Skeptical about cheap camp stoves until I tested one at 9,000 feet in Flagstaff

I always thought you had to spend over $100 for a reliable backpacking stove. Last month I grabbed a $25 butane model from a gas station near Flagstaff and it boiled water in 3 minutes at 9,000 feet elevation with wind. Honestly shocked me how consistent the flame was. Has anyone else had a cheap piece of gear surprise them after they doubted it?

3 comments

3 Comments

wood.zara14d ago

Right? That’s wild because I had the exact same thing happen with a $15 stove I grabbed off Amazon last year. Took it up to like 10,000 feet in Colorado and it boiled water just as fast as my buddy’s fancy Jetboil. I was honestly expecting it to sputter out or something, but it held a steady flame even with some wind. Makes you wonder why we all spend so much on gear sometimes. The butane one you got sounds like a total steal for 25 bucks.

tyler_white4214d agoMost Upvoted

It's funny how often the cheap stuff just works, isn't it?

marywells14d ago

My $20 toaster from Walmart has been kicking for like 7 years now, longer than the $80 one my sister bought that died in 18 months. @wood.zara I think there's something about being cheap that just makes stuff tougher, like it knows it has to prove itself. I remember buying a knockoff camp stove for 12 bucks at a gas station once, and it actually got so hot it melted part of its own plastic handle... still cooked my dinner though. It's a good reminder that we're all just paying extra for a brand name and maybe some nicer packaging half the time.