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February 01, 2008
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Which is easier to travel with: a canister or white-gas stove?
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Jet-ti Stove (courtesy, Vargo)
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My son is headed to New Zealand for the spring semester. Things sure have changed since I went to college! He will have some time to backpack, and he’s not sure if a canister or white-gas stove will be easier to travel with and refuel. We have been eying the Vargo Jet-ti. What do you think?
— Mike
Front Royal, Virginia
Do you have a question of your own?
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 Indeed, things have changed since you and I were in college. That whole Internet thing, for instance. Think that will last?
Anyway, sounds like a great trip. I’d absolutely recommend a canister stove. Butane/propane canisters are available just about world-wide, particularly in a place with a lot of backpacking such as New Zealand. So there won’t be any issue there. Plus a canister stove should be easier to get through airport checking; sometimes white gas stoves get flagged. Even at that, check with your airline first to make sure there will not be a problem. I’ve heard stories from travelers who have had their clean stoves confiscated.
Vargo’s Jet-ti ($65; vargooutdoors.com) would be an excellent choice to take. It’s a fairly new, super-light (2.7 oz.) stove that uses a butane/propane canister with a Lindal valve. It’s easy to use and puts out plenty of heat. And its stove supports are sturdier than most other canister-top screw-in stoves. MSR’s SuperFly stove ($60; msrgear.com) and Snow Peak’s Giga Power ($50 with piezo lighter; snowpeak.com) are comparable in use and performance. They are very slightly heavier, though an ounce will hardly make much difference.
Tell your son to send us some photos!
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