MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Test & Experience – Mini outdoor camping stove with lots of power

The Pocket Rocket 2 is MSR’s lightest screw-on gas stove. On the plus side, it has a tiny pack size and plenty of power. Especially in good weather it plays to its strengths.

I have tested the mini gas cooker in practice. In this test you will find out exactly for which application the MSR Pocket Rocket 2* excellent and where its weaknesses lie.

You will learn details about handling and how to best transport the MSR gas stove >>

You’re in a hurry? Click here to go directly to the MSR Pocket Rocket 2

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-25, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

Highlights from the MSR Pocket Rocket 2

What are the big features of the MSR Pocket Rocket 2?

✅ Tiny pack size
✅ Featherweight gas stove
✅ Performing properly in good weather.
✅ Sturdy pot rests to fold in and out.
✅ Favorable price
❌ quite loud: Can be disturbing during conversations
❌ no piezo ignition: lighter, matches, flint etc. additionally necessary

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 bei Amazon kaufen*

A gas cooker can hardly be smaller. The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is a full-featured screw-on gas stove that can easily cook for 1 to 2 people. The MSR stove is superbly stable and in good weather the Pocket Rocket 2 reliably fires up the outdoor kitchen. In windy conditions it loses efficiency and comfort features like piezo ignition are not available.

Minimalists stow the Pocket Rocket 2 along with a 100ml gas cartridge in a 750ml titanium pot. Thus, the outdoor kitchen is small and easily packed.

Scope of delivery

Included in delivery is the Pocket Rocket 2 Mini gas stove and a small plastic box for transport.

Weight & Pack size of the MSR Pocket Rocket 2

The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is one of the ultra-light gas stoves in terms of weight and pack size. The small gas cooker weighs just 75 grams.

Also included is a small plastic box for transport. I have mixed feelings about the plastic box: on the one hand, it protects the other equipment and cookware from scratches, but on the other hand, the plastic box takes up a comparatively large amount of space.

Then the size advantage of the Pocket Rocket 2 is gone and you can go straight for a larger gas stove with more comfort functions. Depending on which transport strategy you prefer, the plastic box can make sense. If you do without the plastic box, you can often fit an additional 100ml gas cartridge in the same space.

I rather recommend transporting the Pocket Rocket 2 in a 750 ml titanium pot without the plastic box and including. Gas cartridge.

Which gas cartridge to use?

If cups e.g. with 600ml ml or a 750ml or 1 litre pot are used, then one can save the cartridge stand as a rule. I would definitely use a cartridge stand for larger pots.

The correct gas cartridge for the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is generally screw-in cartridges according to the EN 4179 standard. These are commercially available screw-in cartridges. You can buy them either in the hardware store or in foreign countries often also at the gas station.

Like many other manufacturers, MSR makes recommendations for the use of gas cartridges in its own product manual: This should meet the EN417 standard i.e. be a commercially available screw-in cartridge. In addition, the gas cartridge shall have a certified blend of 80% isobutane and 20% propane. Directly from MSR there are the suitable directly from MSR there are of course the suitable gas cartridges.

In practice, other gas cartridges also work, e.g. from Optimums or Primus.

In the warm seasons (spring to early fall), a gas mixture with 80% isobutane and 20% propane is very suitable. For outdoor adventures with gas stove in the colder season, other compositions are a better choice.

• You can easily buy MSR gas cartridges online: Idealo Price Comparison for MSR Gas Cartridges
• Reading tip: More on the topic you will learn in the article outdoor gas cooker guidebook

Field test – MSR Pocket Rocket 2

The handling of the Pocket Rocket 2 works similarly simple as with other clip-on gas cookers:

• Fold pot arms upwards

• Close gas tap (turn fully clockwise to the right)
• Screw Pocket Rocket 2 firmly onto the gas cartridge

• Carefully turn the gas tap to the left

• Spark a fire e.g. with a lighter or match
• Place the pot on the gas stove and cook the meal or bring the water to the boil.

As I said, the handling is really easy and even gas cooker newcomers quickly find their way around. Just in case, MSR also has an instructional video.

The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 does not have an integrated piezo igniter. Status would be the ignition again simpler and more comfortable. Modern piezo igniters work very reliably reliable. Of course, an integrated lighter makes a gas stove bigger and a little heavier. So with the Pocket Rocket 2, you have to carry an extra lighter, matches, flint or similar. The reliability is somewhat higher than with a piezo ignition.

Compared to its predecessor, MSR has reduced the volume of the gas stove but the gas stove is still very loud overall. When talking directly next to the gas stove, the operating noise is in any case disturbing.

Stability

The slip-on gas cooker is really sturdily built. Even with large and heavy pots, you don’t have to worry here. The pot or pan sits securely at all times on the three pot arms.

MSR makes the following specifications for the maximum size of pans or pots:

• Pots may have a maximum diameter of 20 cm and a maximum height of 12 cm.
• a maximum weight of 3.6 kilos

3.6 kilos would really be a hummer and of course I haven’t cooked a family stew on the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 yet. Anyway, it’s reassuring that MSR is releasing the Pocket Rocket 2 for such a heavy weight. Looking at the bombproof workmanship, I’m sure: it would hold the weight.

A slip-on gas stove is usually suitable for cooking for 1 to 2 people, and you certainly won’t break that weight limit with it.

Of course, you should not bump into the side of the gas stove. Because then you could wantonly knock it over. To increase stability, an extra stand on the gas cartridge is recommended.

A cartridge stand is also recommended by MSR for larger cartridges. I see it the other way around: with small cartridges and a large pot, a cartridge stand makes a lot of sense.

Gas consumption & Efficiency

MSR claims a power rating of 2400 watts for the Pocket Rocket 2. That’s quite typical power for a mini plug-on gas stove. As expected, the cooking performance then also turns out:

• One liter of water is brought to a boil in approximately 5 to 5 minutes 30 seconds.
• For 300 milliliters of boiling water approx. 1.5 to 2 minutes are needed.

Each in a covered titanium cooking pot.

The manufacturer’s specification is 3.5 minutes for one liter of boiling water. Through my practical experience I can say: Even with no wind this is not reached with me. If you let the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 burn without a pot on, the flame flares quite wildly to the left and right. Presumably some energy is lost here: stoves like the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe have a more concentrated and quieter flame.

Accordingly here are also the cooking times shorter and that with the same gas consumption. However, this gas stove is also larger and slightly heavier.

The Pocket Rocket 2 consumes approximately 3 grams of gas per minute. This is a typical value for a gas stove and is completely fine.

Wind susceptibility

The Pocket Rocket 2 does not have an integrated windshield. On the burning head are three webs. Thus, the flames are separated from each other and crosswind is at least somewhat held off. Even in strong winds, the flames thus do not go out.

Are already decreases the cooking performance with the Pocket Rocket 2 very much. This greatly increases the necessary cooking time. You could also put it this way: much more gas is needed for the cooking process.

A separate windbreak would be a remedy. Whereby the no such windbreak is in my opinion not very useful: why take a mini gas stove with you, if you then have a big windbreak with you? It makes more sense to place a pannier or other somewhat larger object in front of the gas stove or to seek refuge behind a rock or other object. Cooking then immediately works much better.

Overall, the Pocket Rocket 2 is meant for cooking in good weather and that’s where it works quite well and where it can play to its strengths. For cooking in bad weather, MSR’s larger stove, the Pocket Rocket Deluxe, is recommended.

Transport

The Pocket Rocket 2 mini gas stove can be stored in a 650 ml or 750 ml titanium cup – together with a 100 ml gas cartridge of course.

Of course, you have to let the MSR gas stove cool down shortly after cooking, because like any gas stove, the burner head is very hot after cooking. That should go without saying.

The mini gas stove is ideal for bikepacking, cycling or hiking always have it with you. Combined with a portion of instant coffee or a trekking meal is thus always provided for the pleasure on the road.

Thanks to the small pack size, the pocket rocket also fits in almost any bikepacking bag or any backpack.

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Experience and Summary

The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is a powerhouse in a tiny format: in good weather, meals are quickly prepared and water can be brought to a boil quickly. The workmanship is excellent and the sturdy pot supports hold small and medium-sized cooking pots securely. In windy conditions, the Pocket Rocket 2 has its problems: The flame starts to flicker quickly and a lot of heat energy is lost due to the crosswind – the cooking time is prolonged.

For transport, the Pocket Rocket 2 can be stored in a small 600ml cup.

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 buy – yes or no?

The Pocket Rocket 2 has decent power and is tiny: A full size mini gas stove for 1 or 2 people. Thanks to its small pack size and light weight, the MSR gas stove is hardly noticeable. If you’re mainly out in good weather, the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is an exciting choice.

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-25, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

Good

✅ Small & light outdoor stove
Ideal for cooking for 1 or 2 people
✅ Good performance in calm or light winds
✅ Processing and stability excellent
✅ Favorable price.

Bad

❌ Loud during operation: Can disturb conversations
❌ no piezo ignition

Alternatives to the MSR Pocket Rocket 2

Soto Amicus

The Soto Amicus has a lot in common with the MSR Pocket Rocket 2: Both mini camping stoves are similarly small and light, and are inexpensive. The Soto Amicus does not have quite as stable pot supports as the Pocker Rocket 2. Thanks to wind protection around the firing head, the Soto Amicus can be used relaxed even in windy conditions. The trekking stove is available with piezo igniter and without.

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-26, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

To the detailed SOTO Amicus field test (test & experiences)

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe

Would you like a little more comfort? The MSR Pocker Rocket Deluxe (Pocket Rocket DLX) is minimally larger and heavier. However, the outdoor stove is still so small and light that it counts as an ultralight stove. The workmanship is excellent and stable. There is also an excellent windshield and piezo igniter built in. The larger head rests provide even more stability.

* Werbung - Aktualisierung am 2024-04-26, Preis kann gestiegen sein, Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen, Bild:Amazon

To the detailed Pocket Rocket Deluxe practical test (test & experiences)

What do you think of the MSR Pocket Rocket 2? Do you have any questions? Feel free to write me your comment.