Product Information
Manufacturer: Ultralight Outfitters
Manufacturer URL: http://www.ultralightoutfitters.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
MSRP: $14.00 US for stove, stand and windscreen
              $14.00 US for the Good Cook Safecut Can Opener
Country of Manufacture: USA
Listed weight: 3.8 oz (108 g)
Actual weight:  3.4 oz (96 g) including Fosters beer can
Materials Used: Wire for the stand, sheet of aluminum for the windscreen, and an empty 24.5 oz (725 ml) beer can (supplied by me).

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    From the Website:

The lightest weight solution for backpack cooking that really works: Simple, Sturdy, Safe, and Packs up easily.

This kit includes:

• Silicon Rubber Lipguard
• Stainless Steel Tray for solid fuel
• Stainless Steel Stand
• Stainless Steel No-fold Windscreen
• Lexan Spoon (that fits the pot perfectly)

The Cook Pot

The cook pot is made from an empty jumbo 24.5 fl. oz. (725 ml) beer can. This empty can is perfect for a backpacking cook pot!

• It is large enough to make a meal for one person.
• It is easy to hold so it can double as a drinking mug.
• It has a non-stick coating on the inside.
• It is a 100% recycled product.
• It is readily available and inexpensive to buy and replace.
• It weighs one ounce, which is incredibly light!

The Stove

The stove is a stand and fuel tray for burning solid fuel pellets. Solid fuel is the lightest weight fuel for backpacking. Solid fuel is also the safest and most reliable fuel for camping. It can't leak. You can't spill it. The stove has no jets or valves that can get damaged or plugged.

The Windscreen

The windscreen is made from stainless steel, and is pre-formed into a cylindrical shape that stands around the cook pot and stove while cooking. When the stove and windscreen are packed up for travel, the windscreen wraps around the cook pot and protects it from being dented. You never have to fold or unfold the windscreen.

The Insulated Drinking Mug

When the stove and windscreen are packed up, they create a double walled shell around the cook pot. This turns the cook pot into an insulated drinking mug that is just right for holding and warming your hand while enjoying a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. A lip guard made of silicon rubber fits around the top of the can, and makes sipping hot liquids comfortable.

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Product Overview:
    For my test series, I received the Beercan Stove kit (see Product Description above)  and the Good Cook Safe Cut Can Opener (available from Ultralight Outfitters or at most grocery stores).  The stove kit came inside a box that had picture directions on how to unpack, pack, and use the Beercan Stove.  I will cover set up and packing in a moment.  These instructions were adequate enough for me to remove the stove kit and assemble it without difficulty.  The Safe Cut Can Opener came with simple to follow instructions.
    I was required to supply my own Foster's Beer can to make into a pot.  I easily removed the top of the beer can with the Safe Cut Can Opener.  The Safe Cut is designed to cut into the side of the can lid and leave the can with a smooth top edge where the lid used to be.  The included silicon lip guard needed to be stretched over the top of the new pot.  The new pot was comfortable to drink from with the lip guard in place.
    The Ultralight Outfitters Beercan Stove is designed to boil up to 20 oz (600 ml) of water.  This water can then be added to an instant meal in a bag or the ingredients can be put into the pot and eaten.  My preferred method is the former as it simplifies my clean up to crumbling the bag my food was in and putting it inside my trash bag and bear container.    I can then let the pot dry out and store the stove kit.  I normally heat approximately 20 oz (600 ml) of water to cook my meal and make a small cup of tea to drink with dinner.
       Ultralight Outfitters recommends the use of Esbit fuel tablets.  Another type of solid fuel is the trioxane tablets used by the military.  This are often found at military supply stores.  The Esbit tablets can be purchased from Ultralight Outfitters and outdoor recreation stores like REI or Sports Chalet.  I have used alcohol stoves in the past, but I always worry if the alcohol will leak out of its container and contaminate items inside my pack.  With a solid fuel tablet, I do not have to worry about leaking fuel.  I can remove the tablet from its individual wrapper, set it in the fuel tray, and light it.  The Esbit tablets burn completely and do not leave a mess.

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Testing Conditions:
    I have trips planned for the San Bernardino National Forest, part of the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern Calfiornia, and local desert.  Car camping trips into the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park with day hiking are also planned.  I plan on taking the stove on day hikes to provide a warm drink with lunch.  Elevation will range from 3000 ft (900 m) to just under 11,000 ft (3300 m).  Expected terrain will include cross country through dense forest and rock scrambling and desert environments.  Anticipated temperature range will be 32 F (0 C) to 70 F (21C).

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Things I will be looking for:

1. So far, the stove is easy to pack.  Will this change as the stove is heated up and cooled down from use?
2. Will it be very important to find a flat, level surface to use the stove on?
3. Ease of set up in the field.
4. Will this stove work with other fuel beside Esbit?
5. Will the wire stand hold up to the heat generated while boiling water or will it become soft and bend?