Originally Posted By lori


+1. Canister stoves suffer decreased inefficiency well before 0F and do not do well in subfreezing temps. They'll work, but not the same as in higher temps. Wouldn't rely on them in winter.


Lori is absolutely correct, and this situation is not exactly news. For years, if going into cold conditions where heat and cooking were critical, rational folks have picked up the weight of liquid fueled paraphernalia, along with a generous supply of white gas, and staggered out the door.

I remember prepping for a SAR mission, where we were headed out for what was certain to be an all night hike in heavy deep snow - one of my team members reviewed my full cook kit and Primus 71L, threw his own Svea kit in his pack, commenting that duplication of stoves made a lot of sense where we were heading. He was right, as it turned out. Sometimes it doesn't pay to quibble over grams, or even pounds.