Pocket Rocket

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
from Judith contained the following:

Quoted message said:

Judith
Bzzzzzzzz (Wasp!)

he he...
--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

"Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Woollyzone said:

Still, the PR was pretty cheap and will do the job for now (if I get

another

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cylinder)

Did you sort it out?

Have you got another screw thread cylinder to hand? Perhaps you've
got a paint stripper or a garden flame thrower that you could try the
cylinder from? These cylinders tend to be long and thin (so not too
stable with a pan of pasta on top!) but they're probably all
propane/butane mix.

Let us know what the problem was when you solve it.

Judith

No solution yet, but I haven't had the chance to get to the shops again yet
to try another cylinder. I'm pretty sure this is the problem now, but I'll
be right [censored] if I go and buy another cylinder and the same problem
persists. Life is never straightforward!

"Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Woollyzone said:

Still, the PR was pretty cheap and will do the job for now (if I get

another

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cylinder)

Did you sort it out?

Have you got another screw thread cylinder to hand? Perhaps you've
got a paint stripper or a garden flame thrower that you could try the
cylinder from? These cylinders tend to be long and thin (so not too
stable with a pan of pasta on top!) but they're probably all
propane/butane mix.

Let us know what the problem was when you solve it.

Judith

No solution yet, but I haven't had the chance to get to the shops again yet
to try another cylinder. I'm pretty sure this is the problem now, but I'll
be right [censored] if I go and buy another cylinder and the same problem
persists. Life is never straightforward!

"Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 17:04:22 +0100, Geoff Berrow <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

I did a google to see what you were talking about (purely for academic
research, you understand) and found that "Customers who shopped for
this product also shopped for:
. SpringStar Clothes Moth Alarm - 1 ea
. SpringStar Flour & Pantry Moth Trap - 1 ea

Quoted message said:

Criminy! That's uncanny. The trusty old SpringStar Clothes Moth Alarm - I
never leave home without it!

"Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 17:04:22 +0100, Geoff Berrow <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

I did a google to see what you were talking about (purely for academic
research, you understand) and found that "Customers who shopped for
this product also shopped for:
. SpringStar Clothes Moth Alarm - 1 ea
. SpringStar Flour & Pantry Moth Trap - 1 ea

Quoted message said:

Criminy! That's uncanny. The trusty old SpringStar Clothes Moth Alarm - I
never leave home without it!

"Alan Law" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Chris Townsend" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It's more likely to be something wrong with the cartridge. Over the last
two years I've come across a few cartridges that weren't manufactured
correctly so that the pin in the stove didn't depress the valve in the
cartridge enough for gas to flow.

I've had the same experience---discovered when I was well into the
mountains, embarking on an unplanned bivouac in a snow-hole. Had a second
cartridge, and managed to fix the faulty one by inserting a small fragment
of plastic into the valve orifice, to sit on top of the mechanism.

Hmm - I thought about doing that, then worried that the bit of plastic or
whatever might get into the wrong place and jam the valve open.

Adrian

Chris Townsend said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Woollyzone

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You are right! - 1) You were too late, and 2) I should've bought a Windpro!

Gosh, thaat's a first ;-)

Quoted message said:

For solo trips I prefer the Pocket Rocket due to the lower weight.
Stability needn't be a problem if you're careful. I also find the PR
more powerful than the WindPro.

For me, the lower weight is something to consider, but the stability
is a proverbial "bee" for me, try to eliminate areas where things can
go wrong... because if they can, they will ;-) Mind you, its also down
to personal discipline, if you *know* you have to pay atention to pot
placement then its something that you do. I approach from other
direction, remove problem.

The relative power can't be argued with, tho'.

Thing is tho', I can see an obvious route to weight (and volume)
saving so how long before I succumb to a PR and adjust me mindset??
<doh!>

SteveO

NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

Woollyzone said:

Quoted message said:

Let us know what the problem was when you solve it.

Judith

No solution yet, but I haven't had the chance to get to the shops again yet

Interesting snippet from the site PaulS posted re. his choice of stove
(I'll re-quote in full because there are several interesting sections)

http://www.shoppersworld.co.uk/store/product.asp?s=91&d=1503&p=11955&c=1
--------- quote -----------

Best selling super light backpacking stove from Markill is just 80g in
weight and will boil a litre of water in 2 mins 55 secs.Features
useful piezo ignition for convenience. We would, however, highly
recommend taking matches or a lighter with you as ignition units
cannot be expected to be totally reliable at all times. Otherwise,
excellent value and operates with any standard screw-on cartridge, but
is best with the 100 ml size as this keeps it more stable and is, of
course, lighter. Just a word of warning - before you set off on your
expedition to the wilds with any gas purchased recently - CHECK YOUR
STOVE/CYLINDER IS FUNCTIONING! We have had a number of occasions, with
different cylinders and stoves, where no gas will come through at all.
No reason can be found apart from a duff cylinder,so YOU HAVE BEEN
WARNED!

--------- end quote ----------

SteveO

NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

SteveO said:

areas where things can
go wrong... because if they can, they will ;-) Mind you, its also down
to personal discipline, if you *know* you have to pay atention to pot
placement then its something that you do. I approach from other
direction, remove problem.

S'funny how people have different attitudes to things. I was quite
surprised when somebody said that the Pocket Rocket shouldn't be left
unattended as it can be unstable. I would *never* leave a camp stove
unattended.

My routine is to get the tent up, get out of my wet clothes and into
something warm/dry, then sit in the tent with the stove in the porch
and make a drink/dinner.

Perhaps this is because I can only do one thing at a time or,
possibly, because I can remember seeing another family's frame tent go
up in flames when I was camping with my parents about 20 years ago.
Whooooosh! It didn't half burn quickly.

Judith

SteveO said:

http://www.shoppersworld.co.uk/store/product.asp?s=91&d=1503&p=11955&c=1
--------- quote -----------

Best selling super light backpacking stove from Markill is just 80g in
weight and will boil a litre of water in 2 mins 55 secs.Features
useful piezo ignition for convenience. We would, however, highly
recommend taking matches or a lighter with you as ignition units
cannot be expected to be totally reliable at all times.

Indeed. Outdoors Magic awarded me one of the wee Outdoor Designs
titanium bijou-stovettes for a review I'd sent in, and the Piezo unit
failed overnight from first use and didn't work again for the rest of
the week. I will take it off and save 9 whole grammes when I get a
Round Tuit...

Aside from that it was okay, but really does need shielding if it's at
all windy or it takes ages to boil up (actually longer than a Trangia
using the spirit burner, it seemed). But for ease of use I do prefer a
more stable tripod, or better still the Trangia which can just be left
to its own devices while you pitch camp.
As usual, you choose, you lose...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Judith said:

S'funny how people have different attitudes to things. I was quite
surprised when somebody said that the Pocket Rocket shouldn't be left
unattended as it can be unstable. I would *never* leave a camp stove
unattended.

My routine is to get the tent up, get out of my wet clothes and into
something warm/dry, then sit in the tent with the stove in the porch
and make a drink/dinner.

One of the beauties of the Trangia is you can leave it to its own
devices: it won't blow over and it won't be blown out. People moan
about them being slow, but if you get one rolling first thing then by
the time you've pitched the tent you've got a brew ready, or it's heated
your dinner or whatever.

Quoted message said:

Perhaps this is because I can only do one thing at a time or,
possibly, because I can remember seeing another family's frame tent go
up in flames when I was camping with my parents about 20 years ago.
Whooooosh! It didn't half burn quickly.

But using the scheme above the Trangia can be burbling to itself well
away from the tent while you get you gear sorted, and they're also easy
to move while they're still on the go.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 13:01:48 +0100, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip enthusiastic description of trangia>

Quoted message said:

and they're also easy
to move while they're still on the go.

But they're HUGE! And you have to carry liquid fuel which I, as the
world's clumsiest woman, would spill everywhere.

Nah, gas is the only way for me.

Judith

Judith said:

But they're HUGE! And you have to carry liquid fuel which I, as the
world's clumsiest woman, would spill everywhere.

Quoted message said:

Nah, gas is the only way for me.

So use the gas conversion...

The size is in part including all your pots and pans with the stove, but
if you want the most stable base and effective windshield to be found on
a camping stove, that does mean size and weight :-(

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

"Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 13:01:48 +0100, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip enthusiastic description of trangia>

Quoted message said:

and they're also easy
to move while they're still on the go.

But they're HUGE!

That's not a complaint in certain contexts :-)

Quoted message said:

And you have to carry liquid fuel which I, as the
world's clumsiest woman, would spill everywhere.

The Trangia fuel bottle is a damn neat piece of design.

Quoted message said:

Nah, gas is the only way for me.

Razors pain you
Rivers are damp
Acids stain you
Drugs cause cramp
Guns aren't lawful
Nooses give
Gas smells awful
You might as well live
-- Dorothy Parker
--
Mark South, Super Genius: World Citizen, Net Denizen

Mark South said:

Razors pain you
Rivers are damp
Acids stain you
Drugs cause cramp
Guns aren't lawful
Nooses give
Gas smells awful
You might as well live
-- Dorothy Parker

That was my favourite poem when I was a teenager. In fact, I think it
still is!

Judith

In message <[email hidden]>,
SteveO@?.?.invalid writes

Quoted message said:

Chris Townsend said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Woollyzone

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You are right! - 1) You were too late, and 2) I should've bought a Windpro!

Gosh, thaat's a first ;-)

Quoted message said:

For solo trips I prefer the Pocket Rocket due to the lower weight.
Stability needn't be a problem if you're careful. I also find the PR
more powerful than the WindPro.

For me, the lower weight is something to consider, but the stability
is a proverbial "bee" for me, try to eliminate areas where things can
go wrong... because if they can, they will ;-) Mind you, its also down
to personal discipline, if you *know* you have to pay atention to pot
placement then its something that you do. I approach from other
direction, remove problem.

I don't really think about stability with Pocket Rocket type stoves
anymore. I've been using them for over a decade now and am used to
finding a flat enough spot for the cartridge.

I realised how automatic this has become when testing the new Jetboil
stove, which is much taller and narrower than a PR with a standard type
pan. My normal procedure wasn't adequate for the Jetboil and I had to
think about stability.

Quoted message said:

The relative power can't be argued with, tho'.

It just means you have to wait a bit longer for a brew. Gas usage is
about the same though. The only low profile stove I've tried that's as
powerful as a PR type is the Primus Multifuel, but that is much heavier
than the WindPro.

The WindPro is good for two or more. My stepdaughter has just used it
for cooking for four on her Silver DoE expedition. I wouldn't use a PR
for that.

Quoted message said:

Thing is tho', I can see an obvious route to weight (and volume)
saving so how long before I succumb to a PR and adjust me mindset??
<doh!>

If you do, the type and size of cartridge you use affects the stability.
The tall narrow type cartridges found in hardware stores are really
unstable. 450/500 size cartridges are a bit tall for comfort. 100/110
size cartridges are okay but the most stable are 250 size. Of the latter
Coleman cartridges have the widest base.

In message <[email hidden]>, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

SteveO said:

http://www.shoppersworld.co.uk/store/product.asp?s=91&d=1503&p=11955&c=1
--------- quote -----------
Best selling super light backpacking stove from Markill is just 80g
in
weight and will boil a litre of water in 2 mins 55 secs.Features
useful piezo ignition for convenience. We would, however, highly
recommend taking matches or a lighter with you as ignition units
cannot be expected to be totally reliable at all times.

Indeed. Outdoors Magic awarded me one of the wee Outdoor Designs
titanium bijou-stovettes for a review I'd sent in, and the Piezo unit
failed overnight from first use and didn't work again for the rest of
the week. I will take it off and save 9 whole grammes when I get a
Round Tuit...

The Markill and Outdoor Design titanium stoves are the same, just the
name is different.

I've had Piezo lighters fail on half a dozen or so stoves now, most
recently the Primus Micron. I carry a Swedish Fire Steel, which works
even when soaking wet. It will light gas and petrol stoves though not
meths or paraffin (at least not easily).

Quoted message said:

Aside from that it was okay, but really does need shielding if it's at
all windy or it takes ages to boil up (actually longer than a Trangia
using the spirit burner, it seemed).

In my tests the Markill took 3'20" to boil a pint of water, the Trangia
with meths took 15' 30". That was in calm conditions. In a breeze it
does need a windshield, as do all similar stoves. I currently use two
MSR type foil windscreens wired together to make a screen tall enough to
shield the stove and pan. This works well.

Quoted message said:

But for ease of use I do prefer a more stable tripod, or better still
the Trangia which can just be left to its own devices while you pitch
camp.
As usual, you choose, you lose...

I'm used to screw-in gas stoves now. I've been using them for over a
decade (starting with the Epigas Micro). I only use them for solo use
though.

Except in really stormy weather a screw-in gas stove can be left to its
own devices too, with the windscreen in place.

On one group trip in the States the organisers forgot the fuel for the
white gas stoves they'd brought. We only discovered this the first
morning, after camping at the trailhead. Luckily someone had brought a
Pocket Rocket so while someone went to buy white gas (a fifty plus mile
round trip on rough dirt roads) we boiled water for ten in a six litre
pot balanced on the PR. It sat in the middle of the campsite while we
struck camp but was fine left to itself. It would have taken a long
while watching it while six litres boiled!

Chris Townsend said:

It would have taken a long
while watching it while six litres boiled!

Hm? This is something I've wondered while waiting for my pan of water
to boil. If I need a mug of water for a cup of tea and two mugs of
water for my noodles, should I pour three mugs of cold water into the
pan and boil it all in one go, then pour off enough for a cup of tea
before putting the noodles in?

OR/

Should I boil a mug full for tea and then boil two mugs full for my
noodles?

In terms of speed of boiling and fuel efficiency, which is better?

I reckon the 2nd is psychologically better because at least you can
drink your tea while cooking the noodles.

Judith

In message <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Chris Townsend said:

It would have taken a long
while watching it while six litres boiled!

Hm? This is something I've wondered while waiting for my pan of water
to boil. If I need a mug of water for a cup of tea and two mugs of
water for my noodles, should I pour three mugs of cold water into the
pan and boil it all in one go, then pour off enough for a cup of tea
before putting the noodles in?

OR/

Should I boil a mug full for tea and then boil two mugs full for my
noodles?

In terms of speed of boiling and fuel efficiency, which is better?

I reckon the 2nd is psychologically better because at least you can
drink your tea while cooking the noodles.

With a gas cartridge stove the second should be more efficient as well,
as long as you turn the stove off for a short while before boiling the
noodles water. . Cartridges cool as they are used . The longer the stove
runs the cooler they get, which reduces the performance. So they are
best used in short bursts.

With a petrol or paraffin stove the need to prime the stove when
lighting it means it's best to do the first, unless there will be a long
gap between the tea and the noodles.

With meths I'd do the first too as the stoves get hotter the longer they
run.

Woollyzone said:

Following all your excellent advice I today purchased an MSR Pocket Rocket
stove. However, as the local Blacks had no MSR fuel, they sold me a Coleman
cylinder instead, as the fit is the same. However, in testing the stove out
this evening, (having followed the complex instructions, i.e. light match,
turn flame adjuster), nothing is happening. Could this be:

1) The stove is malfunctioning.
2) The Coleman gas is not compatible with the MSR burner. Do they *only*
work with MSR gas?
3) I've ballsed up somehow and not assembled it properly.

Can anyone enlighten me?!

Cheers

I've experienced this a few times with mine. On a trip once I had to
pull off the big rubber seal and even the tiny O ring in buried deep in
the stove to enable some gas to escape the cylinder... this was on a
remote Scotish Island with no other inhabitants and we had to eat! I
guess the tolerances on some cartridges must be a little bit 'out'.

On another point, always unscrew the canister after cooking as we have
had a canister empty itself overnight because of a poor seal. This was
on a wilderness bivouack in the States so we had to walk back to
civilisation having missed out on a hot cup of tea in the morning!

We still use the stove - but check all cartridges we take with us before
we leave the shop where we bought them. Most work OK, but the odd batch,
no particular make, seem to have problems. I don't think it has much to
do with the stove itself. Though V12 in Llanberis did change the first
one.

The Windpro uses the same connection so will presumably be suceptible to
the same issues.