View Full Version : MSR Pocket Rocket
Waterbuffalo
10-14-2007, 18:41
Does anyone use a wind screen with it?
Does anyone use a wind screen with it?
Yes. When there's a decent wind blowing, you need a screen. Someone at WB has posted pix of how it's done. It involves three short pieces of wire (eg from an old wire coat hanger) and a few holes punched in a regular aluminum windscreen. It's a bit of a trick; you need to not block off access to the gas valve or to the pot handle.
whitefoot_hp
10-14-2007, 20:00
if you are familiar with the aluminum flashing windscreens used with many alcohol stoves, one of those can easily and safely be used as a windscreen for the pocket rocket. you can even use a tent stake rather than the wire mentioned. i think you need two stakes though. i will post a pic when i get a chance.
Waterbuffalo
10-14-2007, 20:35
Thanks I Just got a Pocket rocket and I have used a wisperlite for years I was wondering if there was a trick to it.
I hope everyone already knows that you must use the wind screen in a way that does not allow heat to build up around the fuel tank as that could at least in theory lead to an explosion.
Panzer
buckowens
10-14-2007, 21:29
I don't use a screen, but have seen the need for one. The boil times and fuel usage go up in a strong breeze. I am going to pack on for this summers trip.
For whatever its worth the pocket rocket has a small built in windscreen right on the burner.
Panzer
ChinMusic
10-14-2007, 21:47
I've have a Pocket Rocket for like 5 years and have never found a need for a wind screen. It is pretty forgiving. You will burn a bit more fuel in some wind, and I can see a benefit for a screen under extreme conditions. I just have not found myself in those conditions at a campsite. I think I would create a "wind screen" with rocks should I found myself in those conditions.
Here's a pocket-rocket windscreen in action. In its previous life it had been a Whisperlite windscreen.
SweetAss03
10-15-2007, 00:35
I'm with ChinMusic and Buckowens on this one, I've had my Pocketrocket from my 2003 thru-hike and have used it everywhere I've hiked since. I've never used a windscreen with it. I guess I could say I've been places that I would have been nice to have one but made do with something else.
I'm not an ultra light packer but I tend to walk on the "less is More" side. There is many times when I think "boy some camp shoes would be nice." Then I hike for ....... miles and think "man I'm glad I'm carrying extra stuff.
To each his own.
SweetAss
I'm with ChinMusic and Buckowens on this one, I've had my Pocketrocket from my 2003 thru-hike and have used it everywhere I've hiked since. I've never used a windscreen with it. I guess I could say I've been places that I would have been nice to have one but made do with something else.
I used the windscreen about half the time. On calm nights or in a shelter, probably not.
There was no easy canister resupply for the first half of my hike this summer, and I wasn't really sure how long the canisters would last. As it turned out, the canisters lasted nearly 3 weeks, and I never actually emptied one.
I don't use a wind screen with mine either. If you really want to get picky with fuel milage the windscreen would probably help some.
Waterbuffalo
10-17-2007, 16:44
From what it sounds I'm going to do with out. I'm no back country chef so it's really just something to boil water for me.