PocketRocket Deluxe
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe canister stove boasts some additional premium features over its predecessor, including a push-button piezo igniter, and a pressure regulator that makes it more functional in a multitude of environments along with offering consistently faster boil times. It weighs 84 grams/2.95 oz and features foldable pot support arms, a rugged stuff sack, and retails for $69.95.
For further information, refer to msrgear.com.
Features
The stoves pressure regulator helps it maintain faster boiling times in colder temperatures and when the fuel canister contents drop to a lower level (it empties). It has a sizeable fold-out paper clip control valve handle to turn the stove on/off and adjust the temperature setting. The integrated push-start ignition utilizes a fast and reliable piezo lighting system that has an outer metal housing that covers the spark igniter system for increased durability and protection. The burner head has a broader and more distributed design for improved heat distribution, simmering characteristics, and wind resistance, along with a taller wind-blocking burner outer lip. The pot support arms are foldable and create a 5-inch wide platform when erected.
Folded down stove with its stuff sack
It folds up into a compact unit and comes in a rugged, water-resistant stuff sack to protect it during transport. The small size means it’s easy to stash into pockets and cookware. It folds into a 3.25″ tall x 2.25″ wide size, has a 1.85″ burner head, and weighs 3.5oz/99g with the included stuff sack.
Impressions
It took 3.8 minutes to boil a liter of water at 7000 feet in elevation using MSR’s IsoPro fuel, though their website states a 3.3 minute time, which I would assume was performed much nearer to sea level. I never boil that much water at a time and tend only to do 8-12 ounces/.24-.35 liters, which is perfect for a mug of tea and making packaged freeze-dried meals. That quantity of water shrinks the boiling times down to a faster 1-2 minute time frame. The fuel consumption seemed on par with their online statistics, though I never kept an exact count of things, it was quite fuel-efficient.
The control valve handle offers easy adjustment from a full-on super boil to a functional simmer and everything in between, making for a highly versatile stove with impressive flame control. The pressure regulator did a remarkable job keeping the output constant regardless of the fuel canisters level or the outdoor temperature.
The broad burner head is 1.85″/47mm wide to offer plenty of heat distribution over the cookwares bottom surface. The tall lip on the burner significantly helped shield the flame from the wind while heating. In moderate winds, up 5-10 mph, the stove didn’t have any issues with the boiling process, though like any tall upright canister stoves, it needed a wind block or shield when it was gustier.
Unfolding the stove
With a 3.25″ tall x 2.25″ wide folded size, it’s compact and can easily fit into backpack pockets, cooking pot containers, etc. When folded outward, the pot arms offer a respectable 5-inch full platform that works with most lightweight backcountry cookware. I didn’t test with larger cookware, but the small platform would likely be an issue in stabilizing something with a broader footprint. One of the support arms was a bit loose compared to the others, but it still functioned when erecting the stove and keep a pot stable.
The stove weighs 2.95oz/88g by itself and 3.5oz/99g with the burly stuff sack, making it ideal for overnight and weekend adventures, or anywhere an ultralight stove would be useful.
Turn the valve fully open and push the piezo ignitor button
Although the push-start piezo lighting system was a nice feature and was super-convenient, it was temperamental. Every time I pushed the button it seemed to spark, but it didn’t always light the stove, even with the valve fully open. That necessitated having a backup lighting system to get the stove going, such as a lighter or a Ferro rod sparker.
Bottom Line
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is an excellent three-season upright-canister stove that is compact, lightweight, and features a functional pressure regulator and piezo igniter system. It quickly boils water, works well in moderate winds, and has superb simmering control. Nitpicks: The piezo igniter was sometimes temperamental, and one of the support arms was slightly loose.
Pika 1 L Teapot
The MSR Pika 1 L Teapot has a 1-liter fluid capacity, has a swiveling carrying handle, is constructed of hard-anodized aluminum, and has a secure plastic lid. It features a pour spout, weighs 4.35oz/124g, has enough storage to hold PocketRocket Deluxe stove, and retails for $24.95.
Features
It features a small pour spout that provides a precise non-turbulent flow of water that’s easy to direct into mugs and freeze-dried meals. Its interior is large enough to stow the PocketRocket Deluxe stove along with coffee and tea ingredients, and other small items. The plastic lid has a pinching handle and three little inner lips for the pot to securely hold onto the lid. Those features keep the lid from lifting when pouring, though still making it easy to pull it off when the teapot is upright. It has a plastic-coated swivel carrying handle for ease of use.
Impressions
The Pika 1 L Teapot has just enough fluid capacity for just about any adventure for a soloist and two people. Having a 1-liter is enough for a couple of mugs of tea/coffee or a freeze-dried meal bag. At just 4.35 oz/124 g in weight and 5.5″ x 3.75″ in size, the light, and compact teapot makes it useful for the ultra backpacker and bikepacker. It has a nice swivel plastic coated handle that makes it easy to carry and hold the teapot and is tall enough to stay away from the heat, but it folds down out of the way for storage.
The integrated aluminum pour spout offers a functional feed of water, which is simple to target and direct into a cup, mug, or a freeze-dried meal bag, and eliminates any dribbling during and after pouring. The small diameter of the spout means it doesn’t create over splash and offers a precise fill, with enough flowrate for fast filling. Those attributes make it ideal for filling the small opening of a freeze-dried meal bag, without any side splatter. It also makes it useful for making pour-over coffee, and for filling small-mouth containers.
The plastic lid has three small inner lips to help the teapot securely hold onto the lid. It has a short pinching handle to help remove and place the lid onto the teapot. The inner lips keep the lid from lifting when pouring, yet it is still easy to pull the lid back off with the pinch handle.
The wide mouth means it’s easy to add water and clean and makes it simple to place a small stove or tiny gear in its interior for storage. Inside the teapot, I tended to carry the PocketRocket Deluxe stove in its stuff sack, some instant coffee and tea, a backup fire starter, and a headlamp, all of which fit without any issues.
Bottom Line
The MSR Pika 1 L Teapot with its 1-liter fluid capacity is perfect for 1-2 people, and its light and compact, making it ideal for ultra backpacking and bikepacking. It features a highly functional precise pour spout for directing the water into a mug or food pouch, has enough storage space to carry a stove and small items, a wide mouth for adding water and cleaning, and secure fitting and easy to lift lid.
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