Well, Rich, I've got good news, and I've got bad news.RichMcG wrote: Just got the Soto OD-1R microregulator stove... I read the regulator solves the cold weather problems...
The good news is that a regulator probably will help in colder weather, perhaps to the tune of about five degrees Fahrenheit. In other words, if a "normal" (needle valved) burner would conk out at 25F, you might still be able to operate a regulator valved burner down to 20F. But that's it: about five degrees F difference. And other factors could affect that five degree difference.
The real issue is the type of fuel. Each of the common types of fuel used for backpacking stoves has a vaporization point. Below that vaporization point, the fuel will remain a liquid, and an upright gas stove, no matter how cleverly built, will simply not function. The three common fuels and their vaporization points are:
"Plain" butane: +31F
Isobutane: +11F
Propane: -44F
The first trick of operation for gas stoves in cold weather is the fuel itself. Avoid "plain" butane. For example, Primus brand and Coleman brand gas canisters contain at least some "plain" butane. Avoid these and similar brands for cold weather use. Instead get brands that contain only isobutane and propane (Snowpeak, MSR, etc.). These brands will work down to about 20F (at sea level)*. Note that as you use the gas on an upright type gas stove, the temperature of the fuel will fall, so even if you start with fuel at 20F, by the time you finish cooking, the fuel may have become much colder, and your flame may weaken or die. Indeed, even on days where the temperature is above 32F, the temperature of the fuel may dip below freezing, like this:
The more fuel you burn, the colder the fuel will become.
Which leads us to: The second trick of operation for gas stoves in cold weather is the temperature of the fuel. If you can keep the fuel warm, the gas will flow even in weather where a stove wouldn't normally be able to operate. Check out my article in Seattle Backpacker's Magazine for tips on how to keep the fuel warm.
If you're really interested in a gas stove for seriously cold weather, you pretty much need to switch to a remote canister type gas stove. Check out my article on the subject in Seattle Backpacker's Magazine.
I've also reviewed a couple of winter capable gas stoves on my blog:
-The Coleman Xtreme (The "gold standard" of cold weather gas stoves).
-The MSR Rapidfire (An economical cold weather gas stove).
I have a Soto OD-1R, but I haven't played with it, so I can't comment as to how it does compared to other burners. Other Soto products I've used have all been excellent. I expect the same from the OD-1R. Have you got yourself an amazing cold weather gas stove? No. But you do have a good quality, light weight stove suitable for most three season use.RichMcG wrote: ...the dome shaped burner decreases boil time, and the built in igniter is high quality, so it will last more than a few dozen lights.
Please do!RichMcG wrote: I'll let you know how this one performs!
HJ
*When I say 20F, I mean throughout the life of the canister, particularly towards the end of the canister. Fresh (full) canisters will work in colder temperatures. Always, it is the temperature of the fuel that matters, not the air temperature.
