Backside Line
Essentially the most distinguished characteristic of the GigaPower 2.0 is the quantity of stability and sturdiness it has packed right into a small, foldable backpacking range. We’re hesitant to say ‘indestructible,’ however no different foldable canister range feels fairly this stable. The GigaPower collapses down sufficiently small to nestle right into a medium-sized pot with a gasoline canister. The arms have minimal transferring elements, so it’s in a position to maintain as much as plenty of use. The additional fourth arm, not typical on foldable stoves, makes it extra secure than three-arm fashions.
The GigaPower 2.0 will definitely get the job achieved, but it surely’s not the highest-performing of our favourite backpacking stoves. The boil time and gasoline effectivity go away a bit to be desired and the small burner isn’t probably the most highly effective. The pot sits excessive above the flame, permitting wind to blow via. We put the GigaPower 2.0 via rigorous testing each in a managed setting and on backpacking journeys within the Rocky Mountains, however we advocate it for extra honest climate purposes.
Fast Specs
Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0
Sturdy Canister Range with a Lot of Handy Options
Rating:
53.3/100
Value:
$45
Weight:
4.2 oz.
Gasoline Kind:
Isobutane/propane canister
Boil Time:
8m 35s
Burn Time (8 oz. gasoline):
30m
Professionals
- Light-weight
- Environment friendly
- Simmer management
- Sturdy
- Secure pot assist
Cons
- Barely bulkier than some
- Not nearly as good in wind as some
Comfort
The sturdiness, stability, and options of the GigaPower 2.0 make it a chunk of cake to make use of. The 4 foldable arms really feel noticeably extra sturdy and safe than others.
Due to the additional area across the burner, the arms don’t get pink sizzling like different stoves, making it a safer choice to make use of. You don’t have to attend lengthy for the range arms to chill down after cooking to deal with it and pack it away. So whereas the cooking time is elevated, dealing with time is decreased. The GigaPower 2.0 can be considerably quieter than different stoves, preserving among the lovely serenity of being within the backcountry within the first place.
The ignition change is a handy characteristic as nicely. It may be a lifesaver should you lose your lighter.
Though we love the texture of the rounded development, the arms can are usually a little bit slippery. There are grooves notched in, however we’d like to see a little bit extra friction added to the pot floor.
Weight & Packability
The GigaPower 2.0’s additional arm doesn’t get in the way in which of packability. The 4 arms really feel noticeably extra sturdy than different stoves which have flimsy arms and a number of transferring elements, whereas nonetheless folding up right into a compact measurement. At 4.2 ounces, the range stays fairly light-weight regardless of its additional heft.
The GigaPower 2.0 comes with a handy storage field, which doesn’t add a lot weight but it surely does simply barely enhance the range’s packing quantity. In contrast to different backpacking stoves, the pot stand arms are made with a spherical inventory. Even the burner is fairly rounded with out plenty of harsh edges. The delicate, rounded development means it’s much less more likely to scratch your pot, so packing it with out its field needs to be no drawback.
Energy & Effectivity
Though it has loads of juice to cook dinner backcountry meals, the GigaPower 2.0 just isn’t a powerhouse on this division. In our testing, we discovered that it took about twice as lengthy to boil water than extra environment friendly stoves, and was notably impacted by wind. That is principally doubtless because of the vital distance between the flame and pot, and the truth that the burner options facet holes as a substitute of high holes. The flame should exit the burner from the facet and make a flip upwards, dropping some stress within the course of. With the GigaPower 2.0, you might simply have to sit down again and benefit from the surroundings a bit longer whereas ready in your water to boil.
If gasoline effectivity is a precedence for you, the GigaPower 2.0 won’t be the best choice. It used about 0.6 ounces of gasoline to boil one liter, which is sort of a bit beneath common. Granted, gasoline effectivity might be the least vital spec for many backpacking makes use of. Nonetheless, it may make a major distinction for some people. In case your range will get a ton of use all through the day, for instance, cooking for each meal, making sizzling espresso within the morning and sizzling tea at night time, you’ll doubtless burn via gasoline shortly. Or, in case you are sharing range utilization with one other individual, you would possibly think about carrying a bigger canister. We don’t think about the gasoline effectivity to be a deal breaker, however it’s one thing to think about.
Precision
The GigaPower 2.0 is greatest fitted to boiling water or reheating. It doesn’t have as a lot simmer management as some others, but it surely has greater than zero. Though there’s no gasoline regulator to assist a variety of flame variability, the much less intense burner on the GigaPower naturally lends itself to gentler cooking within the first place. You can nonetheless in all probability reheat meals with out burning them, however we wouldn’t advocate the GigaPower to a backcountry culinary professional.
Ought to You Purchase the Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0?
The GigaPower 2.0 is greatest fitted to customers who’re new to backpacking and desire a range that’s straightforward to make use of, or for people who find themselves onerous on gear and want one thing to face as much as fixed abuse whereas nonetheless being small and light-weight.
The 4, rounded arms are extra sturdy than most and provides your pot additional floor space to sit down on. The general rounded and spacious development makes for simple and protected dealing with. The quiet burner is a welcome change from the loud, obnoxious jet engine sound of different stoves.
We’d not advocate the GigaPower 2.0 for ultralight backpackers or backpackers who prioritize boil time and gasoline effectivity. There are many different stoves available on the market which can be lighter and extra compact. Whereas the boil time isn’t horrible, the GigaPower 2.0 is best fitted to honest climate (low wind) environments and quick journeys.
What Different Backpacking Stoves Ought to You Take into account?
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Overview: The PocketRocket Deluxe is a well-liked range that’s totally featured and straightforward to make use of. It contains related options like an igniter change whereas having higher simmer management and energy.
Primus Important Path Overview: The Primus Important Path is corresponding to the GigaPower 2.0 in stability and sturdiness however with considerably larger efficiency and effectivity whereas sacrificing packability.
SOTO WindMaster Overview: Though not as durable-feeling because the GigaPower 2.0, the WindMaster equally options 4 foldable arms. The WindMaster is without doubt one of the strongest and environment friendly stoves we examined, and excels in windy circumstances.
Snow Peak LiteMax Overview: The LiteMax is the extra ultralight brother of the GigaPower 2.0. What you lose from comfort and stability, you’ll achieve in weight financial savings and packability. As a bonus, the LiteMax has higher simmer management.
