MSR Rapidfire

Review Date
August 30, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: JKC(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $30.00 at Probably Campmor

Summary:
I think I've got everyone beat when I say I have used my Rapidfire since 1987. I've never taken it apart or cleaned it and the thing just fires up and works. I backpack in the High Sierras and have used this thing at over 10,000'. I've also used in in my vestibule when caught in a July snowstorm in Tuolumne Meadows. So cold enough to snow (about a foot on the ground when we woke the nest AM) and probably 9500'. I'm a boil the water kind of guy, but have used it with my Outback Oven many times without a problem. Overall, this is a great stove if you can find one (at least now).

Customer Service:
Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:
MSR Whisperlite Int'l, Svea 123R

Review Date
June 15, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: arnoldob(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Tampa, FL

Price Paid:  $45.00 at REI

Summary:
It's fast to start, no flare-ups, no smelly fuel bottles and it will simmer. I have used it in the Applachians mostly and never had a problem, even when the temp inside my tent was 20F in the morning (yuck frozen boots!) and certainly colder in the bear bag hanging from a tree outside. I did need to warm the fuel can first. On my usual 3 season hikes I have never had a problem and always am eating faster than the people with white gas or multi-fuel stoves that cost 2 or 3 times more than a Rapidfire. I like to watch them stuggle to keep the flare-ups from setting their stuff on fire and then watch them scorch food while I enjoy my meal and smile. Never had a problem finding fuel. In short good for just about anything other than foreign trips, extreme cold weather or anything over 2 weeks long. For a long trip I bring a Sierra Zip Stove.

Customer Service:
I broke the knob, wasn't the stoves fault. MSR mailed new valve assembly to me in a few days for free. Kudos for the service.

Similar Products Used:
Sierra Zip Stove, whisperlite, dragonfly

Review Date
May 29, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Greg(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Pasadena, Texas, USA

Price Paid:  $60.00 at Oshmans

Summary:
Light (10.4 ounces) and easy to use. Much safer than white gas. Easy to take apart and there are few parts. This stove folds up to fit in any part of your pack.

My mom bought me this stove and I love it. One of the best canister stoves ever bult. I would recomend it to anyone who does most of their camping
where it dosen't go below 30F.

Customer Service:
Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 15, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Danny(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Alabama

Price Paid:  $47.00 at Roger's Trading Company

Summary:
I have owned this stove about 6 years and have never had one single problem with it. In fact, I have never even had to clean it. Usually I can go about a week on a canister of fuel. It is perfect for 2 or 3 day trips, anything longer and you might want to go with something smaller like the MSR Superfly or the Primus Alpine Micro. As long as you don't do a lot of cold weather camping or high altitude camping this type of stove is the perfect choice, there are stoves out there that are made for that type of camping. With this type of stove you will not have to worry about fuel leaking out and getting all over everthing in your pack. It performs well at full blast or on low simmer. As for boil times, who cares!! the purpose of backpacking is to get out relax and enjoy the outdoors not worry about how fast you can boil a liter of water (for the record mine boils 14 oz. in about 4 min.) Great stove for the money!!

Customer Service:
Haven't needed them.

Similar Products Used:
Primus Alpine Micro

Review Date
December 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: jay(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from charleston, sc

Price Paid:  $45.00

Summary:
ive had this stove for over four years and have never had a problem,even on cold days. ive also never had any problems finding fuel. a good stove for weekend or week-long excursions.

Similar Products Used:
None