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The Primus Ulti stove is an all-in-one stove system with a large burner and a range of pot sizes. The aim of the stove is to provide a hot meal under any circumstances. In Scotland we encounter a wide range of weather conditions that can change dramatically over just a short space of time. Having a reliable stove which can provide our group with a hot drink and warm meal is key to keeping morale high and energy levels topped up, as we spend multiple days in the hills.

Boil time and gas consumption we value slightly higher than that of overall weight and pack size for group activities, with the Ulti certainly not aimed at super light backpacking but more so overall performance. This is not to say the Ulti isn’t a compact system, with the pots, burner, and gas all fitting neatly inside for easy storage. There’s no denying this is a very well thought out design, oozing quality, and high spec performance.

Weights below are taken using our scales at home.

• Burner with bag and pot stand – 420 grams
• Burner on its own – 362 grams
• 1l pot with lid – 271 grams
• 1.7l pot with lid – 356 grams
• 2.5l pot with lid – 468 grams

Our preferred choice from the pot options provided to us would be the 1.7l. Coming in at a combined weight of 782 grams with the gas burner. This provided ample water for a quick brew stop for up to 5 people, and two boils of an evening when providing water for de-hydrated meals.

Boil time is impressive. 1.5l of water to a gentle boil came in at 4mins 53 secs. Water being taken from a mountain burn, outside temp of 4 degrees. We found that in a mix of environments during late spring to early summer, that a boil time of around the 5 min mark was consistent. During the recent cold snap, colder temperatures have increased timings slightly, but we were still left very impressed with the performance of the Ulti and look forward to using it throughout the upcoming winter season.

Gas consumption is excellent. Primus claim that the Ulti has a power rating of 3000 W, and a heating time of 60mins with a 230g cartridge. It’s hard to look at these numbers as a reliable bench mark as many factors affect every stove such as windspeeds, temps, tamp of water used, and the age and type of gas canister used. A 230 gram Primus Power Gas, we found would happily provide boiling water for a group of 4 or 5 people for around 2 days before running empty. In a mix of mix of environments, the Ulti showed great consistency in boil times and really impressed not only our guides but also our trekkers who, after a big days walk, would like a meal and hot drink without a long wait. 

The large burner head provides an even transfer of heat throughout the whole base of the pot. Fuel and air burn in the presence of a catalyst material, which produces no flame, for improved combustion, which works more efficiently in higher windspeeds and low temperatures. Having used an MSR Reactor for many many years now, this is the first burner which comes even close to its performance, and in some ways surpasses the Reactor in terms of versatility.

The burner has legs to seat on uneven ground, with a long hose that keeps hands away from the heat of the burner. A quick flick out of two legs and there is the ability to invert the gas canister so you can be sure to have consistent efficiency of gas until its completely run down. The long hose is also a great feature for winter camping as you can insulate the gas canister to improve performance when the temperatures really begin to drop.

We had a slight issue regarding the height the burner sits from the ground. This burner runs hot! So hot that it scorched the grass underneath it when in use. As outdoor enthusiasts we always take care in leaving an area the way we found it. The black marks left on grass can be solved by taking along a piece of material for the burner to sit on, but slightly longer legs would probably solve this issue without the need to bring additional items.

Included with the Ulti Stove is a small bag to protect the burner and provide a snug fit when being carried mitigating the niggle of a rattling stove in a pack. Along with the bag is a small tool kit to carry out repairs. Especially important for longer expeditions and winter camping.

Our Verdict

As we have mentioned throughout this review we are more than impressed with the Primus Ulti. Providing hot water, quickly and efficiently, with low gas consumption, making this a perfect stove for year-round use. Build quality is what you come to expect from Primus, with a very well-thought-out design in mostly all areas, and a range of pot sizes to suit solo and group use. The burner legs we would have liked to be raised up a notch so that when placed on grass it wouldn’t scorch the ground, but overall, this can be considered a triumph of a stove. 

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