Primus Onja 2 Burner Stove: Origami elegance

Field Notes: The “field” here is anywhere the user wants to display their culinary acumen. In other words, if you know how to cook, here’s your stove. No other camp stove under test fit into this category, one our tester better understood after visiting Sweden last year. “Outside but in control” best describes this elegant offering from storied Primus.

Pros: Two cartridge-fueled, wide-diameter burners sit under a strong grate that’s prepared for full-size cookware (one large pan at a time, with the second burner for a kettle). Or stretch out with a double-wide griddle for breakfast chores even when the group is six or more. Burner output adjustment is sublime to encourage simmering, steaming or sending water into a roiling bowl. 

With the X-wing integrated stand, cooking height is raised to a human(e) level that keeps children a little farther from potential trouble. Sling the folded (and cooled-down) Onja over your shoulder using the gorgeous hardwood top (aka cutting board) and stride to the nearest epic view to make the day undeniably memorable.

Cons: Only the fussy will appreciate Onja’s idiosyncrasies that include 1) carrying straps to manage, 2) stove stand fabric panels to keep clean and 3) plenty of other nooks and crannies that need a complete wipe-down after an outing. Critical to making this work is attaching mostly-full fuel cartridges (up to 450g size) under the enclosed Primus stove before cooking as in-flight swap-outs are virtually impossible.

Favorite Feature: While many could well favor the neat and compact package the Primus Onja offers, testers put wide, adjustable burners at the top (where they actually reside on the stove). These dual dynamos are serious about making foraging fantasies and sautéed slices of anything come into their delectable own.

Tester Quote: “My approach is to coat the stand’s fabric panels with a spray protectant to guard against getting dirty (versus needing a flame protectant). With some practice, the straps get stowed and the fun truly begins. Practice with this one at home before attempting advanced cooking techniques and the possibilities are as big as the grandest of canyons.”

Bottom Line: The cooking results, including ethnic and foraged dishes, speak for themselves in a gourmet option for short-haul camping scenarios, float trips and road excursions where quality trumps boil-in-pouch quantity.

Best For: Three-season cooking for two or more where extra weight (7lbs) is not a factor and 200g/hr canister burn rate is acceptable

Key Attribute: Performance garnished with Style