Soto Micro Regulator Stove

This efficient, compactable little stove really throws out the heat. Super easy to light. We were able to boil 1.5 l of water in about 3.5 minutes.Putting big pots/frying pans on top of this stove is a bit of a balancing act; I'd recommend getting a base and finding fairly level ground or holding onto the pot/pan handle for the duration. Of course, using smaller pots more suited to this stove would be a good option... MEC, here I come!I’ll lament to days past: many years back (more than I'd care to mention) I used to lug around a Coleman 425. Thank goodness stoves like this one are available! lol

Compact, hot and easy - just stick to narrow pots

After almost 20 years with my trusty MSR Whisperlite, I decided to take the canister stove plunge. I first saw the Soto at REI in the USA and when MEC made them available online I purchased one right away. Great shipping as you would expect from MEC. I use my stove primarily with a GSI Kettle or 1.5 L pot.I have to say that this stove is hot and fast. The igniter fires the stove on the first click every time. I haven't timed it, but it is significantly faster to boil water than my MSR. I know because I have a morning routine while I boil water for coffee and I have never been able to complete it while using the Soto! Stove also simmers very well.Fuel consumption is tough for me to judge because this is my first canister stove and I traded the canister back and ... MoreAfter almost 20 years with my trusty MSR Whisperlite, I decided to take the canister stove plunge. I first saw the Soto at REI in the USA and when MEC made them available online I purchased one right away. Great shipping as you would expect from MEC. I use my stove primarily with a GSI Kettle or 1.5 L pot.I have to say that this stove is hot and fast. The igniter fires the stove on the first click every time. I haven't timed it, but it is significantly faster to boil water than my MSR. I know because I have a morning routine while I boil water for coffee and I have never been able to complete it while using the Soto! Stove also simmers very well.Fuel consumption is tough for me to judge because this is my first canister stove and I traded the canister back and forth to a Primus Lantern (which isn't light on fuel).A drawback may be the little feet used for pot stands. While they are sturdy, the sometimes stick in the down position so you have to fiddle with them to lock in place. Not really a problem, just something to be aware of. There is a bit of a trick to it.The other negative is with larger/wide pots. Not only is the pot VERY unstable, the heat is very focused in the centre and can actually warp the bottom of the pot. For example, I had a problem using the frying pan from the GSI Bugaboo pot set. I was cooking up an egg my previously flat pot bowed in the centre after 30 seconds on the stove. Then I almost lost the whole meal because the feet that hold the pot are quite narrow. Now every time I crack an egg in my nice little pan it slides to the edge. The counterpoint is that the stove isn't really made for that type of work - it's designed for narrow backpacking pots and it works perfectly with those.Overall, I am very pleased with the purchase and my old MSR is now part of my emergency kit.

Excellent power and versatility

Bought this stove along with the GSI Halulite Minimalist Cookset (5021-497) and the Jetboil 100g LPG canister (5017-676) and I just decided to replace my Jetboil with it.My Jetboil original is good but I feel that this is better value given that it is not only almost half the size and significantly lighter, but it boiled 500ml of water at about 10 seconds longer, on average. This time could be made up and surpassed with the use of the Soto windscreen - see below.The only negative is that the windscreen for this stove is not sold at MEC. This windscreen will drastically increase the boil time and is crucial when in the field when the wind picks up. Any wind and this stove will greatly lose its efficiency. This is where stoves like the Jetboil and especially the MSR ... MoreBought this stove along with the GSI Halulite Minimalist Cookset (5021-497) and the Jetboil 100g LPG canister (5017-676) and I just decided to replace my Jetboil with it.My Jetboil original is good but I feel that this is better value given that it is not only almost half the size and significantly lighter, but it boiled 500ml of water at about 10 seconds longer, on average. This time could be made up and surpassed with the use of the Soto windscreen - see below.The only negative is that the windscreen for this stove is not sold at MEC. This windscreen will drastically increase the boil time and is crucial when in the field when the wind picks up. Any wind and this stove will greatly lose its efficiency. This is where stoves like the Jetboil and especially the MSR Reactor blow the other away.Great product but a windscreen is a must. Why doesn’t MEC sell it?

Fantastic Stove!

I purchased this stove to take on the West Coast Trail. The size and weight of the stove are fantastic and I could boil 2 litres of water in about 5 minutes. We experienced every kind of weather including very wet days and the piezo igniter worked every time. Because of the dry conditions on the west coast this year, I was concerned about taking a liquid fuel stove and I definitely made the right decision going with this type of fuel.For a 7 day trip I'd recommend taking 3 LPG canisters. I took 4 and actually only used about 1.5 of the 225 gram canisters. I'd also recommend purchasing the universal canister stand. That allowed for a very stable base when trying to cook on uneven surfaces.The stove is so light and packable, I plan to take it with me for every ... MoreI purchased this stove to take on the West Coast Trail. The size and weight of the stove are fantastic and I could boil 2 litres of water in about 5 minutes. We experienced every kind of weather including very wet days and the piezo igniter worked every time. Because of the dry conditions on the west coast this year, I was concerned about taking a liquid fuel stove and I definitely made the right decision going with this type of fuel.For a 7 day trip I'd recommend taking 3 LPG canisters. I took 4 and actually only used about 1.5 of the 225 gram canisters. I'd also recommend purchasing the universal canister stand. That allowed for a very stable base when trying to cook on uneven surfaces.The stove is so light and packable, I plan to take it with me for every future day hike. Nothing like a nice cup of tea at the top of a scramble.

Impressive

I already have a snow peak which I love but I decided to get this as a second stove. I love the snow peak so I was expecting that it would be hard to beat. This stove blows the snow peak away in terms of efficiency and control. You can really simmer with a super low flame or crank up the BTUs and boil a pot of water quickly. Also the igniter works amazing. Much better than the unreliable igniter on my snow peak. The only negative is that the cost is quite high. All in all, it seems like another quality product made in Japan. Note that I have only used it over one 4 day weekend. I hope it maintains this level of performance and reliability over time.

Overall Best

I have had this stove for over one year, and it has been nothing but awesome. The piezo electric lighter has never failed me, and lights on the first click. The flames are very evenly distributed creating a good surface for frying pans.I have used this stove countless times indoors and camping in the winter. It fits into my Primus ETA pot set perfectly with a 230g canister. Paired with the pot set, it is very good on gas, and boils water ridiculously fast.My only wish would be for this stove to be $10 cheaper, then it will completely outcompete MSR MicroRocket.

Soto stove

I have just used the Soto stove on the four day Conandale Great Walk. It is a very high quality article and the piezo ignition was very handy and reliable. Boiling time was surprisingly fast but I don't have data on the fuel efficiency which would be an important consideration for a longer trip. There are cheaper stoves but few as light and as superbly made.

Versatile canister stove

I got this stove interested in how it would perform is cold temperatures compared to other canister stoves. When I tested it I found that it was slightly faster than another canister stove when just above zero, and a lot faster when it was around -5 degrees. I was impressed that the heat output remained consistent even at the low temperature and even when the canister was getting empty.I would recommend this for someone looking for a canister stove that can do some trips at colder temperatures. If you are looking at doing lots of trips in cold temperatures or higher altitudes and are out for multiple days I would still recommend a white gas stove because you have a lot more control over your fuel consumption.The feet that hold up the pot can collapse easily ... MoreI got this stove interested in how it would perform is cold temperatures compared to other canister stoves. When I tested it I found that it was slightly faster than another canister stove when just above zero, and a lot faster when it was around -5 degrees. I was impressed that the heat output remained consistent even at the low temperature and even when the canister was getting empty.I would recommend this for someone looking for a canister stove that can do some trips at colder temperatures. If you are looking at doing lots of trips in cold temperatures or higher altitudes and are out for multiple days I would still recommend a white gas stove because you have a lot more control over your fuel consumption.The feet that hold up the pot can collapse easily without downward pressure, so make sure that they are secure before you put a pot on top. Also, as with any ignition stove, always carry back up lighters and/or matches because they can be finicky and are typically the first thing to break in a stove.

Very good but not great

I really like the regulation, allows for cold weather use here in the Yukon. Burns hot. The accessory wind screen helps a lot but the SOTO wind-master is the better version and better in a wind and lighter with it's built in wind handling concave burner. Impossible to find the wind-master version in Canada and wish MEC carried them.

Winter use

Agree with others comments and i want to point out one thing;The regulator does not make the stove for winter use but much better than other canister stoves without it. also you waste the extra gas reserved in the regulator when you disassemble the canister after use so pls do not do that in your tent (or open tent doors).Spring to Autumn, i use normal stove without regulator and those are just as good and less wasteful of gas.The windshield for this stove you buy for extra $12 or so and that is fantastic.