Terriann & Michael McGlenn
2004-10-21 03:29:50 UTC
Second review. Now I have time to work on my applications :~)
-------------------------------------------------
Snow Peak GigaPower WG stove-Owner Review
Owner information:
Name: Terriann McGlenn
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Height: 5 9 (1.75 m)
Weight: 230 lbs. (104 kg)
Email: light_of_aton-***@public.gmane.org
City, State, Country: Seattle area, Washington, USA
Date: 10/20/2004
Backpacking Background: I was raised backpacking primarily in Washington.
As an adult I dropped away from it all to get a degree and a spouse. In the
past 3 years I have come back to backpacking. I use lightweight 4-season
tents and a down bag, but mix with frameless pack and trail runners. My
packweight is always under 25 lbs. (11.3 Kg) for a 4+-day trip. I hike from
April-October at least 1 weekend a month in addition to dayhikes and a
weeklong trip or 2 per year.
Product Information:
Manufacturer-Snow Peak www.snowpeak.com
Year of manufacture-2002
Listed weight-12.5 oz. (354 g) without fuel
Weight as delivered-20 oz. (567 g)
MSRP-$149.95 USD
Overview:
I became very interested in this stove when it won and Editors Choice Award
in 2001 from Backpacker Magazine. At that time I was using the first stove
I had ever purchased, an MSR WhisperLite, and was not enjoying the process
or the results. I had called MSR to discuss how to be better able to make
the stove simmer and light more efficiently. Their answer, while helpful,
was not what I wanted. In the end they recommended I buy another of their
stoves, the MSR Dragonfly, which they purported was built to simmer, but the
lighting was standard for all white gas stoves. I looked at the Snow Peak
GigaPower and was immediately enamored. A stove that didnt need a
windscreen simmered beautifully and didnt need to be primed to light. What
more could I ask for? I went to the local REI to take a look and try it
out. Well, the stove was too new for the flagship store to have put it on
display for testing. I asked the salesman if I could try it before buying
it and they said it would be a while before it would be on trial display,
but I was welcome to purchase it and return it used for a full refund if not
happy with its performance. So thats what I did, and I havent looked
back.
Description:
The GigaPower stove is a white gas backpacking stove; the first white gas
stove to not need a windscreen or need to be primed. The stove came in a
blue heavy fabric storage bag with 17 oz (520 ml) fuel bottle, pump unit (in
a separate storage bag), fuel hose, plastic dipstick style fuel gauge and
repair kit. On the back of the hang tag it states: WARNING: This stove is
different than other stoves. It requires a completely different procedure
for lighting. For successful ignition of this stove, carefully read the
instruction manual. This warning is also on each and every piece of
equipment in the bag: the stove had a metal tag, the fuel pump had it stuck
to the side, the fuel bottle was wrapped in a cardboard sleeve, all with the
same warning on a sticker. In the storage bag was also 3 pieces of written
material: the Instruction Manual (English only) How to use the fuel gauge
and the Quick Start Guide for Igniting the GigaPower WG Stove. I believe
a Registration card also came with the stove, but if it did I mailed it to
the manufacturer. There is also a sticker included to be placed on the side
of the included fuel bottle that shows the lighting process for the stove in
brief. The fuel hose has two white plastic protective end caps, is covered
in a woven metal mesh and has swiveling ends where it connects to both stove
and bottle. The fuel bottle is covered in the Snow Peak GigaPower logo,
lists a few standard warnings in both English and Japanese, contact
information for the company in Japan, and comes with a red cap for storing
fuel in the bottle when the pump is not in place. It also has a black line
that lists the carrying capacity of the bottle (17 oz/520 ml), which also
corresponds with where the fuel gauge measures the maximum fuel level for
operating. The stove has spring-loaded legs/pot supports that fold to the
front of the stove and lock in place with the flame adjuster tucked behind.
The legs have arrows stamped into them that show the direction to push them
(down) in order to collapse them, and then they are easily swung to the
front for travel or packaging. There are seven notches crimped into each
leg to help keep the pot from slipping off.
First things first:
Because of all the warnings posted thoroughly on this stove, I decided to
take my time and introduce myself completely with the stove lighting
procedures before taking a trip. I took off all the stickers, hang tags and
labels of warning, placed the instruction label sticker on the fuel bottle
and took everything out to my backyard with a lighter and can of white gas.
I proceeded to filter funnel fill the bottle to the line on the outside of
the bottle visually, and then checked the level with the fuel gauge. I then
screwed the pump unit into the fuel bottle and opened the Instruction
Manual. While being full of the usual warnings about lighting myself, my
tent and the surrounding environment on fire, it also gave suggestions on
pot diameter, it also stated firmly that it is only to be used burning white
gas. After reading through the instructions a few times, I proceeded with
the lighting process.
Lighting: Prior to leaving on a trip, I fill the fuel bottle making sure
that the fuel level in the bottle does not go over the level on the provided
fuel gauge. I carefully screw the pump into the bottle, but I do not
pressurize it unit the first meal on the trail. I have always had a concern
about fuel leakage from a pressurized bottle during the drive to the
trailhead since I always start a hike higher than the elevation where the
bottle was filled. I carry the stove in my cookpot, and the fuel bottle
with fuel tube in a separate bag of Sil-nylon that is homemade. I stuck the
provided instruction and warning sticker to the included Snow Peak fuel
bottle, which is the primary fuel bottle I use for extended trips or trips
that will involve cold weather (below 50 F (10 C) overnight) to allow fuel
for melting snow for drinking water. I start by pressurizing the fuel
bottle 50 pumps, I then take the plastic protectors off the ends of the fuel
delivery tube, wet both O-rings with a small amount of saliva to lubricate,
and screw the tube into the fuel bottle. I then take the stove, extend all
4 legs/pot supports until they snap into place, and screw the fuel tube into
the stove and place on a level surface. Over time I have discovered that
lighting this stove is like a dance. The instructions require that the
stove flame control knob be completely open when the stove is lit, to
provide the most fuel passing into the stove at ignition. The key to the
non-priming portion of the stove is the Light/Cook lever on the pump. When
preparing to light the stove, the lever is flipped to Light, the main valve
on the fuel pump is opened all the way and as the fuel flows into the top of
the stove (burner) the stove is lit with a flame. The trick for me has
always been to keep the lighter lit while the pressurized fuel comes flowing
out into the stove and keeps blowing out my flame. The instruction manual
actually states to use a long match or lighter to ignite the fuel, but I
have not wanted to light repeated matches or carry a longer lighter due to
waste and weight concerns. I have solved this problem somewhat successfully
by lighting the stove from the front where there is a loop of brass that
brings the fuel into the stove that does a loop over the burner. I can
hide my fingers behind this protrusion of metal and most of the time I get
ignition before the flame on my lighter goes out. Once ignition happens,
the flame sputters a little as it warms the burner head, at this time I pump
the fuel pump 10-15 times to add pressure to the fuel bottle and keep the
flame lit. It takes about 15-20 seconds for the flame to stabilize and then
Light/Cook lever is flipped to Cook and the fuel bottle needs to be
re-pressurized by pumping the fuel pump 15-20 times. The flame then takes
off and sounds like a softly chugging freight train, the outer flange heats
up to a glowing red and its time to turn down the flame control and start
cooking.
Extinguishing and disassembly:
In order to extinguish this stove, it is not sufficient to say that the
reverse of lighting is true. This process is again a dance, so as not to
waste fuel in the process. First I place one hand on the main valve on the
fuel pump and turn it off, as soon as the valve is off I open the flame
control all the way to get the remaining fuel out of the fuel hose. Once
the flame has burned itself out, the stove continues to diesel gas with a
whoosh-pish sound until there is no longer a smell of white gas. Once the
stove is cool I disconnect the fuel bottle from the fuel hose while leaving
the hose attached to the stove. I then flip the Light/Cook lever to Light
in preparation for the next usage. I lift the stove and let the remaining
fuel drain out of the fuel hose onto the ground. I am always careful to
drain the fuel into a firepit when available or onto rocks or dry sand/dirt
to reduce fire hazard. White gas evaporates fairly quickly in an open
environment, but when we camp during the high fire watch season I am always
extra cautious to not add fuel to the tinder. I then disconnect the fuel
line from the stove and recap the ends with the protective caps. I place
the fuel bottle and fuel line together in the Sil-nylon bag and carry it in
an outside pocket of my pack. The stove legs/pot supports are folded into
the front of the stove, the flame adjuster handle tucked in, and placed in
my cook-pot. The Instruction Manual states that the pump should be removed
from the bottle each time we are done using it, but I only do that when I
return home from a hike.
Field Conditions:
Over the past 2 years I have used this stove in all weather from light snow
and freezing 32 F (0 C), pouring rain and 65 F (18.3 C), blowing side wind,
and clear 85 F (29.4 C). It was used for one meal in a meadow in heavy fog
and mist on the Pacific Crest Trail near Snoqualmie Pass in 50 F (10 C). I
used it inside a GoLite Hex2 tent with Nest during a late snowstorm in March
at 2000 ft (610 m) next to the Snohomish River while it flurried outside.
It was used to melt snow in early spring on the side of Polallie Ridge in 50
F (10 C). This past summer it was used on two different 3+ day backpacking
trips on the Pacific Crest Trail in June and August. It has been used at
elevations of 2000 ft (610 m) to 7000 ft (2134 m) mostly in the Cascade
Range in Washington. I have not noticed any noticeable difference in
operation due to elevation gain or ambient weather conditions. The
Instruction Manual states that the stove may need to be primed for use in
below freezing weather, but I have never needed to do so.
Maintenance:
In learning all the ins and outs of this stove, I decided to see if I would
be able to maintain the stove in the field should a problem arise. With
manual in hand I took out the repair kit and familiarize myself with all of
the included parts. I wont bore you with all the maneuvers I performed on
the stove, but I tried everything laid out in the book. Since the stove
wasnt very old, or well used at that point, I managed a through lesson in
if it aint broke, dont fix it. After lubricating, fiddling and futzing
with all parts of the stove, I made myself a problem that will need to be
fixed. The stove now has a small leak out of the spindle nut behind the
flame adjuster. I have called Snow Peak about this, and they said that I
need to tighten down the spindle. I have reached the point now where if I
tighten the spindle any farther I cannot move the flame adjuster. I have
found that a small flame appears at the flame adjuster usually only the
first time using the stove on a trip, after filling the fuel bottle
completely and pressurizing it to its maximum. I dont know if the fuel
level or the pressure inside the bottle has any relevance to the problem. I
just know that I will have to send the stove in before next spring to get
the problem fixed. All other maintenance of the stove is easily done in the
field. Only once have I needed my repair kit in the field when the fuel
pump was difficult to pressurize. I took out the 2 screws that hold
together the pump top, slid the pump mechanism out, checked and re-greased
the O-rings and reassembled the pump. Problem fixed.
Review:
This is an amazing stove. I can carry it inside my 66 oz (1.95 L) size pot
with 2 plastic bowls, 2 Lexan spoons, 2 lighters, a potholder and bowl lid.
I have also used it with the cookpot I use when hiking solo, which holds 40
oz (1.18 L). It lights and runs like a charm no matter what the weather or
meal. Only twice have I had need to re-light the stove because it would not
stay lit on the first try. The first time was when I went on my first
backpacking trip using the stove in the field. I was not used to the dance
of lighting and could not get it lit before I ran out of pressurized gas in
the tube. The other time was when I discovered that its very difficult to
operate a lighter with gloved hands and again I ran out of pressurized fuel
for the stove before I could get it lit. In both cases the stove lit up the
first flick of the lighter when I re-pressurized the fuel and tried to light
it again. I think that the stove was pre-primed with fuel from my previous
attempt and thats what made it so easy the second time. I have used both
an 11 oz (325 ml) and the provided 17 oz (520 ml) bottle to carry fuel for
this stove. I have found that the smaller 11 oz (325 ml) bottle is enough
fuel for 2 meals a day for 2 people for a 4-day trip making everything from
hot water for tea to scrambled eggs and pancakes. I have never done testing
on boil times for this stove, but the March 2002 Gear Guide in Backpacker
Magazine lists a boil time of 4 minutes 50 seconds for 1 qt (0.95 L) of
water at room temperature. I cannot say that this stove excels at any one
thing as a backpacking stove as it does everything I need and want it to do
without any fuss. I feel privileged to own one of the first stoves ever
produced that I consider to be new technology in the stove industry. I am
amazed every time I use this stove that it works as well as it does without
having to be babied like my first stove or using pressurized fuel.
Recall:
I discovered in June 2004 that Snow Peak had put out a recall on the pump
for the WG stove. It was curious to me that a wider notice had not gone out
to the populace and I wanted more detail on what was the cause. I called
their Customer Service to get details of how best to proceed. They said
that there had been a few reports of a seal in the plastic pump failing and
leaking gas. This of course is an extreme fire hazard, hence the recall.
They told me that I could either take it to the retailer where I purchased
it, and they would send it back to Snow Peak, or I could mail it to them
direct saving the middleman. Following their directions I mailed it to them
and received a new pump in 1 week. The pump arrived wrapped in bubble wrap
in a new box. The new pump works beautifully, but did not fix the problem
with the stove dieseling out the front of the flame adjuster. Again in
October a box arrived with another replacement pump from Snow Peak with a
letter from the President explaining that the previous replacement pump was
found to also have problems with leaking and they needed it back. The new
replacement pump arrived with a prepaid postage box that just fit the pump.
I have not tried out the new replacement pump yet. In the two pump
replacements for recall two things have visibly changed: the main control
valve has gone from having a +/- on the handle to on/off, and the Light/Cook
lever now says Start/Run.
Likes:
Simmers beautifully
Provides both high heat/quick boil and simmer with no fuss
Packs very compactly
Dislikes:
Difficult to light without an extended lighter
Wastes fuel out of fuel hose when packing for travel
Can not take other fuels
Terriann McGlenn
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-------------------------------------------------
Snow Peak GigaPower WG stove-Owner Review
Owner information:
Name: Terriann McGlenn
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Height: 5 9 (1.75 m)
Weight: 230 lbs. (104 kg)
Email: light_of_aton-***@public.gmane.org
City, State, Country: Seattle area, Washington, USA
Date: 10/20/2004
Backpacking Background: I was raised backpacking primarily in Washington.
As an adult I dropped away from it all to get a degree and a spouse. In the
past 3 years I have come back to backpacking. I use lightweight 4-season
tents and a down bag, but mix with frameless pack and trail runners. My
packweight is always under 25 lbs. (11.3 Kg) for a 4+-day trip. I hike from
April-October at least 1 weekend a month in addition to dayhikes and a
weeklong trip or 2 per year.
Product Information:
Manufacturer-Snow Peak www.snowpeak.com
Year of manufacture-2002
Listed weight-12.5 oz. (354 g) without fuel
Weight as delivered-20 oz. (567 g)
MSRP-$149.95 USD
Overview:
I became very interested in this stove when it won and Editors Choice Award
in 2001 from Backpacker Magazine. At that time I was using the first stove
I had ever purchased, an MSR WhisperLite, and was not enjoying the process
or the results. I had called MSR to discuss how to be better able to make
the stove simmer and light more efficiently. Their answer, while helpful,
was not what I wanted. In the end they recommended I buy another of their
stoves, the MSR Dragonfly, which they purported was built to simmer, but the
lighting was standard for all white gas stoves. I looked at the Snow Peak
GigaPower and was immediately enamored. A stove that didnt need a
windscreen simmered beautifully and didnt need to be primed to light. What
more could I ask for? I went to the local REI to take a look and try it
out. Well, the stove was too new for the flagship store to have put it on
display for testing. I asked the salesman if I could try it before buying
it and they said it would be a while before it would be on trial display,
but I was welcome to purchase it and return it used for a full refund if not
happy with its performance. So thats what I did, and I havent looked
back.
Description:
The GigaPower stove is a white gas backpacking stove; the first white gas
stove to not need a windscreen or need to be primed. The stove came in a
blue heavy fabric storage bag with 17 oz (520 ml) fuel bottle, pump unit (in
a separate storage bag), fuel hose, plastic dipstick style fuel gauge and
repair kit. On the back of the hang tag it states: WARNING: This stove is
different than other stoves. It requires a completely different procedure
for lighting. For successful ignition of this stove, carefully read the
instruction manual. This warning is also on each and every piece of
equipment in the bag: the stove had a metal tag, the fuel pump had it stuck
to the side, the fuel bottle was wrapped in a cardboard sleeve, all with the
same warning on a sticker. In the storage bag was also 3 pieces of written
material: the Instruction Manual (English only) How to use the fuel gauge
and the Quick Start Guide for Igniting the GigaPower WG Stove. I believe
a Registration card also came with the stove, but if it did I mailed it to
the manufacturer. There is also a sticker included to be placed on the side
of the included fuel bottle that shows the lighting process for the stove in
brief. The fuel hose has two white plastic protective end caps, is covered
in a woven metal mesh and has swiveling ends where it connects to both stove
and bottle. The fuel bottle is covered in the Snow Peak GigaPower logo,
lists a few standard warnings in both English and Japanese, contact
information for the company in Japan, and comes with a red cap for storing
fuel in the bottle when the pump is not in place. It also has a black line
that lists the carrying capacity of the bottle (17 oz/520 ml), which also
corresponds with where the fuel gauge measures the maximum fuel level for
operating. The stove has spring-loaded legs/pot supports that fold to the
front of the stove and lock in place with the flame adjuster tucked behind.
The legs have arrows stamped into them that show the direction to push them
(down) in order to collapse them, and then they are easily swung to the
front for travel or packaging. There are seven notches crimped into each
leg to help keep the pot from slipping off.
First things first:
Because of all the warnings posted thoroughly on this stove, I decided to
take my time and introduce myself completely with the stove lighting
procedures before taking a trip. I took off all the stickers, hang tags and
labels of warning, placed the instruction label sticker on the fuel bottle
and took everything out to my backyard with a lighter and can of white gas.
I proceeded to filter funnel fill the bottle to the line on the outside of
the bottle visually, and then checked the level with the fuel gauge. I then
screwed the pump unit into the fuel bottle and opened the Instruction
Manual. While being full of the usual warnings about lighting myself, my
tent and the surrounding environment on fire, it also gave suggestions on
pot diameter, it also stated firmly that it is only to be used burning white
gas. After reading through the instructions a few times, I proceeded with
the lighting process.
Lighting: Prior to leaving on a trip, I fill the fuel bottle making sure
that the fuel level in the bottle does not go over the level on the provided
fuel gauge. I carefully screw the pump into the bottle, but I do not
pressurize it unit the first meal on the trail. I have always had a concern
about fuel leakage from a pressurized bottle during the drive to the
trailhead since I always start a hike higher than the elevation where the
bottle was filled. I carry the stove in my cookpot, and the fuel bottle
with fuel tube in a separate bag of Sil-nylon that is homemade. I stuck the
provided instruction and warning sticker to the included Snow Peak fuel
bottle, which is the primary fuel bottle I use for extended trips or trips
that will involve cold weather (below 50 F (10 C) overnight) to allow fuel
for melting snow for drinking water. I start by pressurizing the fuel
bottle 50 pumps, I then take the plastic protectors off the ends of the fuel
delivery tube, wet both O-rings with a small amount of saliva to lubricate,
and screw the tube into the fuel bottle. I then take the stove, extend all
4 legs/pot supports until they snap into place, and screw the fuel tube into
the stove and place on a level surface. Over time I have discovered that
lighting this stove is like a dance. The instructions require that the
stove flame control knob be completely open when the stove is lit, to
provide the most fuel passing into the stove at ignition. The key to the
non-priming portion of the stove is the Light/Cook lever on the pump. When
preparing to light the stove, the lever is flipped to Light, the main valve
on the fuel pump is opened all the way and as the fuel flows into the top of
the stove (burner) the stove is lit with a flame. The trick for me has
always been to keep the lighter lit while the pressurized fuel comes flowing
out into the stove and keeps blowing out my flame. The instruction manual
actually states to use a long match or lighter to ignite the fuel, but I
have not wanted to light repeated matches or carry a longer lighter due to
waste and weight concerns. I have solved this problem somewhat successfully
by lighting the stove from the front where there is a loop of brass that
brings the fuel into the stove that does a loop over the burner. I can
hide my fingers behind this protrusion of metal and most of the time I get
ignition before the flame on my lighter goes out. Once ignition happens,
the flame sputters a little as it warms the burner head, at this time I pump
the fuel pump 10-15 times to add pressure to the fuel bottle and keep the
flame lit. It takes about 15-20 seconds for the flame to stabilize and then
Light/Cook lever is flipped to Cook and the fuel bottle needs to be
re-pressurized by pumping the fuel pump 15-20 times. The flame then takes
off and sounds like a softly chugging freight train, the outer flange heats
up to a glowing red and its time to turn down the flame control and start
cooking.
Extinguishing and disassembly:
In order to extinguish this stove, it is not sufficient to say that the
reverse of lighting is true. This process is again a dance, so as not to
waste fuel in the process. First I place one hand on the main valve on the
fuel pump and turn it off, as soon as the valve is off I open the flame
control all the way to get the remaining fuel out of the fuel hose. Once
the flame has burned itself out, the stove continues to diesel gas with a
whoosh-pish sound until there is no longer a smell of white gas. Once the
stove is cool I disconnect the fuel bottle from the fuel hose while leaving
the hose attached to the stove. I then flip the Light/Cook lever to Light
in preparation for the next usage. I lift the stove and let the remaining
fuel drain out of the fuel hose onto the ground. I am always careful to
drain the fuel into a firepit when available or onto rocks or dry sand/dirt
to reduce fire hazard. White gas evaporates fairly quickly in an open
environment, but when we camp during the high fire watch season I am always
extra cautious to not add fuel to the tinder. I then disconnect the fuel
line from the stove and recap the ends with the protective caps. I place
the fuel bottle and fuel line together in the Sil-nylon bag and carry it in
an outside pocket of my pack. The stove legs/pot supports are folded into
the front of the stove, the flame adjuster handle tucked in, and placed in
my cook-pot. The Instruction Manual states that the pump should be removed
from the bottle each time we are done using it, but I only do that when I
return home from a hike.
Field Conditions:
Over the past 2 years I have used this stove in all weather from light snow
and freezing 32 F (0 C), pouring rain and 65 F (18.3 C), blowing side wind,
and clear 85 F (29.4 C). It was used for one meal in a meadow in heavy fog
and mist on the Pacific Crest Trail near Snoqualmie Pass in 50 F (10 C). I
used it inside a GoLite Hex2 tent with Nest during a late snowstorm in March
at 2000 ft (610 m) next to the Snohomish River while it flurried outside.
It was used to melt snow in early spring on the side of Polallie Ridge in 50
F (10 C). This past summer it was used on two different 3+ day backpacking
trips on the Pacific Crest Trail in June and August. It has been used at
elevations of 2000 ft (610 m) to 7000 ft (2134 m) mostly in the Cascade
Range in Washington. I have not noticed any noticeable difference in
operation due to elevation gain or ambient weather conditions. The
Instruction Manual states that the stove may need to be primed for use in
below freezing weather, but I have never needed to do so.
Maintenance:
In learning all the ins and outs of this stove, I decided to see if I would
be able to maintain the stove in the field should a problem arise. With
manual in hand I took out the repair kit and familiarize myself with all of
the included parts. I wont bore you with all the maneuvers I performed on
the stove, but I tried everything laid out in the book. Since the stove
wasnt very old, or well used at that point, I managed a through lesson in
if it aint broke, dont fix it. After lubricating, fiddling and futzing
with all parts of the stove, I made myself a problem that will need to be
fixed. The stove now has a small leak out of the spindle nut behind the
flame adjuster. I have called Snow Peak about this, and they said that I
need to tighten down the spindle. I have reached the point now where if I
tighten the spindle any farther I cannot move the flame adjuster. I have
found that a small flame appears at the flame adjuster usually only the
first time using the stove on a trip, after filling the fuel bottle
completely and pressurizing it to its maximum. I dont know if the fuel
level or the pressure inside the bottle has any relevance to the problem. I
just know that I will have to send the stove in before next spring to get
the problem fixed. All other maintenance of the stove is easily done in the
field. Only once have I needed my repair kit in the field when the fuel
pump was difficult to pressurize. I took out the 2 screws that hold
together the pump top, slid the pump mechanism out, checked and re-greased
the O-rings and reassembled the pump. Problem fixed.
Review:
This is an amazing stove. I can carry it inside my 66 oz (1.95 L) size pot
with 2 plastic bowls, 2 Lexan spoons, 2 lighters, a potholder and bowl lid.
I have also used it with the cookpot I use when hiking solo, which holds 40
oz (1.18 L). It lights and runs like a charm no matter what the weather or
meal. Only twice have I had need to re-light the stove because it would not
stay lit on the first try. The first time was when I went on my first
backpacking trip using the stove in the field. I was not used to the dance
of lighting and could not get it lit before I ran out of pressurized gas in
the tube. The other time was when I discovered that its very difficult to
operate a lighter with gloved hands and again I ran out of pressurized fuel
for the stove before I could get it lit. In both cases the stove lit up the
first flick of the lighter when I re-pressurized the fuel and tried to light
it again. I think that the stove was pre-primed with fuel from my previous
attempt and thats what made it so easy the second time. I have used both
an 11 oz (325 ml) and the provided 17 oz (520 ml) bottle to carry fuel for
this stove. I have found that the smaller 11 oz (325 ml) bottle is enough
fuel for 2 meals a day for 2 people for a 4-day trip making everything from
hot water for tea to scrambled eggs and pancakes. I have never done testing
on boil times for this stove, but the March 2002 Gear Guide in Backpacker
Magazine lists a boil time of 4 minutes 50 seconds for 1 qt (0.95 L) of
water at room temperature. I cannot say that this stove excels at any one
thing as a backpacking stove as it does everything I need and want it to do
without any fuss. I feel privileged to own one of the first stoves ever
produced that I consider to be new technology in the stove industry. I am
amazed every time I use this stove that it works as well as it does without
having to be babied like my first stove or using pressurized fuel.
Recall:
I discovered in June 2004 that Snow Peak had put out a recall on the pump
for the WG stove. It was curious to me that a wider notice had not gone out
to the populace and I wanted more detail on what was the cause. I called
their Customer Service to get details of how best to proceed. They said
that there had been a few reports of a seal in the plastic pump failing and
leaking gas. This of course is an extreme fire hazard, hence the recall.
They told me that I could either take it to the retailer where I purchased
it, and they would send it back to Snow Peak, or I could mail it to them
direct saving the middleman. Following their directions I mailed it to them
and received a new pump in 1 week. The pump arrived wrapped in bubble wrap
in a new box. The new pump works beautifully, but did not fix the problem
with the stove dieseling out the front of the flame adjuster. Again in
October a box arrived with another replacement pump from Snow Peak with a
letter from the President explaining that the previous replacement pump was
found to also have problems with leaking and they needed it back. The new
replacement pump arrived with a prepaid postage box that just fit the pump.
I have not tried out the new replacement pump yet. In the two pump
replacements for recall two things have visibly changed: the main control
valve has gone from having a +/- on the handle to on/off, and the Light/Cook
lever now says Start/Run.
Likes:
Simmers beautifully
Provides both high heat/quick boil and simmer with no fuss
Packs very compactly
Dislikes:
Difficult to light without an extended lighter
Wastes fuel out of fuel hose when packing for travel
Can not take other fuels
Terriann McGlenn
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