I posted 8 days ago about experimenting with a Soto Windmaster canister stove using a Moulder Copper Strip and a Water Bath when operating in cold temperatures.

I need to add this statement: Proceed at your own risk. Do lots of research first.

I tried the Moulder system this past Sunday morning out in the snow and it worked fine, although the temp was 26 to 27F during the test, so not as much of a cold test as I wanted. There was no wind. At least the stove sounded strong and the canister did not feel too cold nor too hot. I melted 2 liters of snow in my 1300ml Evernew pot and used 45 grams of fuel from a 227g MSR canister. The can was sitting on rigid foam in a 1 foot square, 3 sided snow alcove.

The 24ga copper strip was 1" by 7" long, 20 grams, which is probably 1" longer than needed for most other stoves. It went up and against the burner head about 7mm into the flame but low enough to be below the support arms. It went all the way down to the bottom lip of the can. The strip became too hot to touch just above the canister. Where the strip met the top of the can it was very warm as the steel can was absorbing the heat. At the bottom of the can the strip was barely warm. I used 2" X 15" long Velcro to secure, 7 grams, and taller than needed, which was a tip from DT at BPL to help insulate the can a bit. The system weight was 27 grams including a 1" strip of duct tape placed on the strip where it bends to meet the can to keep the velcro from melting.

I am at least satisfied with the safety of the system and confident that it would work down into the temps that I would use it at, i.e. above 14F/-10C. Anything below that or longer than 2 nights or if I’m melting snow for more than one person I’m bringing my Whisperlite. The fuel needed to melt more snow or in windy/colder temps really adds up. Bringing a canister stove setup and 2 canisters that weigh 5.4oz each when empty doesn’t save much weight compared to bringing a 5.1oz (when empty) 20oz fuel bottle and a Whisperlite.

Edit: 2 8oz. cans at $5 each vs $2.50 for 20oz. of Coleman