Tramping Equipment: Soto Windmaster stove

 Review of the Soto Windmaster Stove

So...I bought a new outdoor stove last week...it is the Soto Windmaster. I have read some good things about this stove and felt the need for some retail therapy so...! I am a big fan of canister stoves and I’m not alone – the overwhelming majority of trampers I come across use them. For price point, ease of use and efficiency they are hard to bet.

BTW: this is my tenth outdoor stove...I think I might have a problem! 

Soto Windmaster fixed to a medium sized gas cannister

There are a large number of models available on the New Zealand market and a huge number more available from overseas. There are a handful of well known brands and models that dominate – the Soto Windmaster is one of those.

Some of the Soto Range of outdoor stoves

 At NZD $135  this model sits at the upper end of the price range for canister stoves. Having said that there are good reasons for this. Firstly all stoves sold on the New Zealand market have to meet the requisite gas standards and this does add to the price but also increases the safety. 

...the box your new Windmaster comes in...

Soto is a well known and highly regarded outdoor equipment manufacturer with a wide following around the world. The Soto Windmaster has a large range of features and a high level of performance that many of the cheaper stoves lack. All this amounts to a more expensive stove but given the features it is very good value for money.  

So let’s look at the features on this great little stove unit.

Some of the main features on the Soto Windmaster

This stove is called the ‘Windmaster’ for a reason and that’s because it copes very well in windy exposed conditions. The stove has a piezo-electric starter so it is a self contained unit and is easily started even when windy where matches or a lighter don’t work. This starter works a charm and one press is all you need to spark a flame.

Centrally located ignitor on the Soto Windmaster

 At 89 grams for the stove unit itself and 100 grams including the small carry bag, this stove isn’t the lightest in the stove market but doesn’t weigh that much. It compares favourably with its contemporaries like the Kovea TI stove, MSR Pocket Rocket and my Fire Maple TI stove which all weigh around 70-80 gms. 

Windmaster comes with a nylon carry bag

To be fair when you compare this to all in one integrated stove types you do need to include other items such as a pot, gas canister and canister stabiliser which will increase the weight. I will be using my standard Toaks 1.3 liter Titanium pot on this stove but it will also work with my other cookware. 

My Toaks 1.3 liter pot i usually carry

Being able to buy a cannister stove as a standalone unit allows trampers to mix and match to get the system they want and the opportunity to change the pot choice depending on your needs. Sometimes you will be fine with a small cup/pot or you might need a big 2 liter pot or a frying pan. Flexibility in gear choice is ideal when buying outdoor equipment. 

Soto Windmaster with pot stand attached

The head on this stove is large as far as canister stoves go and and sits very, very close to the pot allowing just enough airflow to provide oxygen to the head but not so much to impact the flame. In fact the burner head is slightly recessed providing additional wind protection. Most canister stoves need a windshield  to operate well in windy conditions and while this will benefit any canister stove it is not essential for the Windmaster. 

Burner head designed to resist wind...Windmaster

This stove has been tested and it will boil 500 ml of water in less than 2 minutes and 45 seconds with a light breeze. This is slower than an integrated stove but not by a great deal. FYI: Integrated stoves are all in one packages and include ones like the JetBoil and MSR Windburner range. If you are using the Windmaster (or for that matter) any other stove during windy weather the boil time is going to be slower.

The MSR Windburner is one type of integrated stove system

This unit is unique compared to most other canister stoves in that the pot stand is not attached but comes as a separate unit. This does make it more fiddly to use because you have to attach it to the stem of the stove itself. This can be overcome as the pot support can be permanently attached to the stove and will still fit inside the provided storage bag. 

Pot stand comes separate from the stove itself

 It’s a reasonably wide pot support, larger than most, so will cope with larger pots and saucepans provided you have a canister stabiliser attached. One of the big benefits of canister stoves in general is that they simmer food really well so if you are going to be cooking rather just boiling water then they are a great option.

Wide stand arms will accommodate larger pots/pans

A feature I like is the ignitor...it makes the stove much easier to light. Even my $300 dollar MSR Windburner does not have an ignitor on it so I appreciate its inclusion. I would still carry a lighter or matches as ignitors can wear out after heavy use. A stove is useless if you cannot light it so an alternate means of ignition is a good idea. 

Soto Windmaster in use

Overall the Soto Windmaster is a great stove with plenty of wonderful features and while on the upper end of the price range, it is well worth considering if you after a canister stove.

The Windmaster in Use:

The windmaster will be coming on my tramp around the St James Walkway next week so look back for some photos of the stove in use...

Heating water for breakfast at Ada Pass Hut

Cooking bench at Anne Hut on the St James Walkway

Man...this stove is a cracker. It worked really well on my recent St James Walkway trip and I think it might become my go to stove for most of my tramping trips. It is fast, efficient and easy to use all things you really want in a camping stove. Time will tell how it performs over the long term but I really like it.