Coleman Fyrestorm Review: Jetboil Beware, There´s A New Stove In Town
With its lightweight build, heat adjustability, and super fast boil times. Could the Coleman Fyrestorm be the ultimate backpacking stove?
What do hikers, campers, adventurers, and climbers all have in common? Well apart from our love for the outdoors, we all need to eat and drink!
Previously, hot meals and coffee are something an adventure may choose to omit from their journey. This was due to weight restrictions and having a whole host of paraphernalia taking up precious space in their backpack. Items like a kettle, matches, stove, gas bottle, ingredients, cutlery, and bowls are not the most travel friendly, especially when having to spend an hour finding a windless spot or building wind guards before starting to cook.
Coleman has thought long and hard about many of these issues and come up with their take on a new generation of high-performance camping stoves. Directly competing with others such as Jetboil and MSR.
A Quick Overview
The Coleman Fyrestorm PCS (Personal cooking System) not only has a cool name, but it is also pretty damn good at its job, and looks great too! We have taken it on many expeditions and were always impressed with its versatility and many functions. There are smaller, lighter stoves on the market but if you are cooking for more than 1 person, there is more than enough room for sharing.
Pros and Cons
Here are some things that we loved about the stove and a few we didn´t
Pros
- Big volume means that you can cook or boil for up to 3-4 people
- Lightweight – Stove and pot weighing under 500 grams!
- Packable – Everything can be packed into the large pot, gas bottle included.
- Quality – The build of the stove and pot are very high quality and have a non-stick coating
- Wind protection
- Self-lighting so no matches or lighters are required
- Strainer is included in the lid which is great for pasta etc
Cons
- A bit bulky, solo travelers might want to go smaller
- Hose to gas can make it a little unstable
- The lid is not great for pouring water into cups
- The compatible gas bottle is not always readily available
Coleman FyreStorm PCS Camping Stove Features
Here is our rundown of the Fyrestorm´s features and our experience with said features in the field.
WindBlock system
The stove features Coleman’s WindBlock system. This helps to shield the burner from wind and maintain a consistent flame in windy conditions. This is a great feature and makes a huge difference over our previous stoves. Some of the Fyrestorm´s competitors such as the MSR Reactor have more advanced wind protection systems but this has always worked fine in light to moderate winds.
HyperFlame burner technology
The stove has a powerful HyperFlame burner that is designed to provide a faster and more efficient cooking experience. Coleman claims that it can boil a liter of water in just 3 minutes and 30 seconds, but we have experienced longer boiling times as you will see in the video.
Piezo ignition
The stove has a Piezo ignition system that allows you to light the stove with the push of a button, without the need for matches or lighters. We do however carry a lighter just in case this fails, but in over 6 months and countless uses, it has not failed yet.
Precise flame control
The stove has a precise flame control system that allows you to adjust the flame to the desired level for cooking.
Many of the Fyrestorms´s competitors do not have this feature which makes it difficult to heat soups or simmer ingredients. If you are an outdoor chef or barista, this could be the choice for you!
Recently we cooked a fondue with the stove with great success, although hiking back down the mountain with a belly full of fondue cheese and bread was not so pleasurable…
Folding design
The stove has a folding design that makes it compact and easy to carry. It´s massively satisfying to fit everything into the pot, even with a little extra room for some coffee granules. It does come with a protective cloth to prevent scratching of the pot but this does not cover both the stove and gas canister. We added an extra cloth or tissue for full protection.
Compatibility with Coleman Performance Gas
The stove is designed to run on Coleman’s Performance Gas, which is a blend of propane and butane. This fuel is highly efficient and works well in a wide range of temperatures. This gas is usually available at camping or outdoor stores but in some instances may be hard to find. If you are flying on your adventure you will not be allowed to take the gas bottle on your flight. It´s important to look ahead to ensure you can find a canister at your destination.
Pot supports
The stove comes with pot supports that provide a stable base for your pots and pans, ensuring that your food is cooked evenly. This is a great feature as you can use the stove with other pots and kettles unlike many of its competitors. It does however work much better with the pot and wind protection supplied.
Neoprene Heat Protector
There is a neoprene sleeve on the pot allowing you to safely pick up the pot when it’s hot. This also looks great and adds a bit of protection to the outside.
Overall, the Coleman FyreStorm PCS stove is a reliable and efficient camping stove that is designed to make your outdoor cooking experience more enjoyable and convenient.
Large Volume Pot
The Fyrestorm boasts a 1.3L pot which is great for cooking pasta or cooking for more than 1 person.
It has a helpful non-stick coating that also prevents rust or tarnishing and so far has been very durable. It also has handy markings on the inside of the pot, 500ml, 1L, and 1.3L
Long Metal Extension Hose
The stove is fitted with a high-quality, long metal extension hose that separates the stove from the gas bottle. This is useful as many of its competitors store the gas canister directly below the stove. This makes them very top-heavy and likely to tip if not on perfectly flat ground.
In theory, this is great and we have found times when it has been really useful, however occasionally getting the stove and canister to sit straight on the rough ground can be a little difficult. It´s not a deal breaker but it works better on bigger, flatter surfaces.
The Price
For the quality of the product and features, we find the Coleman Fyrestorm PCS amazing value for money. Some of its competitors charge more than double the price for very little extra. To compare:
Stove | Price | Features |
Coleman Fyrestorm PCS | 96$ |
|
Jetboil Minimo | 165$ |
|
MSR Reactor | 290$ |
|
In Summary
The Coleman FyreStorm PCS stove is a high-performance camping stove designed for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a reliable and efficient cooking system. We have found it to be a compact and lightweight stove that is easy to carry and set up. Making it ideal for backpacking, camping, hiking, or just outdoor cooking in general.
Features such as gas adjustability, packability, and generous size make the stove stand above its competitors and we would be happy to recommend it to anyone looking to buy a high-performance camping stove.
Is Coleman a Good Brand?
Coleman is a well-known brand specializing in outdoor recreational products, including camping gear, outdoor furniture, and portable appliances. The company was founded in 1900 by William Coffin Coleman, who started by selling gasoline pressure lamps in rural America.
Over the years, Coleman has expanded its product line to include a wide range of camping gear and outdoor equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, coolers, stoves, and lanterns. The company is known for its innovative designs, high-quality products, and commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Today, Coleman is a subsidiary of Newell Brands, a global consumer goods company. The brand is popular among outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and hikers, and is well-regarded for its durable and reliable products that are designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor life.
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