I started backpacking in my mid-20s as a natural progression from camping and dayhiking. I found that there were many beautiful places only accessible during multi-day trips by foot. I have backpacked all along the east coast and the Appalachian Trail from Tennessee to New Hampshire (in sections), the Canadian Rockies, Yellowstone, Southern California, and the Sierra Nevada. I don't necessarily subscribe to the ultralight philosophy due to the fact that I like my luxuries on the trail. However, my luxury items tend to be as light as I can afford. I consider myself a backpacker of moderate to advanced skill.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Primus

Year of Manufacture: 1997

Manufacturer's URL: http://www.primus.se

Listed Weight: 15.9 oz (450 g) excluding fuel

Weight as Delivered: 15.9 oz (450 g) excluding fuel

Product Description: Combination backpacking stove and lantern. Stove output of 9,000 BTUs and lantern output of 25 watts. Stove burn time 2 hours and lantern burn time 16 hours on standard disposable canister (225 g of fuel). Unit includes a 3.3 x 3.3 x 5.4 inch (8.4 cm x 8.4 cm x 14 cm) hard plastic storage case.

Test Location(s)

Appalachian Mountains, Canadian Rockies, Yellowstone, Sierra Nevada, Anza Borrego, San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Rosa Mountains.

Description of Location(s): This unit has been used at many varied locations including desert and mountains at elevations from 1,000 to 12,000 ft (300 to 3,600 m).

Weather Conditions: Varied – wet, dry, hot, freezing, snow, rain, etc.

Product Review

This product consists of a dual backpacking stove and lantern combination. The lantern globe consists of mesh steel and is equipped for use with one mantle (mesh, cloth element that emits light at high temperature which are sold separately). The stove burner and valves are constructed of steel. The stove/lantern combination and valves fit snug and compact in their hard plastic protective case. The lantern and stove screw together and are placed at the bottom of the case. The lantern valve and stove valve also screw together and are placed on top of the lantern and stove. Snap the lid over the case, and I’m ready to go. The ability to physically screw together the stove, lantern, and valves allows for a very compact and easy to pack stove/lantern combination.

To set up the units for use, unscrew the valves from each other. Next, unscrew the lantern and stove from each other and attach their respective valves. Finally, attach the base of each valve to a commercially available, disposable fuel cartridge (propane/butane mix). Since the stove and lantern are separate, either of them can be left at home if not needed.

Let me start this review by explaining what I look for in a backpacking stove. Reliability and ease of maintenance are the first two attributes I look for in a stove; followed by other attributes including simple construction, ease of use, weight, durability, and boil time. I’ll discuss each of these attributes one by one.

Stove Reliability

This stove has always worked well in the conditions it was meant to be used – mainly at temperatures over 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) and elevations under 11,000 ft (3,300 m). However, I have found it to work fine, albeit less efficiently, at elevations of up to 12,000 ft (3,600 m) and temperatures as low as 30 degrees F (-1 degrees C). Now very cold temperatures are a different story. This stove is extremely inefficient in cold weather and I would not rely upon it for cold weather backpacking. I could not get more than a trickle of flame during a winter trip where morning temperatures were as low as 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C). Primus does offer a heat pad for cold weather use, but I have never had an opportunity to use it.

Stove Maintenance

I have used and abused this stove for 7 years and have never needed to maintain or fix it. Enough said?

Other Stove Attributes

This stove couldn’t be easier to use due to its simple construction. Screw the valve onto the burner; attach the disposable fuel cartridge (a propane/butane mix), turn the knob, and touch a flame to the gas flow. The stove’s output absolutely roars bringing approximately one liter of water to a boil in less than 5 minutes in temperatures over 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) and elevations less than 10,000 ft (3,000 m). It is also fairly efficient at higher elevations up to 12,000 ft (3,600 m [I have no experience at higher elevations]).

The stove is fairly lightweight and compact. I sometimes leave the lantern behind when I am trying to shave ounces. Both the stove and the lantern are manufactured with durable steel. I have kicked, dropped, and stepped on this stove with no damage to the unit. The unit also comes with a very sturdy, compact, hard plastic storage case to further protect the unit. As with the lantern, I can leave the case behind when I am trying to shave ounces. One of the cons is the fuel cartridge is bulky; but I have yet to see a stove without a bulky fuel cartridge (except for alcohol stoves). The bulkiness does provide me with a nice, sturdy base for cooking though.

Lantern

The lantern portion of this unit is awesome; although I consider it a luxury and will leave it behind alot. I really enjoy using it in areas where campfires are not allowed and I want to stay up chatting or playing cards with my camp mates. The lantern sheds enough light for me to easily play cards, rummage in my pack, use the privy, etc. The light output is really low but sufficient for any task but reading due to the diffused and muted nature of the light (caution: do not use the lantern or stove inside a tent due to asphyxiation and fire hazard concerns). The lantern globe consists of mesh steel and is equipped for use with one mantle. The mesh globe really protects the mantle well, resulting in fewer mantle change-outs. I have only had to change the mantle approximately once every 5 backpacking trips.

Pros

(1) Reliable.

(2) Low maintenance.

(3) Easy to use.

(4) Compact and lightweight.

(5) Durable

(6) Fast boils.

(7) Lantern.

Cons

(1) Not reliable for cold weather use.

(2) Bulky fuel cartridge (12 ounce weight [340 g], 4 x 3.6 in. [10 x 9.1 cm]).

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