The Soto Windmaster 4Flex camping stove is lightweight, boils water very fast, simmers well, and has better wind resistance than similar canister top models. It also has four rather than three pot supports, which is good for stability, and they are wide and strong enough to support big pots. Unusually they are detachable (there is a smaller three-arm TriFlex support available for use with narrow pots) but as they fold inwards so the packed stove is compact I find it easiest to leave them attached – that way they can’t get lost and setting up the stove is quicker.
Chris Townsend’s Best in Test
The Windmaster is a close to perfect backpacking stove (I would like to see permanently attached pot supports) suitable for year-round use.- Fast boil time
- Good flame control
- Stable with big pots
- Lighweight
- Cost
- Detachable pot supports
- Not full windproof
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £65 Weight: 88g Accessories: piezo igniter Fuel: butane/propane canister Packed Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 cm (with supports folded in place) Burner Diameter: 4cm Burner weight: 61g without supports Power: 3260w/11000 BTU Boil time: std pot 2 min 48 sec. HX pot 1min 25sec. Fuel used: std pot 10g. HX pot 6g. https://sotooutdoors.com |
The wind resistance comes from a raised rim around the burner and the closeness of the pot to the flame. This works quite well though in strong winds a windscreen is still a good idea.
In my tests the Soto Windmaster 4Flex had the fastest boil times. If you want a fast brew this stove can provide it. At the same time flame control is excellent and food can be simmered without burning.
Fuel efficiency is equal best with the much heavier Primus PrimeTech. The Windmaster has a regulated burner, so it there’s little drop off in performance with a less than half full canister even on a frosty morning. I think it’s fine for winter use, especially with an HX pot.
The stove has a built-in piezo igniter. This looks better protected than those on other stoves and so far hasn’t failed.
The Windmaster is a close to perfect backpacking stove (I would like to see permanently attached pot supports) suitable for year-round use.
