Looking for a lightweight backpacking stove? The 3000-T Ultralight Burner from BRS Outdoor seems to have it all. This stove comes in hot with impressive specs and a price tag under $20, making it the lightest and most affordable option I’ve seen to date. But when you factor in fuel efficiency, do these specs stand up to the realities of life on trail? Let’s find out.
Specs
Price: $19.99
Weight: 0.88 oz I 26 g
Materials: Titanium alloy, copper, stainless steel
Dimensions (in use/unfolded): 3.34”L x 3.34”W x 2.69”H
Dimensions (collapsed): 1.45”L x 1.45”W x 2.04”H
Output: 2700w
Gas consumption: ~140g per hour for 1L of water
Things I Like About the BRS 3000-T
Compact and Under an Ounce - Yep, you read that right. This stove is the smallest I’ve seen in the backcountry (not to mention, the most affordable) and it’s barely longer than a lighter.
Good, Reliable Flame Control - I found the 3000-T reliable and the flame it produced easy to manipulate. Remember, the burner is tiny, so take care not to scorch the bottom of your pot by cranking the heat.
Comparable Boil Time in Warm Weather - I have a routine for camp chores and it’s how I measured the boil time of this stove. When I choose a spot for the night, the first thing I do is find the water source and camel up through the evening. From there, I filter water into my pot, which I then place on the stove. If I’m on top of my camp chores, by the time the water comes to a boil, I’ve set up my tent and am waiting expectantly to pour boiling water into my dehydrated meal of choice.
The process typically takes no longer than 5 minutes from the time I light the stove. I was delighted to find the 3000-T held up to my expectations and had 500ml of water at a roaring boil when it hit the 5-minute mark. I found this stove comparable to larger, more fuel efficient stove models (ones also compatible with canister fuel) that I’ve previously used. The main thing to note here: it was warm camping weather with little to no breeze. Keep reading to see how the 3000-T holds up under less ideal circumstances.
Things to Note
Fuel Efficiency - If you’re planning an adventure that will have you facing cold temperatures, wind, high elevations, or long stretches between refueling, this probably isn’t the stove for you. The fuel efficiency of the 3000-T only gets worse as these factors come into play, so plan ahead to avoid on-trail disappointment.
Limitations of the Pot Supports - Though this feature is what makes the 3000-T so compact and ultralight, there’s a cost and it comes with what pots this burner can bear. I used a 900ml titanium mug from Vargo Outdoors and confidently brought 500ml of water to a steady boil with no issues, but I wouldn’t push this stove much further than coffee or dehydrated meals. That being said, this is still a remarkably stable stove for its size.
Bottom Line
Between being compact, ultralight, and affordable, the 3000-T Ultralight Burner from BRS has the potential to be the triple threat your kitchen kit has been longing for. However, if you’re planning on doing much more than boiling a liter of water, or know you’ll be adventuring in less-than-ideal conditions, an upgrade to a sturdier sized stove may be warranted.
Katie (she/her) has the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, and Lone Star Hiking Trail under her belt with a bucket list of many, many more. She enjoys any opportunity to write about her adventures, good trail ethics, and trail stewardship. Check out her adventures with Thru the husky at the links below.
3 comments
Gary
As far as efficiency of the BRS-3000T goes I have found reducing the flame by about 1/3 will increase efficiency substantially. I tested boiling 1.5 cups of water (the amount I normally use) in a 650 mL titanium pot and found it used about 9g fuel per boil at full flame, but only used about 6g of fuel at about 2/3 flame. I adjusted the flame to 2/3 by reducing the roar of the flame. It took about one extra minute to reach a boil. I get about 16 boils per small canister. I do try to block the wind as much as safely possible.
J
It’s an ok stove
Very light weight, high flame, tiny and cheap
I used it for the last time on mount Whitney in may 2018.
I switched to the other cheap one on Amazon that comes with an orange plastic case. Much better
Bob
This article and others that talk about it’s inefficiency convince me that it is not a good deal despite it’s low cost. Especially on something like a long distance thru hike you will spend more on fuel than you save vs buying a store such as a Soto amicus or MSR pocket rocket.