In a couple of days, MSR is set to release their new MicroRocket stove.

The MicroRocket will be MSR's first entry into the lightweight, high-end gas stove market. (The existing PocketRocket is more of an entry level stove).

Yesterday, I took the stove out on the trail for the first time.


Please join me on an another Adventure in Stoving: The New MSR MicroRocket -- Trail Report #1

HJ

One small critique for consistency and to avoid confusion: In the 9th and 10th photos (right after discussing the piezoelectric ignition), you show the stoves folded in the first pic and then unfolded in the second. It took a couple seconds to realize you swapped the two stoves. Left to right between the two shots. They're labeled correctly under the pics so this is really a non-issue, but for us neanderthals who don't read fine print under photos, continuity helps.

Other than that minor non-issue, nice trail test. I really like that the MicroRocket simmers -- very cool (pun intended)

Oh, sorry Russ.

My basic protocol is to test stoves like I'd actually use them on the the trail. I guess I'm more worried about the cooking (and the eating!) than what order things are. I was pretty hungry and so was my wife and my daughter. I may have just done whatever was fastest to get lunch ready.

HJ

Jim..i made a comment at CCS but looking again at the close up of the stove/burner head i see that it's a "heavy"duty item.the castings,nut,bolts,flame spreader attachments and so on look like they are made to last and not a knock off thats made to look like a stove with a short working life.i have one of those small burners in the orange box that i carry in my PFD thats a "use once and toss" survival item like a foil blanket.

lol It seriously only took a couple seconds to realize the order was reversed in the pics, NBD. The important point of that post was that the MicroRocket simmers. Any question as to whether or not I'll wait buy the MR went away with that review. Thanks.

Regard your comment on how the burner is lower on the micro, I'm wondering if that's the possible cause of CO, would it be possible to unscrew the stem from a PR, cut some off, retap the thread and drill the air hole, and achieve the same thing? Would make the burner lower and easier to shield from wind too.

I don't know enough about adjusting the air/fuel and lack the equipment to drill it, so I can't try it.

Yes, my impression exactly.

I took it out again today. I dragged the pot around on the pot supports. On the old PR, I got "chatter" from the thin pot supports as the weight of the pot moved them and then let go.

I got no "chatter" from the MicroRocket.

HJ

I took it out again today. Same results. ULTRA low flame was possible.

I left the lid on a pot of noodles and walked away. When I came back, NO burnt noodles. I had a hard time telling if the stove was on, and I was there.

HJ

You could do it, and it might or might not work. But why go through that when the professionals who have state-of-the art carbon dioxide monitors have done it for you?

Messing around with flammable gas burners isn't necessarily the best thing unless you really know what you're doing.

HJ

No, it's definitely not. I'm a born tinker but I know when to stop when my butt is on the line.

Headed out on the trail again today. Teaser shots for now. Full report to follow.





HJ

I've been using MSR cannisters, but is there a performance difference in the fuel between GigaPower and MSR?

Does MSR care about all those GP cannisters in your pics?

If they don't like my gas, let them send me some of theirs.

MSR at least on paper is a slightly better product in cold weather. In warmer weather (above 50F/10C), it doesn't make a bit of difference what brand of gas you buy.

The main thing to remember with gas in cold weather is avoid "plain" butane. Buy a brand with isobutane.

HJ

Cool, in that case I need to try GigaPower cannisters. I'll pick some up when I pick up the MicroRocket which at least so far isn't in the REI or Backcountry online stores.

The MR's official release date is today, but I imagine that it will be a bit before anyone actually has one on the shelf.

Snow Peak, Brunton, Jet Boil, and MSR should all give about the same performance. I think it would be hard to tell the difference between them for the average person.

HOWEVER, I have had people tell me that they've had bad experiences with one or another. Unfortunately, the bad experiences seem pretty random, and often the bad brand in one story will be the good brand in the next story. It's possible that quality control may not be up to speed for every single canister. Use gas with caution in cold weather (below 32F/0C). Know what you're doing, how to keep the canister warm safely, and what your limits are.

HJ

More shots of the new MR stove that I took out again yesterday. This time I went cold and high.


I wanted to see how it would do. I was actually fairly impressed. Full report to follow when I get time.


HJ

Well, it could definitely be done. You just need to widen the gap between the bottom of the pot and the top of the burner. Any increase will probably result in a reduction of CO emission.

JUST BE REALLY FREAKING CAREFUL. If you mess up the flow, gas can come out of the air intake ports on the burner column. You could get some really odd heating, heating that might cause the canister to overheat and might make it difficult to turn off the stove. Apply enough heat to a canister of liquified gas, and... Well, you get the idea. It wouldn't be pretty.

HJ

Here you go: The MSR MicroRocket at BackCountryGear.com. They're the first that I've seen. (No affiliation)

HJ