Primus Micron III | Review

The third iteration in the ultra-light and ultra-compact Primus Micron family – here’s how we got on with it.

When I first fired the Primus Micron III backpacking stove up in my kitchen to test it out, I was actually quite alarmed by just how powerful the burner was. Despite its size, this thing really does fire out some heat – and noise! I should have warned my partner about what I was doing. She screamed, thinking that I’d suddenly set the kitchen on fire.

Doing my first indoor boiling time check, I was a little trepidatious about turning the dial to full output. But I did – and, unsurprisingly, the boiling time was impressively fast.

Primus Micron III: The Top Line

The Primus Micron has been a popular option for ultralight hikers over the last few years. Now it’s got even lighter without losing any power. The result is an incredibly lightweight and convenient stove that will suit minimalist backpackers and fastpackers down to a tee.

Pros: Light and compact, cools quickly, reasonable price for the quality
Cons: Makes for quite a high set up, no regulator, some might see the lack of a built in piezo ignition as a downside.
Output: 2600W
Weight: 58g

Buy the Primus Micron III : £60 at primusequipment.co.uk

Performance

In my kitchen test, the boiling time for 0.5L in a 0.5L capacity Primus lidded pot was 2 minutes and 33 seconds. On my second test, in my garden, where there was a very gentle wind, and a temperature of 14 degrees, a rolling boil was reached at almost the exact same time. In my on the hill test, up on a very wet and windy Kirkstone pass, with an attempt at sheltering the stove on the edge of my car boot, the boiling time was 2 minutes and 45 seconds.

OM editor Will demonstrates the packability.

In use during our Lake District test trip. Photos: Dave Macfarlane.

That’s an impressive time – up there with some of the better backpacking stoves on the market. Though it does sit behind the Soto Windmaster, which I’ve found to be capable of boiling water in under 2 minutes.

The Primus Micron III does have the edge over the Soto Windmaster in terms of weight, coming in at a fairly substantial (in the context of backpacking stoves) 29g lighter. The Windmaster does, however, have a built in Piezo and a regulator too.

That lack of a built-in regular might be seen as a drawback for some, particularly those who looking for a stove to use in very cold conditions. This means there’s nothing to compensate for when gas pressure drops, so you have a less stable performance in cold weather and as the canister empties.

The burner has a thread that helps to lessen the impact of wind on the output.

One of the main innovations Primus have added compared to the previous iteration of the Micron is the mesh thread at the centre of the burner. This, I believe, is supposed to add a bit of protection for the flame from the wind. Does it work? Probably a fair bit, but it’s hard to say. With a stove like this, it’d still be hugely beneficial to use it with a windscreen.

Convenience

The Primus Micron III’s arms fold down, making the whole burner small enough to fit in the palm of a hand – and inside most pots. Handily, it comes with a small little pack sack, which means you can stow it inside a metal pot without it rattling around and getting damaged – or driving you crazy with the noise.

Overall it feels like a good quality product. It’s pretty durable, though I wouldn’t want to leave it unprotected in my backpack as you would definitely be at risk of damaging the folding arms or the flame controller. Once the arms are clipped into place, they do feel very sturdy and reliable. The system is a little on the tall side, like all top-of-canister burner systems, and it doesn’t come with a canister stand, so I’d recommend purchasing one separately.

Primus Micron III: Verdict

With a heritage stretching back over a century, Primus has long been synonymous with reliable, high-performance stoves, and the Micron III lives up to that reputation. Made in Europe to exacting standards, it offers excellent build quality, and at its price point, it feels fairly reasonable for what you’re getting. Lightweight yet powerful, it’s a perfect companion for fastpackers and minimalist hikers alike – in fact, it’ll definitely be coming with me on my next trip.

Buy the Primus Micron III : £60 at primusequipment.co.uk