Reddit reviews Kovea Spider Stove, Small, Silver

Using what kind of fuel? For canisters I've been using a Soto OD-1R in warm weather, and in cold weather I've been using a Kovea Spider. The Kovea is easier to set up flat and sits lower to the ground, but it's twice the weight of the Soto at 6 oz. However, you can flip the fuel canister which is a big help in the cold. Either of these stoves can be used to simmer, which extends their usefulness to more than making hot water. The Spider works well with a 1.5 liter pot (MSR), while the Soto is better with a smaller tall pot like a Snow Peak 700 or 900.

For alcohol stoves I've been using the penny stove lately-great little design but does require some effort to make and then combine with other items to make a full kit. I have been using it with either a MSR Titan mug or a Snow Peak 700 mini-pot, a home built pot stand, and windscreen. Can't really simmer with this stove though, at least in my experience.

If you want an alcohol stove with no fuss get a Trangia. It's the same stove combined with differing pot sets at the link above, you can get the stove by itself. It's heavier than the penny stove, but you can simmer with it plus carry it with fuel in it already-very convenient.

I believe Kovea has a stove with a remote canister. More importantly, it has a preheater that allows the remote canister to be flipped over.

If you can spend more money, there's a new version of the Whisperlite that supports remote isobutane canisters as well as gas and kerosene, and can probably do those heavy green propane canisters with a Kovea adapter.

Edit: Found the stove. It's the Kovea Spider. In case you don't already know, the benefit of using a stove with an inverted canister is that you can burn the liquid butane first while retaining the propane in the canister to provide pressure.

As a backpacker I think I'm a lifer with the Kovea Spider. Small, light and powerful with great simmer control. It's also a remote canister stove. Works great at elevation and sub-freezing temps. Turn the canister over and it burns liquid instead of gas. You do need a windscreen but you can make one out of an aluminum baking pan for about a buck.

https://www.amazon.com/Kovea-Spider-Stove-Small-Silver/dp/B00CFPIPKA

Check out the Windpro II. It has a wide flame, so it is good for "real" cooking. And a remote canister, which means that it is shorter (more stable) and you can fully enclose it with a windscreen.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/gourmet-cooking/windpro-ii/product

If the Windpro II is too pricey, check out the Kovea Spider. The flame isn't as wide as the Windpro, but it is still pretty good for a canister stove.

https://www.amazon.com/Kovea-Spider-Stove-Small-Silver/dp/B00CFPIPKA/

[Kovea Spider] (https://www.amazon.com/Kovea-Spider-Stove-Small-Silver/dp/B00CFPIPKA)

I love mine. On today for $40, which is a fair price.

Remote, with a preheat loop so that you can invert the canister. Not in the same UL class as a 3000t, but light enough to be reasonable, and you can put a windscreen around it. Which means less time to boil, which means less fuel to carry.

Edit: Not really lightweight, just a solid personal favorite. This and my inflatable neoair are my two non UL luxury items. Man do I love them though.

Hot meals backpacking are best. Cold Kovea Spider still cooks.

hikin_jim I am seeing this on Amazon for $39. Anyone know if this is a knockoff or the real deal?
https://www.amazon.com/Kovea-Spider-Stove-Small-Silver/dp/B00CFPIPKA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1512085504&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=SKU%3A+KB-1109

I recommend an aluminum pot with a bail handle like this Open Country Non-Stick Covered Kettle, 2-Quart but something bigger would be better, maybe the Trangia

And for a stove a Kovea Spider or something similar with a detached fuel tank.