Backpacking Background: I spent a lot of time in the woods off and on since childhood. At eighteen I became an Eagle Scout, a process that involved many outdoor experiences. Recently I have been getting back in the sport, mostly day hikes and weekenders. Ninety percent of my backcountry time is in the North Georgia area, throughout the fall, winter and spring. I am not an ultra light hiker, but I generally carry less than twenty-five pounds (11.4 kg) before food and fuel. My main bag is an Osprey Aether 60; as for shelter I use a REI Clipper.

Brunton Optimus Crux Folding Stove

Manufacturer: Brunton
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.brunton.com/
Listed weight: 3.1 oz (88 g)
Weight as Delivered: 3.3 oz (94 g)
Dimensions (listed): 2.2”x 2.9”x 1.3” (5.6x 7.4x 3.3 cm) (folded)
MSRP: $75.00

Fuel: Isobutene canisters
Burn Time: up to 70 minutes (on an 8 oz [226.8 g] canister) (spring/fall use)
Boil Time: down to 3 minutes (on a fall afternoon in Georgia)

Description

The Brunton Optimus Crux Folding Stove arrived in a small box including the stove, a soft carry case, limited lifetime warranty, and instructions. The stove itself, folded is about the size of a credit card and less than an inch and a half thick. Gently pulling a spring-loaded catch on the base of the stove swivels the burner upright and into cooking position. From here three folding arms can be swung out to make the platform. A small wire handle, about an inch long can be swung parallel to the burner as well. This is the on/off or flame control. The carry case is a padded black neoprene sack that fits the stove into the concave of a typical isobutene canister. The instructions were simply a folded sheet of paper.

Field Use

              Since purchasing this stove about nine months ago, I have gone through two eight-ounce (226.8 g) MSR fuel canisters, approximately fifteen trips. All of the trips were in the North Georgia Mountains, southern Tennessee, or Alabama and range from car camping to weekend trips. This stove has been used at altitudes from sea level to around 4500 ‘ (1400 m).
            The stove is threaded onto the fuel canister, much like screwing in a light bulb. There is no automatic ignition, so a match or lighter is required. A twist of the wire handle will turn on the gas. Then add a source of fire and the stove is ready to cook. It is very quick to set up and cools to the touch in a matter of minutes when cooking is finish.
            As of yet, I have not had a problem with the stove’s burn performance, even on nights that dipped into the upper twenties (-7 C). The website advertises a boil time of three minutes for one-liter (33.8 oz) of water. I have found that five or six minutes are average on the cold windy nights, without any sort of windscreen. On warm summer days I can have a cup of coffee in less than two minutes. Amazing. I have made pancakes to soup to stir-fry on this little thing. And each time I was not disappointed. The burn time seems to be fairly close the advertised seventy-five minutes. This stove can also simmer very well when cooking dishes such as rice that require a low flame.
            The small flame control knob can be a little hard to reach when I am cooking with a large pot, but typically I set once then leave it alone.
            Stability can also be somewhat of an issue. The burner is small and therefore requires careful balance of the pot. The only pots I have used with this stove are my GSI hard-anodized set. I would never use a pot larger then one and a half liter (50.7 oz). But I have always managed to find a stable area. I even use this car camping. Set it on a picnic table and it is fine. The only time that I had a pot spill was when I accidentally kicked the whole stove. My fault.
           But the real beauty lies in the storage. The carry case is a padded circle about ¼ “ (19 mm) thick and about a 4’ (100 mm) diameter. When one is finished cooking the stove is folded and slid into the pocket on the case. An elastic band secures the case to the bottom of the fuel canister and another band loops around the top. The stove is held in the concave of the canister. The case has protected my stove well on all the trips I have taken with it. The stove, fuel, pot lifter and spoon or fork all rest inside of my GSI hard-anodized one-liter pot (33.8 oz). This is generally what I carry when I camp and found it to be a great system.
            And the weight is almost a non-issue. I feel it is worth the few extra ounces over an alcohol stove to have the control a Crux provides.
           Overall I love the stove and would purchase this again if I should lose it or something happens to mine.

            Things I Like:
             - Size and Weight
             - Packability
             - Flame Control and Burn Time
             - The Ability to Simmer

            Things I Dislike:
             - Flame Control Knob
            - Pot Stability

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Owner Review by Casey L Fatal

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