PRIMUS FIRESTICK
Weight: 99g
Burner diameter: 3cm Pot supports width: 8.5cm
Power output: 2500W/8530 BTU/h
The multi-award-winning Firestick is an unusuallooking stove. Like most canister top models, it has three fold-out pot supports. However, these are not the usual narrow wire-like ones but are wide and curved. They fold in around the burner to form a neat compact cylinder measuring 3.5x4.2cm.
The control lever folds flat against the cylinder. The Firestick comes with a separate piezo igniter weighing 20 grams and a wool storage pouch weighing 15 grams. The latter can double as a potholder to protect your hands.
The Firestick has a new regulated valve, which Primus says adjusts the gas flow for optimum output in varying temperatures. On a winter camp the Firestick lit easily and boiled water quickly on a freezing morning with a half-empty canister. The curved pot supports are claimed to provide “great wind protection”. They do provide more wind protection than stoves with little rings round the burner, but I wouldn’t call it great. In strong winds a separate windshield that curves round three sides of the stove is still a good idea. The burner is narrow, and the flame concentrated. Primus says this works well in windy conditions, and again it does so better than wider burners with more of a flame spread but still blows sideways in a strong wind.
This is really a solo stove. Primus says the narrowly concentrated flame is better suited for cooking with smaller pots. It is. The flame can be turned down for simmering, but food still needs regular stirring as the flame forms a hot spot on the base of the stove and it can easily stick. I found this out the hard way making porridge. The open pot supports aren’t very wide either and wouldn’t be very stable with a big, wide pot.
The Firestick is a good lightweight stove for three-season solo backpacking. I like the neat cylinder design. It boils water fast and simmers well. Also consider: Jetboil Mighty Mo, 95g, £60 jetboil.com