Heat Exchanger

[Catharsis]

Has anyone played around with using heat exchangers to make their cooking system any more efficient?

Both the JetBoil and MSR Reactor use heat exchangers attached to the pot to increase efficiency and boil time and both claim to be the most efficient stoves on the market.

The way these heat exchangers work is they add more surface area to the pot and allow more heat to be retained and conducted.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

or any suggestions?

[yaduck9]

Have not taken any methodical measurements. But..........

The theory is that the extra weight of the heat exchanger is suppose to allow one to carry less fuel, thus saving weight.

After playing with an Optimus ETA Stove system, my feeling was, that it was better to go with a titanium pot with a large bottom, use a good wind screen, and a home made pot cozy. The actual stove I carry is either a small canister stove, or a fancy feast stove ( a zelph stove ) depending on how I feel.

The extra efficency from a heat exchanger didn't seem to make up for the extra bulkiness, weight, and un-robustness.

Simplicity as opposed to gimmickry.

No real figures to back it up, just my two cent.

I hike out west, so some may have a different opinion.

[skinewmexico]

I was impressed with how quickly my Eta boils water, and how little heat escapes up the sides of the pot. Kind of a drag when you're cold. Wish it was lighter.

[Toolshed]

Used an MSR Heat exchanger for winter camping for a few years back in teh early 90's. In theory it seemed to make sense, but I never noticed an appreciable reduction in boiling times and ended up selling it after a few years as it seemed like simply one extra piece of gear to carry that I probably didn't need for weekend trips.
I guess if I was Steiger and going to the arctic for 6 months with limited supplie, I would be concerned with shaving 5-8 seconds off each boil, but otherwise it didn't seem to be worht it.

[Snowleopard]

I got a Primus Eta 2.1 liter pot on sale at REI. With Snowpeak Giga canister stove I get water boiling really quick. It seems good for cooking for more than one or in colder conditions. I'll definitely use it for winter and melting snow and probably use something lighter for summer (IMUSA or snowpeak Titanium bowl with foil lid). I might also use the eta pot when I want to do more cooking; except for weight it is very nice.