MSR Reactor

For those who have this stove,  I was wondering how stable it is.  The 1.7 pot looks a little tippy. Also, how does it perform in really cold conditions? 

I've always preferred liquid fuel.  I think for one it's more environmentally friendly.  The Reactor seems like it might be ideal for lower 48 3 season alpine adventures though

Have a look at LowDown™ Remote Stove Adapter. Makes your Reactor stabile (a bit heavy, good for car camping) Reactor works super and fast at high altitude.

I've had mine for about 5 years and I think it performs well in alpine environments, no problem at 20k ft. Hard to find a better stove to melt snow and boiling water quickly, but not all that great if you would like to cook something as there really is no variable heat with the knob; Sort of "on" "off" situation.  Never had any issues with the pot feeling like it is going to top over even on less than level surfaces.  Heck, I even held the thing by the gas canister while cooking one time inside a tent and it was fine.  They actually sell a hanging kit for it that I did not have at the time. 

One sort of nuance I picked up with it though is, when it's really cold, I have to "choke" it by covering the 2 breather ports by the knob with my fingers to help with lighting it.  I learned how to do this from a friend of mine and it turns out, it's even on the MSR website. 

Overall, I think it's a great stove that I use for pretty much any overnight outing as I'm not really cooking at all, and it's efficient with gas. 

Jimmy Strange wrote:

To be square, I don’t think it’s the best stove at all, just the best pot. After tripping some ‘safety’ mechanism in one 3 days out from the car 10 years ago, something that needs a factory reset, I’ve never take one anywhere serious again. 

Care to elaborate? Sounds like something really worth knowing

I've never had a problem with mine.  Lights the first time and roars away.

If all you need is boiled water/melted snow it’s a go-to choice for many people. A true work horse stove in that regard. Stability is fine. 

If you prefer to be able to simmer/cook, I’ve had great success in the lower 48 with the Soto Windmaster which has also been tested on the Denali summit. 

Your concerns of stability won’t be remedied here as the (not included) pot simply sits atop. With care, I’ve never had an issue, but it’s certainly no jetboil attachment system. 

The MSR Windburner is a good alternative to the Reactor for many use cases.  It's a bit lower power (so not quite as much of a rocket) but it's the same efficient design, the pot latches on, and the thermal switch is resettable.  I have one and it's been really awesome, a partner of mine has a Reactor and it's been great too.

https://www.msrgear.com/blog/windboiler-vs-reactor-whats-difference/

I’m in the market for the big Windburner pot if anyone has it 

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I think between the thermal trigger thing Jimmy describes and the fact that I can't seem to find anywhere in Denver that will recycle propane canisters, plus the extra work in cold and at altitude, I'm going to stick with liquid gas. I'll use my Whisperlite in summer and pick up an XGK for the next time I'm out in winter or at altitude. Using a Sea to Summit collapsible cookpot, the weight difference isn't that drastic anyway. 

Appreciate all the input though!

Jimmy Strange wrote:

Re canisters; you can by refill adapters, and empties just punch holes in and recycle with cans (usually).

I'll echo Jimmy's comment--refilling cannisters went a long ways towards me feeling better about the environmental cost. It's quick, easy and kinda fun. If I put the empty in the freezer and the full one in a pan of warm water, I can refill that empty to the same level that it ships new.

I’ve had success with this too just be careful not to overfill. I majorly bulged out the bottom of one. 

Jimmy Strange wrote:

Re canisters; you can by refill adapters, and empties just punch holes in and recycle with cans (usually).

In my research it seems you need to do mixed metals recycling,  and all the places I looked at in Denver explicitly say no to fuel canisters, and i don't think you can mail them to MSR

Ben Podborski wrote:

I’m in the market for the big Windburner pot if anyone has it 

Not sure if REI delivers to Canada but the 1.8L windburner pot is on sale right now. I prefer that to the reactor personally. Windburner also has a thermal "fuse" but you can reset it in the field easily if needed. 

K Go wrote:

Not sure if REI delivers to Canada but the 1.8L windburner pot is on sale right now. I prefer that to the reactor personally. Windburner also has a thermal "fuse" but you can reset it in the field easily if needed. 

Thanks, it’s in the mail now. Had to do some mailbox trickery!

So today I swung by Wilderness Exchange in Denver for a couple items.  They recycle isobtuane cartridges and even have a drop box in their entryway for spent cartridges. Thought I'd share with the community.