RalphReagan]

You only use the red bottle once!

[@jamesmartin7282]

Fyi, HEET is a gas treatment for getting moisture out of your car's gas tank. We used to call it dry gas.

[@misham6547]

Or you can go to a pharmacy, and get some pure isopropyl or even denatured alcohol

[@stephenburnside9179]

I use a Trangia 27 alcohol stove. It takes longer, but it is silent and the integrated windscreen is excellent for Scotland's frequent wind and rain. With no moving parts it hasn't broken in 19 years.

[@kyung15]

Wourder! The Brad makes a cameo!

[@lillypatience]

In Hunzi style!

[@RobyDavis]

That would be a cool crossover event LOL

[@ryanrickard401]

Yes! I’d really enjoy watching Miranda and Brad do a video together.

[@Slaytanik.]

Starting the day with Miranda is a great way to get rolling!

[@ms.debourghofrosings6829]

White gas for winter mountaineering, when you need to boil water for hydration and cooking in any conditions. ISO gas for everything else except warmth. That’s what camp fires are for. :-)

[@franklaferriere5754]

I use iso with a coleman 8-10,000 btu head for winter mountain photography hikes. Never had problem doing so even at -20. Whispers are just too much work. Have had problems with using just butane stoves but iso's work great for me. Less weight and takes up less space too.

[@professorsogol5824]

"when you need to boil water . . . " May I edit that to "when you need to melt snow . . . ." If it takes awhile to boil water, it will also take quite some time to melt the snow to get the water that you will then need to get to boiling before you cook your dinner or make your coco.

[@backpacker3421]

@@professorsogol5824 White gas stoves are about as efficient as ISO at boiling water - maybe even more efficient. It melts snow in no time at all and boils water fast. Maybe you were thinking of alcohol?

[@TheTrailDancer]

@@backpacker3421 if the msr pumps don’t break, which they are doing a lot lately

[@Cody-gr2kc]

Yeah I was suprised she didn't know about the failure of ISO stoves in cold weather. I always switch to white gas (Or whatever flammable fluid I have in my MSR Dragonfly) when i am in areas where fuel is hard to find or below freezing making it great for more remote trips in alaska.

[@andymytys]

Please DO NOT use a full, wrap-around windscreen with a canister stove. The heat reflecting back onto the canister can cause it to explode. Some manufacturers, like Snow Peak, do make windscreens that sit above the level of the canister. None of the above is mentioned in the video, unfortunately.

[@franklaferriere5754]

Exactly. Most time I do not need to use a screen, plenty of natural ones to use.

[@DominiqueB]

I hope REI pins this comment so it stays on top.

[@christopherharvey5693]

I feel like it would be counter intuitive to heat up a canister of fuel lol

[@christopherharvey5693]

Like counter intuitive on a Darwin Award type of level...

[@rogerharris8144]

I use a Optimus Clip-On Windshield that sits above the level of the canister, 87 grams. Stores nicely around a GSI HALULITE MINIMALIST II or other small pots.

[@toml.8210]

My favourite is the Coleman Peak1 stove model 400, which uses white gas. It's self-contained, so it doesn't need the fuel bottle and hole. You pump it, open the valve, then light it. It takes a minute to build pressure, and it boils water quickly.

[@glennburrow4364]

I use an alcohol stove because it is the most versatile. It is lightweight and can boil water (albeit not the fastest), but can also cook real meals on because of the big, soft flame. It is simple, reliable, doesn't care about cold or altitude, and I can buy the fuel literally anywhere. Bonus points: I can use my pot stand as a wood stove if I get desperate. Something was wrong with Miranda's pot support for sure. The stove was starving for air.

[@anotheryoutuber2463]

the ease of finding alcohol for burning vs some other fuels is definitely a bonus

[@backpacker3421]

Most ISO stoves get a low enough flame that cooking is no issue. I often do pancakes and quesadillas with mine. I tried alcohol for a season, but couldn't deal with the incredibly slow heat. But that may just be my style on the trail. When I wake up, I want to be hiking quickly, and with ISO, I can eat a full breakfast, break camp, and be hiking again in about the same amount of time an alcohol stove takes just to heat the water for my coffee and oatmeal.

[@verticledomain4210]

I have built several of the cat can stoves. The fuel weight adds up. Not much of an advantage that I can see? I don't want to Piddle around I want hot food.

[@verticledomain4210]

@@backpacker3421 Exactly and the weight of the fuel for coffee and oatmeal equals the weight of one micro burner. Small ISO canister you get several days of use out of it.

[@arnoldkotlyarevsky383]

Alcohol definitely is affected by the altitude and the cold. Less air at altitude means the flames burn more slowly, and there is less air to convect/conduct heat with. I live in CO. I tried making alcohol stoves work on many many trips at high elevation and above/below freezing. They are nice in places with no fire bans or not a lot of loose forest debris to catch into wildfires, and their fuel is easy to come by.

[@sdocax]

I've had my WhisperLite for over 20 years and I love it. I guess I'm a thrill seeker. Not sure the isopro stoves were even available when I started backpacking, but the canister waste has always been a no-go for me. It seems like the WhisperLite boiled fastest, but you didn't give a time. That's may also be a positive to note.

[@franklaferriere5754]

When I started it was propane, big green tanks and basically a cookhead from a bbq grill that Coleman sold. Weighed in at 4 pds for head alone. Now I got a Coleman iso head 8-10,000 btu weighs 12 oz and fits in my cook pot with a tank. Big change from 40 yrs ago. Used gels, white gas, wood stoves. Then iso came out. Smaller tanks, great heads, and in my area I can recycle them. I got a whisper. Did not like it. Traded it with an AT Thru hiker for his iso.

[@backpacker3421]

I've used both. I also grew up when Whisperlite was about the only serious option. I still have mine, but use ISO for most trips (you can recycle the canisters in most places). Once you have the Whisper up and running, it will boil water just a little faster (maybe 20 seconds per liter) than ISO, but ISO set up time is almost zero by comparison (the only set up is threading it onto the canister, then you're ready to go), so ISO is probably a bit faster if you account for that. Unless you're cooking for multiple people, in which case the extra set up time is less important. Either way, it's a close race.

[@TheWallnut76]

I have a Whisperlite international and a Dragonfly from MSR. Fixable in the field and unlimited use of any fuel. The heart of my backpacking gear

[@sdocax]

@@backpacker3421 Recycling is better than throwing out for sure, but it's the last of the three Rs; reduce, reuse, recycle. I have been reusing my MSR fuel bottle for the same 20+ years. I can't imagine how many cansisters that I would have used in the same time frame. All of which would have consumed energy and materials to create, distribute and also to recycle that using my one bottle has saved.

[@Aestheticnerdlife]

Multi fuel stoves like the Optimus are my favorite; I have actually had iso stoves at high altitude in the winter stop working. Also I prefer to use K1 kerosene it burns really hot and clean with basically no fuel odor. Multi fuel stoves are nice since anywhere in the world you will most likely be able to find kerosene, or aviation fuel to burn in it. They are heavier and more complicated at first but they are more versatile. Also they sit closer to the ground and are way more stable than iso stoves (one of the reasons I switched cause I have spilt all my food before.) There is no best stove, just different stoves for different purposes.

[@timlong1462]

Same, I've had too many bad experiences with iso and propane in the cold. They start to become unreliable below freezing at low altitude. Frozen regulators, brand new full canisters of fuel that won't vaporize. I now have a primus omnifuel. No idea why people act like it's a huge process. There's only one extra step that takes about 30 seconds, and as long as you're not daft it's uneventful. Also most quality ones like primus, Optimus, and MSR will hook up to isobutane canisters as well. Best thing is if you run out of fuel on a trip just fill up at a gas station. No hunting for a nonexistent sporting goods store in a small town.

[@elund408]

I love my svea 123, old school white gas, wakes half the camp up when you heat water in the morning it sounds like a blow torch but that brass body is just too cool.

[@janwoodward7360]

Still have ours from climbing trips in 1970’s. Haven’t used for a while. Always seemed just too easy!

[@davidyazvac9325]

Have been using a svea 123 for close to 50 years. Replaced the wick once. Has never let me down.

[@jameswagner4380]

I have the first model Svea 123, which was not self-cleaning and did not come with a pump; the accessories to clean the nozzle and a pump do a great job and aren't that big or heavy, but if the nozzle was dropped in the wrong environment it could be disastrous. (It has to be removed to clean the carbon out of it.) I've had the stove for nearly 50 years, used it at least annually, and I came to the website only because I'm thinking a smaller lighter stove might be better for bikepacking, but now I'm not so sure. I've used that stove at 30 below and it kept three of us alive in a lean-to in weather we weren't quite prepared for: hot dehydrated dinner from snow, hot tea in the morning to go with the coffee cake I kept in my sleeping bag overnight that was frozen so hard we cut it with a hatchet. I've used it at altitude, and in the rain. It's pretty dependable, especially with a new o-ring, so maybe I'll just stick with it.

[@meredithotoole3049]

@REI, please tell me there's going to be a "Respect Fire, Y'all!" @mirandainthewild shirt in your summer gear launch?!

[@andrewb9595]

Iso vs alcohol is a tough one. I chose an alcohol stove because it was more cost effective and lightweight. They are also a lot of fun (for me) to tinker with to dial in faster cook times or longer burns. I made my own alcohol stove using 2 different sized cans, which requires no pot stand and a made a wind screen out if aluminum flashing. It boils 2 cups of water in a little over 5 minutes and had plenty of capacity for extra fuel if I need to cook something for awhile. When I'm done cooking I can smother it and dump any excess fuel back into my fuel bottle so nothing goes to waste. Alcohol stoves do take a lot of tinkering to get them to perform well as a system. You generally want a wider (shallow) pot, about 1.5" between the stove and bottom of the pot and a relatively tight fitting wind screen to keep heat in and but provides enough airflow to keep the flame going.

[@michaelrobb9708]

How did you build the stove with no pot stand?

[@bigskyplanet]

I have been backpacking for 58 years and used every stove out there and settled for years now on the JetBoil with the winter type fuel !!! I do one or more winter backpack trips just to stay in shape and need the simplicity and reliability of a good stove. I have used JetBoil down to 10 degrees with no problem !!!

[@IsmailKuyucu]

White gas stoves are mostly multi-fuel stoves that can burn not only white gas but a lot of other kinds of liquids and some even canister gas like isobutane. If you are in areas (let's say Peru or Laos) where canisters are hard to find, you can always find a gas station and buy some gas. That makes the stove very versatile. The other pro is that liquid fuel has a better performance in the cold and mountains. It is more environmentally friendly thanks to the reusable bottle. The cons are it needs priming, the weight, and the need for maintenance/cleaning - oh and the noise ofc :) The stove is more expensive but the use is cheaper than canister stoves.

[@TJMartinek]

I have a White Gas stove because in mine at least you can use gasoline if you can't find white gas and fuel can be a problem in some remote countries but gasoline is always pretty easy to find.

[@irvhh143]

Manufacturer claims that it will work with diesel. They said not to use motor oil, but I suspect it mighf. Also, the additives in pump gas may damage the o rings, but I've never heard any reports of this. Marked gas is the bomb.

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Flammable gas in pressured containers with a flame right on it aLWAYS make me super anxious and uneasy. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that fear lmao. Probably because in high school my friends and I would make little IEDs out of pressured flammable cans and such and I seen them blow up many many times.

[@TabethaAurochs]

I'm TERRIFIED by those pressurized tanks full of highly flammable gas, and I have absolutely hollered "HELL NO that's an IED-in-waiting! I'm not carrying that are you effing nuts?" So thank you for sharing, as I'm now certain neither of us are effing nuts 😁.

[@bertkelly7650]

I have, but haven't used yet, the solid fuel fold up stoves for each vehicle (3) for emergencies. You've seen the snow packed highways? That's what I am preparing for if I'm on the road when that happens.

[@hope2someday691]

I have a Coleman Peak 1 white gas stove, model 400 feather light. It’s a pump and go, with no big prime fire needed. It’s from the late seventies and still works great. Though it’s a little on the heavy side, it is easier to use than the MSR. I too use a canister stove these days!

[@jasonfitzpatrick414]

I used to have one of those and loved it. Now I have a whisperlite that I hate. I dislike connecting and disconnecting the fuel line. Plus priming the stove is a mess. And the soot on the stove is annoying beyond belief. I really miss the 400 feather lite and wish Coleman would make it again. I did find it difficult to adjust the flame but It was great.

[@daisydela]

MSR Dragonfly! Like a jet engine. So hot and fast you can probably do light welding with it. Also noisy. Multi-fuel stoves (like white gas), are great for rural or international travel where fuel supplies are unknown. Great for long distance bike touring, because you can fuel up at a gas station and cook for a few days for a few cents. Also, using anything but white gas can be sooty and smokier. Your stove may need a quick service to clean out the injector ports when burning diesel, funky gas, kerosene. Fortunately, MSR included a cleaning kit. White gas is preferred and burns really cleanly, but almost any fuel will work in a good liquid fuel stove- e.g. gasoline, diesel, kerosene. I prefer a liquid fuel for backpacking in cold temps and the clean burn and simplicity of ISO for every day. Downsides of ISO are that it can gel up when running a partially empty tank in low temps. Nothing like putting an ISO canister with frost on it between your thighs or armpit to warm it up 😳. In terms of speed, if you just need to boil water and not gourmet simmering/searing, the new generation of ISO MSR/Jetboil type stoves blow the doors off anything else in performance and ease of use. (Former REI employee- still outdoor nut).

[@skatastik101]

I'm new to outdoorsy stuff and Miranda is just the best!!!!!

[@RViscara]

Ah the blind leading the blind

[@mulsanne215]

I am an adult boy scout leader. We use white gas only for our trips because it is cheaper to buy the fuel than lots of cylinders. You also know exactly how much fuel you and can refill before you leave. If it is just me, I like my Jet boil though. Scouts aren't allowed to used alcohol fuel stoves or the solid tablet stoves due to safety. The alcohol fuel is open to the air and burns invisible in daylight and you can't put out the solid fuels.

[@abelnunez-guerrero3832]

Thank you @REI and @mirandagoesoutside ! Appreciate these demonstrations! 🔥💯✨🏕

[@nat.in.nature]

Best car HAHAH! Honestly the editing and production of these videos is so great. Maybe a video about the production team and introducing them/their stories would be cool? Working my way through your playlist so sorry if I missed it.

[@MingWLee]

I'm all for wood stove, to be more specific the stove like Titanium Bush buddy. It is very lightweight, the design boost the flame to become more efficient, the outer layer is not hot so you can move it around even the wood is burning inside. For storage, you can put the whole stove into pot like Zebra Loop Handle Pot, also the design is windproof! :D

[@philipstapert3517]

I have a home made "cat can" alcohol stove. The superlatives I'd give it are "least expensive", "simplest", and "lightest". They also work on the "most variety" of fuel, since almost any kind of alcohol works. I use HEET gas line antifreeze in the yellow bottle because it's the "cleanest burning." I also have a 1980's vintage Coleman white gas stove that I use for winter camping. It gets the award for "most retro."

[@RalphReagan]

Once my alcohol fuel leaked and I used solid fuel worked fine.

[@Artyomthewalrus]

"They also work on the "most variety" of fuel" - I mean, that title might go to white gas stoves. Most are rated for gasoline, kerosene & white gas - and in some cases diesel and jet fuel. Gasoline is everywhere - which is the main reason for the popularity of white gas stoves.

[@rachelpoulos]

An advantage of esbit and alcohol stoves is that you can bring exactly the amount of fuel you need for a trip, and for ultralighters, not having to have a fuel container, i.e. the isobutane container, not just the fuel, is a big plus. Even so, isobutane is a good option even for ultralighters / thru hikers. Unless things have changed since 2017 when I did ~1600 of the AT, I don't recommend esbit for a thru hike unless you are willing to plan shipping drops for fuel. Iso and alcohol are everywhere. I also find myself attracted more to sandwiches instead of cooking lately, but I can't go stoveless because I must have coffee in the morning and maybe a hot drink before going to bed for the morale boost. So having a super light option for less cooking but not *no* cooking is cool. Just depends on your needs. Another great video!

[@Call_me_mr_marcus]

If you keep feeding the Biolite it'll boil just as fast as the isopro. Used successfully several times personally. Drawbacks is just that, but you also have to have a bunch of extra kindling ready.

[@elderhiker7787]

Well, here is what I use. I have 3 stoves that are used for different situations. If I am going out for a day hike and just want to boil water for coffee and a bowl of Raman noodles for lunch, I will use the Trangia alcohol stove because it is very convenient to use and doesn’t take up much space in my rucksack. If I am doing an over- nighter, I will take my gas canister stove because it more useful for cooking real food beyond boiling water in-a-bag mushy food, and if my cooking is going to be more elaborate for lunch, dinner, and breakfast, then I will take my Firebox Gen-2 twig stove. It is by far the most versatile stove because it can use any fuel source including: gas, solid fuel, twigs and split branches, coal, pellets. and cow patties. So, it is my go-to camp stove for most situations. That’s it. Hope this helps Ciao

[@SamShank175]

Love your channel! I just took a backpacking class yesterday. They said that some of the other differences are that the Isopro is really only good for boiling water and that your pan can not be bigger around than the canister because it will build heat around the canister. The instructor said that she likes to cook somethings using a small skillet and she can't do that with the Isopro stoves. That was one of her reasons for using the Whisper Light with the White Gas. The other was that she does a lot in winter and the White Gas is better in colder temps.

[@ameliabergquist8903]

White gas stoves are great for cooking for a group. They are lightweight enough to be taken out into the backcountry. Many camps and outfitters use them.

[@RViscara]

Well thank you for stating what we already know

[@josephalexandersmith3413]

Thanks for this video! I just bought an alcohol stove as my first camping stove ever and tested it out in the wilds a week or so ago. You need the flame much closer to the pot than you have in this video - either a simple cross or triangle that attaches to the stove itself or else a wind-guard that allows you to suspend the stove just below the pot rests. It should take about 5-6 minutes to boil 1/2 L of water. Although you can carry fuel inside the stove, the chamber is only big enough to carry fuel for 2 or 3 boils. On the other hand, I've lived and travelled in countries where other fuels are hard to come buy, but you can always get methylated spirit or rubbing alcohol, so .... I'm fond of mine and keeping it for now!

[@matthewsinger]

I started with a pocket rocket and still use it, but on most of my trips, I tend to bring the white gas stove. I find it to be more stable and more versatile for cooking (as opposed to boiling water). It's better for high elevation and cold and cooking for larger groups. When I'm going solo, I'll take the smaller canister stove.

[@kts8900]

Exactly! It is a good option for a crowd.

[@greenshomeimprovements]

I absolutely love my whisper lite. I have owned one from the time I was in boys scouts over 18 year ago now. I lost my first one but have bought a second one that I’ve now had for about 10 years and have never had an issue other than super windy days. I have the whisper lite International so that means I’m not limited to just white gas. In case of not being able to find white gas for any reason I can use kerosene, diesel, basically any fuel that is liquid and will burn if I can find it I can use it. It is the ultimate survival stove for that reason. It has never let me down.

[@bonne_vie]

Can you mix gas? If you have some white gas left and want to fill the rest with diesel can you do that?

[@greenshomeimprovements]

@@bonne_vie no you would need to change the jet port for the opposite type of fuel. There’s a port for white gas and then a port that is best for diesel and kerosene type fuels.

[@mobilemole]

We started with MSR Whisperlite and loved it. It has held up well over 20yrs of use. A few years ago we upgraded to the Dragonfly for the ability to control the flame more. The number one reason we won’t jump to an isopro stove is the waste from the canisters. We’ve traveled to Hawaii with our stove and had pack empty fuel bottles. We were able to use kerosene and then even used gasoline from our rental car!

[@tshaine]

I finally got talked into using an alcohol stove and i love it. I really like that you get to choose how much fuel you bring and you know exactly what you have (unlike the isopro canisters) but you need a very specific windscreen. I have the caldera cone and it is so incredibly efficient.

[@chrisponsano4378]

The extreme efficiency of the Caldera Cone is under appreciated. The only real problem is that a different cone is needed for different pots.

[@DarxusC]

I've been using a white gas stove for a while. It's really easy to light with much smaller flame, with a little practice. I use mine practically in my lap sometimes (after lots of practice). Watch the little fuel jet (above the priming cup, below the main burner), as soon as the tiniest bit of fuel comes out, shut it off. Light the priming cup - tiny flame. Open the fuel valve back up just a tiny bit, like an eighth or quarter turn (yes, before it's fully primed). My whisperlite international can handle white gas, gasoline, kerosene, and diesel. So, never a problem getting fuel. They seem very popular among adventure motorcyclists, and bikepackers. The whisperlite universal can also handle isopro canisters. Some people claim you can't even simmer on these, so I made a video of me cooking pancakes on it no problem. The trick is to wait a minute after you adjust the fuel valve, because it takes a while to get from that valve to the burner. Fuel costs are way lower than isopro, and less waste (canisters). Biggest downside to me is bulk for short trips, which is why I just bought my first isopro stove to try out. But if I had to pick one stove to bet my life on, you better believe it would be a white gas stove.

[@russelljackman1413]

Another GREAT Miranda video (Mad props to the editor/post production team)! I just love your videos! They are fun, informative, interesting, fun and fun! I have owned and used every one of the stoves featured here, but the solid fuel variety. They all have their place. White gas can be the most "exciting, " for sure; IsoPro is the fastest, and the spirit stoves (Trangia) and wood stoves are the mellowest, in my humble opinion. I enjoy them all! Thanks again for your great work, spreading the Joy of Camping and the Joy of Life! Cheers! :)

[@Littletass]

The main thing to keep in mind in this discussion is that there is not one all round best stove that will also fit everyones taste or needs. For me personally I have a alcohol stove from trangia so it comes with a stand/windshield plus two integrated pots, kettle and frying pan. The caveat for a trangia cook system is that you only want the whole cook system if you want to make more interesting and diverse food other than dehydrated meals. however if you do want to cook a wide range of food then, as far as i know, the trangia cook system is the best in terms of having most cooking implements and also being compact. When i boil water outside with my trangia stove set up properly i boil water in max 5 minutes. An alcohol stove can also be pretty usefull for ultralight hikers where you dont want the cook system. There are other types of potstands and small windshields that are very compact that will work equally as good if boiling water is all you want to do. The thing that be might both a positive and a negative of alcohol stoves is the fuel type. negatively it weighs quite a bit if you are going away for awhile however positively its really easy to find denatured alcohol (in just about every petrol station) on a long trip so you can also just carry less and pick it up on the way. only other random extra postive of a alcohol stove is that they are quite compared to gas stoves. anyway to each their own - whichever stove gets people out camping, is the best stove :)

[@johnkeck1025]

Isopro are my favorite, just so convenient, I even keep one in my lunch bag for work and cook my lunch on it!

[@titanpreparedness]

Awesome. Really love when Miranda does a video

[@diedertspijkerboer]

I have used a Whisperlite a lot in the past. To prevent the big flare, I use a lighter to heat the bit of the metal tube that will get in touch with the flames when the stove burns normally. Once this is hot enough, you can light up the stove and it will work normally immediately, without the flare.

[@jamieholdstock6587]

The water reference was epic!!! love this channel😂

[@bmingo2828]

Best for everywhere. MSR Whisperlite Internationale. Can use both solid fuel (white gas, unleaded gas, kerosene) and ISO fuels :)

[@Order4627]

I use nothing but alcohol stoves now while camping. After 4 mins the holes in the outer ring really ignite and boiling a cup of water takes a minute. If you leave a cup of water on a Swiss Army stove, it’s usually boiled in 4 mins any way, any boiling after that around a minute . These stoves do take time to get up to operating temperature. For an evening meal I use a BBQ.

[@mikeDJLP]

A Miranda in the Wild/It's Alive w/ Brad Leone episode is the crossover we all need! #wourder

[@hannahcollins1816]

That would be amazing!

[@tarac5137]

The Brad pop-up 🤣🤣🤣! Good info, thanks for sharing. 🔥 (respect)

[@austingavins9181]

Thanks for the excellent video! I use both IsoPro and Trangia Alcohol stove - the Trangia is a bit slower - but whatever was going on in the video with your alcohol stove and stand is way off the mark - 0.5 litre or slightly over 2 cups should take about 6-7 minutes in those conditions. Thanks for the fun videos and keep up the good work!

[@shannonr9689]

Great video! I’ve mostly used isopro stoves but last year I got a dual fuel stove when it was difficult to find isopro canisters in my area. I got the Little Bug Lite which is super light weight (something like 5.1oz) and burns twigs or can be used with an alcohol burner. It works well with both twigs or alcohol, though you do have to be prepared to feed a steady supply of twigs into it if you are heating more than a few cups of water or actually cooking over the flame. I like the fact that the Little Bug comes with a stand so it prevents scorching the ground, and it collapses into a mostly flat package in it’s own carrying case. Some of the other dual fuel stoves are a little less fussy in that they don’t need assembling and have a double wall design that directs the released gasses back into the chamber resulting in a more efficient burn and less soot. All in all… the dual fuel stoves are fun if you like to fiddle with fire and are in an area where you can easily collect a supply of small sticks. I like having the alcohol burner as a backup in case of wet weather or no available fuel.

[@stefdno_o]

Things left unmentioned: storing a wood stove in your Bacpack will carry smells and residue like burnt wood, charcoal and ash into your backpack/gear. Even when you clean that with water. This needs to be avoided if you use an airtight stuff sack.

[@VaneyRio]

Is people really bothered by the smell of burnt wood? That's like, the most representative smell of civilization.

[@fusioncraftiness5445]

Isopro - Is my personal favorite. I use this when I backpack with a few friends and we do our own cooking. Esbit - Awesome for scouts and anyone who thinks they may want to backpack. It's a small financial investment. My daughter learned to backpack with the Girl Scouts with this stove. White gas - I backpack with large groups every year (12 ppl), we do group cooking, it's the best for this type of situation. We use large pots and cook for a group so we actually need this type of situation. I agree, complicated but after assembling half a dozen times, it starts to make sense, I promise:)

[@michaellopez8003]

I've had the trangia stove and cook set since 1987 and it still works. Love the simplicity and silence of it. I just acquired the Optimus crux weekend HE system and love it too. Heats water fast and is quiet compared to the PR. Plus the pot has a heat exchanger ring on it that works with my trangia. Love em both. Ready to hit the trail.

[@annabelking9423]

I have always wondered about this!!! Thanks so much Miranda!

[@rickkaylor8554]

Very informative video. I enjoyed it. I've been backpacking for 53 years and have used evry type of stove you mentioned. By far my favorite for convenience is the IsoPro stove. Since it is small, reliable and the canisters can be refilled from large propane tanks if you get an adapter. I started out owning Svea123 and Colman Peak1 white gas stoves. Both were a pain because they smelled bad and were always finicky to use - especially at high altitude in cold weather. I have a Stansport alcohol stove (Simon Stove) that works well if you want to just boil water. You can be brain dead and use it. The fuel is easy to get at any hardware stove or you can use HEAT which is available at the 99 cent store. It's really light and it doesn't smell bad. I like it and use it often. Your alcohol stove appears to have been oxygen starved or something since mine never takes that long to boil water. Solid fuel stoves aren't my cup of tea. They smell bad,and use fuel quickly. I've made my own fuel tablets out of clothes dryer lint and wax and they worked as good as the tablets from the store (still stunk). Wood burning stoves are great but they are a bit large to carry. Where I live (southern California) they can't be used legally in most places. So I don't use one. As I try to reduce my weight, I'm finding a stove to just be one less thing to leave at home. Cold soaking or eating food that doesn't need to be cooked is liberating.

[@BrillPappin]

Using the biolite takes a bit of practice, but it's decent once you are familiar with it. Especially with the kettle designed for it.

[@RodneyClang]

Another +1 for alcohol stove here. Trangia system for me. Fast enough. Easy. Simple. Fun. Reliable high altitude and wind, and super cold winters. I still love my pocket rocket 2 isopro but seem to have some deeper affinity for alcohol stoves after switching to Trangia.

[@haughtable]

I have had my Whisperlite International (burns white & regular gas, kerosene) for 30ish years overseas. Brilliant design, and really easy when you learn how, but I'm a canister hiker now. Love your vids Miranda!

[@backpacker3421]

Yeah, I still have my Whisper and love it, but it doesn't get much use. I've been an ISO cooker for about 6 years now (other than a brief experiment with alcohol), and will only take my Whisper out for large group hikes.

[@bgood73044]

I also chose the Whisperlite Int'l because of the ability to use different fuels. No matter where in the world you are, you can find fuel for it.

[@josephjamison5007]

I carry a solid fuel stove and 2 tabs in my day pack for emergencies. I also keep a small titanium cup nested with my water bottle, a packet of soup and a packet of instant coffee just in case. I own and use all 5 types but for regular backpacking trips I defiantly prefer ISOPRO.

[@hannahcollins1816]

The Brad cameo made me snort laugh 🤣💕

[@k2teleskier]

I have used Whisper Lite white gas stoves exclusively for 30 years. They are field repairable, although I have never had a problem since MSR introduced the shaker jet self cleaning feature. They are great at high altitude, cold temps, dependable, and the fuel bottle can be refilled so you always start out full. You do have to be careful regarding how much fuel to add during priming and also not turning the gas back on before the tube warms up, else the fireball happens. I have always taken comfort in knowing the exact amount of fuel i am carrying, rather than shaking a fuel can to feel contents. White gas has its place. I am going to try an isopro stove this year for non snow melting trips and motorcycle camping since the gas fumes from white gas can stink up camping gear. All the other stove fuels just seem inferior to me. I enjoyed your video.

[@nvalley]

Alcohol stoves! I really love them on trail because they're silent, and enjoying the quiet while I make coffee in the morning is worth a couple of minutes (if it's taking longer than 6-7 minutes for your stove to boil 2c something is wrong!) But as someone who loves to tinker off trail, they're also just fun to make and experiment with

[@asmith7876]

Quite the target you've painted on your back as each type has their rabid fanboy base! I used a white gas stove forever and love it, works in any weather, super fast and efficient. I recently became a convert to the alcohol stove because it's just soooooo quiet, go about doing whatever task at hand while it quietly makes your coffee. It requires the correct set up, which you did not have. I'll admit I'm a rabid fanboy of the BioLite, I love that thing but it appears you have less experience with it than I would have thought since you've had it for a while. Especially when used with the pot it comes with it's extremely fast, you had almost no fuel in it seemed to me. We've set up a tarp shelter that covered two hammocks, we both sat back in our Helinox chairs, cranked the BioLite and warmed the place up in the dead of winter, while keeping our phones and headlamps charged, all with fuel that's laying everywhere. Did I mention I was a fan? LOL. The solid fuel tabs stink...and make a mess...and stink! LOL. Used that crap in the Army, for emergencies only these days. Having said all that, I have the exact same Snow Peak but I have the windscreen plate that goes on the burner, vastly improves the efficiency while mitigating the explosion hazard! Love your videos. But this video...what, no poop talk??

[@CopperLontra]

Love the effects!

[@bencox9295]

Great and fun way to go over so many stoves! I'm also a HUGE Isopro (shout out to MSR Pocketrocket II purchased at REI), but have used/own all the other kinds of stoves you went over. I like my MSR Expedition stove for extreme conditions (also purchased at REI MANY years ago), but as you noted, they can be complicated, they are a little bulky, have some weight, are potentially messy and in the case of mine, sound like a jet engine taking off. My first stove was an alcohol stove and used it WAY more than it was ever intended to, I acutely ended up getting another, better one after mine broke and still have it (made out of titanium); bonus, it can be used with solid fuel tabs as well. A wind screen is mandatory for these, but you are right, ultralight camping in moderate temps/weather, these are actually not bad. Finally, the wood burning stove. If any of bushcrafting friends ready this, I am going to get a talking to........BUT this is my least favorite kind, again for the reasons you pointed out. If your natural fuel gets damp, rained on, are in an area that they are not allowed or worst of all, an area that has NO FUEL for it, you can be in a tough spot. Thank you so much for an outstanding, you have gained a subscriber!

[@SuperLoriLee333]

I have had my little Snowpeak for close to 30 years! Still works great! I take it on cold day hikes to brew tea. But my fav and fastest is my Jetboil! (Purchased at REI of course!) Fun demo and congrats on the white gas stove - I was always terrified of all the bits and pieces!

[@therealchickentender]

I still take out my white gas early 70s Swedish Svea123 stove at least once or twice a year just cuz I *love* the thing. It's bombproof, reasonably light and I've literally dropped it down mountains - it just keeps going. It sounds like a plane taking off but that's part of the charm. Love that thing.

[@Belgarathe]

I think you hit it head on for practical camping using isoprop. People who need the other systems already know what their needs are. Very insightful video that help beginner campers spend more time enjoying nature and less time worrying when the water will boil.

[@TheJohnreeves]

Could be philosophical. The iso and white gas stoves rely on fossil fuels. The others don't.

[@Belgarathe]

@@TheJohnreeves great point of view

[@gillibby]

White gas stove was my go to for winter backpacking even though it sounded like a jet engine, alcohol stove ( German military surplus) did not have enough BTUs, only stove joices back then. Wood fires were best, no noise, many uses but smoke was a drawback. It had a lock on your location. The most important thing for our adventures was having enough dependable heat which as you point out is not an attribute of the gas bottle stove. I think the gas bottle stoves are great when it is above 35 degrees F and you only need small quantities of food or beverage.

[@nedbluestone]

Whisperlight is my go to stove. Bought my first in the early 90's and with regular maintenance it is still a trustworthy tool. I also have a Biolight Campstove. The stove is indeed heavy, but not having to carry fuel makes up for it. It is a little messier, the oily residue after a few days using sagebrush is interesting. I owned an early gas cannister stove, I think a Suunto, but hated having to carry an extra full cannister not knowing how much fuel is left, not to mention the waste of the cannisters. I have made an alcohol fuel stove, nice little hobby project, possible use in an emergency, but if I can find alcohol I most assuredly can find white gas.

[@voldemortified]

They know that people who watch Miranda are most likely the sort of people who watch Brad (or Claire) too 😂.

[@whenindoubtgohiking8074]

Who are Brad and Claire?

[@voldemortified]

@@whenindoubtgohiking8074 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKayn4x6eq6di6M (Edit: found a video that actually had both of them 😄)

[@justalurkr]

The Esbit solid fuel stove literally fits in my pocket. That's it. That's the best feature.

[@rebeccaedwards8262]

I bet it never leaks either.

[@justalurkr]

@@rebeccaedwards8262 not liquids, no; stinky residue everywhere if you're not careful, though.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

And there's no empty can or bottle to carry after it's empty, once the solid fuel is used it's GONE and your weight gets less and less as you go. You CAN also burn twigs and stuff in it after you run out of fuel tabs.

[@backpacker3421]

It fits in your pocket... if you only need to warm up a cup of coffee. If you're cooking a couple meals a day for a week, you need a lot more tabs than will fit in your pocket.

[@keisha717]

Buy a pack. They're great for putting gear in.

[@lizard2425]

Our homemade TomCat alcohol stoves boil 2 C of water in 3 or 4 minutes on 2 oz of alcohol.... 🤔 Also for twig stoves see Solo Stoves or Firebox....

[@rungavagairun]

My first true backpacking stove was a Whisperlite. They are tricky and scary to use, but there is a bit of a Zen feel to it when you get it right and don't die. Lol. It's a little like learning a manual transmission. If you're going to go with that option, practice first, but there are so many other easier options to use out there that weigh less. I know there are some trips where the white gas stoves make sense, but for most people, I don't see them as practical.

[@chiefsilverback]

I like the idea of the wood stove for the evening when time is less of an issue. In the morning and isopro to boil up some water fast. The reason white fuel is better in extreme cold and at altitude is because pressure is created with the pump, you're not relying on the pressure in the isopro canister.

[@royharrell1760]

Forgot to say thanks. Always entertaining.

[@snowonher6968]

Recently started using alcohol stoves (Stormin Norman) and the things I love most is that they are silent, super light and simple, and you can find some very environmentally friendly alcohol. Mine boil 500ml in 4/5ish mins so fast enough even just for a coffee on trail!

[@phishermonjon]

Wow never knew about white gas stoves! I just learned something new! Thanks!

[@nikospinella]

I love the pop up of brad for “wourder”

[@demonofheavn]

White gas stoves are definitely the most fun

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Nice video! I find all types of stoves interesting. I find that I use Iso-pro stoves the most. Your pot stand may have been too tall for the alcohol stove. The main thing I like about alcohol stoves is that they are almost silent.

[@Gunfreak451]

I'm an Iso fan myself, the convenience is just on another level but I am a stove nerd so I really like them all.

[@aaronfuentes5919]

I hate empty canisters, biolite is my jam! TOP DOWN BURN is super efficient, & you can fit a pop-can stove in it. 😯😍

[@michaelrobb9708]

Looks larger then a pop can. Also, Fit a pop-can stove in the Biolite? Why would one do this?

[@aaronfuentes5919]

@@michaelrobb9708 lol, p- can stove weighs nothing & alcohol is multi use. Haven't tried but if you raise the stove with rocks inside the biolite the flame should heat the charging element & no windscreen required. Forced air pushes flame directly on the cooking vessel... (In theory)..... But with wood i get over twenty minutes of burn time without having to add wood.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

This was great! Being in CA, wood-burning and even alcohol stoves feel like a bad idea. Alcohol and esbit stoves seem like they'd take up way more patience than I have. I've been considering a white fuel stove for winter and high altitude trips. I have the OG Pocket Rocket, which is loud, and got a PR Deluxe this year, which is much quieter, and it's nice having the igniter feature (which I would never want to rely on).

[@Swimdeep]

Good episode. The thing about beer can stoves is you can make one yourself and the fuel is cheap. The one you used with that windscreen works much less well than my own homemade set-up. I use a iso-stove for backpacking though.

[@chrisponsano4378]

The isobutane stove fuel cannister is difficult to know how much you have remaining adding an additional layer of complexity to long trips without points of resupply.

[@cjcar178]

I like wood burning stoves because I don't need to bring my fuel with me. I also have a super lightweight wood burning stove that weighs a few grams and packs down completely flat

[@attenberg6712]

Which one plz?

[@cjcar178]

@@attenberg6712 I couldn't find the exact one I own but this is pretty similar. www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPUEGNK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_EGYBAT989P0JYRH9XXFD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@shaunoneill7650]

Great video, I enjoyed the fact you weren't comparing them in a "versus" type fashion, but just showing them in action! I used a number of stoves whilst in the army and was told that the trangia/alcohol stoves need to be around 1 inch away from the bottom of the pot to work effectively (approximately a 5 minute boil time on 500mls) and shielding/pot stands need to have good ventilation or the fumes struggle to attain optimum temperatures. Something to keep in mind for a possible future video! Keep it up!

[@rei]

Thanks for the tip Shaun!

[@MaxGolden]

Solid fuel is best for Japanese camping rice cookers. They don’t get too hot and burn rice or damage aluminum. Many people in Japan carry both isopro and solid tab stoves just for this reason. What meal is complete without rice?

[@plewelly]

Love my jetboil. I tend to be something of the gear provider for my friends that I can con into going backpacking with me, so the jetboil Sumo works great for boiling a lot of water to cook for 2-3 people.

[@jaydendyck7327]

Alcohol stoves are pretty much all I use I have a vargo and a mini trangia. I’ve always had much faster boil times than you experienced. But I like them because they are simple, light, quiet, and I can carry exactly how much fuel I need for different length trips.

[@leerfarmer]

Thanks for sharing‼️

[@rei]

Thanks for watching!

[@puma1304]

remember that boiling water is not equal = cooking...!!! Ease of use, fuel efficiency/economy and availability/price of fuel are all important aspects, but also simplicity! (fewer parts + no moving parts = fewer potential problems), and of course efficiency is quite different if you use the Trangia burner exposed to the wind or submerged in a tube, or if you use it inside the Trangia Windshield (Storm Stove 27 or 25) as it was designed to be used! Actually my favorite systems are alcohol stoves (Trangia!) and twig-stoves (Firebox), which I usually carry together (back-up). If high efficiency/output is needed my old Primus/Whispy will do. I am not a great fan of iso-propane (environmental issue) but it is a clean, efficient and easy to use method, because of regulatory restrictions about open-flame systems I am sometimes forced to use it, but I think that wood-burning stoves are by far the most logical alternative (you do not have to carry fuel).

[@user70331]

Yep, isobutane cans best, easy to simmer, fastest boil etc. I just bring few cubes of solid fuel in case I run out early. 😊

[@stevechong65]

Great presentation Miranda! Great personality too!