My Fast & Light Thru-Hiking Cook System For Soloists or Couples
The Core Setup - $90 - 225g (7.9oz)
- Soto Windmaster with Triflex - 65g (2.3oz) - $70
- Firemaple Petrel G3 600mL Pot - 160g (5.65oz) - $20
The Heat Exchanger Firemaple Petrel
The Firemaple Petrel G3 is a an aluminum, heat exchanger (HX) style pot. HX pots have fins at its base that allow it to more efficiently capture heat compared to a pot without one (such as the popular Toaks titanium pots).
There are limited existing options for a lightweight, small heat exchanger cook pot. The Petrel pot is a welcome addition to the ultralight backpacking world.
As a result, heat exchanger pots can boil water faster with less fuel. Field tests show that they are up to 40% more efficient than regular cook pots.
The 600mL pot can neatly fit a small 100/110g isopropane butane fuel canister along with my Soto Windmaster on top. It will fit similar size stoves like the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe.
I use the included stuff sack with the Soto Windmaster to prevent it from rattling around. You could use a small microfiber towel too.
The heat exchanger fins also provide some protection against the wind. Pair that with the legendary Soto Windmaster and you've got a combination that can operate well in windy conditions.
There is a larger Firemaple Petrel G2 as well that's slightly larger at 750mL and heavier at 184g (6.5oz). The wider base can accommodate a 8oz/230g gas canister. It's supposedly more efficient, as the wider base prevents the flame from escaping through the sides.
The Legendary Soto Windmaster
The Soto Windmaster is one of the most popular and highest-rated stoves for thru hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail (according to the Halfway Anywhere surveys).
The Windmaster, released in 2013, has gathered a wide fan base over the years. There are users who have been using the same Windmaster for over a decade. It hasn't let us down and doesn't show any signs of giving out anytime soon.
It has a built-in push button Piezo igniter. The design is first in its class. It is well recessed and has a small profile that protects it from damage. It ignited on the first push, 80% of the time. I never had to resort to using a lighter, even in wet conditions or when I spilled some water on the burner.
It's reliable, sturdy and rock solid despite weighing only 65g (2.3oz) with the TriFlex pot support stand. The heavier and bigger 4Flex stand that typically comes default with the Windmaster brings the total weight up to 85g (3oz).
The TriFlex stand does slot into the three slits in the Petrel pot. However, it is a bit finicky to get a perfect fit. I opted to set the pot on top of the TriFlex most of the time. I didn't notice a difference in boil times in calm conditions, but I did make an effort to slot the pot into the stand when it was windy.
People have used a dremel to increase the size of the cutouts to increase stove compatibility.
Experiences in the Field
The setup was perfect for our 2-person trip while hiking the John Muir Trail. We rarely filled the pot past 60% capacity (about 360mL / 12oz of water) for rehydrating meals or making coffee. The size was perfect to contain our cook system, and there's room to stuff some tea bags and instant coffee packets in the gaps.
During my thru-hike of the Trans-Catalina trail, I used the same system to share with 2 other friends. We didn't feel limited by the pot size. Boiling water only takes a couple minutes, and you spend a lot of time at camp cooking and eating anyway. What's the rush?
