Coleman FyreStorm PCS Stove

The FyreStorm PCS is a safe and practical backpacking and travel stove from Coleman, writes Mike Gormley.

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I really like this stove for a number of reasons. If you like a complete and packable stove system which is stable and weather-resistant, this for me is right up there. I have been using this stove for some time now and like what it offers and how it works. It’s a popular concept, but for me this one has some very good elements of its design which I feel make it a really good and, importantly, safe stove to use for solo of multi-person trips on either a day out or a big trip.

We seldom camp on flat, perfectly level ground and even if we are lucky enough to find such a spot the stove base is unlikely to be dead flat and level. So, stability is of paramount importance. A stove must have a reasonable set of legs for support, and these here are pretty good, easily folding out from the stowed position to give a wide three-leg stance. A little bit of engineering couples these to the pot stands. Any camp cooking pot will now sit on these quite securely. However, a part of the FyreStorm kit is its own 1.3 litre when full pot.

With its own windshield fitted, aka Coleman ‘Wind Block’, this sits snugly over the three pot stands. It does not have to be ‘fitted’ or screwed on, it just sits on with a good overlap of about 15mm to keep it secure if a slope or wind is involved. The gas burner, the Coleman ‘Hyper Flame‘ is now enveloped and protected by the pot and windshield. The pot has neoprene insulation with a very useable fabric handle. A neat touch to this is a metal insert which ‘locks’ under the rim of the pot to make lifting a full pot much more secure. So, lifting off a pot full of boiling water is probably as safe as it can be, even if wearing gloves.

The gas and controller element of the FyreStorm is separated from the burner and pot by a braided hose. To me this is a key part of the safety of this stove keeping the centre of gravity low, especially when the pot is full. Once the stove and pot is set up everything you do is now about a foot (30cm) away so if you have an inadvertent boil-over you can shut down in safety and not have to put your hands in under the overflowing pot; getting a scalded hand when out in the wilds is NOT something to be recommended!

The gas canister fits onto the control unit which has a folding control handle which is also glove friendly. Part way along the braided gas hose is a piezo igniter so, again, the hands are out of the way when lighting . An added benefit of this remote gas set-up is if it is cold, you can give the canister a shake to ‘reboot’ the gas pressure as the canister pressure reduces.

When the time comes to replace the canister, this can also be carried out in safety mid-way through your cook up without having to take off a hot pot of water or food. Safety when cooking while camping is clearly paramount and when the weather is ‘inclement’ it is also tempting to get in or near your tent or shelter. With the FyreStorm it gives you that bit of distance when the stove can be placed outside and away from harm, and you can remain in some shelter and still be in control of the stove. Much less chance of the stove getting knocked over or setting fire to your shelter.

The FyreStorm is rated at 2,200 Watts with 360 degree wind protection. Boil time is rated at 4½ minutes, I assume at sea level and zero wind. The pot is well able to take two pack food sachets, and it also has a press on cover to keep heat in; this has drain holes to enable draining of the likes of pasta. When all is done and it’s time to move on there are basically two options; leave the windshield where it is and fold the stove and fit it in the pot, or remove the windshield and refit into the top of the pot and lock it in and then you can fit the stove along with a 227g gas container with the push on top fitted.

All in all this is a very well thought out design, which is a very effective and safe camp cooking stove.

[images © Mike Gormley]

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