Ion Micro Titanium stove and Space Saver Mug by Olicamp

I’m a huge fan of Olicamp and the Ion Micro is no exception. Combine it with the Space Saver Mug and you have an ideal ultralight, minimalist combo.

I took their XTS pot and Vector stove on the John Muir Trail in 2013. When I got back, I bought two more stoves at the OR Show, and looked for a 3+ liter pot for family camping. I wasn’t goign to say no when I was asked to review their Ion Micro Titanium stove and Anodized Aluminum Space Saver Mug.

I’m always on the lookout for a solo cookset that doubles as an emergency cooking setup, and this is it. Let’s look at the features and then take a look at how it performed.

Features

Ion Micro Stove

• Weight: 45g/1.5 oz.
• Size: 1.25″ x 2″
• Material: Titanium with Stainless Steel pot supports
• Ignition: Manual
• Adjustable fuel flow
• Output: 8,900 BTU
• Boil Time: 4 min 20 seconds
• Fuel Type: Canister (fuel sold separate)
• MSRP: $59.95

Anodized Aluminum Space Saver Mug

• Weight: 3.2 oz
• Size: 4.25″ x 4″
• Material: Anodized Aluminum (also available in regular aluminum)
• Capacity: 24 oz (to the brim), 20 oz for boiling water
• Folding handles
• Colors: available with blue, lime or gold handles
• MSRP: Anodized: $14.95
• MSRP: Aluminum: $10.95

Testing:

We’ve used this hiking, canoeing and car camping. It’s not just a great 2 cup water boiler, it holds an excellent amount of tea, coffee or beverage of choice.

What do we think?

Ion Micro

The Ion Micro stands out as a true minimalist stove. With a small nozzle and swinging arms it packs down to an incredibly small size.

The weight is impressive at between 1.25 and 1.5 oz too. Its choice of Titanium body and nozzle, but stainless steel arms is due to Titanium’s softness. The Stainless steel legs mean the stove can hold greater weight and bigger pots. We like the angle of the stove arms. It provided just enough distance between the burner and the pot bottom for good heat transfer as well as heat distribution. That said, this is not a stove for frying pancakes. You’ll be better off with the vector or something with a wider jet pattern for that. With an 8900 BTu output on a full canister (an ideal conditions) you can get around 4 min 20 seconds for 2 cups (500 ml, 16 oz) of water. Performance will vary with wind and pots.

The fine adjust fuel flow means you’ll be able to simmer your soup or just keep the water boiling gently as you purify it.

There is no ignition on this stove, so bring along your mini lighter.

This pot is compatible with all Olicamp Cookware.

At $49.95 you’re getting a high quality stove with great performance in a tiny, ultralight package. It’s on the higher end of stove prices. This is probably due in part to materials, in part to the quality construction, in part to the higher BTUs (8900) and in part to the niche market of ultralight stoves.

Summary

The Ion Micro Stove is an ideal choice for the minimalist backpacker. The price is high, but you’re getting a tiny, powerful and high output stove in return. We are huge fans of Olicamp and this stove is no exception. Pair it with the Space Saver Mug for a 4.5-5 oz ultralight cookset.

Space Saver Mug

Wow. A 3.2 oz mug that holds 3 cups of water and costs $10.95 ($14.95 for the anodized version)? That’s just awesome. We love this sturdy mug.

The anodizing means less sticking to the pot for easy cleaning and a harder, more durable finish. folding aluminum handles give you a strong grip that’s easy to hold with even big hands.

Not only will this stove fit a mini fuel canister and the ion stove, it will fit a standard sized Nalgene bottle as well. It truly is a space saver mug.

This pot works really well with the Ion Micro Titanium stove. Beware of the handles and brim of he mug as they can get hot when boiling water on full.

Not shown: Mesh stuff sack.

Summary

We love the Space Saver Mug. It’s hard to beat $14.95 for a large anodized mug that doubles as a cookpot.

 

Check out all of Olicamp’s offerings. Let us know which are your favourite.