Product Information

Tester Information

Backpacking Bio

I learned camping and hiking in Boy Scouts, tramping Washington’s lowland forests, and eventually took up backpacking as a singular pursuit to find a home away from home in the Cascades and Olympics. Now living in northern California, most of my hiking is in the Sierra Nevada with trips ranging from overnight to weeklong excursions. I favor high, alpine settings. My total pack weight for three-day summer trips, including food and water, is roughly 25 pounds (12 kg); longer trips see pack weights ranging into the mid to upper 30s (17 kg).

Product Overview

The Fyrestorm Ti is a remote-burner style liquid fuel stove with a trick up its sleeve: it can use white gas and automotive gas from a pressurized fuel bottle AND it can draw liquid butane-propane from an inverted Lindal-valve canister. To accomplish this trick it comes with both a white gas bottle and pump and a canister inverter stand. The remote-burner stove connects to either fuel supply via a flexible fuel hose. The Fyrestorm is a two-valve design with instant and accurate flame control at the burner.

 

 

Caption: Fyrestorm Ti in simmer mode.

Design Summary and Evaluation

The Fyrestorm Ti ships with the burner assembly including fuel hose, a white gas fuel bottle and pump, a bottle cap, the canister inverter stand, a folding aluminum windscreen and reflector disc, a stow sack, spare parts and instructions in three languages (English, Spanish and French). As noted, the Fyrestorm comes with a familiar-looking white gas bottle with screw-in pump and with a tripod canister stand that inverts a Lindal-valve isobutane-propane (iso-pro) canister. Whether using canister or white gas, there’s a valve at the fuel supply, which connect to the burner’s via a flexible fuel hose. The burner has a second, flame adjuster valve, and sports a wide burner head for a broad flame and even heating. A generator tube vaporizes the liquid fuel, and there’s no priming cup, so familiar to white gas stoves. The burner has an internal needle for clearing the fuel jet, and the three serrated pot supports fold for storage.

 

 

Caption: The Fyrestorm performs well in alpine territory.

Design, Materials and Construction

The Fyrestorm Ti is made primarily of metal, with some plastic used in the pump. By my count, steel, brass, aluminum, magnesium and of course, titanium are all used in its construction. Titanium forms the burner and the pot supports, instead of stainless steel as used in the other Fyrestorm model. The cast magnesium burner and cartridge stand legs are powder-coated black and the aluminum fuel bottle is painted red. The aluminum fuel valve and pump knobs, and the brass fuel connections are all knurled for a good grip. The fuel adjustment valve handle is a folding wire type.

Heavy-gauge aluminum foil forms the windscreen and reflector disc, with the windscreen perforated for airflow to the burner. The stow sack is heavy coated nylon packcloth. Operating instructions are both pasted to the fuel bottle and attached to the canister stand. All fuel connectors come capped to fend off dirt, grit and moisture, and the flexible fuel hose is sheathed in stainless steel mesh. The Fyrestorm includes a small bag of replacement parts and the necessary illustrations to identify and use them.

Key Measurements at a Glance

* Includes windscreen, reflector disc and stow sack.

The test Fyrestorm Ti closely matches Coleman’s weight specifications.  

Set Up, Fire Up

Fyrestorm setup differs between the canister and white gas modes.

Canister. The simpler of the two configurations, canister setup involves attaching the burner to the canister stand by screwing in the hose coupling, opening the burner and stand legs, then screwing a canister onto the stand. The burner is placed atop the reflector disc, then the windscreen assembled and wrapped around the cookpot to give a snug fit. A notch in the windscreen accommodates the hose and valve handle.

To light the stove, close down the adjuster valve at the burner, open the fuel valve on the canister stand and light the burner. Adjust the flame as desired using the valve at the burner (refer to the Performance section for more discussion of canister mode flame control).

 

 

Caption: The Fyrestorm’s white gas preheat pyrotechnics.

White Gas. White gas setup begins with filling the bottle about 2/3ds full (16 fl oz/473 ml), installing the pump assembly and pumping roughly forty times. After attaching the burner by screwing in the threaded hose connector, the burner legs are opened and the burner placed atop the reflector disc. Next, the burner’s adjuster valve is fully opened (important!), the pump fuel valve is opened and the burner lighted. The initial flame will be yellow and tall but once vaporization is achieved and the stove has settled down to a steady blue cooking flame, output can be adjusted using the burner’s adjuster valve. Finally, the windscreen and pot can be put in place.

Measured Performance

As part of my initial review, I measured performance by bringing one liter (34 fl oz) of water to boil in both fuel modes using an MSR Blacklite coated aluminum pot with lid that’s about 6.5 in. x 3 in. (17 x 7.5 cm). I used the Fyrestorm’s windscreen and reflector disc to maximize efficiency and counter any wind effect. I established actual time to boil with a thermometer with a wired remote probe.

* Time from lighting to achieving a steady blue flame.
** Time from lighting to achieving a boil, verified by thermometer.
*** Includes startup fuel and fuel consumed after shutdown, but not the fuel lost upon disconnecting the fuel line.

Test conditions: Starting water temperature, 66 F (20 C); air temperature, 82 F (28 C); wind conditions: moderately breezy; conducted outdoors at sea level.

Canister mode uses significantly less fuel and heats water moderately faster (using a moderated flame). White gas mode has significant disadvantages in this test because the total fuel consumption includes the preheat fuel and the fuel lost after shutting the stove down, neither of which contributes to cooking. The difference would be definitely lessened in continuous cooking, as compared to this on/off mode cycle.

Flame control: The white gas flame at full-tilt covered the pot bottom and curled a bit up the sides. The adjuster valve quickly reduces it to a steady simmer. By contrast, a new canister had must be throttled back--way back--to prevent the flame from completely enveloping the pot. Of the two modes, especially with a new canister, white gas provides the better simmering flame. Larger, wider pots can make better use of the canister performance.

Packing and Carrying

I pack the burner and canister stand (if taken) in a ziplock bag and carry it in my cookpot (the supplied stuffsack is much larger than necessary for just the burner). The bag keeps it from rattling inside the pot and keeps any carbon buildup from dirtying other items. The foldaway handle doesn’t stay folded, an annoyance that takes up a bit more space, and the stiff fuel hose also takes a share. The windscreen and reflector disc go into the cookpot sack, beneath the pot itself. For white gas mode, I keep the pump in the depressurized white gas bottle, and the bottle in double ziplock bags in an outside pack pocket.

Isobutane-propane cartridges are available in at least three capacities and several shapes, so the user can match the cartridge(s) to their needs and their backpack. The most common 220 g (7.8 oz) size stows fairly easily, while the large 440 g (15.6 oz) canister can prove a challenge. The little 110 g (3.9 oz) cartridges, especially the narrow ones, can even slide into a mug.

Field Report

I’ve had the Fyrestorm on two solo (1- and 2-night) and two, two-man (1- and 2-night) trips. I’ve also day-hiked with it twice, using it for snowmelt water and a hot lunch. All trips have been in the Tahoe Sierra, both inside and west of Desolation Wilderness. I’ve used it even more around home and on family trips, where it’s easier to experiment without being forced to eat failures.

Field Conditions. I’ve had super weather for this test, and no rain. My trips been at elevations ranging from 5,500 feet to 9,000 feet (1,700-2,750 m), and cook-time temperatures have ranged from about 40 F to 75 F (4-24 C). Wind has varied from calm to a strong breeze. I don’t notice a difference in how the stove responds to air temperature variation, other than perhaps some extra zeal from the canister mode when it’s warm (especially if the fuel has been in the sun). Wind makes the stove harder to light in white gas mode, and extra shelter to supplement the windscreen is in order when it’s blowing. It’s usually simple to build a wind barrier from rocks or downed wood. I also haven’t noticed any altitude impact on stove operation and performance. A remote burner design is low to the ground, making the stove easy to shelter.

Field setup is typical for this type of stove, taking five minutes or less, including retrieving the packed parts, finding a suitable cooking spot (level and protected from wind and flammables), assembly, pumping (white gas mode) and lighting. White gas mode requires more fiddling, of course. Once a cooking flame is achieved, the pot goes on and the windscreen is fitted. I sometimes have difficulty in routing both the fuel line and the valve handle through the windscreen. It’s also easy to move the burner by moving the fuel supply, in part because the fuel line stiff and rather short. I also sometimes find the burner legs closing as the burner gets dragged around or the pot is slid across it. The legs are loosening with time.

My in-the-field cooking has been with 1.5 and 1.0-liter titanium pots. The 1.5 is a great size for the Fyrestorm and the 1.0 is a bit small, so the flame tends to travel up the sides. They don’t have handles, so I can wrap the windscreen fairly close without worrying about burning off handle insulation. Even with smooth-bottom pots, the pot supports grip them well so they don’t slide easily.

What’s Cooking? The Fyrestorm’s wide burner accommodates “real” cooking technique, particularly browning, sautéing and simmering. I’ve cooked some of my favorite dinners with it, including beef & vegetable stew, salmon and potatoes, and salmon in rice pilaf. The first is a one-pot meal that requires browning and simmering; the latter two require two pots--first browning some ingredients and setting them aside while preparing the starch, then mixing them together. Just to prove to myself it can be done, I even caramelized sugar (now what?). I still have to stir when simmering to prevent sticking and burning, and thin-walled titanium pans require more stirring than aluminum. This is more of a pan limitation than a criticism of the stove because titanium is renowned for developing hot spots (you can see the flame pattern glowing on the bottom of an empty pan). But the Fyrestorm, compared to compact burner heads that concentrate the flame in a small area, is a far better choice for cooking with challenging cookware. Coated aluminum pots distribute heat more evenly and of course, don’t stick as readily. Of great importance is the Fyrestorm’s flame control valve, which gives fantastic instantaneous control without the time lag typical of remote-fuel stoves.

 

 

 

 

Caption: Melting snow is as easy as 1,2,3.

Snow-Melting. I’ve melted snow using canister-mode and the 1.5 L pot, and find the Fyrestorm very good at this pesky task. The wide burner makes it easier to avoid singing the pot, and the canister’s vast flame output makes quick work of springtime snow. The windscreen clearly speeds the melting process, and I didn’t have any problems with condensation dripping on the burner and threatening the flame.

Fuel Consumption. I don’t claim to have reliable metrics on fuel use; there are far too many variables away from the home “lab.” Still, based on my use so far I think a medium 220 g (7.8 oz) cartridge could supply two people on a five-day trip (four each, breakfasts and dinners) if they’re careful about efficient technique and not cooking elaborate meals. Fancypants cooking will use the fuel up a day sooner. I also believe that a full pint (473 ml) of white gas will last about as long, or perhaps going an extra day. The lower efficiency and the extra fuel required to reach a cooking flame will always make the white gas option less fuel-efficient.

Operating Costs. During this test I’ve watched canister prices in my area go up considerably, while white gas has stayed about the same. A 220 g canister costs about what a gallon of Coleman fuel goes for. Over the long haul white gas is a vastly cheaper fuel than isobutane-propane. Whether that’s germane when fueling a nearly two-hundred dollar stove I can’t say. The road warrior knows that availability trumps price.

Wear and Tear

The Fyrestorm’s burner has discolored from heat and various parts are scuffed and scratched, but this is just cosmetic evidence of use. The burner’s reflector/windscreen bends easily when stowed, and I usually have to reshape and reposition it before each use. Spring action that keeps the burner legs open has lessened and it doesn’t stay locked as well as when new (especially compared to the canister stand). Whether this is due to break-in wear or softening of the spring I can’t say, but the result is that I have to be careful about not partially collapsing the burner legs while cooking.

The reflector disc developed a small hole in the center as a result of folding and unfolding.

I’m continuing to use the protective caps that cover all the hose connections, and they all still thread together easily. The valves have loosened up from their initial tightness, and are now easy to operate.

 

 

Conclusions

The Fyrestorm Ti is a well-designed, nicely made, versatile cooking rig. Coleman enables globetrotters to find a viable fuel source practically anywhere, and folks who travel closer to home get to exercise their fuel preference in response to the season, the trip length, the number of folks in their party and the kind of cooking they’re planning. I found the Fyrestorm to be a chef’s delight for cooking fussy meals, and lazy Rick also appreciates that it’s also a set-it-and-forget-it when it’s time to boil the breakfast water or melt snow (nobody enjoys lording over a stove watching snow melt).

As was my experience during the initial evaluation, canister operation in the field is fast and easy. With a fresh canister, even the minimum flame is too strong for low-temperature cooking techniques, at least without exercising special care (holding the pot above the supports allows me to brown or sauté without burning). Once the canister level drops, a simmering flame is achievable and at the waning end of a canister’s life, the Fyrestorm squeezes out the last drop of fuel while still maintaining a robust cooking flame, proving the value of inverting the canister. Vapor-feed stoves typically burn weakly when the canister is low, especially in cold weather, while the Fyrestorm wrings out every drop.

White gas operation remained the touchier of the two in the field, and startup requires continued diligence even after ample practice. Beyond the obvious filling and pumping, I have to tweak the tank pressure and valve settings to achieve a steady cooking flame. I still sometimes have fuel spill down the burner assembly where it can pool underneath (a much bigger deal in the woods than in higher, rockier places). Extended cook times (for larger or more elaborate meals) mean pumping the tank while cooking, as with other pump-type stoves I’ve used. As the fuel tank empties, the tank holds pressure longer than when it’s full and there’s less airspace, meaning more pumping before start-up but less while cooking.

During this field phase I’ve developed a preference for the canister mode; when I pack now, it’s what I take. Both my innate laziness and the more robust stove performance make it the easy choice. I can quibble over the lovely and perhaps over-engineered canister inverter-stand, but the greater efficiency means many camping and dining numerous days from a single canister, and the ease of use means I can either focus on cooking or go do other things if just heating water. While I’ve soloed with the Fyrestorm, I have to admit it’s overkill for one if snow-melting isn’t required; I’ve got a compact canister stove that’s a quarter of the weight and bulk. But for the pursuit of stove science, I’ve been happy to tote it!

Hits

Beautifully made.
Very complete packaging, including spare parts, white gas bottle, windscreen and stuffsack.
Two major fuel options, and both are liquid-feed.
Powerful yet flexible performance.
Immediate flame control.
Built-in cleaning needle.

Misses

Tweaky white gas startup.
White gas tank susceptible to emptying when stored with pump and burner, under pressure.
Relatively short and stiff fuel line.
Loose pot support locking.
Foldaway valve handle doesn’t stay folded when stowed.

Further Testing

I hope to answer the following remaining questions:

* Auto gas—I’m not a fan of using automotive gas in camp stoves, but will try at least one fill to gauge general performance and note whether it makes a yellow flame, smokes or clogs.

* Weather—How does the Fyrestorm work in wind and rain? Can it be blown out?

* Wear, Tear, Repair—How will the Fyrestorm hold up to general use? I’ll note any burner warping or heat damage and any changes in the operation of the valves or the pump. I’ll observe the finishes and fasteners for damage or loosening, and will document any repairs or use of replacement parts.

My sincere thanks to Coleman and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to participate in this test!

Rick Dreher