In real world testing the setup was simpler than expected. The windshield effectively locks into place on what is essentialy a traditional canister top stove head quickly and simply with the pan itself hosting the heat-exchange fins. The stove head is wide and the three supporting arms are big enough to hold not only the supplied 1 litre pot but a range of sizes up to 15cm in diameter while using the windshield and larger without the windshield attached. The design, mounting the heat-exchange fins un the underside of the pan, means that while you'll get the best results from using the supplied pans you have the option to use standard pans both with and without the windshield.

Piezo ignition has long been a problem with stoves, it's great when it works but the ignition systems have often been plastic affairs subject to failure. With the 2013 version of the Eta Express you get piezo igintion but rather than a push-and-click mechanism it operates via a metal lever mounted opposite the windshield on the main stove column below the burner head. The same level of thought has been followed with attention to detail on the supplied pan, which comes with coated, folding, handles that massively reduce the heat transfer from pan to handles and prevents burning yourself picking the pan up. The 1 litre pan is quite wide at 14.5cm and has markings at 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 litres to help with measuring and comes with a plastic, semi-transparent, lid which can double up as a drainer/colander with its drain holes. In real world conditions the wide pan can be a major advantage when it comes to cooking with such a high power stove, helping to reduce hot spots and burning.

The biggest problem with heat-exchange stoves is the pure power and heat they produce and simmering has always been an issue. The Eta Express doesn't use the almost ubiquitous wire adjuster but goes for a more solid, plastic knob capped, mechanism which is easy to grip but is perhaps a little on the short size for easy adjustment while cooking without fear of knocking the windshield. The diameter of the head, support arms and included pan, however, do help offset the long standing burning issue by spreading the heat well.

In terms of fuel efficiency the Eta Express is up there with the jetboil in getting the most from a sngle gas canister. At full power it boils half a litre in an average of 3:01 in real world conditions with a little wind and ambient temperature in the mid teens Celcius - eliminate the wind completely and you can shave up to 20 seconds off this time.

Overall the Primus Eta Express is an ideal all-in-one solution for one or two people wild camping. It's perhaps not the lightest option but the weight figures are slightly distorted due to including the windshield and pan (along with the additionally included plastic bowl)- the burner itself weighing in at 90g out of the total of 449g. Build quality is everything you'd expect from one of the leading global brands and having the flexibility to use standard pans, although at reduced efficiency, marks the Eta Express out as a serious option for multi purpose use. While the large diameter pan undoubtedly makes the setup very top heavy, and a canister mount as used by Jetboil would help a lot, it's not excessively unbalanced even when full. It will never be a stable as a low profile remote canister stove can be but the wide diameter pans are more balanced than a narrower cylinder style pot and a little attention in positioning the stove is all that's required.

Price: £90

Weight: 449g

Colour: Grey

Features:

• Output: 2600 W
• 8900 BTU/h
• Ignition: Piezoelectric
• Boiling Time: 2:40 min
• Suitable for: 1-2 People
• Burn Time: 85 min on 230 g

Pros:

• All in one solution
• Very powerful
• Fast boil times
• Good sized pot
• coated handles
•  

Cons:

• Limited on pan compatibility
• Hard to simmer

Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.