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Primus Eta Express

Primus Eta Express

Primus Eta Express

£60.00

LFTO rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5
The Eta Express is the one-person version of the Eta Power stove, and both are superbly efficient thanks to their use of a heat exchanger on the base of the pan. In fact, the burner on the Eta Express is identical to the Primus Express with ignition unit, so it’s the pans that are key and they manage to deliver an incredible performance. You also get a windshield that further improves efficiency. All this packs down inside the pot to make this a very neat and backpack-friendly option. The pan is a little wider than the JetBoil, which makes it a little more useful as you can just about cook a meal in this pan if you have to, rather than just boil water. The pans are also a little more stable than the JetBoil ones thanks to their lower height, and they also have folding handles which make them very easy to use. But this is not as stable as lower-profile stoves or the bigger Eta Power option. As the pans are what makes the performance so good, the best boil times are only available with the dedicated pan set. There are lighter options available, but they may not be as efficient, so you could end up carrying more fuel.

Fuel type gas
Also included dedicated pan, windshield, instructions
Packed size 16x11x11cm
Pan support diameter 13cm
Boil time (500ml) 2 min to 3 min 20 sec
Weight 98g stove, 332g pan set (+ gas)
Made in Estonia

Verdict
One of the most efficient gas stoves for backpackers. The pan shape is better for cooking than similar alternatives. It was rated ‘Best Value’ in our test.

Review by Graham Thompson
First published in Trail magazine July 2008

Users' Overall Rating rating is 4.5(3 reviews)

  • Outstanding

    gilandcoop

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    User's Overall Rating rating is 4.5

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    Performancerating is 5
    Build qualityrating is 5
    Value for moneyrating is 4

    Bought one of these recently and took it straight into the Welsh hills. It's very effective (on first use, boiling water faster than I could get my brew kit out) with good control and packing away very neatly. The windshield is effective and the addition of a stabiliser (another £5-6) makes for a very stable, safe package. Am now a big, big fan!

    (Written by: gilandcoop)

    12 February 2010 16:02

  • Better than a Jetboil

    Peter Rankin

    YORK, UK

    User's Overall Rating rating is 5

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    Performancerating is 5
    Build qualityrating is 5
    Value for moneyrating is 5

    Bought one this year having had a jetboil for a few years. It's great, best thing is weight saving on multiday trips compared to the jetboil. The Primus allows you to take dry pasta and a packet soup and because of it's non-stick coating a quick swill out and you can boil up a brew, forget the cup just drink out of the pan. Whereas with the jetboil boil it only allows boil in the bag meals, if you have to take three days food this saves space and more importantly about 2kg in weight. OK so pasta and packet soup isn't exactly Gordon Ramsey, but after a day on Great Gable and camping by Styhead Tarn (a fab wild camp) I wouldn't swap my meal with any Reataurant in London. A super bit of kit more robust and versitile than the Jetboil.

    (Written by: abiggaybear)

    19 August 2009 17:01

  • Excellent Eta!!

    PWSY16

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    User's Overall Rating rating is 5

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    Performancerating is 5
    Build qualityrating is 5
    Value for moneyrating is 5

    The Eta Express is a fantastic bit of kit. If your a long distance path walker or a wild camper, and weight and space are a big consideration, this is where it comes into its own. The whole thing, 220g gas canister included, packs down into the main pot, and the dimensions are small enough for it to takke up only marginal space in your pack. I even take it on day walks now, nothing better than fresh coffee on the hill, beats a flask hands down. The main feature of the Eta is the heat exchanger on the pot, and it works! It does boil water very rapidly, less than 2 minutes for a full pot, and it has fine enough adjustment to simmer as well. The pot is large, easily large enough for a Wayfarer or water for a dehydrated meal and a brew, and the excellent folding handle allows it to be held and poured easily. The stability is good, and can be improved further by adding widely available feet to the gas canister. Its very easy to assemble, you can be up and cooking in minutes, and it is also very economical. A single gas canister has lasted me on two consecutive two day trips, and was still not quite empty. Like all other pressure canister stoves, it does suffer a little from lack of pressure from near empty cannisters, and can also take longer to boil in very cold conditions, but its worth the wait! I used it in deep snow on Snowdon recently, and ate dehydrated chicken curry whilst everyone else had soggy cheese sarnies, heaven!! Its efficiency is further improved by a good windshield that fits onto the stove prongs. The stove itself comes in a tough bag, and there is a nice cloth to protect the inside of the pot from damage from the windshield and gas canister. At £60 (I got mine a little cheaper by scouring the internet), its a little more expensive than a stove/pot combination, but in my opinion is definitely worth the extra few quid.

    (Written by: PWSY16)

    16 December 2008 23:32

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darksky9

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darksky9 says

RE: Primus Eta Express

does anyone know which is the better buy for a solo trekker to use...the jet boil or the primus eta...as i was keen on the JB but now im not too sure.

12 March 2009 18:57

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