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This year's most recommended item is the MSR Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter, which instantly transforms a lightweight, compact gas stove into a group cooking style

Yasushi Hisatomi

The stoic "solo" Windburner and Pocket Rocket 2 instantly become "group cooking" style

The MSR Windburner Personal Stove System is an outdoor cooking system that combines the features of instant boiling water, high efficiency, fuel-efficient, and compact, as well as being resistant to strong winds and low temperatures . It's a minimalist stove system perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors in harsh environments. However, because it was originally designed for solo or two-person use and limited to boiling water, it was unsuitable for complex cooking tasks like boiling or grilling, or for use in large groups on mountain hikes.

This part, the MSR Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter, makes this "normally impossible" possible

MSR , which has supported adventurers around the world with more functional, safe and reliable equipment, released this part in the 2022 season. This accessory connects between the stove and cartridge and can transform the Windburner or Pocket Rocket 2 from a direct cartridge type (the stove and cartridge are directly connected vertically) to a separate type (the stove and cartridge are separate and connected by a hose). In this article, we will actually use this revolutionary part that "you've always wanted but didn't" in the mountains, along with the convenient medium and large pots that were released together, and take an in-depth review of its good points and concerns.

Key Features of the MSR Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter

The MSR Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter connects between the stove and cartridge, converting the stove from a direct-connected cartridge type to a separate type. Made of durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, it's palm-sized and lightweight at just 180g. The wide, stable base and low grate position increase stability, and the ability to adjust heat output at your fingertips improves safety. This allows you whether you're using an ultra-lightweight, compact stove like the Pocket Rocket 2 the Windburner (pots and skillets specifically for the Windburner stove system are optional).

What's great about this

This is what I'm curious about

I actually tried using the MSR Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter

Basic usage of the Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter

This time, I borrowed the remote adapter, a wind burner, a Pocket Rocket 2, and various compatible pots and skillets from the manufacturer. I used them in the garden in front of my house and on a tent-camping hike in the Northern Alps (Okuhotaka-dake), and tried out various cooking methods

First, let's take a quick look at the basic steps for use

[1] Spread the legs, make sure the adjuster on the cartridge side is firmly in the OFF position, and set it on the cartridge and stove

[2] Make sure the adjuster on the stove is in the off position and set it on the base

[3] With the adjuster on the stove closed, fully open the adjuster on the cartridge. *Smell the gas to make sure there are no gas leaks

When using it for the first time, you may be tempted to "open the adjuster on the stove all the way and then ignite using the adjuster on the cartridge," but this is a mistake . The correct way to ignite is the other way around, and you should always "open the adjuster on the cartridge all the way and then ignite using the adjuster on the stove ." In fact, there have been cases where gas did not come out properly because I accidentally did not follow the correct procedure.

This is the only confusing point, but it's a blind spot that you might make unexpectedly, so I wish it was a little easier to understand (or less likely to make a mistake?)

[4] Open the adjuster on the stove and ignite it

[5] Once the fire is lit, open the adjuster on the stove all the way, then turn down the adjuster on the cartridge to adjust the heat. Again, I find it a bit annoying that I have to open the stove all the way up

[6] After use, close the adjuster on the cartridge side, and when the flame is out, close the adjuster on the stove side. Once it has cooled, remove the stove cartridge and store it away

The novelty of this stove is that it can be used for both minimalist and group hiking styles without wasting your existing stove

What's new about this adapter is that it adds practical value to an existing tool by simply converting an existing small gas stove into a stable, separate stove with a lower center of gravity without wasting any energy. It's a unique idea that no other manufacturer had thought of before, but when you put it into practice, you wonder why it wasn't possible before - it's such a simple and effective solution. Perhaps that's what revolutionary evolution is all about, no matter what the world is like

Combined with a windburner, it's perfect

The benefits of this innovative feature are most noticeable when combined with a Windburner

This all-in-one stove system comes standard with a foldable plastic stand that increases the stability of the cartridge, but because the overall height including the pot is somewhat high, it has been reported that even with the stand, it is prone to tipping over in strong winds or when boiling a full load of water. This undermines the appeal of the system, which is "high efficiency and wind resistance."

That's where this adapter comes in. In addition to the sturdy base, which boasts a width of 22cm, it significantly improves stability by lowering the stove's height and center of gravity. While I used to feel uneasy and unable to let go of the handle while boiling water, this adapter allows me to let go of it with peace of mind

The stand has been upgraded from flimsy plastic to a more rigid stainless steel one, and the overall width has also been increased by approximately 5cm (see photo below)

Comparing the height with the adapter attached, the overall height is about 5cm lower, and combined with the sturdy base, stability has been greatly improved (see photo below)

The case in the photo is for an Isopro 110 size cartridge; for a 227 size cartridge, the difference in height with and without the adapter is about 7 cm, which is even more noticeable

This improved stability also paves the way for larger pots and pans to be used with high-efficiency systems (skillets and large pots specifically designed for windburner systems are required)

All of them are equipped with a ring (heat exchanger) on the back for setting them on the wind burner. Its primary function is to secure the wind burner and maximize (adjust) heat efficiency, but from the user's perspective, it's fantastic that it keeps the pot centered and stable for even more stable cooking. There are many times when I worry about whether the pot is centered on the grate, and when cooking on a surface that's difficult to level, I have to be constantly careful to prevent the pot from slipping off, but this gives me a lot of peace of mind

For this cooking session, I used three sizes of pots and skillets. It was incredibly convenient to be able to adjust the heat without having to reach under the pot or remove it. I felt like I was able to concentrate on cooking while carefully and precisely adjusting the heat without any stress

The inside of the 2.5L pot and skillet are non-stick, so food won't burn, and if it gets dirty, you can simply wipe it off with kitchen paper, making cleanup easy

The handle can be folded for storage or removed, making it convenient for both storage and cleaning

By the way, the heat exchangers of the 2.5L pot and skillet are simply adjusted to prevent overheating in the center. The 4.5L pot is designed for use mainly in boiling soups and stews, so it has a solid heat exchanger that maximizes thermal efficiency

By the way, when I filled a 4.5L pot with about 4L of water and set it up, it did start to wobble a little strangely. No matter how stable it is, be careful when using it at its maximum capacity so as not to exceed the safe load

From fast and light minimalism to fancy group hikes, customise your pot for each trip so you always have the perfect cooking system (all with the right wind protection and efficiency!)

Minimum set for solo use (if you change the pot to 1.8 liters (sold separately) it becomes the minimum set for two people)

Windburner only

Solo cooking set

Windburner + Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter

Cooking set for two people

Windburner + Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter + Windburner Sauce Pot 2.5L

Luxury cooking set for 3 or more people

Windburner + Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter + Windburner Saucepot 2.5L + Windburner Ceramic Skillet

Luxury cooking set for 4 or more people

Windburner + Lowdown Remote Stove Adapter + Windburner Saucepot 2.5L + Windburner Stockpot 4.5L + Windburner Ceramic Skillet

Combine with the Pocket Rocket 2 for a lightweight and flexible cooking set

Another great thing about this adapter is that it's not just for windburners, but can also be connected to the MSR Pocket Rocket 2. This transforms this ultra-lightweight and compact model into a more stable, separate stove for group hikes.

In this case, the pot does not have to be a dedicated one, and various pots can be used, including MSR genuine pots, making it more versatile than using it in combination with a wind burner. However, there is a limit to the strength of the stand, so the pot size should be kept moderate

, I tried storing a Pocket Rocket 2 in a small 900ml and 400ml cooker set

Another hidden benefit: When the cartridges are separated, it is easy to counteract the decrease in firepower in winter

One thing that should not be forgotten about the change from a direct-connected type to a separate type is that it is easier to take measures to compensate for the decrease in firepower caused by insufficient pressure inside the cartridge at low temperatures such as in winter

When the stove is burning in low temperatures, the cartridge temperature drops rapidly, and the heat output decreases accordingly. To prevent this, it is common to use a commercially available booster or to submerge the cartridge in a bowl of water at a low temperature, but boosters are not very effective, and the bowl is difficult to stabilize because the pot, stove, and cartridge must all be placed in it, so it is not very practical

The adapter separates the cartridge from the stove, making this much easier. Instead of submerging the entire stove/pot system in a water bath, you can simply submerge the cartridge in a shallow bowl of water (like the bowl that comes with a windburner), which helps prevent the cartridge from cooling down and maintains consistent heat in cold climates

This ensures that you always have enough heat even in cold seasons, and also prevents fuel from remaining inside, allowing you to use it all up and reduce waste

*Please be careful not to tilt or turn the cartridge upside down while the stove is burning. This stove is not a liquid-dispensing type that can be used upside down, so in the worst case scenario, the gas may spray out as a liquid, causing a large, dangerous flame

Summary: With this, you can freely enjoy ultra-lightweight fast and light style trips and lively mountain trips with large groups

When hiking, it's common for the ground at a tent site to be uneven, with sloped or uneven terrain. Many people have experienced irreparable disasters while cooking on such surfaces. Those who find it cumbersome to operate their stove valves because they're too close to the fire, or those who rarely use their high-efficiency stove systems, will undoubtedly benefit from this Low-Down Remote Stove Adapter . I personally grew to love its portability and ease of use. Once you try it, you'll understand the incredible power of this divine part, which allows for stress-free, comfortable, and safe cooking, even if it's only slightly heavier. It's sure to become an indispensable travel essential.

   

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