Whilst out using my stove the other day to brew up some coffee, I got thinking about what other walkers/campers use for stoves.  So, to be topical, I thought I would conduct an ‘Exit Poll’.

Well, the results were impressive.  The was a giant swing to the right, a massive slide to the centre and a landslide to the left.  I then realised that the ‘Exit Pole’ was a broken gate post into an old children’s playground, abandoned due to subsidence!

So I reverted to social media for my poll and this is the results.  Before I start, I must make it very clear that I was totally underwhelmed by the response.  However, I do have enough samples to make it a viable survey.

JetBoil

This result was somewhat expected as the JetBoil would certainly appear to be the most photographed stove on social media.  Receiving 40% of the votes, it is a lightweight gas-fuelled portable stove used primarily for backpacking.  JetBoil was created in New Hampshire, USA in 2001 and has grown to largely dominate the market.

I’ve been using a JetBoil since 2012 and still using the same one now. Probably my go to bit of kit for cooking freeze dried food and making a brew – Kim Bonner

Another vote for Jet Boil – Sarah Skilton

Trangia

With 30% of the vote, the Trangia range come in an easy second place.  Like the JetBoil, the Trangia comes in various sizes dependant on their purpose.  Alcohol-burning portable stoves manufactured in Sweden.  They have a focus on light weight, durability and simple design.

Trangia all the way. Used ours for several long trips. Love it – Debs Butler

We’ve had our Trangia 25yrs and still love it – CraftInvaders

Trangia 27 for 2 or more people. Trangia 28 for solo cooking mainly on day trips – Greig Warriner

MSR Rocket

With 10% of the vote comes the Rocket Deluxe micro stove. It is a lightweight cooking system for 1-2 backpackers.  The latest version is the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 but comes is several different varieties dependant on requirement.

MSR Rocket stove and 900ml titanium pan. Does me perfectly and has done so for years. Love the set up – Wilderness Pioneers

Alpkit Gas Stove

Also, with 10% of the votes this all-in-one cooking system weighing in at 560 g, it is an integrated cooking system for quick cooking on the go. Ideal for fresh brews, hot soup and nutritious one-pot wonders.

Alpkit gas stove: fast, small and lightweight – Janet Herring

Fire Maple Stove

And finally, also with 10% is the Chinese version of the JetBoil/MSR Rocket.  It is cheaper than the leading brands but still does a similar job.

We also have the Maple stove which is just like JetBoil just cheaper and you can cook more stuff on it – Dogs On Adventure

It is interesting to note, that 4 of the 5 stoves recommended are gas fuelled.  Yet the one that come in a solid second place was a tried and well trusted alcohol fuelled stove that has been around for over 30 years.  I think that is shows that whilst there is tendency to embrace the modern technology there are many who stick to the good old favourites

I have not thrown my hand in until now – and my personal choice is the JetBoil.  In my case, I am a solo walker who wants a quick brew and then move on. Over the past 50 years I have used Primus Paraffin stoves, Camping Gaz stoves and Trangia stove, and they have all served their purpose along the way.

With the JetBoil however, I find I spend more waiting for the coffee to cool enough to drink than it took to boil in the first place!  That said it gives me a chance to catch-up on the essential social media fix!

At the end of the day, this is not a recommendation exercise or ‘knock’ of those stoves that only draw 10% of the vote or never even got a mention.  This is about getting a ‘straw poll’ feel for want is the most popular stoves on the market at the moment.

What did surprise me was that there was no mention of the likes of Coleman and Primus gas stoves or the popular wood burning Kelly Kettle.  Even the ubiquitous hex stove with its solid fuel tablets did not get a mention.  I keep one as an emergency stove, stashed away at the bottom of my rucksack, it is very slow to cook but when the gas has runs out, I can still get a coffee.