I like many others have a Caldera Cone Stove, it certainly seems to be more efficient than some others I have, but packing it is a problem.

I have tried wrapping it around a sleeping mat, inserting it in a Nalgene wide mouth cantene, but ...

How do you pack your Caldera?

Buy the Caldera kitchen system. It really is great and compact.
S.

I do this...

With due respect... but the Caldera system is not compact -- not when compared to most solo "kitchens" anyway. It helps if one uses a hard-sided water bottle (to protect the cone) -- but how many UL hikers use hardsided bottles?

Edited by ben2world on 11/06/2007 12:55:53 MST.

OK - let me rephrase. Given the non-compact nature of the windscreen, the kitchen system's protective plastic container is a lightweight (1.9oz) and secure way to store both the cone, fuel bottle and other accessories while serving as a measuring cup as well. And it has a screw-on lid as well to keep things in check.
:-)
S.

OK - let me rephrase. Given the non-compact nature of the windscreen, the kitchen system's protective plastic container is a lightweight (1.9oz) and secure way to store both the cone, fuel bottle and other accessories while serving as a measuring cup as well. And it has a screw-on lid as well to keep things in check.
:-)
S.

but only if you use the smaller BPL mugs and their respective cones. My cone (for the SP 700) is considerably taller than the zip-lock container. I'll try to post a pic of a system I've had good luck with ... later.

You are right - the plastic container is nor made for all pots/mugs.
S.

Roger, Im assuming you do not have one of the models with the ziplock screw-top container. So, just slide the cone flat into the hydradion bladder pouch of your pack. Takes up almost no room since it is a fraction of a milimeter in thickness. No bladder pouch? Roll it in your mat. I've done al of these, but typically volume is not my concern, weight is; and the Caldera system maintains convenience while being much lighter than my Jetboil. (I realize thats comparing apples and oranges to some extent)

I'm going to be far less diplomatic and more irreverent than Ben and go as far as to say that the CC is the LEAST compact system for an alcohol stove that I've ever seen. While I don't consider myself a hardcore ultra lighter, I can't see how it would even fit into my packing style in any practical way. I would never carry it and can't see what all the buzz is about. There, I've said it! ;) My 3 season stove and windscreen all easily stow in either my Snowpeak 600 or Firelite 550.

Edited by jasonklass on 11/06/2007 19:37:31 MST.

Pics of a SP 700 with its cone. I will be thinking of how I want to mark volume gradations on the yellow cup so as to do away with the measuring cup.

Edited by jcolten on 11/06/2007 21:42:36 MST.

After considering the suggestions I realized that my answer was sitting on the shelf in front of me. 2 stubby holders. These are used to keep drinks warm or cold and will serve as multiple use, photos below. A spin sack is used to carry the stove, windscreen and fuel bottle.





I also agree with Jason and Ben that the stove (or the windscreen) take up a lot of space.

Edited by rogerb on 11/07/2007 07:24:12 MST.

Here's how I carried the caldera cones last summer in a photo essay. I worked with a team of 10 and we played with multiple systems. Here's an easy one.

This system gets a B- for a grade. Not bad, but we still ended up with some dented cones. The tyvec construction is just a scrap of old tyvec "paper" and some masking tape. These ain't fancy creations. They weigh in at 0.2 ounces!

Start with the CONE rolled up in a tidy shape. It want's to be CONE shaped. Tape it to hold the shape. Then - Take a scrap of TYVEC "paper" and wrap it around the CONE. Tape it up using some masking tape. Make sure to leave some "paper" at each end.

This TYVEC "paper" cone holds the aluminum cone nicely. Fill the interior with a bag of food to help hold it's shape and to keep it from being scrunched. Raisins work perfect.

Edited by sharalds on 11/08/2007 06:16:26 MST.

Ooops. Those are big images.

Mike:

If those images were uploaded from your computer, you can cut them down to size by doing the following:

1. Edit your post. You should see that each picture embedding includes two numbers -- which dictate the picture's length and height.

2. Change the numbers. Divide each number by two or three -- to size down the overall picture by one half or one third respectively. Be consistent with both numbers so the picture won't be distorted.

Looking at all your pics, this Caldera is looking like a monstrosity -- on the size and scale of the Jetboil! I've known all along that the Caldera isn't compact, but I have no idea what it truly is until seeing all your pics!

Do y'all really go through this packaging contortion to get a 30-second quicker boiling time? Seriously?

I fit my stove, windscreen, fuel, lighter, towel and ti spork all inside my Firelite 550 pot. I suppose I wouldn't refuse a 30-second boil time improvement -- but NOT at the expense of bulking up my kitchen size and weight 2 or 3 times over -- or having to tear through my pack to pull the cone out of my sleeping pad...

I've also read that in some cases, because the pot rests on the caldera cone -- the two can get stuck together after boiling -- making it awkward to pour water out... No thanks.

Edited by ben2world on 11/07/2007 18:25:13 MST.

Right on Ben! It's almost like you have to carry MORE stuff to find creative ways to pack it!

What you get:

good boil times, superior stability, integrated windscreen that works better than most others

All that said, packed size is the drawback. If you're unlike me - Volume ISN'T a problem - then this system is great.

Todd

The caldera buzz has stimulated an interest which I initially suppressed due to the exorbitant price tag. The review here and the frequent threads that either mention or deal directly with the subject of the caldera cone has caused me to reconsider more than once my decision to take a pass. I am just amazed that the price of this thing has not been an object of discussion thus far. It is outrageous! Come on-$35.00 for a windscreen. Talk about arrogance. I wonder if much of the enthusiastic support for this windscreen comes from testers who received a copy at no charge. The outrageous price along with Ben’s criticism has reaffirmed my initial decision. I'll stick with my own personally manufactured stove and windscreen that cost me a few minutes of handy work and the price of a couple cans of beverage.

It's not that bad, I roll mine up in one of the tall Arizona tea cans (24oz) with the top cut off. I slide in the stove (I use a MBD alcohol stove) and fuel bottle. It doesn't fit inside of my pot but it's neat, acceptably compact and protects the Caldera. I also use the can as a cup some of the time. The Caldera weighs in at 1.25oz, the stove .5oz and the can at .75oz which is a decent weight to get such a solid cooking system.
Ron

OK - enough Caldera bashing here. Is it the best system for everyone at any time? Of course not. Is it the cheapest solution out there? No. By the way, people around here don't mind spending $250 for a 4oz bivy sac instead of $99 for a 7oz one. The positive feedback (including mine) is not based on some craze for the latest and most popular gadget but because we just really like it. Don't criticize something just because it has success. Nobody is complaining about people's enthusiasm for other gear. If there is a better (i.e. custom, more efficient, cheaper,lighter and less cumbersome) solution out there - be my guest. I promise not to hype it and keep it a secret.
People - grow up.
S.