Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > Clikstand Universal Stove System > Mara Factor > Long Term Report

As a lightweight backpacker, I do not forgo comfort or safety. I weigh all of my equipment and carry only items necessary for each trip. My ~13 lb (6 kg) summer base pack weight includes a Nomad lite tent, alcohol stove, Big Agnes sleep system, ULA P-1 backpack or Kelty Vapor backpack, and a filled jacket.

Description: The Clikstand is a universal stove system comprising a stove, pot support, and windscreen.

Please see my Initial Report and my Field Report for further information about the Clikstand.

Long term use: During the remaining period of the test, I managed one trip to the Manistee River area in Michigan, one extremely cold winter trip here in Massachusetts, and a number of other unremarkable outings in New England.

On the Manistee River trip, I used a homemade Esbit stove and had to contend with gusty winds while cooking. Once lit, the Esbit tablet was well protected from the wind by both the walls of the stove and the windscreen. I had no problems cooking with that set up and will continue to use the same setup in the future.

On my most recent trip, a winter trip here in Massachusetts, I used the alcohol and the Trangia stove. While I did not have a thermometer with me, I used weather reports for the area to estimate temperatures. Day time temperatures topped out around 25 F (-4 C) and dropped through the afternoon. With sunset coming so early, we stopped for dinner at 4:00 so we could cook while it was still light out. I estimate I was cooking in temperatures near 20 F (-7 C). There was some snow on the ground but it was dry, not too deep, and I could brush away enough of an area to get to the leaves below. This way, I wouldn't have to worry about the stove melting down into the snow.

I had my lighter with me but had neglected to bring matches. In order to light the Trangia, I ended up dipping a leaf in the alcohol and lighting the leaf with the lighter. Then, I used the burning leaf to light the stove.

I did not watch how long it took for the water to boil, but thankfully, it seemed rather quick and I was soon cooking, and then eating, my meal. After dinner, we continued with a two hour night hike before camping for the night.

I continue to enjoy the convenience of the Trangia with its ability to hold enough fuel for a couple of dinners without having to take along a separate fuel bottle.

As my trail cooking abilities are somewhat limited, the additional testing I have done since my field test report included no new dishes. Most meals, for me, are some variation on boiling water.

Observations: The flame often burns high around the sides of the pot. I've scorched some of my meals on the sides of the pot. Other than some discoloration, this does not seem to affect the performance of the pot.

For the most part, I have given up on using the simmer ring when using the Trangia. The problems I encountered during my field tests continued and the ability to simmer, while perhaps allowing me to conserve a bit of fuel, wasn't all that important to cooking my meals. Not fiddling with the ring over a flaming stove made me feel safer.

Even with more extensive use, I have very little to add to my observations from my field test. My concerns about the seeming requirement to use matches have been somewhat alleviated with the creative use of a leaf or paper scrap dipped in the alcohol and lit, rather than the need to carry matches.

Carrying the system in the pot does leave surface marks on the non-stick surface but does not seem to be scraping into the surface. These marks do not seem any worse than those left by the plastic or Lexan utensils I use to stir my meals. As with any non-stick cooking pots and pans, I avoid using metal utensils in the pot.

Final analysis: For the time being, the Clikstand has found a space in my gear closet. I will continue to make decisions for each trip between the convenience and sturdiness of the Clikstand system versus the lighter weight of some of my less sturdy, homemade options. I foresee the Clikstand getting continued use on my shorter trips. Whether or not it gets used on long-distance hiking trails remains to be seen.



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Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > Clikstand Universal Stove System > Mara Factor > Long Term Report