ZZ Manufacturing, Inc. Sierra Zip Stove

Review Date
August 11, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Ray Ramage ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $57.00 at ZZ Manufacturing

Summary:
I started using the zz ztove in the early 80's. My first one lasted until 1993 when the interior began to disintegrate. I bought my second one before I started bike touring. That one lasted through Europe and from Canada to Mexico. I bought my third in 1999 when the previous one met the same demise as the first. Yesterday morning in the desert my third ztove wore out when one of the pot supports broke off the interior. It still works fine, but I'll have to use a small rock as a pot support until I can get #4. These stoves are dependable and fun. They quickly become a conversation piece in any campsite. I'm waiting until December, 2008 when the new Titanium model is available. That one should last longer than the 8-10 years the previous ones have.

Customer Service:
The company just changed hands, but the new owners are as friendly and helpful as the old ones. They will even build a Titanium ztove for me with four pot supports instead of the three that come with the standard Titanium one to accommodate the four support accessories I have from my previous ztoves.

Similar Products Used:
I have a Bleuet as a back-up or second burner, but rarely use it because the zz Sierra Ztove boils water faster and is more fun.

Review Date
January 19, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Peter Knorring(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $100.00 at ADVENTURE CAMPING

Summary:
I have used a Sierra stove for 3 years.It worked well but after only about 30 hours of use the inner burner bowl has rusted and is starting to fall apart.The pansupports have dropped off.It seems very poor value as it is one of the more expensive stoves on the market.Iwould buy another one but only if the manufacturers improve the burner section.

Review Date
November 17, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Teri Brewer(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Cardiff, UK

Price Paid:  $30.00 at Adventure -16 West L

Summary:
I bought my ZZ Sierra stove about eight years ago and have had many adventures with it. Never found circumstances in which I could not get enough fuel for it, always easy to light even without the cotton and vaseline trick that has become popular. At any altitude, by the beach or on a mountain it has just done the job without fuss. I am always amazed at how little fuel it uses. My only complaint is that I would like a double burner model or a dtableizing base so that I am less concerned about it being knocked over. I notice that newer models have tripod base and a different arrangement for the battery and switch. If my stove were ever to wear out I would buy another one right away!

Customer Service:
Never had a reason to contact them except to see what stores carry the stove so I can tell friends where to find one!

Similar Products Used:
Svea, Coleman etc, but never willingly once I had this one!

Review Date
March 5, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: rdjudge(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Redding

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Campmor

Summary:
I first bought the Zip Stove in 1980 for a three week trip I was doing in the High Sierra with no food drops and I didn't want to worry about fuel. Nobody I knew had every herard of, much less used one. We used it everay day but one and it worked great. A couple of times when we were going to the extreme high country to camp (above 12,000) we just put some sticks in a stuff sack on the way up. I used that stove for the next twenty years without a problem. Two years ago, I got a new one for my birthday and gave my old one to a friend. This thing cranks. It boils water as fast as any other stove. One drawback if you are a neatnik is the pots turing black, but I have had my pots forever and used them over campfires anyway. Besides, this is backpacking, black hands and stinky shirts are part of the deal. One minor drawback is you have to baby sit the fire when you are boiling a big (4 liters) of water or a long cooking meal. I see it as all part of the fun

Customer Service:
Haven''t had to use it

Similar Products Used:
MSR XGK, Bluet, SVEA, Coleman

Review Date
August 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by: CF Ridge(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Parsons Mtn, SC

Price Paid:  $39.00 at Campmor

Summary:
I have used this stove several hundred times. I have never had a problem with starting a fire with any burnable fuel, using cotton balls/petroleum jelly as fire starter. Even soaked wood will fire up if you start with small twigs and then the bigger stuff. I can use coals from fire rings and not even use the fan once they are ignited. This will keep coffee hot all morning long. No hassel with the airlines when flying. Can boil unlimited amounts of water, comes in handy when water filter quits. I even have a mylar 3oz shower. Bigges problem I have is from other fuel carring hikers who want to borrow my zip because they are "running low on fuel" or "Im out of fuel and its miles to the nearest store" I gladly swap the use of my stove for some of their food, this helps me stay longer on the trail.

Similar Products Used:
None