View Full Version : Brunton Vapor AF stove, good or bad ?
LIhikers
11-11-2008, 19:50
I've had someone recommend the Brunton Vapor AF stove as a good multi-fuel stove. Anyone here have anything good, or bad, to say about that stove?
I have the Nova stove which is the one before this came out. I have used mine with White gas and Regular unlead gas, works just fine without having to change the filter. Look almost the same but the burner has a different color encloser.
If you buy it at REI, you could always return it. I brought mine there on closeout 39.95
Wise Old Owl
11-14-2008, 00:37
It comes with very high recommendations & I have used a similar predecessor with good results... but here is the rub...
1LBS without the fuel. $225. Let's talk about multi-fuel stoves for a moment. ( I am sure someone is going to find exception to what I am about to discuss) The whole idea for multi fuel is to work efficiently at high altitude. This stove would be great if you are traveling to a pole, Alaska, French Alps, Everest etc. Otherwise find something lighter & cheaper. This is the AT or some trail in the US it leaves a different perspective.
Our scout troop has 4 of the Nova stoves, as mentioned earlier, predessor of the Vapr. These are great stoves, run white or unleaded, white is better for stove performance IMO, can handle very heavy pots if needed, well built, great simmer capability, and easy to maintain. But they are heavy and kinda bulky. We use them for group backpacking and canoe trips. They are great for group cooking, big output if needed. But for serious backpacking or small group/individual thing, I think overkill/ better options out there.
bigcranky
11-14-2008, 10:43
I shared a shelter with a guy who was running an MSR Dragonfly on diesel fuel. It worked, sorta. He originally bought it for wide-ranging travel, so he could burn anything he could scrounge up locally. If you need that sort of flexibility, well, then you need it. (But it's getting harder and harder to travel with a stove anymore. Fuel bottle = terrorist.)
But I agree with Wise Old Owl. If one is only hiking the AT, or only hiking in the USA, this stove is overkill. There are lighter, less expensive choices, even for winter hiking.
LIhikers
11-14-2008, 15:10
The reason I'm considering this stove is because I may be doing a hike early in 2009 along a route of hiking trails that don't have the services and support that is enjoyed when we hike on the A.T. I figure the more options I have for fuel the better off I'll be. If I thought I could get white gas in small quantities, along the way, I'd use our MSR Simmerlite that we already own. I'd consider an alcohol stove but I'll probably be doing this hike during cold weather. All suggestions are welcome.
bigcranky
11-14-2008, 21:16
That makes sense, then. Being able to burn almost anything can be useful.