Primus ETA Power stove

[DavidJames]

Having just got back from my first camping trip (bloody fantastic it was too!!) I thought I would give some feedback on the stove I purchased based on information dispensed here:http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149750

General:
I decided to buy the Primus ETA Power stove because of the size, ease of use and I preferred the idea of using the gas rather than liquid.

Pack size:
The pack size is very compact and well thought out with enough space for storing some condiments etc. What was really good, and a complete stroke of luck, was that the plastic bowls that I had purchased when I ordered the stove fit perfectly in the top of the pot and the frying pan is stored over them. This means my condiments (brown sauce, red sauce, oil, coffee, salt and pepper) and four sporks are held conveniently within the package but separate from the burner. Another added bonus is that the entire package fits snuggly in the left hand pannier (1200GSA Aluminum).

Ease of use:
The burner can be used with or without the windshield and the 2 parts can be assembled quickly and securely. The gas is very safely screwed onto the pipe and lit easily with the piezo electric ignition. The main pot sits inside the windshield and the handle supplied is very effective and secure (I used it to pour the boiling water into cups for coffee). The frying pan can only be used without the windshield which is a little bit of a pain but in the weather we had no problem, I can't imagine that it would ever be problem as the flame is very powerful. Apart from boiling water I did cook eggs and bacon which tested the both pans non-stick ability - they passed with flying colours. After the best breakfast ever the pans cooled down quickly and were very easy to clean and put away again.

Power:
This thing is seriously powerful!!! I had just enough water in the pot for 2 cups of coffee and with the flame on full blast the water was boiling in no time at all - it really was amazing. I actually turned it down because the noise this thing makes is incredible - it sounds like a jet taking off. When I was cooking I only needed the flame very low, so I imagine the gas will last quite a while.

Summary:
Excellent - highly recommended, it did everything I wanted and more At £80 it may be a bit expensive but with the UKGSers discount at Cotswolds it does come down to £68 And whilst you are shopping in Cotswolds don't forget the plastic bowls

 

[stonetown]

Nice write up and good pics, glad you enjoyed your first ever camping trip. Interesting to hear about the frying pan and not being able to use the windshield. There's nothing like the smell of bacon and eggs in the morning to set you up for the day. I'm sure this kind of cooker could be used within the tent porch reasonably safely in windy weather. Most of my tent cooking has been done whilst lying in a gonk bag with the stove in the porch, probably cos when I go camping it always p*sses it down

The alternative to frying is to use boil in the bag, you can get beans and sausage etc that boil in the bag then use the water for tea. Also saves on the washing up.

 

[DavidJames]

Nice write up and good pics, glad you enjoyed your first ever camping trip. Interesting to hear about the frying pan and not being able to use the windshield. There's nothing like the smell of bacon and eggs in the morning to set you up for the day. I'm sure this kind of cooker could be used within the tent porch reasonably safely in windy weather. Most of my tent cooking has been done whilst lying in a gonk bag with the stove in the porch, probably cos when I go camping it always p*sses it down

The alternative to frying is to use boil in the bag, you can get beans and sausage etc that boil in the bag then use the water for tea. Also saves on the washing up.

It does seem a little strange not to be able to use the windshield with the frying and after looking at it again you probably could get use it, but the instructions say not to. The frying pan is only just a little narrower than the opening of windsheild, so using the handle would be difficult - but like I said I really don't think it is a big issue due to the power of the flame.

It was good cooking bacon and eggs for brekkie, there were quite a few jealous faces around us each morning

 

[ballistic]

It does seem a little strange not to be able to use the windshield with the frying and after looking at it again you probably could get use it, but the instructions say not to. The frying pan is only just a little narrower than the opening of windsheild, so using the handle would be difficult - but like I said I really don't think it is a big issue due to the power of the flame.

It was good cooking bacon and eggs for brekkie, there were quite a few jealous faces around us each morning

I bought the Multifuel version of this stove and used it for the first time last weekend, running Coleman fuel.
After boiling the water for the coffee in record time, I got the bacon on... in the frying pan/lid. I quickly realised that you had to cook without the windshield in order to use the clip-on handle but, although it was windy, the flame was so strong that it didn't make much difference. The heat output is amazing, and bacon cooked in no time... nice and crispy
The non-stick seems excellent, as it cleaned up a treat. The only downside was that the pan base was so hot that it melted the plastic spatula I was using... I'll maybe try a silicone one next time

 

[wedgie]

just out of interest did you know that colman fuel and panel wipe are one and the same and panel wipe does not cost £6 Ltr