MSR Reactor Stove System
October 14, 2023 – The MSR Reactor Stove System is our pick for winter camping and melting snow as a primary water source. Of all isobutane stoves, none have better wind-resistance or heat output, making it the perfect tool for camping in the coldest and stormiest of conditions with no access to liquid water. But keep in mind, this is a specialist to add to your stove quiver; not a daily driver. It’s unnecessarily heavy, bulky, and expensive for 3-season use. Shop now.
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- Price: $290
- Weight: 17 oz
- Pot Volume: 1.7L
- Boil Time 1L: 3 min
- BTUs:Â 9000
- Ignitor: No
- Pressure Regulator: Yes
- Water boiled per 100g fuel, max output, no wind: 10.3L
- Wind Tolerance: Extreme
- Pros: Windproof. Pressure regulated. Fastest boil time. Good for boiling snow. Nests 8oz fuel canister.
- Cons: Heavy. Bulky. Expensive. No ignitor.
Compare to more great options in our guide to backpacking stoves.
Construction & Features
The MSR Reactor is a specialized stove system with a specialized build and feature set. We reiterate – this stove is overkill for most backpacking. It is a winter specialist, and should be treated as such.
To begin with, we note that this stove is a two-piece system. The pot is designed to situate on the stove body, and they combine to create a windproof barrier for the flame. The pot also sits very close to the flame, maximizing heat transfer with via radiance and convection. All of this combined leads to its lightning fast boil time (1L in 3 min), and good fuel economy (10L on a 100g canister).
For increased efficacy in cold weather, Reactor has a pressure regulator that encourages fuel output even as the can empties and temperatures drop (both of which decrease heat output in unregulated stoves). Most high end stoves come with a built-in piezoelectric ignitor, but Reactor is missing that feature, so you need to pack a lighter
For boiling snow as a primary water source, we recommend the 1.7L sized pot. If you are using in cold windy conditions but won’t need to boil snow, then the 1.0L is a better choice. But for both sizes, the pot can comfortably nest a fuel canister, and it has a clever lid-handle-lock down mechanism to prevent contents from spilling out.
MSR Reactor Stove System Review Verdict
It may not be the most efficient 3-season option in terms of weight and bulk, but if you need a stove that can melt snow in cold windy weather, the MSR Reactor is a no-brainer choice. It easily outperforms the competition in that regard, and boils water like a champ in milder conditions. Add the MSR Reactor Stove System to your quiver for winter camping.
