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Stoves have evolved much over the years with the new standard generally being a screw on stove which solely relies on a gas canister rather than alternative fuel. There are not many places in the UK where you won’t be able to source a range of canisters in various sizes, season ratings, and brands. So, is there still a place for a stove like the Polaris which covers a wide range of fuel types?

The Polaris has all hall marks of what will often be referred to as a ‘proper’ stove, complete with fuel bottle, valves, hoses, and tool/repair kit. Plenty more going on than most modern backpacking stoves and may be intimidating for some at first as this is a stove in which you need to be familiar with to operate safely and efficiently.

There is the option to switch to gas canisters, which is very easy to do, but it would be at a loss to not fully utilise the Polaris. We took both gas canisters and filled  the included 400ml bottle with petrol. The reason for doing this was to mimic what would be readily available whilst travelling abroad in remote regions.

The total weight of the stove and accessories comes in at just over 600 grams. With the 400 gram bottle full with fuel this brings the set up to around a 1000grams, obviously pots will increase this further. Not the lightest of stoves and for us and much better suited for group activities rather than solo ultralight expeditions.

We used the  Polaris Optifuel throughout late winter and early spring and found split between 2 or 3 people it really didn’t take up very much room. Taking both gas and fuel bottle to compare the differences on route. This was very easy to do as the Optifuel uses a single hose which takes seconds to screw off and onto the alternative fuel source. A great feature for a stove of this type!

The main burner has a large head but keeps quite compact as the legs close in on for transportation. When opened it makes a very secure base for a wide range of pots and pans. There is a windshield and heat reflector to mitigate damaging fragile ground and any fuel spillage.

Included is a full repair kit, lubricate for the pump, and a magnetic cleaning needle. All of which makes this a great choice for winter and remote expeditions in which making quick repairs on the move is vital.

Whilst using the  fuel bottle, after just a few pumps the pressure builds up quickly and with no need to prime the stove gives an instant flame. It does have to be noted though that going easy with the pressure to begin with is vital as this is a fairly aggressive burner. With practice it becomes easier to quickly establish a nice blue flame but be very cautious using this for example inside the awning of a tent as initial large orange flames are common.

The self purging Flipstop to depressurize the fuel bottle is not our preferred solution and we believe other companies have produced much easier alternatives. This said it does lessen the need for further mechanical parts making it an easier and safer option.

The Polaris is very noisy, like a wee jet propeller, and it will wake up anyone around you. Which may not always be a bad thing if wanting an early alpine start.

This is the same for the gas option, and although easier to ignite and control, is still very noisy when running for a morning big boil of water.

For all that noise, the Polaris does produce an efficient flame and fuel consumption is rather good. A full fuel bottle lasted us 3 days at low temperatures boiling water for 2 people. Gas can suffer more in the cold but still offered decent consumption consuming one 227gram cannister over 2 days.

Boil times were between 8 -13 minutes for a full litre of water. Bearing in mind temperatures were near to or below freezing, although not the most impressive timings certainly nothing to complain about.

What is more impressive is the amount of control we had in terms of flame adjustment. Simmering is easy to achieve, and a wide range of meals can be cooked. Fantastic to adapt to what may be available to eat when travelling to more remote locations. With us travelling to the faraway lands of Arran, we reluctantly had to suffer with simply steak and vegetables. Joking aside this is a great option for group activities with what may be regarded as more complicated meals becoming easier to cook on this large versatile burner.

Our Verdict

The  Polaris Optifuel is a highly versatile stove, with a high-quality build and lots of great features. The most notable being the easy change over from gas to the fuel bottle. Offering a wide range of choices for fuel and cooking options. It may be argued that a stove of this type by today’s standards is slightly over the top for use in the UK outside of winter. It would be good to mention that for solo use this is probably true although with the size and stability of the burner itself, this still makes a great choice for group activities. It is also a very efficient burner with decent fuel consumption. Just make sure no one is wanting a morning lie-in as this is a very loud stove when in use. 

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland