The SuperGnat (Gaz or Threaded Canisters)

There are two types of modern gas canisters for backpacking (see Backpacking Gas Canisters 101 for further information).

Generally, stoves built for one type of canister only work with that type of canister. For example, Camping Gaz stoves generally only work with Camping Gaz canisters. There are a few exceptions. Unfortunately, those exceptions aren't very lightweight.

However, there is a relatively lightweight stove that will use either Camping Gaz or threaded canisters. Check out The SuperGnat.


HJ

Interesting - although personally, having backpacked in a lot of places and taken a snow peak stove with me semi-frequently - I've never had too much trouble finding lindal valve canisters.. i.e. if I can find the silly french campingaz ones I can find "normal" ones... or nothing at all..

I have of course, seen people with a campingaz stove trying to use a lindal valve canister - unsuccessfully... A belgian couple starting west coast trail as I was finishing one year.. we had a bit of a giggle and then loaned them a snow peak - they were nice and mailed it back to us

That looks very similar to the MSR Superfly - though at 5 or 6 ounces (depends on whether you get the piezo igniter), I'm not sure the Superfly qualifies as lightweight.

I haven't tested the "universal fit" claim by MSR - any thoughts about it versus the SuperGnat?

(Just for the record, I really like MSR gear, but I have no affiliation with MSR, and am not trying to shill for their stuff - except to the extent of my own experience with it.)

Here's a bit of trail trivia: Camping Gaz and standard threaded canisters both use Lindal valves. The threaded ones of course have threads on the connector and the Camping Gaz ones don't, but the valves are the same.

Lindal valves are also on Powermax canisters which alas have been discontinued.

HJ

Oh, dear, someone didn't click on the link and read the post... Click and ye shall be enlightened as to the connection to MSR and to where I got the name from.

HJ

You're right, I didn't. Only had a few minutes to scan the newer posts - stupid work!

Now that I have, I see that making the universal-fit SuperGnat requires that you also have a Superfly available (i.e., buying a Superfly or buying the valve as a replacement part from MSR), which could take some of the shine off the idea cost-wise. However, if you were going somewhere that universal fit was absolutely critical, cost may not be an issue.

Neat idea.

Work! Ack! Don't use that kind of language around me.

Yeah, you'd have to be a multi stove kind of guy for this to be useful. But if you went on some group trips and other trips that were solo "fast and light" type trips, you could get a SuperFly and a Gnat. The SuperFly has a large head that distributes heat well (to avoid the "hot spots" a pencil type flame causes) and big pot supports. You could easily use a SuperFly for a group or for real cooking. Then for solo trips, the little Gnat could be used.

Dunno. Guess it is kind of pricey. I'm a stovie. What can I say?

But if I were traveling in Europe, this would be the first stove I'd grab. It actually could be used with more than just Camping Gaz and standard threaded canisters. I've hooked it up to a small canister intended for a butane hand torch. You'd have to be very careful because some canisters have dip tubes or vapor feed tubes, but you can basically attach a SuperFly/SuperGnat to any canister with a collar and a female valve. Personally, I'd only use CG and standard threaded canisters unless I just couldn't find anything else and then use it very cautiously.

HJ

I wasn't trying to downplay the idea - let him among you who has less than 3 stoves cast the first canister, right? You've almost convinced me I need to buy a Superfly just so I can play around with my PocketRocket and (when they start releasing them to us mere mortals who don't test stoves ) my new MicroRocket. NOTE: I'm writing this from work, and don't have a stove to look at - I can't remember whether the valve can detach from the PR, and if it can, whether it's the same size. Now I've got something to do at home tonight.

Interesting idea, Glenn.

Let us know how it goes.

HJ