In 2020 – the Year of the Pandemic – quite a few of y’all have decided to do a LOT more hiking and camping than normal. It makes sense; people are staying closer to home and getting outdoors – where it’s easier to socially isolate. And it warms my heart to see so many people enjoying the outdoors.

But there’s been such an unexpected rush on camping gear that there’s now a national shortage of camp fuel. Not sure if you’ve tried to find MSR’s ubiquitous red IsoPro fuel canisters lately, but they’re pretty much nowhere to be found.

A couple weeks ago, as I was packing for an overnight hiking/camping trip, I realized the only fuel canister I had left was about half full. Even though it was probably more than enough, I wanted to grab another couple just to have on hand. I went to REI… sold out. I called other local REIs… sold out. I called Dick’s, Bass Pro Shops, and other outdoor and sports stores… no dice. Cripes, I even went to Wal-Mart! Nada.

Looking online didn’t help either. All online retailers were sold out, and Amazon scalpers jacked up the price more than 500%. Eventually, I found one mom-and-pop camping store in ALL OF MARYLAND that had a few in stock (over an hour from my house), and no, I won’t tell you where it was.

But you didn’t come here to listen to my shopping woes. (If you’ve been camping recently, you likely have your own stories to tell.) You’re here to see if the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe stove is worth your time and investment.

If you’ve read our review of the WindBurner Duo, you know that we’re fans of MSR and that system in particular. However, there are times you just don’t need to shove the admittedly bulky WindBurner into your pack. Times when you’re by yourself, not anticipating high winds or super low temperatures, and it’d be overkill.

Say hello to the remarkably tiny PocketRocket. It’s so tiny, in fact, that I thought I was missing something. Granted, it’s not fair to compare this to something like the WindBurner, which also includes a pot and has space for the fuel canister to nest inside.

By contrast, the PocketRocket is just the stove attachment. You’ll need to pack your fuel and pots/pans separately. But still, if you’re just going out for the day or a quick overnight, this little thing is all you need. Quite honestly, it’s probably all you need for extended trips, as well.

At a mere 2.9 oz (83 g), the PocketRocket Deluxe is the definition of ultralight. It also boasts a pressure regulator and an integrated Piezo push-start ignition, which means you don’t even need a lighter to get cooking! And it are those features that make this “deluxe.” By contrast, MSR’s PocketRocket 2 is a hair lighter (2.6 oz) and a bit cheaper (by about $25), but it doesn’t have a built-in spark igniter or as fine a control over the heat.

WindBurner on left; PocketRocket on right

The PocketRocket screws in directly to the top of the fuel canister, so it’s fairly stable while cooking – as long as you have someplace level enough to place the canister. For comparison, many of MSR’s other stoves (including the WindBurner Duo) connect to the fuel via a hose and stand on their own… which can sometimes be a bit wobbly and dicey.

Another advantage this has over the WindBurner system is that it doesn’t use a proprietary design. Meaning you can use whatever pots and pans you already have in your arsenal. And that’s fantastic.

But how does it work? Pretty darn well. The integrated spark ignition means you don’t need to fiddle with a lighter, it’s super easy to get going, and it boils incredibly quickly.

The flame control is also really impressive in a device this small, and you can dial it between a 5″ torch flame down to a low simmer. The design helps spread the flame out, so even if you’re using a skillet, you’ll get an even heat. Which means the PocketRocket is great not only for boiling water but also for more… delicate cooking.

You really can’t go wrong with either the PocketRocket 2 or the Deluxe. If you’re on a budget, you won’t regret the 2. If you’re enchanted by that Piezo ignition and pressure regulator, the Deluxe will be a welcome addition to your pack.

Once again, MSR knocks it out of the park.

The definition of ultralight.