MSR Reactor a BOMB-PROOF Camping and Backpacking Stove

MSR Reactor a BOMB-PROOF Camping and Backpacking Stove | REVIEW

Рет қаралды 3,859

Күн бұрын

MSR Reactor is a camping and backpacking stove that has been around for more than 15 years. Is it still going strong and is it still worth it? Very often we can see outdoor gear providers release new products every year. Sometimes it's just a new color and sometimes a tiny, unnecessary, small change. Lots of people run like crazy to get the newest piece of equipment. They spend lots of money that they could have spent on some extra free time out there and all this consumption will pollute the planet that we call our home…
I got my first, and only, MSR Reactor 2008. I still have it and I still use it in the same way as when I bought it. That's the kind of gear we want! MSR Reactor is a different kind of outdoor stove or hiking stove. It’s a different kind of system with a glowing pad instead of an open flame. The pot is also equipped with a super-effective heat exchange system. That makes the system fast and with low gas consumption. It has it strengths but also some weak spots of course as almost all piece of gear have.
I can recommend this backpacking stove kit for families, guides, group leaders, and persons who want to heat up lots of water very fast. I don’t recommend this for people who want to travel with ultra-light backpacks. It’s also not useful if you want to cook amazing outdoor dinners because this stove isn’t compatible with normal outdoor pots or frying pans. This is just a really bomb-proof and super efficient water boiler!
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We are Stina & Matti and we live in Northern Sweden in a small place called Jokkmokk. Except for making videos we also run a small company called Jokkmokkguiderna and a kennel called Working Husky Kennel. We offer guided outdoor tours in Swedish Lapland all around the year. During the winter we mostly do dog sled tours and in the summertime, it’s hiking tours, wildlife safaris, canoe, and packraft trips. We live year-round in Jokkmokk with a whole bunch of Siberian Husky and 2 Border Collies.
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Chapters:
00:00 MSR Reactor stove review Intro
00:37 How does this camp stove work
03:24 Strengths
03:26 Fast and efficient backpacking stove
04:13 Compact hiking stove system
05:22 Durable and strong
06:06 An easy to use camping stove
06:20 Weather proof stove
06:41 Week Points with MSR Reactor
06:52 Limited use - water boiling stove
07:30 Not compatible with other camping pots
07:51 Expensive
08:18 No ultralight hiking stove
08:48 Who is this backpacking stove for
11:05 MSR Reactor in use - boiling coffee

Пікірлер: 47

@erikehrling4715 29 күн бұрын

Love my MSR Windburner ("little brother" to the Reactor) for everything except for the weight. Right now testning the Soto Windmaster with the Firemaple Petrel pot for a lighter option.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Soto is a great piece of gear! /Matti

@azclaimjumper 29 күн бұрын

I'm #116 to "Like". Interesting & informative - you've covered all pertinent pluses & minuses. Warm Regards from far away Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 26 күн бұрын

Thanks!!! :-) / Matti

@lysan1445 29 күн бұрын

I just looked up the price. Most shops sell it for over 300 Euros, but one shop only charges 180 Euros at the regular price, not a discount. On the MSR page, they have a recall for pots from 2008 to February 2024 because of the handle, which seems to come loose quickly and has led to people burning themselves with hot water. As you have used it for 15 years, I'd call it sturdy and reliable enough. Thanks for the review!

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Thanks! My pot is from 2008! I will check the recall. /Matti

@d3bugg3r 28 күн бұрын

Hi Matti, I use my reactor for more than ten years too. It’s by far the best watercooking device I know. it seems like my first comment yesterday has been deleted as i linked the recall of the pot. Now somebody else has already mentioned it. Awesome that you actually made the video we were talking about! One point I want to add to your list is that the reactor works flawless even in cold temperatures.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 26 күн бұрын

Thanks! During winter I prefer the MSR XGK because then I can adjust the pressure by pumping if it's really low temperature. I have exactly the same opinion as you. This is the best water boiler ever!!! / Matti

@p.richter9592 29 күн бұрын

I’ve used the MSR Reactor for a few years, and it’s the best system for boiling water that I’ve ever used. I’m a big fan. And in really windy conditions, the Reactor is the best there is 👍🏻👍🏻🇳🇴

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Nice to hear! Like someone before have commented… It’s constructed for one purpose and that is boiling water and they made a really good stove… for boiling water! :-) /Matti

@clivedunning4317 28 күн бұрын

Suggestion for your next video . . ."How to Juggle Gas Cartridges " with Matti ! . . .

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 26 күн бұрын

😂

@jontron380 29 күн бұрын

Thanks Matti for another informative review, or maybe we call it your opinion. This is important as you are very experienced and knowledgeable in everything you post, and I prefer your no BS opinions based on experience over other channels. Keep up the good work and keep enjoying those (many) coffees 👍 Hi to Stina and the dogs👋

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Thanks! That’s super important as you said. It’s my opinion, based on my experience. Tomorrow I could have learned something new and then I have also changed opinion. We all just have to be humble and understand that my opinion is not necessarily the same as your or others opinions. AND… opinion and person is different things. We can have different opinions but still be two persons who like each other. :-) /Matti

@DebbieDunigan 29 күн бұрын

I have used the MSR Windburner for over a year, daily, all seasons, and I highly recommend MSR. I do cook food in it, mostly soups. For me, I bring the soup to a boil and then shut it off to let the food hydrate for about 15-20 minutes depending on the soup. If it needs to be reheated, I will bring it to a boil one more time. This minimizes fuel consumption, and boil overs only happen when I'm not paying attention 😢😅

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

MSR makes really sturdy stoves!!! I also love their XGK multi stove for winter use… Really good stuff!!! /Matti

@LoremIpsum1970 29 күн бұрын

Hi Matti, *Fire-Maple* do a 1.2l copy, the Mars Radiant Stove System, a remote burner, they claim similar boil times - cheaper but heavier than the MSR at as low as 90GBP. I think they do Feast Heat-exchanger Aluminum Cookware 55GBP that fits their stove (but I'd need to check). I'm surprised I don't see either of these on other UK channels, as most people seem to live off of either instant noodles or freeze-dried meals for the majority of the time! Well, at least they haven't picked up the US habit of soaking oats...but a lot seem to now have caught the ultralight bug...

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

That’s interesting how trends goes through the outdoor world. When I started lots of people eat the dry tortellini as dinner out on their hikes. Today I don’t think we can find them in the shops anymore. Now, several has comment about firmaple so I think I will have to check it… ;-) Maybe a new trend will reach northern Sweden! :-) /Matti

@trick700 29 күн бұрын

I use a light weight MSR pocket rocket 🚀, by using a kettle with heat exchanger on bottom, the pocket rocket makes two mugs of boiling water in under a minute (which I thought was pretty good) but your Reactor is just amazing! It would be good to see a race with different systems!

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 26 күн бұрын

MSR Pocket Rocket will lose the race if it's about gas consumption or how fast it's boiling. If the race is about lightweight or the compatibility with other pots like frying pan and so on the Pocket Rocket will win. If it's about making pancakes the Pocket Rocket will also win. It's just two totally different kind of tools... 😊 / Matti

@marcdaigle1163 29 күн бұрын

Great emergency coffee equipment you got there, Matti... Glad it lasted this long...That's a lotta coffee, over the years, hehe... Be well,& you both take care...🙂

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

O yes… This piece of gear have given me and my groups a lot of coffee during all the years. /Matti

@atzedevries9563 29 күн бұрын

I have the msr windburner, its little brother, a bit lighter but having all the benifits. It is really nice to know while hiking that you can cook in any condition. The windburner has mutiple stoves, some of them are also good for non water boiling jobs. Msr also sells a hose which you can put between your burner and the gas canister. It also as an integrated stand. Might be useful some times. Also you can then have the canister upside down which could help in colder conditions.

@atzedevries9563 29 күн бұрын

Its is called 'lowdown

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 26 күн бұрын

Thanks! I have to take a closer look at the windburner... / Matti

@johanryback 29 күн бұрын

Fantastic review! Be aware of the recall of the pots from MSR due to the handle. Regarding the parts with no holes - from what I remember you are supposed to light it on one of them. Might be easier to light it in heavy wind if you light it there? You didn’t mention that much about the performance in windy conditions… Me myself replaced a JetBoil Flash with the reactor since I needed a reliable stove in windy conditions

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Thanks! I will check the recall! It’s exactly as you say. This stove is really good in wind and rain! I have it as one of the pros for the stove but you are right. I should have pushed more on that because it is really one atooooong side! /Matti

@samhill3496 29 күн бұрын

Very good review. Now I understand how the system works. I like hot water fast and appears fairly safe for vestibule cooking. I like my coffee. Think I'll have a cup now on my electric stove. All good. Hoodies that are fairly bug proof. Waxed cotton? Your thoughts. You all take care. From the hot, 92F, humid 100%, hills of east Kentucky USA.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

That’s fare to the south! This hoodie isn’t waxed. It’s just a normal cotton sweater. Electric heated coffee is also good! /Matti

@Orcadriver 29 күн бұрын

Hi Matti, i use the trangia cooking system and realy enjoying it, so no need for other stuff;-) But i like and enjoy your reviews very much! May i ask, where do you get the kuksa mok you are drinking your coffee from? Greetings, William

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Trangia is great but also heavy. The kuksa is made of ‘Johns slöjd’ at Instagram. Try to find him there. I think I have tagged him in some of our pictures at Insta also. /Matti

@krimke881 29 күн бұрын

back then, I went for the jetboil. IT also has a glowing centre, but it's much smaller and it really has no function. I believe it's a flame retarder, so MSR has just made sure that the heat are completely distributed over the whole surface in many layers. the MSR is so good, because it's purpose made, its only for heating up water. nothing else. Unlike the jetboil, that is lighter, versatile, but it also has parts on it that breaks all the time. Matti! What do you light the stove with?

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

I have never used a Jetboil. Several times I have been thinking about buying one but when I already got so much gear I can’t really motivate another stove… I have the Primus Solo that’s similar to Jetboil. The primus is the same. Small details like the pietzo that’s breaking down and so on. Not as sturdy as the MSR. You are probably totally correct when you say that the Reactor is so good because it is made for only one purpose… heating up water! My lighter is a cheap cigarette lighter from the gasoline station. It’s one of those’storm proof’… 4 Euro, you can refill it but it will probably breakdown sooner or later… I have used this during a half year or something like that. /Matti

@allaboutperspective650 29 күн бұрын

A piece of equipment that I will never buy because I don't need it. 2795 skr is the best price I found.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Then this video was great!!! I’m happy if some of you out there can avoid stuff that you don’t need! :-) Most of us (including me) buy to much stuff… /Matti

@ulrikchristiansen 29 күн бұрын

How would you rate this compared to the Soto Windmaster, which I am just about to buy? 😊

@erikehrling4715 29 күн бұрын

I have both the Soto Windmaster with a Toaks 750ml pot and the MSR Windburner. I would say that the MSR Windburner uses consistently 5g per boil, wheareas the Soto Windmaster is all over the place 5-15g depending on wind conditions. Right now I am testning the Soto Windmaster with trifoot and the Firemaple Petrel heat exchanger pot. That might be a good relatively light option.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

I think it’s two different kind of stoves. If you want to be able to make pancakes… Soto is a must! If you just need hot water… Then you can choose between this. When we looking at pots I would say that a wider pot save gas. A pot like Toaks 750ml isn’t wide enough. I just recently made a video about how fast different pots are. If I just wanted to have one stove for solo hiking trips or for tours when we are two persons/stove I would go for the Soto… It’s really a great stove!!! Then I would do like @erikehrling4715 and look for a pot, maybe with a heat exchange thing under… /Matti

@richardbaker8928 29 күн бұрын

Good for boiling water, that about it. No better than similar cheaper stove/cooksets you can pick up from aliexpress these days.

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

Some of the aliexpress breaks down quite fast… and I haven’t seen anyone with this‘glowing pad’. Have you? /Matti

@krimke881 29 күн бұрын

I would guess that 99% here strongly disagree. it is way better. :)

@richardbaker8928 26 күн бұрын

@@krimke881 Just my opinion as a classic stove collector

@Mr1Spring 29 күн бұрын

Have you ever used a Kelly kettle? Waaaay cheaper

@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA 29 күн бұрын

No… I have never used one of those! I have looked at them and tried to motivate myself to not buying it because I got to much gear… and until now I have succeeded with not spending money… but every time when I see them it’s attempting to get one of those… and now you will be holding responsible if I suddenly have to spend more money on outdoor gear! 🤣😂🤣😂 I’m really curious about them!!! 😃 /Matti

@krimke881 29 күн бұрын

it's not about getting cheaper gear, it was a purchase back in 2008, for a specific use, that the msr fitted into very very perfectly. Also, using your gear all it can take, and not collect gear like a gearhead. However, I appreciate the tip. not half other products reach scandinavian stores.