Primus Eta Express Review

The Primus Eta Express is a pretty lightweight and fast-working stove that I've been using for about the last 4 years on and off.

Note - This is not the updated Primus Eta Express but the pre-2013 version... The new one has a new 1 litre bowl with a windshield that clicks onto the stove with magnets

The first thing to mention is that it doesn't come with a gas canister so (a) buy one and (b) take it with you when you're off outdoors. Unlike the first time I took it out when I forgot... The second thing to remember is to take something to eat your meal with (a spork is an idea). The third thing is that you'll need some water to rehydrate dehydrated food... Not that I've ever made these mistakes (ahem...)

The Primus Eta Express version I have

The stove packs down in its own little bag - weighing around 545g in total.

The burner has a bowl (seen in the pic), a 'frying pan' which doubles as a lid, a burner (which screws on to the gas canister) and the windshield (which can be folded in on itself) to fit inside the pot. One thing to note about the version of windshield I have is that it's easy to scratch the inside of the pot, as despite having a strong 'liner' to protect the windshield from the inside of the main pot, it's not quite big enough for my liking. I've taken to either taking kitchen towel as extra protection or not taking the windshield.

The gas canister should also fit inside the main 'bowl' (a 100g canister that is) which is a nice touch and helps keep things together.

Lighting the burner is simple from the in-built piezo (or you could use a match or something if you wanted to for some reason).

Primus Eta Express in use on Chinkwell Tor, Dartmoor (Haytor in background)

The boil time is very quick (under 2mins) and the unit is most efficient if you don't fully fire up the burner to its highest setting. The optimum setting is around 80% of the highest setting I believe!

The windshield is fine but slightly gets in the way of lighting. The other small niggle is the main pot standing up on the burner part. For the most part it's absolutely fine but I'm not sure whether the new version helps this be a little bit more stable.

Minor niggles aside, I really like this burner and have used it for a range of boil in the bag meals while on the go. On that note, my favourite meals have been the ones from Wayfarer and Mountain House, although the one pictured is Bachelors Pasta meal (add 420g of water).

UPDATE (Oct 15) - Have since used this on MLT and just out on my own (day on Robinson in October 2015). Still working well though some of the non-stick is wearing off from where the gas can be stored (inside the 'cup'). Needs a good dry after use too!