When selecting a backpacking stove, or one to be used for mountaineering, most people look at the features that the stove offers and the weight of the cooker itself. In many cases they will pay more to buy a model made from exotic materials such as titanium because it will be a few grams lighter than a rival model. Yet few people take time to look at how fuel efficient the stove is, a factor that plays a far greater role in how much weight they will have to carry when hiking a long trail.
This is because backpacking and camping stoves vary considerably in their use of fuel with some using close to twice as much fuel to boil a given quantity of water compared with more efficient models. The choice of fuel is also important as some are far richer in energy than others. Choose wisely on both and you may end up having the weight you have to carry on the trail that is dedicated to cooking your food and preparing your coffee.
A study by university researchers in South Africa into the efficiency of four popular backpacking stoves found, for instance, that two models by the same manufacturer (in this case MSR) varied considerably. The MSR Expedition model managed to extract little more than 50% of the potential energy from the fuel it burned while DragonFly stove made by the same company extracted 70%. A rival model made by Primus meanwhile managed to achieve almost 90% efficiency. The impact this may have on the final weight carried on a trail is considerable since one would usually expect to carry some 600ml (weighing fairly close to 600 grams excluding the fuel bottle) for about two hours of cooking. A difference of efficiency of the order revealed by the research would lead to a difference of 200grams for a short hiking trip of just a day or two for a small group.
 PAN SUPPORT RING for OPTIMUS PRIMUS STOVE  US $15.79 |  Stove Optimus No510 US $299.00 |
 RARE VINTAGE ANTIQUE OPTIMUS SWEDEN MODEL 8R BRASS BACKPACK CAMP COOK STOVE US $79.99 |  OLD VINTAGE ANTIQUE BRASS OPTIMUS SVEA 123 MILITARY CAMP COOK STOVE CLONE US $99.99 |
 Optimus 8R Backpack Camp Stove Vintage Sweden Backpacking must US $41.00 |  Vintage Optimus 8R Camp Stove Made in Sweden nice US $46.01 |
 Automatic can OPTIMUS for kerosene lanterns and stoves US $22.50 |  Rare Vintage Antique OPTIMUS Camping Camp Hiking Stove Brass 8R Made in Sweden US $39.89 |
 Vintage Optimus 8R Backpack Stove Sweden Hunting Fishing US $28.00 |  RARE OPTIMUS 8R CLONE CAMP STOVE BACKPACKING US $30.34 |
 VERY NICE SVEA 123 CAMP STOVE BACKPACKING OPTIMUS US $61.17 |  VINTAGE OPTIMUS NO 323 BACKPACK CAMPING STOVE in Nice Shape US $41.50 |
 Vintage Optimus Camp Gas Stove Sweden Backpack Hiking Camping Model 8R US $38.00 |  Vintage OPTIMUS 8R Portable Camping Hiking Backpacking Cooking Stove US $157.50 |
 SVEA No2 RARE STOVE HEATER Kerosene lantern Primus RadiusOptimus US $75.00 |  Optimus 99 camping hiking stove with acess US $56.18 |
 Optimus Crux Lite Compact Stove NEW NR US $20.00 |  Optimus Nova Multifuel Stove US $109.99 |
 Mini Pump and Cap for Optimus Primus stoves US $35.95 |  ★ BRASS FLAME SPREADER PLATE OPTIMUS SVEA RADIUS PRIMUS STOVE 123 8R 80 42 71 US $9.99 |
 ★ VINTAGE OPTIMUS 8R 99 STOVE BRASS BURNER BELL CONE 5 PHOTOS US $9.99 |  ★ VINTAGE OPTIMUS MID 20th CENTURY FUEL CAP LID PARAFFIN KEROSENE STOVE SWEDEN US $9.99 |
 Rare and Hard to Find Optimus 99 Stove Kit Made in Sweden US $71.00 |  EX OPTIMUS 80 PRIMUS CAMPING BACK PACKING COOK STOVE SWEDEN MADE BOX PAPERS US $69.99 |
 vintage optimus 8r camping stove US $29.00 |  Optimus Camping Svea 123R Stove Lid serves as a pot White gasoline NEW IN PKG US $89.99 |
 Brunton Optimus SVEA Replacement Key ONLY 123 White Gas Stove NEW US $6.00 |  VINTAGE OPTIMUS 45 CAMPING STOVE US $5.00 |
 Vintage Optimus 8R Backpack Camp Stove with Key MADE IN SWEDEN US $12.50 |  Vintage Optimus 8R Hiking Backpacking Gasoline Camp Stove Made In Sweden US $48.50 |
 VINTAGE OPTIMUS 111B SINGLE BURNER BACKPACKING STOVE MADE IN SWEDEN US $140.00 |  OPTIMUS SVEA 123 CLIMBER BACKPACKING STOVE GREAT WORKING ORDER US $20.50 |
 NEW kerosene stove OPTIMUS No00 from swedish army with transport box RARE US $46.00 |  Optimus 8R backpacking stove US $125.00 |
 Primus Optimus stove Premium Service Kit 210 00 type US $7.90 |  OPTIMUS Hiker Plus Stove Camping Hiking Just open lid steel case stove NEW US $159.99 |
 OPTIMUS CRUX CANISTER STOVE BACKPACKING CAMPING EMERGENCY PREP NEW US $53.95 |  OPTIMUS NOVA PLUS STOVE BACKPACKING CAMPING EMERGENCY PREP NEW US $138.95 |
 OPTIMUS CRUX LITE CANISTER STOVE BACKPACKING CAMPING EMERGENCY PREP NEW US $43.49 |  Primus Optimus stove Premium Service Kit for 96 type US $5.14 |
 Svea 123R Optimus 8R 80 Stove Cap Seal x 6 VITON US $4.80 |  Optimus Svea pump instructions laminated came with 8R8099 and Svea 123 stoves US $4.50 |
 SVEA Optimus 123 Camping Cook Stove Instructions US $4.50 |  VINTAGE OPTIMUS NO 45 CAMPING STOVE MADE IN SWEDEN BRASS BACKPACKING US $49.99 |
 Optimus Camp Camping Stove No 80 Sweden Vintage Unfired New Old Stock NOS US $120.00 |  Vintage used Hiking Camp Optimus Stove Made in Sweden 80 US $32.00 |
 OPTIMUS 8R STOVE WITH BOX NICE US $10.00 |  Vintage Optimus Camp Stove Sweden Backpacking Gas Stove w Key Model 8R US $19.99 |
 OPTIMUS 8R BACKPACKING STOVE MADE IN SWEDEN IOB US $9.99 |  Vintage Optimus no 8r camp stove nice condition US $10.50 |
 Nice Optimus 123 Camp Backpacking Stove BONUS US $74.99 |  Swedish military kerosene stove OPTIMUS with cooking accessories NEW MODEL US $350.00 |
 OPTIMUS BLEUET 206 GAZ INTERNATIONAL CAMTING HIKING 1 BURNER BUTANE STOVE w BOX US $9.99 |  Primus Optimus stove Premium Service Kit No1 5 type US $6.32 |
 Vintage USSR OPTIMUS 8r clone petrol TURIST compact stove tested US $19.99 |  Optimus 8R111111B replacement stove labels perfect and laminated WOW US $6.00 |
 VINTAGE RARE HARD TO FIND OPTIMUS NO 831 DOUBLE BURNER CAMP STOVE BOX US $99.95 |  OPTIMUS NOVA PLUS SINGLE UNIT MULTI FUEL STOVE NEW US $159.99 |
 Vintage Optimus Camping Backpacking Stove Made in Sweden US $35.00 |  Burner Washer x4 Primus Optimus Stove 1 5 45 etc US $4.30 |
 Vintage Optimus 80 stove Burner US $.99 |  Vintage Optimus 111B111 B Gasoline Camp Stove Made in Sweden US $19.99 |
 Optimus Mini Primer Fuel Pump Back Packing Camp Stove LQQK US $63.99 |  Optimus Primus Flame spreader part 2174 for Svea stove Hunter 8R US $11.00 |
 Optimus 8R stove manualExcellent reproductions US $5.00 |  Optimus Fuel Cap for stove 123 8r 111 Hiker 199 99 US $20.00 |
 Optimus Nova Stove US $80.00 |  Camping Optimus NOVA Multi fuel Stove Multifuel expedition stove NEW IN BOX US $122.99 |
 Primus Optimus stove Premium Service Kit Primus 51 54 type US $8.06 |  Optimus Pump Rod With Leather Cup for House Hold Stoves and Marine Stoves US $17.95 |
 Optimus Primus None return valve check valve for Hiker and Marine Stoves US $14.95 |  Reserve lid with tank lidfor stove 45485100 Optimus Primus Petromax US $18.95 |
 Optimus 111 Hiker stove manualClear reproductions US $5.00 |  Optimus sprit cup for preheatingfor Stove Hunter 8R US $6.95 |
 Vintage Optimus 111B Camp Stove US $77.00 |  Optimus NOVA NOVA Stoves Parts Trangia Adapter 8016303 NEW IN PACKAGE US $12.99 |
 Optimus Camping Stove spare parts kit for SVEA HUNTER Stoves 8016526 NEW US $31.00 |  NEW Kerosene stove OPTIMUS No00 from swedish army with transport box RARE US $185.00 |
 Optimus Heat Shield for all Hiker stove US $7.95 |  Camping Stove Kettle Optimus Terra Kettle with Mesh Bag Ultra Light NEW IN BOX US $19.99 |
 Optimus Crux Compact Ultra Light Weight Camp Stove Camping US $49.95 |  Optimus Camping Crux Stove Weekend HE 3 piece Cook System HE system saves fuel US $72.49 |
 Optimus SVEA Climber Outdoor Camping Stove US $90.99 |  Optimus New Svea Backpacking Hiking Stove US $81.99 |
 Optimus Svea Vapouriser for 123R self cleaning stove US $19.95 |  Optimus Nova Stove awards outweigh this benchmark for outdoor cooking equipment US $149.96 |
 Burner OPTIMUS for stoves 155W and similar NEW US $130.00 |  Seaward Optimus Marine Stove Alcohol Kero Control Knob US $7.00 |
 Optimus Crux Ultralite Stove and Terra Weekend HE Cook Set with Mesh Bag 8016164 US $64.29 |  Vintage Optimus 199 Ranger CAMPING HIKING BACKPAKING LIGHTWEIGHT STOVE US $102.50 |
 Optimus Camping Stove Fuel Bottle MEDIUM 06L child safe FAST SHIPPING US $15.50 |  Optimus New Crux Canister Stove Camping Backpacking 8017651 US $46.99 |
 Optimus Crux Backpacking Camping Stove New 8017651 US $52.95 |  Stainless steel wrenches Optimus 8R 111 111B stoves US $10.49 |
 Optimus Crux Lite Backpacking Camping Stove New 8017657 US $42.95 |  Optimus of Sweden Hiker Stove 2012 300011 NEW US $199.95 |
