A late welcome to ETS... we're recently returned from taking our scouts backpacking in the Black Elk Wilderness area of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

You cite some merits that I won't disagree with save the weight (mass) - my typical kits (stove, fuel, pots) weigh less than your combo for trips of a few days. Depending on what I am eating, my kit can be a lot lighter.

No contest for trips of long duration - fuel weight and bulk does add up. Also, I prefer to burn wood to make water from ice or snow when I have a chance - hate burning stove fuel for that purpose.

There are plenty of places in the US where these sorts of stoves are OK to use and there are folks who do - but not a high percentage.

From a Leave No Trace standpoint, pick your impact wisely - the Kelly Kettle and Trail Stove can have little impact - perhaps, from a macro view, less than a petrol stove - although that's debatable.

I certainly do not find any fault with using your selections carefully if you like them. And there are extended ETS scenarios to contemplate where they make a great deal of sense.

However, my personal preference for recreational cooking use is petrol or LP gas (from cannister to bulk tank) burning stove, with an occasional brief use of an alcohol stove or Esbit stove (Ready Pack stoves for me). I've used diesel, jet fuel, and kerosine as well but really dislike the hassle with those heavier liquid fuels - neccessary "evils" for fuel in some parts of the world. I'm down to one stove that can burn those fuels and rarely take it along anymore.

Nothing against burning wood - we sit around a campfire at least once a week, and as I wrote, I hate using stove fuel to make water in the wintertime.

Regards,

Tom