Primus ExpressSpider Backpacking Stove Gear Review

I didn’t believe this little thing would put a dent into a pot of water at 12,000 feet. Last weekend in Colorado I was proved wrong. Step aside MSR, the Primus ExpressSpider Stove is taking names and laying treats.

Primus ExpressSpider Stove

First off, I am all about the canister stoves. I’m sure the white gas lasts longer, cooks faster, and pops up warm brownies by the end of the meal, but I have had the best experience with canister stoves because they are simple. The ExpressSpider is unique in the fact it has the braided cord coming out which can require extra maintenance and more difficult cleaning. I don’t anticipate a disappointment in this design because with canisters there isn’t a chance to get dirt in the bottle like with white gas.

The stove itself packs down to fit in the palm of your hand. Jason mentioned it looks unstable because of the size, but when you fan out the legs it holds the Primus ETA pot really well (see picture). The ridges on the legs also help prevent any sliding because they catch the coil on the pot. The design makes it so it’s not top heavy which is way better than the Jetboil.

Is that a jet engine in your pocket or did you just boil water in just over a minute?

One evening I fired up the ExpressSpider under my porch before a trip to make sure everything was working ok. As I revved up the gas a steady flame about 8 inches tall came out of the stove. I was amazed. It was loud too and lit up my whole deck. I was still skeptical with this stove because of it’s size and the elevation is only 5500 feet where I live.

I whip out the little jet engine at 12,000 feet and could not believe the similar results. Everyone in the group started migrating toward my water boiling station. The stove boiled 2 cups of water in about 80 seconds. Not kidding. In no time I was dubbed the official “water boiler” of the camp. Along side the Spider we had a MSR Whisperlite, Jetboil PCS, Primus ETA PackLite, and MSR Pocket Rocket. Everyone asked me where to get the Primus ExpressSpider and how much it was, no one believed the $60 pricetag.

Primus ExpressSpider Stove Specs

• $60
• Windscreen included – FYI, I didn’t use it to get the results above.
• Boiling time: Primus says 4.5 min. I say less, but maybe they were boiling water for a craboil.
• Suitable for 1-4 people. Don’t be surprised when you can cook for a bigger group though.
• Weight: 7oz.

The Bad

I always love an ignition mechanism on a stove. Maybe Primus really wanted a slim stove but I think every stove should have an ignition. Primus loses 15 points for no ignitor but gains 48,560,211 points for absolutely slaying the boiling time.

Primus ExpressSpider hints

I used the Primus ETA pot with this stove and the coil I think really makes a difference. I don’t see pots these days without coils actually. That pot lid also has a built-in strainer like the GSI cookset, a definite must. A strainer doesn’t do much for boil overs but worked well with my penne noodles. Primus recommends using their fuel, but I bent the rules and threw on a MSR canister. Couldn’t really tell a difference.

A Stellar Recipe by Yours Truly

• One cup of Penne noodles
• 1 1/2 cups of water
• Heavy dose of cayenne
• Starkist tuna salad – pre-made pack
• Primus ExpressSpider w/ canister

Drain cooked noodles and let sit for a minute or two. Add cayenne and tuna to noodles. Brag to your friends how great your Primus ExpressSpider stove is. Enjoy the best meal you’ve possibly ever had. Comment here on Gear.com about how amazing a chef I am.

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