MSR Reactor

If it was not for white gas flame ups and toxic byproducts, I'd have given up on the entire idea of canister stoves.

I've seen three ways to increase efficiency of canister stoves, but I've yet to see a stove using all three:

1) regulator for a constant burn (even Colman stoves have this)

2) An inverted canister for when your fuel is liquid paired w/ a vaporizing tube to gasify liquid fuel

3) Radiand /Catalytic? burner like the MSR Reactor

MSR makes a kit for hanging the Reactor so the advantage to a Jetboil is gone. When melting snow you always add starter water, just an ounce at teh bottom of the pot will do. Best to use a small insulated stove board when cooking on snow for an even insulated surface.

For a real world test make sure you use best practices and the melt/boil times pick up dramatically.

I ignorantly tried using canister stoves in winter for a while. After having to bail on multiple trips do to the stove not working (couldn't boil, frozen valve,etc) I only take the whisperlite in the snow. This website is really good if you want to read up on the options. It looks like the guy has done a lot of research.

My rule of thumb: if it's under freezing I'm taking the whisperlite.

After using both a lot, the Reactor is hands down the faster, more hassle free, more reliable, and more efficient stove.

I used canisters a lot in midwinter, in temps close to zero F. Throw the canister in the bottom of your bag. When water is first warmed, spoon a little on the canister to perk it up. I use the cheapo 2.99 canisters from Freddies, no 'winter blend' or anything like that.

Never enclose a canister burner in a tight windscreen that rises above the actual burner itself. That's a great way to melt the o-ring on the canister, which then winds up inside your stove. When you take the canister off, all your fuel vents into space Apollo 13 style. It took 3 blown canisters to figure that one out.

After using both a lot, the Reactor is hands down the faster, more hassle free, more reliable, and more efficient stove. 

tvash: are you comparing the reactor to the jetboil or to the whisperlite?

JB. I haven't used my whisperlite in over a decade.