Probably the lightest cook set in the range of the Swedish company Primus is thePrimus EtaExpress. Consisting of an Eta Power Pot 1, the Primus ExpressStove and a windscreen, Primus has developed a light and efficient cooking system for gas canisters. We had the opportunity to take a close look at the Primus EtaExpress set to find out how efficient it really is.
What’s included with the Primus EtaExpress
- Stuff sack
- Pot (1 l capacity)
- Frying pan/lid
- Primus ExpressStove with piezo ignition and nylon stuff sack
- Protective cloth
- Windscreen
Pot and frying pan for the gas stove
The pot and frying pan/lid that come with the set are made of hard-anodised aluminium with a titanium non-stick coating on the inside. The pot is large enough to bring 1 l of water to the boil. A gas canister (up to 220 g) can be stored inside the pot together with the stove and the other accessories, so the packed size of the complete set is limited to the outer dimensions of the pot (11.5 x 14 cm). The special feature of the “EtaPower Pot 1” is the heat exchanger on the pot (see picture), which is meant to increase the efficiency of the system.
Primus ExpressStove – the gas stove
Weighing just 96 g and measuring L 87 mm x W 40 mm x H 93 mm, the stove has an output of 2,400 W. The built-in piezo igniter, which lights the stove reliably, is very convenient. By the way, the Primus ExpressStove is also sold separately, with or without piezo igniter. According to the manufacturer, the version without piezo ignition is 14 g lighter but otherwise has the same dimensions.
Other accessories of the Primus EtaExpress
In addition to the Eta Power Pot 1 and the Express Stove already mentioned, Primus includes a windscreen (36 g) that attaches directly to the stove. There is also a protective cloth meant to stop the windscreen from damaging the non-stick coating when packed. You should definitely use it, as the windscreen has rather sharp edges.
Technical data of the Primus EtaExpress
- Weight: 448 g (weighed by us), 418 g (manufacturer’s figure) – all figures without gas canister
- Packed size: 11.5 cm diameter, 14 cm high
- Output: 2,400 W
- Pot and pan: hard-anodised aluminium with a titanium non-stick coating on the inside
The Primus EtaExpress tested
Gas consumption & boil time
- Boil time: 1:31 min (500 ml)
- Gas consumption: 8 g
At the time of the test the outside temperature was around 22 °C and we were at an altitude of 250 m. The values measured here may vary depending on outside temperature and altitude.
Conclusion
At 8 g for 500 ml of water in warm temperatures, the gas consumption of the whole system is pretty good, and the fast boil time is also a plus. We were less happy with the windscreen, which is rather small to save weight and sits very wobbly on the stove. In our view it should be replaced with a more efficient version. In terms of weight, the set is not in the ultralight class. But here you have to decide how much weight the comfort of such a cook set is worth to you – not everyone likes cooking in a beer can (a report on the Caldera Keg will follow shortly).
Given the test results, Primus offers a genuinely fast and efficient solution for 1–2 people to prepare hot meals on the trail.
Pros:
- Heat exchanger
- Small packed size
Cons:
- Small and wobbly windscreen
Pictures of the Primus EtaExpress
