Originally, I wanted to get a stove that operates on white gas as most hardcore backpackers claim that white gas burns hotter... yada yada. But considering the pumping, priming, spilling, cleaning and maintenance involved, I decided to go with this simple, inexpensive stove. It's been reliable the last 3 years for backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada and primitive camping where you have to hike to the campsite. The stove is easy to set up and the flame is powerful, wide and fully adjustable. The shield helps concentrate the heat and blocks some of the breeze. One 8 oz Iso-butane canister can last 4-5 days, 2 meals per day for 2 persons. Total weight for stove & fuel is 18 oz. Tips for cold/windy weather: place the fuel canister in your sleeping bag overnight... keep it warm!

Customer Service

None needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Various propane types and fancy white gas stoves.

In the wake of the Giga, the PocketRocket, and others, it's hard to believe that back in the Stone Age, in 1998, Backpacker gave it a perfect score for packability. At 7 ounces, it's a beast by the current standard. It's still a good little stove, with sweet flame control, easy setup, and good heat. The only problem with it is the existence of better stoves, notably the MSR PocketRocket, which is more stable and half the weight. The wider flame pattern makes the Primus better for fancy cooking, but other than that, it's been outclassed by the new crop. If it's on sale, pounce; otherwise, there are better options.

This is perhaps my favorite of the Primus canister stoves. It puts out a startling amount of fire. The removable windscreen is very functional, and the pot supports are heavy-duty, and they neatly stow around the control knob. Only it is a little fussy to place the windscreen on the pot supports for use. But you get used to it. I think it boils a liter of water under 4 minutes. The more the heat output, the faster the consumption of fuel--always carry one extra canister at least. It is solidly built, and with the piezo, life is just good. I highly recommend it.

Customer Service

Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Yellowstone Techno Trail, Easy Fuel, Micro, Micron, etc.

Thinking about buying a first backpacking stove? Don't buy a whisperlite. BUY THIS Yellowstone trail. There are no parts to lose or break and it's cheap as heck. You can simmer with it and it packs away into nothing. Knowing how much fuel it will use is a bit annoying (this is a problem with all cannister stoves), but you get used to it and learn quickly how much to pack. This is a great stove at a great price. Wouldn't use it for a mountaineering expedition, but have no qualms about taking it along on a 7 day hike.

Bought this little gem on my way to Alaska 2 years ago when I discovered I left the pump to my MSR Whisperlite in another bottle I didn''t bring. Has been a great performer ever since. In the area of the country I hike most in, the Southwest, a windscreen is a necessity. You can buy a Snow Peak Giga titanium for $99 which weighs 3 ozs and buy their optional windscreen at $8.95 which weighs 2 ozs for a total weight of 5 ozs or buy the Primus, 7 ozs with windscreen on closeout for $19.95.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus Nova, MSR Whisperlite.

THIS STOVE ROCKS! My good friend is still trying to fire up his Whisperlite while my water''s boiling. I wanted small and easy to use and I got it! The small fuel bottle might cost $4.50 but will cover 2 people for a 2-3 day trip in high mountain, late fall trips. The only thing that could be better is pot stability but...GET ONE, YOU''LL BE HAPPY!

Customer Service

Have''nt needed any help!!

Similar Products Used:

none

This stove is so cheap and super reliable. Everything comes apart easily for cleaning and maintenance. The windscreen really works and shields the flame well. My stove came with one stiff arm- it required some filing of the arm so that it wouldn't rub against the bottom of the burner. After that, everything is perfect. The burner shape is perfect, spreading heat evenly. It all fits into a stuff sac which nestles nicely in an inner pot/pan combo. The stove control is very precise/smooth and burner action is also very quiet. Not like other reviewers, I found that the stove is very stable. It was hard to find Primus fuel, but I am sure other brands might work as well. For the price and the reliability (through performance and build), this is a perfect backpacking stove. I think that it might be discontinued, so prices are even better. The build is very good for long use- great for overnight/weekend backpacking.

Similar Products Used:

None

I am reviewing the Yellowstone Techno Trail, which looks nothing like the picture shown here, but seems to be from the same line.

Wha a great stove. No tubes to hook up, no priming, just screw into the fuel and click the piero starter and boy does it burn hot! Even if it did not have the piero ignighter feature and you have to light with a match, this would be a terrific stove. Honestly, we turned around for about 30 secs, opened the lid, and the water was at a rolling boil- it was that fast.

It is so light, you could easily have two if you wanted a makeshift two burner stove. Since I always carry a reserve fuel tank anyway, at the price, that is exactly what I am thinking of!

The fuel it uses is a iso-propane mix, and the tanks are not refillable, so be sure to find a place to recycle them.

Similar Products Used:

None

Great stove. It lights quickly, simmers well, packs small, and is very quiet. The sarrated pot supports grip textured pots really well. And the price is great.

The downsides? It's horrible in cold weather. I notice a increase of leftover fuel after the stove goes out at 50 degrees. I took it on a winter backpacking trip and with a brand new canister it BARELY boiled one pot of water. Then it was dead. The temp was in the teens. Luckily I brought my wood burning Sierra Stove too. Now I carry the Coleman Xpert (along with my Sierra stove) in winter. The canisters are heavy and bulky compared to the new Coleman canisters.

Bottom line: Cheap, light, quiet, small, lights easy, with a very adjustibule flame. A very good choice as a first stove. I still use this stove for summer trips because it is so small and light.

Similar Products Used:

Zzip Sierra Stove
Coleman Xpert
Coleman Duel Fuel
MSR Wisperlight Int.

Took this one with me on a sub-zero camping trip and was very pleased! Boiled about 6 cups of water in under ten minutes at sub-zero temperatures (probably -5 or lower plus wind.) I'm sure the titanium is lighter, but the wind guard held up exceptionally well in 20+ mph gusts. Extremely easy to set up and take down. Fits perfectly in my cook-gear, and is plenty light enough.

As an aside, I also have the primus Lantern, and love the combo! They're both so small and light that I don't think I'll ever camp without them.

For general camping use, and for the money, this is the best stove I've seen yet.

Similar Products Used:

None