If you are looking for a complete backpacking cook setup, the MSR PocketRocket stove kit is might be right up your alley. MSR added the rock solid PocketRocket stove to their Trail Lite Duo System cookset. With this kit, you will have everything you need to prepare and eat dehydrated meals and some of the more simple backcountry dishes.
PocketRocket Stove
The MSR PocketRocket stove is a well-known dependable canister fuel stove. Canister fuel is widely available so there is no trouble in finding fuel. MSR says the PocketRocket will boil 1 liter of water in 3 ½ minutes on average. For me, the stove boiled 2 cups of water before I got everything situated and was ready to add the water to my meal. So yes, the PocketRocket stove is very fast. The stove‘s control valve is easy to grab with gloves on and it allows good flame control for simmering.
Weighing a tad more than 3 ounces, the PocketRocket isn‘t the lightest canister stove but it has a solid reputation of being durable and reliable. There aren‘t a lot of delicate twisting parts to break. Just screw the PocketRocket onto the canister and pull out the pot supports. I personally carry a windscreen to help block the wind but that isn‘t an absolute necessity.
Trail Lite Duo System
The Trail Lite Duo System completes the MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit and pretty much includes everything. A 2 liter cook pot holds all the pieces and has a clear strainer/lid that locks into place. The folding handle of the pot flips out from the top of the lid and is plenty sturdy. Two people have bowls, folding sporks and insulated mugs with lids fit inside the cook pot. A small cleaning cloth finishes the kit. Each set comes in its own color to make if you like to keep track of everyone‘s stuff.
The folding sporks have pretty long handles and I‘ve had no troubles with them collapsing. Squeezing the sides of the upper part of the handle allows the utensils to fold up so grip them by the top and bottom to keep things solid. The bowls hold good sized portions are wide enough to sit down easily. The shape of the mugs makes them nice to hold and take a drink but they are a bit tall and could be tippy. Measurements in ounces and milliliters molded into the mugs are very nice. The included wash cloth is a bit small but it is nice and light and will get the job done.
Without the PocketRocket stove, the kit weighs 22.4 ounces on my scales. With the stove and a mostly full canister of fuel, the complete kit weighs in at 32 ounces even. The 2 liter pot measures about 5 ½ inches tall by 5 ¾ inches wide. The fuel canister will not fit inside the kit and is carried separately.
The MSR PocketRocket stove kit is only available at REI through December 31st, 2016 and it is selling for $99.95. After December, you‘ll be able to find it other places. This is a great cookset for 2 people if you like to prepare your meals and hot drinks all at once. The kit is a bit large but it pretty much has to be. Each of the components are well made and except for the mugs being a bit tipsy, everything works great. Click here to visit the MSR website and check out their full lineup.
Mark
Thanks to MSR for sending out the PocketRocket stove kit for testing and review.