I carried the tiny little booger of a stove all last season, no problems or issues with it at all. I use a Toaks 650 ml pot with it, together they weigh 3.5 oz. 👍
Agreed. My 850 ml MLD pot only made contact with the inner teeth of the legs on a Pocket Rocket. The BRS worked great in 30 degree temps and was a better fit.
I bought one a while back. All the reviews were "Yeah, it's a good stove but idk if I trust it" and now having seen several through hikers taking it on their hikes with only one having any issues with theirs, I think it is a fantastic buy!
I found a solution that works for me regarding the stability issues with my BRS 3000T. I have an OXO hand-operated can opener that creates a smooth edge after cutting the top of the can. It also leaves a small lip on the edge (this is important). This lid fits on the top of the BRS creating a light-weight platform for my pot. You have to cut a large hole in the center of the lid so the flame from the stove makes direct contact with your pot. I store the lid in my pot along with my fuel, stove and utensils. It never slips, takes up no space, weighs next-to-nothing, and makes all the difference in the stability of the pot.
I have the BRS and love it. It's hard to compare stoves because you don't know if you have the valves open the same amount on the two stoves. I think the only way to measure efficiency is to turn down the BRS stove to a point that it boils the water at the exact same length of time as the pocket rocket. Then compare the amount of fuel used by the two. Of course it used more fuel in the test because it boiled the water in less time. Also I think many people run the BSR wide open and then practically melt the legs because it's such a blow torch. I run my BSR just barely open and it still boils in two cups of water in a couple of minutes while conserving fuel.
So what you are saying is, maybe the MSR allows you to turn the flow up higher. In the test, she may have turned them both on all the way and that's the results we got. BUT...if she would have adjusted the flow of the MSR down to the maximum flow of the BRS, so the flow would be the same, then would the BRS still be more efficient? That's good thinking there.
@@jessespad the BRS is more efficient...According to MSR's specs, the Pocket Rocket uses over 270g of gas per hour at full tilt...The BRS supposedly only uses 140g of gas per hour, according to the specs I have seen for it, but I would say this is probably not necessarily at full tilt...The BRS is certainly more efficient when you turn it down to a moderate level where it's much quieter too, especially if you use a windshield...4-5g of gas to boil 2 cups of water is typical, so the BRS on a 100g canister (the smallest canister available) can last a whole week and boil at least 15 litres of water.
Neat lil stove. I like how it does the job without showing off. Use mine all the time from day saunters with the family to week long section saunters of the SHT. I upgraded from a small aluminum Boy Scout mess kit pot to a 750ml titanium pot and it is so incredibly nice.
Hi Dixie, thank you for this helpful video. I use the BRS for about 2 years on a bunch of hikes here in Europe. I like it, because it is a reliable lightweight stove for a good price. I had only one time issues with it and that was probably my own fault: it was a verry windy day and I put a piece of aluminiun sheed as wind protection completely around the pot. After cooking, my BRS looked kind of different...one of the titanium arms was bend down due to overheating. Bending it carefully back in its normal position was not a problem and it works until now without any issues. So I learned not to overheat it by using my windshield covering only half around the pot.
If the shield was all the way to the ground like I imagine it was, you got off easy only overheating the burner and not your fuel canister as well. I always try to leave at least 1/3 of the circumference open and keep my aluminum foil wind shield on the upwind side. When it's really windy, I usually have some type of wind break also set up a foot or two from the stove consisting of natural materials and my pack and its contents.
I've used the FOME version of this stove (as far as I can tell, its the same thing with a different label on it) for the past two years and love it. As opposed to a cookpot, I use a 600ml titanium mug with lid; it boils a cup of water noticeably faster than using the same stove and my old aluminum 800ml cookpot. The stove+mug have been very stable and the only spill I had was when I accidentally kicked it.
So inspirational Dixie..I loved all the footage and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure...Im 53 yoa and thought I was too old for this kind of adventure..Now I want to hold the triple crown...Thanks again and hike on..
My goal is simply to hike and enjoy doing it in 15 years when I plan to retire. If you enjoy your hikes, that's what's important. It should be about the smiles not the miles.
I also have this stove and while I have not used it on a 4 month long thru hike. I have used it on the Foothills thru hike and several sections of the AT and love it .
FWIW, I just boiled 1.25 cups of water with a BRS 3000T in a titanium pot with a titanium lid. I used a relatively low flame and it took about 7.5 minutes to reach a boil. I weighed the stove attached to a fuel canister before and after. The difference showed me that 4.3 grams of fuel was used. So my BRS stove was essentially just as efficient as the Pocket Rocket which was to be expected since the BTUs produced by fuel should only depend on its composition. One can discuss why Dixie's results (and your own results) are different from mine. First, I boiled more than 1 cup of water. Second, any stove can probably have flames and heat wasted by going around the bottom of the pot and up the sides or blown by the wind. I am not concerned about time-to-boil because I do other things while I have my stove going. Other things include deflating my pad, stuffing my sleeping bag, getting hiking clothes on, and the other usual camp chores. So I would love to see if anyone else did their own weighing experiment. And thanks to Dixie for the inspiration to do this experiment. I will continue to repeat the experiment a few times and hope others do as well.
And perhaps the Pocket Rocket could use even less fuel by not opening up the valve and not trying to boil as fast as possible, but instead trying to boil as efficiently as possible and perhaps use a wind screen, too. Since Dixie first did these weighing experiments here and has a lot of trail cred, I'd like her to keep doing some experiments and report back. Thanks!
+1 to this request. Doing dishes is the thing I struggled most with on a recent trip. To be fair, I did also make it harder for myself by accidentally burning some food in the pot.
I had a JetBoil Minimo and switched to a BRS 3000. I did the same, comparing gas consumption for boiling a 500ml of water and was nicely surprised. I use a narrow titanium pot and yes, the BRS does require some attention regarding the setup. Very happy with it.
I had the Pocket Rocket as well. And now the BRS. And I love how small and light it is. My stove is working great. After using one that is so small and lightweight, I can't go back to more bulky ones.
I love my BRS stove! I made the switch from the pocket rocket a couple of years ago and I’m not going back. Some reviews complained about the arms warping a bit under the heat but I have had no issue with mine.
I use the BRS stove as well and found it to tip easy as well ,Jetboil sells a fuel can stand for around $5 and it’s awesome addition for the smaller can .
Thanks for the great review. I have the stove too and love it. I’ve used it backpacking a handful of times and love it. I agree with the balancing issues but you just have to be more careful when cooking. I have a JetBoil that I use for car camping. It’s boils much faster than the BRS but not ideal for multi day backpacking trips.
it's a great video and I have a cheaper version of the BSR stove and I also was looking for adjustable cooking grates as I can now put unlimited sized pots and pans over my mini stove and not worry about those undersized flanges not being able to solidly hold my cooking pots.
My BRS lasted about 9 months and then fell apart. No unusually punishing use and I'm not especially hard on my gear. I love this little burner and may replace it but I got a Pocket Rocket 2 for XMas, so that will be what I carry for now when I take a canister. Truth be told, I usually take my alcohol stove. I just like it more. It's super quiet. Some of the challenges I've had with the BRS are: It is less efficient than other burners I've used. It struggles in breezy or windy conditions. It isn't built exceptionally well and started falling apart much sooner than any other burner I've used.
@Eduardo Estefan I just got the PR2, and I don't cook on the trail ... so simmering isn't a feature I look for. I don't want to do dishes. I boil. That's pretty much it.
I bought a firemaple for £30 and out of the box it had a wobbly arm, and didnt seem that high quality. Then bought one of these for $20 from Amazon US. Not only did I save money but this little thing is a gem. I think I will improvise a little hard container to protect it, but I instantly liked this. Its so tiny and light you could wear it as a necklace.
I use a 600 ml camp cup for cooking, and the BRS is the right size for that size pot. I used mine last year for 24 nights on trail and never had a problem that wasn't my fault (accidentally turned the flame up once and caused the water to boil over quickly and burn my hand with the water before I could turn it back down). It fits perfectly in my cup with a mini bic lighter underneath a 4 oz. fuel canister. It's been a great stove for me.
The MSR is meant for groups, using larger pots. And won't suffer in higher winds, as the BRS does. But for a solo 3 season hiker...the BRS has reasons, especially if you're just carrying one fuel can, for short trips. MSR was started after some climbers died on Mt. Rainier from dehydration. There simply were no stoves that could melt enough snow and keep working in winter storms. That's the target MSR aims at: hard survival, not just casual use.
Hello Dixie, there is so much that I want to say to you, not least of which is that you are a true inspiration and have taught me more about hiking than any other person could do from a book or a video. In fact, at the age of 62 I am now planning to attempt a through hike in 2020. Even in my moments of doubt if I watch any one of your videos I find my spirits lifted and the resolve returns. ANYWAY, reason for this comment is to ask a completely stove-non-related question and that is could you please tell me what that fabulous looking jacket is that you are wearing? its exactly what I have been looking for this winter but nothing like it here in England. Many thanks, Dixie, and don't change a single thing about you or your great work. Hope you have a wonderful year. Louise x
We have a few BRS stoves, not to mention Dstoves and a couple of jetboils with burner accessories along with a mountain of alcohol stoves. And 7 wood burning stoves as well. but I really want a Soto. Thanks for your video, Dixie
Looks like a great stove. I use a Jet Boil Mini Mo. I'm not a long range back pack packer, but I do like the utility of this system. Thanks for sharing! I do enjoy your videos.
I've noticed it uses more fuel, has a smaller or more concentrated flame, which is not a problem to just boil water. If one wants to cook than it will create a hot spot to burn your food esp in a Ti pot. I have the BSR and the MSR new version. They both have their place and both work. Thanks for the review :)
Spot burning is an issue with titanium. It just doesn't transfer heat well. Try boiling water with a little twig fire with a Ti cup, it takes awhile. I love my Snowpeak Ti 500ml cup and Evernew 900 Ml pot, but just for boiling water. Cooking I take my MSR aluminum kit.
I was thinking in the same line. Weight of the stove vs. efficiency. It depends on the length of the trip and usage. If one has to carry an extra canister or larger canister then it negates the weight of the stove. For shorter trips, I carry Snow Peak Giga power and for longer trips, I take jetboil.
@@nofeesh I think one has to learn how to use the stove efficiently without wasting the heat it produces. For me a lower flame (less gas) and longer time works. I can do other things while the stove is doing its job. Dixie's video showed faster cooking time with higher fuel use, but it is likely that more tests would show a way to use less fuel.
@@jimpflugrath6220 Yes, I agree with you, I was assuming normal use as you mentioned. I am not sure if there is any concern about fuel efficiency but I thought I bring up as FYI. I was trained as Mechanical Engineer and worked few years before going onto medical field so my mind still works like an engineer at times. Also I did not watch the video so I was not commenting on the content of the video. Great job Dixie, I liked your review on Zpack Duplex tent but can not justify the purchase.
I've used the BRS for 5,000+ miles. Never a problem for me. The problem folks had with it were related to the seal and the level of the metal above the seal interfering with screwing the BRS snugly to the cannister. I believe Rebo had a near blow up with one last year.
I'm using the BRS 3000T too . I kind of like it but I'm not really trusting it, so after seeing Melon Bites recommending the BULin BL100-10T I got that one too and I love it. It weighs 38 grams so only 13 grams more than the BRS stove and a lot more sturdy design
I’m wanting to try this stove out. Mine currently is just a cheap stove I bought at a local sporting goods store and it’s way too heavy. Appreciate the info and great video Dixie! Enjoyed 🙌🏻
BRS is made by a Chinese owned and operated company. My understanding is that the quality control is (or at least was) not very good. One stove might be machined perfectly, and the next might have flaws that could cause serious performance issues. MSR is a US owned/operated company with decades of earning a reputation for building the most durable outdoor gear anywhere. They invented the WhisperLite which was the original lightweight backpacking stove. (EDITED) Although they make the majority of their gear in the US, the Pocket Rocket 2 is made in Korea. I believe the original Pocket Rocket was made in the US but can't confirm that. Other than their tents and some of their poles, and the PR 2, all their gear I can find is made in the US. All MSR gear has a 3-year warranty, and MSR offers repair services on all their equipment. BRS does not offer any warranty I can find and does not even appear to have a webpage or any other way to contact the company - at least nothing comes up on Google searches. If these things matter to you, it's worth considering. Personally, I prefer to support the reputable company that stands behind their products and can be contacted if things go wrong.
I prefer to keep US $'s in the US as well, but I don't think Chinese quality control is as big a problem as we've been told in America. All my life I have heard everyone, myself included, say "Made in China, oh well no wonder it broke." I think it's because China got rich selling us plastic junk from the 70's till even now. That said, times are changing and China does put out some quality products. Cell phones, electric scooters, computers, microchips, etc... Even US companies like Apple, make everything in China. China has always been an export country throughout history, so it must not be that bad. You pretty much get what you pay for.
HikingJim (Adventures in stoving) found a few w/ defects. His best advice was to get one and do a 15minute boil test to make sure you had one w/ decent arms
@@jessespad Some Chinese companies produce things to very exacting standards, either because their foreign contract requires it, or because the owners just care about the quality of the product. But some companies there still do have poor quality control. BRS is a case in point. Just read the reviews. I suppose that's how they can afford to market a $15 camping stove they have to ship overseas - there's no margin there to toss out units that don't pass any kind of careful inspection. IMO, if you are buying from a Chinese owned company, do really good research first, and if the reviews seem mixed, it's probably for a really good reason (also if it seems as if a LOT of the reviews are fake - that's a big issue too).
Great head to head comparison. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I’ve had the pocket rocket and others and always looking for better/lighter solutions.
Same here. That and I've got a serious concern about the way the BRS is designed where it threads onto the canister valve. There's no security there - a lot of potential to damage the valve on the canister. Not worth it.
Love the BRS. I have been using mine for the past year and have not had any problems with it. It's definitely a wild ride, like you mentioned with the flare up, when turning it down. But for the size and weight, it fits the bill. I can fit a small canister, the BRS, a lighter and bandana in my toaks 750, so I also like that it lends to an overall compact cookset.
Best thing you can do for a BRS is use pliars and a bench vise to make sure the arms are 100% even & level and matches the bottom of your cookware perfect. It's best for smaller pots for single person use. If your cookware is wide or much over a liter good luck not tipping it.
I really love the BRS 3000T, I just wish mine would work so that I could actually use it. After 15 years of heavy use, my Pocket Rocket has never failed.
Great honest review Dixie, I have both of these stoves and enjoy them both. I believe the Pocket Rocket is built more robustly, yet the BRS is solid also, just at a smaller footprint...keep up the great vids, I enjoyed following your complete hike on the CDT, congrats on the Triple Crown.
I've had my BRS 3000T for a few months now, and used it quite a bit. I've had no problems, no leaks, no bends, no failures. However, since the biggest complaint I've seen is the threads being softer then the threading on the canister. So I took MelonBites recommendation seriously and carefully thread it onto the gas canister.
The MSR Pocket Rocket gen 2 is a VERY similar design to the BRS. The weight is about half an ounce difference between the two if I remember right (not sure if that applies to the Ti model BRS). That half ounce comes from a major safety design fix over the BRS, well worth the extra $25, IMO. The flange on the BRS, where it connects to the canister only sticks out on one side to engage the rolled lip. That's the heavier duty circle of metal around the valve on the canister. It's there for a reason - to provide the primary structural support to your stove. Only supporting the stove on one side puts the valve at risk from over tightening, too heavy a pot, or strikes from the side. Not sure if this design issue is why one user reported the stove "blowing up", but it's a very good possibility.
@@theodoreharrold LOL. Not really though. Safety analysis is one of the MANY parts of my job. I took one look at that design when it came out and knew it was a vulnerable design. Once the reviews started coming in, it was pretty clear.
Thanks for doing the efficiency side-by-side test! I hadn't seen that done. Not sure how it would compare to the gen 2 pocket rocket... I guess I could run the same test with my gen 1 and gen 2 to see. I can definitely give up 30 seconds to boil a cup to save 33% on the fuel.
The BRS stove sounds like a good value. I like my Snowpeak micro and gave away my Pocket Rocket though I am MSR for life in most other gear. The draw back to all of the small burner head stoves is at high altitudes, their efficiency really drops off. The micro stoves are the way to go for Ultimate and Thru hikers. I still use liquid fuel stoves when not solo hiking and sharing kitchen with a friend. That is more hot water for clean-up and teas in the evening.
I’ve been using a Snow Peaks and main complaints are stability and lack of wind resistance. So, recently ordered a SOTO Windmaster. We shall see... The Jet Boils are super efficient but are heavy and I like a Titanium pot, which allows for cooking over a fire if desired. Good review and as always, you give honest experience the credit on both pros and cons.
Quick hint to keep the pot from sliding off the stove: level the stove. No need to season the stove, no need to worry about what kind of stove, aside from size, if it's level, the pot won't slide. It seems simple but you didn't mention anything about that and I'm wondering why your pot, (or was it your brother's?), was sliding off the stove.
In 2019 Vancouver island will open the VI spine trail, it runs the entire spine of the island 700km you can be down in the surf and in high alpine in the same day
Looks neat that BRS. But I moved to an alcohol burner after I torched my tent with a Pocket Rocket! Nothing wrong with a Pocket Rocket, it's just the combination of the inherent instability of all canister-top designs and my natural clumsiness.
Compact, convenient, flyweight, and inexpensive cost combo. Good enough to go mild to wild over 'most 3-season usage'... the BRS works very well. I have a couple working great and exhibiting no issues after a few years. The most efficient and fastest stove using the same isobutane canisters will be the Jetboil. In my experience... Jetboil will accomplish this sort of performance to such a degree that perceived weight and bulk will be negated in both water boiling times as well as fuel consumption. It's always good to have a few (or more) stoves to choose from.
I love the BSR. I use a narrower pot ... so the concentrated flame worked well. The MSR flame would go over the base and so I had to be more careful. I may have gotten more efficient ... but I found that my small fuel can lasted longer using the BSR.
Used the BRS for 2 years and just switched to the Soto Amicus. A bit heavier, but for me the sound is a big deal. I usually hike on the AT and I am usually the first one firing up my stove in the morning. The BRS is the loudest stove out there for sure. I was worried that I’d be waking everyone else up in the shelters.
I have 1 BRS that works fine and 1 that broke after two uses. The weight savings is hard to beat. 5:32 "cooker fast time"... Yes, tipsy. Love your videos, Dixie!
I have been using the BRS for the last couple of years on the trails up here in Washington state. Aside from being more tipsy as you mentioned, it is more susceptible to wind than say, my jetboil. Other than that, I like that little stove. I paid maybe $13 on Amazon and I have had no issues.
Ive been using a BRS for the last 2 seasons. It replace my msr whisper lite that I bought in 1997. It has been totally fine. I dumped a pot of noodles over once. Probably could have avoided that with a larger diameter pot spot. Or maybe if I paid a little more attention to what I was doing, there would've been no issue.
I decided to go with the MSR Pocket Rocket 2, its slightly heavier, and cost a bit more, but I thought it would be more reliable and also I liked the small windshield on the burner which helps maintain the flame from gusts from the side.
I have never seen you use a foldable windscreen in any of the trails when you cook. Do you think they are needed? How do you cook on windy nights and mornings? Do you think it's safe to cook inside your tent or not? Were you able to cook inside the tent flyflap without danger? How did you manage?
Dixie, just don't use the BRS on full power and use a wind shield and you will find it's actually more efficient than the pocket rocket...Usually 2 cups of water will only take 4-5g of gas...I can get at least one week and over 15 litres of water boiled with the BRS using the smallest 100g canister. And to save money I refill the same exact canister I have been using for several years now from larger canisters using cheap refill adapters.
I have one of these and have only played with it at home. I’m - maybe unreasonably- nervous ab those fuel cans. So I got the esbit folding titanium stove - going with familiarity on that but it’s lighter than the esbit pocket stove and I like being able to see the amount of fuel tabs I have left
That's very interesting about boil time. I've got both of them. The Pocket rocket is 73g and the MSR 25g. about 50 grams different. The small canisters contains 100g of fuel. If you're getting 50% more boils using the pocket rocket, you're saving 50 grams. The weight difference between the two stoves. So if you're carrying more than one canister, the pocket rocket wins. And of course you're are going to have to carry more than one canister to equal the number of boils. Might have to dust off the pocket rocket I think. Might do some testing of my own. Number of valve turns, that sort of thing.
I have the BRS, I really like it. It's a boiling head though not a cooking head. There are stoves that have better flame control but I typically make instant food when backpacking. That said...I'm not on the trail for 6 mos. at a time. I have different stoves for different sorts of trips. For controlled cooking I like my Primus classic trail stove, but in backpacker terms it'd be considered ginormous!
For those who say it's only 2 oz. Every time you step you lift the entire weight of you and everything in your pack. The average person takes about 2,000 steps per mile, or about 30,000 steps in 15 miles. So if you lift 2 oz 30,000 times it equals 3,750 pounds. So at the end of the day you lift 3,750 less pounds, which means you feel better!!! So yeah 2 oz is huge!
Ive recently purchased the same stove. Ive found when reviews are all over it tends to be quality control issues. Im using in place of my SUMO for my hikes with out big groups.
Brs is 9 to 13 bucks shipped from eBay. It’s lighter because the support arms are shorter. But between the 13 dollar high end price of the brs to the 50 dollar price range of the MSR. it boils down (no pun) to paying for name brand and advertising.
Hello Dixie, a very fine review of the BRS stove. That little stove is not much bigger than a Sacramento mosquito. As always, take good care of yourself out there, be safe and have fun. See you on the next one. 🤗
I got a BRS simply to check it out. The quality is questionable but seems to work. In the back of my mind, I worry that fuel will leak out from the threading while in use & cause problems. While this hasn’t happened, I did leave a new canister attached at home. And after sitting out 2 weeks, the canister was empty, lol. Also the flame is still there after shutting of the valve. But of course I love the weight & packability. Still debating...
I have both the BRS and the Pocket Rocket. I love the BRS for its small packable size and weight, however it does not pair well with my MSR soloist pot that I usually take. It has tipped over more than once it the ground is not flat or if I bump it slightly.
Mine melted boiling water 2nd trip out. Maybe the QAQC problems have been rectified since? The comment below about doing a 15 minute boil test is worthwhile, if it's gonna fail... best do this before hitting the trail. Replaced with a Soto Amicus, similar stove, and no issues to report after 2 seasons of use. It has 4 tines so seems a mite more stable supporting a small pot. It's priced somewhere between the BSR and the MSR.
I carried the tiny little booger of a stove all last season, no problems or issues with it at all. I use a Toaks 650 ml pot with it, together they weigh 3.5 oz. 👍
I have one as well and used it on a 5 night trip. Worked great. I think for people with narrower pots it's a great stove.
Agreed. My 850 ml MLD pot only made contact with the inner teeth of the legs on a Pocket Rocket. The BRS worked great in 30 degree temps and was a better fit.
Used mine for a year and a half with no issues. Great stove
I bought one a while back. All the reviews were "Yeah, it's a good stove but idk if I trust it" and now having seen several through hikers taking it on their hikes with only one having any issues with theirs, I think it is a fantastic buy!
I found a solution that works for me regarding the stability issues with my BRS 3000T. I have an OXO hand-operated can opener that creates a smooth edge after cutting the top of the can. It also leaves a small lip on the edge (this is important). This lid fits on the top of the BRS creating a light-weight platform for my pot. You have to cut a large hole in the center of the lid so the flame from the stove makes direct contact with your pot. I store the lid in my pot along with my fuel, stove and utensils. It never slips, takes up no space, weighs next-to-nothing, and makes all the difference in the stability of the pot.
I have the BRS and love it. It's hard to compare stoves because you don't know if you have the valves open the same amount on the two stoves. I think the only way to measure efficiency is to turn down the BRS stove to a point that it boils the water at the exact same length of time as the pocket rocket. Then compare the amount of fuel used by the two. Of course it used more fuel in the test because it boiled the water in less time. Also I think many people run the BSR wide open and then practically melt the legs because it's such a blow torch. I run my BSR just barely open and it still boils in two cups of water in a couple of minutes while conserving fuel.
Brian Carlson Agree on the efficiency test. The rapid heating is like jamming down on a car gas petal. The equal time to boil is a better measure.
So what you are saying is, maybe the MSR allows you to turn the flow up higher. In the test, she may have turned them both on all the way and that's the results we got. BUT...if she would have adjusted the flow of the MSR down to the maximum flow of the BRS, so the flow would be the same, then would the BRS still be more efficient?
That's good thinking there.
@@jessespad Or at least, result in a more accurate comparison regardless of which one has the better stats.
@@jessespad You have the stoves and the results reversed and co-mingled. Re-watch the video and try again.
@@jessespad the BRS is more efficient...According to MSR's specs, the Pocket Rocket uses over 270g of gas per hour at full tilt...The BRS supposedly only uses 140g of gas per hour, according to the specs I have seen for it, but I would say this is probably not necessarily at full tilt...The BRS is certainly more efficient when you turn it down to a moderate level where it's much quieter too, especially if you use a windshield...4-5g of gas to boil 2 cups of water is typical, so the BRS on a 100g canister (the smallest canister available) can last a whole week and boil at least 15 litres of water.
Neat lil stove. I like how it does the job without showing off. Use mine all the time from day saunters with the family to week long section saunters of the SHT. I upgraded from a small aluminum Boy Scout mess kit pot to a 750ml titanium pot and it is so incredibly nice.
I have used the BRS for about a year with a Toaks 650 ml pot without issue. My son and i share the stove and it works great.
Bought this stove for motorcycle camping and have started to use it for backpacking. Love this little stove.
Hi Dixie, thank you for this helpful video. I use the BRS for about 2 years on a bunch of hikes here in Europe. I like it, because it is a reliable lightweight stove for a good price. I had only one time issues with it and that was probably my own fault: it was a verry windy day and I put a piece of aluminiun sheed as wind protection completely around the pot. After cooking, my BRS looked kind of different...one of the titanium arms was bend down due to overheating. Bending it carefully back in its normal position was not a problem and it works until now without any issues. So I learned not to overheat it by using my windshield covering only half around the pot.
If the shield was all the way to the ground like I imagine it was, you got off easy only overheating the burner and not your fuel canister as well. I always try to leave at least 1/3 of the circumference open and keep my aluminum foil wind shield on the upwind side. When it's really windy, I usually have some type of wind break also set up a foot or two from the stove consisting of natural materials and my pack and its contents.
My little Svea stove is 50 !!! years old and going strong! I love it! Canisters. No problems.
I've used the FOME version of this stove (as far as I can tell, its the same thing with a different label on it) for the past two years and love it. As opposed to a cookpot, I use a 600ml titanium mug with lid; it boils a cup of water noticeably faster than using the same stove and my old aluminum 800ml cookpot. The stove+mug have been very stable and the only spill I had was when I accidentally kicked it.
So inspirational Dixie..I loved all the footage and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure...Im 53 yoa and thought I was too old for this kind of adventure..Now I want to hold the triple crown...Thanks again and hike on..
Dave Dodge never too old to hit the trail!
My goal is simply to hike and enjoy doing it in 15 years when I plan to retire. If you enjoy your hikes, that's what's important. It should be about the smiles not the miles.
@@michaelb1761 I love the attitude of SMILES not miles. I'll be using that one!!
I also have this stove and while I have not used it on a 4 month long thru hike. I have used it on the Foothills thru hike and several sections of the AT and love it .
Great video and a great stove. I love my Jetboiler and my Biolite 2. Made videos about them a while ago. Have an amazing Sunday, Andreas 🇸🇪
FWIW, I just boiled 1.25 cups of water with a BRS 3000T in a titanium pot with a titanium lid. I used a relatively low flame and it took about 7.5 minutes to reach a boil. I weighed the stove attached to a fuel canister before and after. The difference showed me that 4.3 grams of fuel was used. So my BRS stove was essentially just as efficient as the Pocket Rocket which was to be expected since the BTUs produced by fuel should only depend on its composition. One can discuss why Dixie's results (and your own results) are different from mine. First, I boiled more than 1 cup of water. Second, any stove can probably have flames and heat wasted by going around the bottom of the pot and up the sides or blown by the wind. I am not concerned about time-to-boil because I do other things while I have my stove going. Other things include deflating my pad, stuffing my sleeping bag, getting hiking clothes on, and the other usual camp chores. So I would love to see if anyone else did their own weighing experiment. And thanks to Dixie for the inspiration to do this experiment. I will continue to repeat the experiment a few times and hope others do as well.
And perhaps the Pocket Rocket could use even less fuel by not opening up the valve and not trying to boil as fast as possible, but instead trying to boil as efficiently as possible and perhaps use a wind screen, too. Since Dixie first did these weighing experiments here and has a lot of trail cred, I'd like her to keep doing some experiments and report back. Thanks!
Can you do a video on how you clean and use all of your cooking equipment?
Hansel King PLEASE
+1 to this request. Doing dishes is the thing I struggled most with on a recent trip. To be fair, I did also make it harder for myself by accidentally burning some food in the pot.
Yas
@Joan Smith Thanks, all very useful.
Hansel King Thanks for the suggestion! Maybe I will do a basic cooking video 😃
I had a JetBoil Minimo and switched to a BRS 3000.
I did the same, comparing gas consumption for boiling a 500ml of water and was nicely surprised.
I use a narrow titanium pot and yes, the BRS does require some attention regarding the setup. Very happy with it.
I had the Pocket Rocket as well. And now the BRS. And I love how small and light it is. My stove is working great. After using one that is so small and lightweight, I can't go back to more bulky ones.
I love my BRS stove. A little loud, but absolutely love it. I use a GSI mug as my cook pot with a Stanley lid, perfect size for the stove.
I love my BRS stove! I made the switch from the pocket rocket a couple of years ago and I’m not going back. Some reviews complained about the arms warping a bit under the heat but I have had no issue with mine.
I use the BRS stove as well and found it to tip easy as well ,Jetboil sells a fuel can stand for around $5 and it’s awesome addition for the smaller can .
Hey Dixie! Used a BRS on my first AT section hike last fall. Worked flawlessly! Thanks for the great vids!
Thanks for the great review. I have the stove too and love it. I’ve used it backpacking a handful of times and love it. I agree with the balancing issues but you just have to be more careful when cooking. I have a JetBoil that I use for car camping. It’s boils much faster than the BRS but not ideal for multi day backpacking trips.
I love my brs easy to use and set up and burn time is great
it's a great video and I have a cheaper version of the BSR stove and I also was looking for adjustable cooking grates as I can now put unlimited sized pots and pans over my mini stove and not worry about those undersized flanges not being able to solidly hold my cooking pots.
My BRS lasted about 9 months and then fell apart. No unusually punishing use and I'm not especially hard on my gear. I love this little burner and may replace it but I got a Pocket Rocket 2 for XMas, so that will be what I carry for now when I take a canister.
Truth be told, I usually take my alcohol stove. I just like it more. It's super quiet.
Some of the challenges I've had with the BRS are:
It is less efficient than other burners I've used.
It struggles in breezy or windy conditions.
It isn't built exceptionally well and started falling apart much sooner than any other burner I've used.
@Eduardo Estefan I just got the PR2, and I don't cook on the trail ... so simmering isn't a feature I look for. I don't want to do dishes. I boil. That's pretty much it.
I love that you left "a cooker fast time" in there. :)
If you are looking for video topics to keep us coming these product gear reviews are outstanding. Thank you!
I use the BRS with my Toaks 750 and I love it. My only complaint is that you can burn your food easily because all the flame is in one spot.
I bought a firemaple for £30 and out of the box it had a wobbly arm, and didnt seem that high quality. Then bought one of these for $20 from Amazon US. Not only did I save money but this little thing is a gem. I think I will improvise a little hard container to protect it, but I instantly liked this. Its so tiny and light you could wear it as a necklace.
I use a 600 ml camp cup for cooking, and the BRS is the right size for that size pot. I used mine last year for 24 nights on trail and never had a problem that wasn't my fault (accidentally turned the flame up once and caused the water to boil over quickly and burn my hand with the water before I could turn it back down). It fits perfectly in my cup with a mini bic lighter underneath a 4 oz. fuel canister. It's been a great stove for me.
The MSR is meant for groups, using larger pots. And won't suffer in higher winds, as the BRS does. But for a solo 3 season hiker...the BRS has reasons, especially if you're just carrying one fuel can, for short trips.
MSR was started after some climbers died on Mt. Rainier from dehydration. There simply were no stoves that could melt enough snow and keep working in winter storms. That's the target MSR aims at: hard survival, not just casual use.
Hello Dixie, there is so much that I want to say to you, not least of which is that you are a true inspiration and have taught me more about hiking than any other person could do from a book or a video. In fact, at the age of 62 I am now planning to attempt a through hike in 2020. Even in my moments of doubt if I watch any one of your videos I find my spirits lifted and the resolve returns. ANYWAY, reason for this comment is to ask a completely stove-non-related question and that is could you please tell me what that fabulous looking jacket is that you are wearing? its exactly what I have been looking for this winter but nothing like it here in England. Many thanks, Dixie, and don't change a single thing about you or your great work. Hope you have a wonderful year. Louise x
We have a few BRS stoves, not to mention Dstoves and a couple of jetboils with burner accessories along with a mountain of alcohol stoves. And 7 wood burning stoves as well. but I really want a Soto. Thanks for your video, Dixie
Looks like a great stove. I use a Jet Boil Mini Mo. I'm not a long range back pack packer, but I do like the utility of this system. Thanks for sharing! I do enjoy your videos.
I have this stove sitting in my Amazon cart. Thanks for helping make the decision easy, Dixie!
I've noticed it uses more fuel, has a smaller or more concentrated flame, which is not a problem to just boil water. If one wants to cook than it will create a hot spot to burn your food esp in a Ti pot. I have the BSR and the MSR new version. They both have their place and both work. Thanks for the review :)
Spot burning is an issue with titanium. It just doesn't transfer heat well. Try boiling water with a little twig fire with a Ti cup, it takes awhile. I love my Snowpeak Ti 500ml cup and Evernew 900 Ml pot, but just for boiling water. Cooking I take my MSR aluminum kit.
I was thinking in the same line. Weight of the stove vs. efficiency. It depends on the length of the trip and usage. If one has to carry an extra canister or larger canister then it negates the weight of the stove. For shorter trips, I carry Snow Peak Giga power and for longer trips, I take jetboil.
@@nofeesh I think one has to learn how to use the stove efficiently without wasting the heat it produces. For me a lower flame (less gas) and longer time works. I can do other things while the stove is doing its job. Dixie's video showed faster cooking time with higher fuel use, but it is likely that more tests would show a way to use less fuel.
@@jimpflugrath6220 Yes, I agree with you, I was assuming normal use as you mentioned. I am not sure if there is any concern about fuel efficiency but I thought I bring up as FYI. I was trained as Mechanical Engineer and worked few years before going onto medical field so my mind still works like an engineer at times. Also I did not watch the video so I was not commenting on the content of the video. Great job Dixie, I liked your review on Zpack Duplex tent but can not justify the purchase.
I've used the BRS for 5,000+ miles. Never a problem for me. The problem folks had with it were related to the seal and the level of the metal above the seal interfering with screwing the BRS snugly to the cannister. I believe Rebo had a near blow up with one last year.
I'm using the BRS 3000T too . I kind of like it but I'm not really trusting it, so after seeing Melon Bites recommending the BULin BL100-10T I got that one too and I love it. It weighs 38 grams so only 13 grams more than the BRS stove and a lot more sturdy design
Interesting. I think I'll give that a try. It's only $18 US. I have been using a Primus Classic that has a huge powerful flame but weighs 199 grams.
@@allencrider 👍czcams.com/video/mErOlMbI16A/video.html
I’m wanting to try this stove out. Mine currently is just a cheap stove I bought at a local sporting goods store and it’s way too heavy. Appreciate the info and great video Dixie! Enjoyed 🙌🏻
BRS is made by a Chinese owned and operated company. My understanding is that the quality control is (or at least was) not very good. One stove might be machined perfectly, and the next might have flaws that could cause serious performance issues. MSR is a US owned/operated company with decades of earning a reputation for building the most durable outdoor gear anywhere. They invented the WhisperLite which was the original lightweight backpacking stove. (EDITED) Although they make the majority of their gear in the US, the Pocket Rocket 2 is made in Korea. I believe the original Pocket Rocket was made in the US but can't confirm that. Other than their tents and some of their poles, and the PR 2, all their gear I can find is made in the US. All MSR gear has a 3-year warranty, and MSR offers repair services on all their equipment. BRS does not offer any warranty I can find and does not even appear to have a webpage or any other way to contact the company - at least nothing comes up on Google searches. If these things matter to you, it's worth considering. Personally, I prefer to support the reputable company that stands behind their products and can be contacted if things go wrong.
It matters to me. Thanks for the information.
I prefer to keep US $'s in the US as well, but I don't think Chinese quality control is as big a problem as we've been told in America. All my life I have heard everyone, myself included, say "Made in China, oh well no wonder it broke." I think it's because China got rich selling us plastic junk from the 70's till even now. That said, times are changing and China does put out some quality products. Cell phones, electric scooters, computers, microchips, etc... Even US companies like Apple, make everything in China. China has always been an export country throughout history, so it must not be that bad. You pretty much get what you pay for.
HikingJim (Adventures in stoving) found a few w/ defects. His best advice was to get one and do a 15minute boil test to make sure you had one w/ decent arms
Agree, a 15 minute boil test should reveal a bad unit. Look for the tines literally melting.
@@jessespad Some Chinese companies produce things to very exacting standards, either because their foreign contract requires it, or because the owners just care about the quality of the product. But some companies there still do have poor quality control. BRS is a case in point. Just read the reviews. I suppose that's how they can afford to market a $15 camping stove they have to ship overseas - there's no margin there to toss out units that don't pass any kind of careful inspection. IMO, if you are buying from a Chinese owned company, do really good research first, and if the reviews seem mixed, it's probably for a really good reason (also if it seems as if a LOT of the reviews are fake - that's a big issue too).
Great head to head comparison. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I’ve had the pocket rocket and others and always looking for better/lighter solutions.
Do you ever use a windscreen around your stove to save on fuel consumption ? Many thanks from Canada,
I used my Ndure (on amazon) windscreen when using my stove over the weekend, and it increased the efficiency tremendously!
@@MsOldschool65 Thanks for your help i'll check it out for sure !! I hate flameouts !
Thanks for review. We considered the brs but with such mixed reviews on its quality control we opted for the pocket rocket2.
Good choice the BRS is very unstable in my opinion the pocket rocket will probably last a lifetime. The BRS who knows.
@Eduardo Estefan Thanks for that info!
Same here. That and I've got a serious concern about the way the BRS is designed where it threads onto the canister valve. There's no security there - a lot of potential to damage the valve on the canister. Not worth it.
Love the BRS. I have been using mine for the past year and have not had any problems with it. It's definitely a wild ride, like you mentioned with the flare up, when turning it down. But for the size and weight, it fits the bill. I can fit a small canister, the BRS, a lighter and bandana in my toaks 750, so I also like that it lends to an overall compact cookset.
I use the BRS, and it seems to work great, but I only use it to boil water. Love it!
Happy Sunday everyone! Great video as always Dixie!
Best thing you can do for a BRS is use pliars and a bench vise to make sure the arms are 100% even & level and matches the bottom of your cookware perfect. It's best for smaller pots for single person use. If your cookware is wide or much over a liter good luck not tipping it.
I will be buying lots of gear for my HST attempt this year. Will be sure to use your link!
I really love the BRS 3000T, I just wish mine would work so that I could actually use it. After 15 years of heavy use, my Pocket Rocket has never failed.
Great honest review Dixie, I have both of these stoves and enjoy them both. I believe the Pocket Rocket is built more robustly, yet the BRS is solid also, just at a smaller footprint...keep up the great vids, I enjoyed following your complete hike on the CDT, congrats on the Triple Crown.
I've had my BRS 3000T for a few months now, and used it quite a bit. I've had no problems, no leaks, no bends, no failures. However, since the biggest complaint I've seen is the threads being softer then the threading on the canister. So I took MelonBites recommendation seriously and carefully thread it onto the gas canister.
The MSR Pocket Rocket gen 2 is a VERY similar design to the BRS. The weight is about half an ounce difference between the two if I remember right (not sure if that applies to the Ti model BRS). That half ounce comes from a major safety design fix over the BRS, well worth the extra $25, IMO. The flange on the BRS, where it connects to the canister only sticks out on one side to engage the rolled lip. That's the heavier duty circle of metal around the valve on the canister. It's there for a reason - to provide the primary structural support to your stove. Only supporting the stove on one side puts the valve at risk from over tightening, too heavy a pot, or strikes from the side. Not sure if this design issue is why one user reported the stove "blowing up", but it's a very good possibility.
you have a lot of freetime
@@theodoreharrold LOL. Not really though. Safety analysis is one of the MANY parts of my job. I took one look at that design when it came out and knew it was a vulnerable design. Once the reviews started coming in, it was pretty clear.
I have used the stove for 2 seasons through all seasons and I like it. I use a Stanley 2 cup and it is quick to boil with the lid on:) .
Thanks for the video. CZcams's closed captioning struggles with an Alabama accent. I was wondering why you were bowling the water. :)
lol.... very cute!
Haha..I need one for cold down to zero. They said sleep w the propane in sleeping bag for jet boil?
Thanks for doing the efficiency side-by-side test! I hadn't seen that done. Not sure how it would compare to the gen 2 pocket rocket... I guess I could run the same test with my gen 1 and gen 2 to see. I can definitely give up 30 seconds to boil a cup to save 33% on the fuel.
The BRS stove sounds like a good value. I like my Snowpeak micro and gave away my Pocket Rocket though I am MSR for life in most other gear. The draw back to all of the small burner head stoves is at high altitudes, their efficiency really drops off. The micro stoves are the way to go for Ultimate and Thru hikers. I still use liquid fuel stoves when not solo hiking and sharing kitchen with a friend. That is more hot water for clean-up and teas in the evening.
Hello hello to you wanderlust great to see you and congratulations and all your trails.
Thanks for the review, I already find the pocket rocket 2 is a bit unstable so I will skip the BRS stove. Cheers!
Firemaple FMS-300-T "Hornet". With 45g / 1.58oz only slightly heavier but stable and reliable and the stove that BRS copied with the 3000T.
I’ve been using a Snow Peaks and main complaints are stability and lack of wind resistance. So, recently ordered a SOTO Windmaster. We shall see...
The Jet Boils are super efficient but are heavy and I like a Titanium pot, which allows for cooking over a fire if desired. Good review and as always, you give honest experience the credit on both pros and cons.
Interesting to hear your take. Another hiker I trust just posted a review and he hates it after using it for several trips.
I just bought one of these a week ago, cannot wait to put some miles on it!
5:33 cooker fast time haha
Thank you for the reviews. I'm prepping for the AT.
Quick hint to keep the pot from sliding off the stove: level the stove. No need to season the stove, no need to worry about what kind of stove, aside from size, if it's level, the pot won't slide. It seems simple but you didn't mention anything about that and I'm wondering why your pot, (or was it your brother's?), was sliding off the stove.
Hi Dixie, got the stove myself and love it, so light and easy to store away, does everything I want it to do, why pay more 😀
In 2019 Vancouver island will open the VI spine trail, it runs the entire spine of the island 700km you can be down in the surf and in high alpine in the same day
Looks neat that BRS. But I moved to an alcohol burner after I torched my tent with a Pocket Rocket!
Nothing wrong with a Pocket Rocket, it's just the combination of the inherent instability of all canister-top designs and my natural clumsiness.
I have a JetBoil MightyMo and I really like it.
Compact, convenient, flyweight, and inexpensive cost combo. Good enough to go mild to wild over 'most 3-season usage'... the BRS works very well. I have a couple working great and exhibiting no issues after a few years. The most efficient and fastest stove using the same isobutane canisters will be the Jetboil. In my experience... Jetboil will accomplish this sort of performance to such a degree that perceived weight and bulk will be negated in both water boiling times as well as fuel consumption. It's always good to have a few (or more) stoves to choose from.
I just ordered a BSR-3000T and Stanley Cook set from Amazon, I'tll will be here 4/9/2021
I love the BSR. I use a narrower pot ... so the concentrated flame worked well. The MSR flame would go over the base and so I had to be more careful. I may have gotten more efficient ... but I found that my small fuel can lasted longer using the BSR.
Used the BRS for 2 years and just switched to the Soto Amicus. A bit heavier, but for me the sound is a big deal. I usually hike on the AT and I am usually the first one firing up my stove in the morning. The BRS is the loudest stove out there for sure. I was worried that I’d be waking everyone else up in the shelters.
For the money and weight you cant go wrong with this little fella, works great with my alpkit 650 titanium pot...
I have 1 BRS that works fine and 1 that broke after two uses. The weight savings is hard to beat. 5:32 "cooker fast time"... Yes, tipsy. Love your videos, Dixie!
I have been using the BRS for the last couple of years on the trails up here in Washington state. Aside from being more tipsy as you mentioned, it is more susceptible to wind than say, my jetboil. Other than that, I like that little stove. I paid maybe $13 on Amazon and I have had no issues.
I use the BRS with my Toaks 550 pot and it works great!
Just bought the same one,seems excellent for the money, so I might buy another one for my daughter.I Completely trust,and respect your opinion.
Ive been using a BRS for the last 2 seasons. It replace my msr whisper lite that I bought in 1997. It has been totally fine. I dumped a pot of noodles over once. Probably could have avoided that with a larger diameter pot spot. Or maybe if I paid a little more attention to what I was doing, there would've been no issue.
Thanks for the review. Good info to know. Happy New Year
I decided to go with the MSR Pocket Rocket 2, its slightly heavier, and cost a bit more, but I thought it would be more reliable and also I liked the small windshield on the burner which helps maintain the flame from gusts from the side.
I have never seen you use a foldable windscreen in any of the trails when you cook. Do you think they are needed? How do you cook on windy nights and mornings? Do you think it's safe to cook inside your tent or not? Were you able to cook inside the tent flyflap without danger? How did you manage?
Dixie, just don't use the BRS on full power and use a wind shield and you will find it's actually more efficient than the pocket rocket...Usually 2 cups of water will only take 4-5g of gas...I can get at least one week and over 15 litres of water boiled with the BRS using the smallest 100g canister. And to save money I refill the same exact canister I have been using for several years now from larger canisters using cheap refill adapters.
I have one of these and have only played with it at home. I’m - maybe unreasonably- nervous ab those fuel cans. So I got the esbit folding titanium stove - going with familiarity on that but it’s lighter than the esbit pocket stove and I like being able to see the amount of fuel tabs I have left
Thanks for the test. Much appreciated. My new system involves the BRS and the White box stove for....options. 🖖
That's very interesting about boil time. I've got both of them. The Pocket rocket is 73g and the MSR 25g. about 50 grams different. The small canisters contains 100g of fuel. If you're getting 50% more boils using the pocket rocket, you're saving 50 grams. The weight difference between the two stoves. So if you're carrying more than one canister, the pocket rocket wins. And of course you're are going to have to carry more than one canister to equal the number of boils. Might have to dust off the pocket rocket I think. Might do some testing of my own. Number of valve turns, that sort of thing.
I have the BRS, I really like it. It's a boiling head though not a cooking head. There are stoves that have better flame control but I typically make instant food when backpacking. That said...I'm not on the trail for 6 mos. at a time. I have different stoves for different sorts of trips. For controlled cooking I like my Primus classic trail stove, but in backpacker terms it'd be considered ginormous!
For those who say it's only 2 oz. Every time you step you lift the entire weight of you and everything in your pack. The average person takes about 2,000 steps per mile, or about 30,000 steps in 15 miles. So if you lift 2 oz 30,000 times it equals 3,750 pounds. So at the end of the day you lift 3,750 less pounds, which means you feel better!!! So yeah 2 oz is huge!
It's literally only two ounces.
Ive recently purchased the same stove. Ive found when reviews are all over it tends to be quality control issues.
Im using in place of my SUMO for my hikes with out big groups.
Brs is 9 to 13 bucks shipped from eBay. It’s lighter because the support arms are shorter. But between the 13 dollar high end price of the brs to the 50 dollar price range of the MSR. it boils down (no pun) to paying for name brand and advertising.
Hello Dixie, a very fine review of the BRS stove. That little stove is not much bigger than a Sacramento mosquito. As always, take good care of yourself out there, be safe and have fun. See you on the next one. 🤗
My apologies that this is a bit off topic, would you consider showing us how to set up the inside of your tent?
You’re awesome I watch all your videos. You’re the coolest person I ever seen. I wish I could be you.
Great video! I love that you gave us data!
I got a BRS simply to check it out. The quality is questionable but seems to work. In the back of my mind, I worry that fuel will leak out from the threading while in use & cause problems. While this hasn’t happened, I did leave a new canister attached at home. And after sitting out 2 weeks, the canister was empty, lol. Also the flame is still there after shutting of the valve. But of course I love the weight & packability. Still debating...
I have both the BRS and the Pocket Rocket. I love the BRS for its small packable size and weight, however it does not pair well with my MSR soloist pot that I usually take. It has tipped over more than once it the ground is not flat or if I bump it slightly.
I Like That Stove. I Wish To Have One.
Was looking at this one the other day. No worries about a "cooker fast time" though. 5:32
Mine melted boiling water 2nd trip out. Maybe the QAQC problems have been rectified since? The comment below about doing a 15 minute boil test is worthwhile, if it's gonna fail... best do this before hitting the trail. Replaced with a Soto Amicus, similar stove, and no issues to report after 2 seasons of use. It has 4 tines so seems a mite more stable supporting a small pot. It's priced somewhere between the BSR and the MSR.