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MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
Owner Review
June 25, 2004
Thomas Vickers
36 years old
Male
5 ft 11 in tall (1.8 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Background:
I grew up in the piney woods
of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the
house. I started hiking in my college years
and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery, heavy gear, period
(internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or not - heavier, more
expensive gear. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I
have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and
tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure that can be involved in
being outdoors with your gear. While I have flirted
with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid -weight hiker now. My philosophy
is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible
Manufacturer Details:
Website: http://www.msrcorp.com
Weight: 3 oz (86 g)
Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 2 in (10 x 10 x 5 cm)
Fuel: Isobutane Canister (80% Isobutane-20% propane mix)
Details from Tester: (all measurements are approximate)
Weight: 3.05 oz (86 g)
Height: 4.25 in (11 cm)
Width (folded): 2.25 in (6 cm)
Width (opened): 4 in (10 cm)
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Testing Conditions:
I have used the MSR Pocket Rocket stove from sea level to approximately 13,000 ft (3962 m)
in altitude. This stove has been used in the rain and in very windy conditions as
well as dry and wind-free conditions. The temperatures have ranged from 35 F to 95 F (2 C
to 35 C).
Description:
The MSR Pocket Rocket is a lightweight canister stove for hiking and backpacking. I
have used it with MSR and Coleman brands of threaded, resealable fuel canisters and it has
a fold out simmer/flame control in the base and three fold out pot supports that are
arranged outside/around the burner.
No priming is required to start the stove and there is also no integral ignition device
attached to the stove.
When folded for storage, the MSR Pocket Rocket will fit inside of almost any drinking cup
or other small container, which is essential to protecting the stove when it is not in
use. MSR provides a triangular plastic holder for the stove, but it just as easy to
keep it in a pot or cup.
Impressions:
My first love has always been liquid fuel stoves. To me, they are 'sturdy' and the
canister stoves that I had seen seemed very flimsy. At some point my main hiking
group decided that our liquid fuel stoves were too heavy and we would only be using
canister stoves from then on.
Not wanting to be left out of the lightweight movement, I purchased a MSR Pocket Rocket
stove. It was the lightest stove in our group and even garnered a few
appreciative 'ohs' and 'ahs' in camp.
As far as canister stoves go, I will put the MSR Pocket Rocket up against any other on the
market. Its flame is hot and over the last couple of years it has been used
repeatedly to cook meals for 3-5 people (4 l (4.23 qt) aluminum pot) and to heat water for
their drinks as well (1 l (1.06 qt) titanium pot).
When heating water the Pocket Rocket is fast. When cooking for a large group of
people, it is quick, under the right circumstances.
In perfect conditions (sea level, 78 F (26 C), and no wind) the MSR Pocket Rocket will
heat 1 l (1.06 qt) of water in a titanium pot in 3 minutes. This time goes up (same
conditions) with 3 l (3.17 qt) of water in a 4 l (4.23 qt) pot to 12 minutes.
The issue that I have with this stove is that I almost never get to use it in perfect
conditions. The Pocket Rocket has seen most of its use at altitudes above 8,000 ft
(2438 m) and in slightly to extremely windy conditions. The boil times above are
nowhere near accurate in these conditions. While I don't think altitude plays that
much of a factor in using this stove, I feel that wind does.
Since windshields are not an option on canister stoves, I have had to deal with what
nature hands me as far as wind conditions. This is usually a big problem with the
Pocket Rocket. When cooking I first have to judge where the wind is coming from,
find a wind break (rock, tree etc.) and light the stove. More often than not, it is nearly
impossible to find an object that will block the wind enough to allow quick cooking.
I will say that the Pocket Rocket lights easily, even in wind, but any kind of a breeze
increases my cook time. The last time I used the Pocket Rocket for group
cooking was on a very windy night at or near 13,000 ft (3962 m) in altitude.
We were at the end of a trip and we should have had more than enough fuel to make dinner
and heat water for our morning drinks. Due to the wind and a great deal of
frustration on my part, the dinner was only warm and partially cooked because I ran out of
fuel.
Frustrating hardly describes how I felt that night. I still feel that if I could
have blocked the wind in some way, I would not have run out of fuel.
My other complaint is with large pots. Small, one l (1.06 qt), or smaller pots are best
used with the Pocket Rocket. Anything bigger tends to make the stove and canister
top heavy and I wind up watching carefully so the pot doesn't fall over or get knocked
over by anyone moving around the stove.
Durability:
Despite some rough treatment, and being carried in a titanium cup, the MSR Pocket Rocket
has held up well to what ever I have put it through. The pot supports which fold up
against the burner when not in use have worked themselves loose over the past couple of
years. In the beginning they had to be pulled open, now I can flick them open
without having to pull on them. This is not a big concern, but there is not way to
tighten these pot supports in order to return them to their original state.
I have seen no other appreciable damage or wear anywhere on this stove. One of the
beautiful things about it is that there just isn't much to break on it. Even if the
burner adjustment arm bent or broke, I could easily replace it with any stiff piece of
metal and the stove would be functioning again.
Overall Impressions:
The MSR Pocket Rocket is a great canister stove. I have used it with MSR and Coleman
brand threaded, screw-top, resealable fuel cannisters and it has performed well. In
fact, I can highly recommend this stove for one or two people who are going to mainly be
heating water or possibly cooking small meals. This is probably the best use of the
MSR Pocket Rocket, especially if the water can be heated quickly.
I feel that thePocket Rocket is better suited to smaller pots and meals rather than large
ones. This means I will no longer be using it to cook for groups of more than two
people.
Over all, it is durable, easy to find fuel for, and even easier to light. If I want
to move fast, eat quick meals, and I am alone, this is going to be my stove of choice.
Of all the other canister stoves I have seen or used, the Pocket Rocket is
definitely my top choice in this department.
What I cannot do is recommend this stove for a larger group of people. This coming
summer marks a return to liquid fuel stoves for our hiking trips. I feel that the
simple fact of being able to use a windshield makes these stoves better suited for higher
altitudes and windy conditions.
Likes:
1. Small
2. Light weight
3. Ease of lighting
Dislikes:
1. Unstable with big pots
2. No wind screen
3. No igniter
Read more reviews of MSR gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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