MSR Reactor Stove System 1.7L

Pros: 

Most of the time, when we’re winter camping, we’re using the stove for one thing and one thing only: boiling water. Whether you’re melting snow, heating water for tea, or preparing a dehydrated meal, you want a workhorse of a stove that reliably gets the job done despite low temperatures and wind. Between the Reactor’s pressure regulator and the wind-blocking radiant burner design, this integrated canister stove ticks those boxes. 

MSR claims that the Reactor boils .5 liters of water in 1.5 minutes in a lab setting. While the stove obviously won’t melt snow nearly that fast in a real winter camping scenario, we found that this stove is surprisingly effective in cold weather. 

There are three pot sizes available: 2.5L, 1.7L, and 1L. We’re fans of the 1.7L pot size, which is sufficient for smaller groups. You can always purchase additional pots separately to customize your kit.

Cons:

The Reactor isn’t the lightest stove or the most versatile, nor does it have a built-in piezo igniter. It’s not our go-to for year-round use—we’d instead rely on the simmering abilities of the ultra-compact Pocket Rocket Deluxe (LINK) come spring, summer, and fall. Additionally, while the Reactor is our preferred canister stove for use in cold weather, canister stoves simply aren’t as reliable as liquid fuel stoves in extremely cold conditions. Cold weather decreases canister pressure, while liquid fuel bottles allow you to increase pressure on the fly. Liquid fuel stoves are also easier to maintain in the field. (Learn more about the benefits of liquid fuel stoves on MSR's website.) When temperatures drop well below freezing, we’re fans of MSR’s XGK EX (LINK), which we last reviewed in 2017 and have had nothing but positive experiences with since. 

Tester Comments: 

“When melting snow for a large group, we used two of these side by side. Coffee and tea were ready in a matter of minutes!”

Best For: 

Boiling water and melting snow in cold weather.