MSR Dragonfly Stove

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

If it wasn't a gift, I would not have purchased this one. But I do like the temperature control (simmering capabilities) of this stove. Fuel consumption is good. Large MSR fuel bottle lasted 4 days cooking 3 meals per day for 2 people and melting snow for water. Stability is good. It is a little bulky. I got this stove about 4 years ago, 1st year it worked great, performed as expected, mid way through the next year, the stove started having problems, the stove would loose the fuel supply and burn out, the pump quit working, I had to purchase a new pump and install all new O rings, which are supplied with the stove. 3rd year it worked ok. 4th year I had to purchase another pump and install new O rings. Maybe this has more to due with where I store my stove when not in use, (basement), the air in Idaho has very low humidity. Could be drying out and shrinking the rubber O rings. But, I think any stove of this type would have the same issues. I now carry an extra pump and O ring kit. Also when using the stove during a 2012 winter pack trip near Stanley, ID. Temps ranged from -10 to about 35 in February, altitude of about 7000 ft. it to took a little longer to boil 4 cups of water, about 6 1/2 minutes, at least for the breakfast meal. Summer time it works great, 3-4 minutes for 4 cups. I think I am going to purchase the MSR pocket rocket for my next stove. It's 1/2 the cost of the Dragonfly and way more compact. I would recommend to a friend if he doesn't mind carrying spare parts.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

I have taken 3 treks to Philmont with this stove, it is very easy for the scouts to learn to use, safe to light and has a very stable base, very important when boys are jumping around!

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

This Stove is great if you are cooking for more than just yourself. I have the whisper Light but I got tired of the burn on the bottom of the pot. This makes a great simmer. More control.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

This is to my knowledge, the best all-around stove available anywhere, period.
I've been backpacking since 1980, and I've used nearly every stove imaginable. All manner of canister and white gas stoves.
This one, IS THE ONE.
Q: When you're cold, wet, tired AND hungry-
How much do you really care about 8 oz.?

Calling it bulky to me, is almost silly. No, it doesn't fold down to a pack of cards. But the extremely stable legs fold & snap securely around the center. It lives in my 2 liter cook pot in the pack. Exactly how is that bulky? The steel leg supports will easily deal with a HUGE pot without tipping. The Whisperlite & others, not so much.

I've used it in every possible set of conditions, and it always, repeat, ALWAYS works exactly the same. Yes, my Whisperlite is lighter and the new MSR offering is lighter still by a few ounces,
BUT, over the years I've learned there are four things you NEVER scrimp on. Save the ounce-shaving for everything else:
1. Stove
2. Boots
3. Parka
4. Pack
Similar to another reviewer, over the years I've helped more people than I can remember to make dinner in the rain, in the wind, in the cold. For a giggle, when camped at a tent-site, I often watch others set up their 'whatever-stoves' as I set up mine. I am ALWAYS the first one with a boil... ALWAYS the first (and sometimes the only one) ACTUALLY EATING.

The 'cone-in-a-cylinder' design gives you a built-in windscreen. I rarely use the outer tin windscreen, other than in near gale-force winds. All the other stoves (whisperlite included) have an 'open burner' design, like a kitchen stove.
Critically different, this 'rocket stove' shoots the flame straight up at a small defector which spreads it out. With the Whisperlite & similar stoves in 10+ mph wind, I must use the wind-shield. This stove was actually built to deal with wind. I'll 'give you' the 8 oz. and 'take' the reliability.

To clean it you shake it a couple of times and an internal pin cleans the jet. That's it. On full blast, yes it earns the jet engine quality everyone talks about... big deal, the stove's on for 2 minutes to boil water, & it Simmers quitely.
It also lights in the rain, and burns practically any kind of fuel, a HUGE plus for out-of-the-USA trips where white gas is often not available.

There is a small learning curve to light it, but after 4 or 5 tests in the backyard before your trip, you'll never think of it again.
I will probably pick up the new uber-lite offering from MSR for summer weekend trips when I KNOW the weather will be good, but for any of these situations: a 3-plus day trip, changeable weather, hiking with wife-kids-newbies, altitude, winds and/or cold ...
I'm packing the Dragonfly.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

Heated chili for 10 in a stew pot from a par-frozen state in 40 deg. w/ wind. A bit slower than heating a pot of water; but, I was very pleased.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

This stove is rock solid. No worries about reliability. Burns any flammable fuel. Heats quickly. Jet engine IS the perfect way to summarize this stove. Crank it up on high and it's a little loud, but not a problem in the back country and it will boil water very quickly. I like having a fuel bottle that I KNOW how much fuel is left in it. Hate the canister systems that you have to guess at. Buy this stove if your serious about the outdoors and you'll never regret it.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

This resembles a jet engine in so many ways and cooks like one too! Instructions describe a fireball on start-up; no kidding! Make sure there are no flammables nearby. Stability is dependent on how many rocks and sticks you can jam underneath the legs. It will cook, simmer, and burn anything you throw at it. Multi-fuel capable. Flame could be closer to pot surface though. Slight difficulty setting up but once lit.. look out. It's a keeper.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

This is a very well-designed backpacking stove for 3-10 day trips with at least one other person. I'll start with the drawbacks: it isn't the lightest stove, nor is it the most compact. Others complain about the noise, but I wasn't really bothered by it. Those are the only negatives I have.

The positives I have are overwhelmingly so! The stove is the most stable and controllable backpacking stove I've ever used. I simmered, I boiled, I sauteed, I warmed. You get the point. Truly excellent temperature control! The stove is physically stable, too. I have never even come close to tipping over a pot - what a change from my Whisperlite!

I have now used the stove in a sustained wind of 20-30 mph (with the included wind shield and heat reflector) - no one else in the backcountry camping area was able to keep their stove lit, but my little Dragonfly never went out. Other hikers gave me some white gas in exchange for some burn time on my superior stove!!!

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

Havnt used it yet but looking forward to it.

Comments about MSR Dragonfly Stove:

Top to bottom this is the best stove on the market for its versatility. I've used this stove from solo backpacking trips in Alaska to Boy Scout camping trips. My favorite feature of this stove is its flame control from a gentle simmer to full jet engine.