Update: REI Redmond exchanged for a new unit, but not without some resistance. When I picked up the new GigaPower first, the 2 sales reps wanted to see the broken stove. (Of course, now the piezo works.) Their attitude was that I would have to live with intermittent operation of the piezo on the GS-100A. Maybe they've seen this problem before?

Customer Service

What unnerved me was that they called Customer Service before I got up there to do the exchange, and they told CS they tested the stove and it worked. The CS rep tested it, too, and seemed to be giving me an opportunity to back down from wanting to exchange it. No way, the piezo failed consistently and totally for three days of a four day trip. That baby was going back. They took it in exchange, and didn't ever actually say they didn't want to do it.

Similar Products Used:

My other favorite stove is an MSR ShakerJet, no longer made. I also used a WhisperLite for 15 years, rebuilding as necessary (sometimes in the field) and liked everything except the lighting process.

Take matches. When I first saw Snow Peak GS-100A GigaPower stove in 2003, demo stove's piezo lighter button fell off in sales rep's hands. In 2005 (assuming piezo problem solved) I bought one; piezo failed to spark after 1 day of use. On return home, piezo worked again. I plan to exchange for another unit at retailer. The lighter is really nice. Also get the optional wind screen, strongly advised. Large can of fuel lasted 2 men 3 nights & mornings in summer.

Customer Service

REI's return policy means I don't have to mess with the manufacturer or warranty issues.

Similar Products Used:

MSR Whisperlight, Whisperjet

Easy to use, compact, excellent fit and finish, and light. It's expensive, but built to last. This is my "other stove" when I'm not using my Svea Climber 123R. According to Snow peak, the fuel cans are recyclable. They advised me to puncture the empty can with their can puncher tool, and take the cans to the retailer where purchased, or contact the local State hazmat center for recycling.

Similar Products Used:

MSR pocket rocket

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I have been nothing but impressed with this stove. It has proved very dependable and trust worthy. I have used it in temps that dipped into single digits with only one problem, the gas needs to be kept warm to work properly. It is light, compact and boils in no time. You don''t have to worry about clogs and cleaning like with a liquid fuel stove. If you plan to use it outside your vestibule I recomend buying the windscreen for it. The configuration of the burrner gives it no protection from the wind, so if you want to use it outside you need a windscreen. Besides that I have had no other problems with this stove.

Customer Service

I haven''t dealt with snow peak but the service at REI is fantastic.

Similar Products Used:

Camping Gaz: Bleut MSR Whisper Lite

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This might be a good stove, if you could find fuel for it. I have spent the last 24 hours trying to find Snow Peak fuel in the greater Denver area and there is not a single cannister to be had. If I can''t find fuel in a large metropolitan area like Denver what are the chances you could find fuel in the middle of nowhere? Snow Peak insists that the stove not be used with any other type of cannister (it voids the warranty).

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

MSR Whisperlight, Olympus SVEA 123

All around awesome stove. The only problem is waste and cost effectivenes which are concerns with any compressed gas stove and not just this brand. The empty canisters go into land fills or I've seen some left behind by lazy hikers after they've used the fuel up. Also, If you hike a lot the price for fuel gets expensive. Other than that, this stove is great however, I would not take it in below freezing weather.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

MSR, Coleman-Peak1, Optimus.

Sierra ZIP stove
Burns twigs baby.
No fuel to carry.
Great to cook burgers and steak on that first night.
It works, I know you think it don't, cause I did. Even used in winter.
Cannot use in vestibule, too smokey.

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MSR Wisperlite good stove, shame it does not simmer.

This is a great climbing stove. The stove, fuel cartrige, cup and spoon all fit inside a 1.5 titanium pot. 1st Warning! the Snowpeak fuel cartridges come very full and flare up for a few seconds until you burn off some fuel and get some vapor space in the canister. 2nd Warning, the little cardridge is enough fuel for 2 people for 1 dinner and breakfast you don't have to melt snow outside in the wind. I've found cooking in the tent it will be barely efficient enough to melt snow and fix dinner for 2 people.

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MSR original white gas stove (still the best for massive snow melting) Gaz canister stoves.

A great little stove. I used it on a 6-day trip to Tasmania recently, and it distinguished itself as the best stove I've ever used. I recommend it with the Snow Peak titanium solo cookset -- they work greta together and have to be the lightest deal going right now. I used Coloman isobutane canisters which worked fine. The temperature never dropped much below 0 centigrade, so I don't know how this would work in the cold, but in Tasmaina it started easily, was easy to control, and seemed easy on fuel consumption. You do need a flat surface and I don't recommend large pots.

Similar Products Used:

Coleman Peak 1 multi-fuel
Svea 123
Coleman APEX II

This is a great little stove. For the size, weight and performance you can't beat it. I use the MSR cannister since they are larger and much more stable. I would not, however, recommend this stove for winter use (anything below freezing temperatures). Consider it a 3-season stove.

I staged a little battle of the backpacking stoves last night on my back porch. The temp was about 15 degrees and the wind was gusting 15-20 mph. After letting my Snow Peak Giga Power and my old, trusty (and rusty) Peak One sit out for about an hour and a half, I lit them both and placed two identical pots full of snow on them. The Peak One had a rolling boil, before the Snow Peak had even melted most of the snow. I imagine part of the problem is the absence of a windscreen on the Snow Peak. The other issue is the generally pour performance of Isobutane-propane mixtures in colder temperatures.

I had considered carrying the Snow Peak on an upcoming winter trip, but have decided against it. You have the option of carrying canisters in your pocket and sticking them in my bag at night to keep them warm. It's just not worth the hastle for me.

I would still recommend the stove for anyone interested in tiny, lightweight and very easy to use stove.

Similar Products Used:

Peak One, MSR Whisperlite