Fire-Maple Hornet II Portable Backpacking Stove - Ultra Light Titanium

In this review of the Fire-Maple Hornet II portable backpacking stove, the bottom line is simple: it is for ultralight hikers and minimalist campers who need a reliable, fast-boiling stove that barely adds weight. The Hornet II's biggest selling point is its combination of extreme lightness and real-world stability, making it useful for solo cooks who carry minimalist cookware and want quick boils without bulky hardware. For anyone prioritizing weight and boil speed for simple hot meals or coffee, this stove delivers.

Key Features

• Ultralight titanium: Weighing about 48.5g, the Hornet II is easy to stash in a pocket or the bottom of a pack without noticeable weight penalty.
• Wide pot support: The pot stand supports cookware from 64mm to 122mm in diameter, which gives surprising stability for small pots and cups when set on level ground.
• High output: With a maximum output around 2500W, the stove produces a broad, well-distributed flame capable of bringing 1 liter of water to a boil in about 3 minutes 25 seconds.
• Compact foldability: The burner folds down into a small footprint and fits in a storage box or nested cooking set for efficient packing.
• Works in varied conditions: Customers report good performance at high altitude and cold temperatures, making it suitable for mountaineering and winter outings.

Who It's For

The Hornet II is ideal for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and weekend minimalist campers who carry small pots or cups and want the fastest possible boil with minimal ounces added. Its titanium build and compact size suit multi-day hikers who prioritize pack weight and space.

It is less suited for group cooks or those who need a large, stable platform for heavy pots or long simmering sessions; people wanting integrated fuel systems or multi-burner setups should look at larger backpacking stoves instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptionally low weight makes it easy to carry in a pocket or small pack cubby.
• Good stove-to-pot stability across a 64mm-122mm pot diameter range when used on level ground.
• Fast boil time and high power for quick meals and hot drinks.
• Compact folding design stores cleanly with other camp cookware.

Cons

• Not intended for heavy pans or large group cooking where a wider base is needed.
• Requires a compatible EN417-style propane/isobutane canister; fuel availability matters on long remote trips.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Fire-Maple Hornet II is a strong choice for hikers who demand the lightest practical stove that still offers stability and fast boil times. Its titanium construction and compact folding design make it high value for solo adventurers and fastpackers, while those needing larger pots or multi-person meals should consider a heavier, wider-base alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this stove work at high altitude?
Yes, customers report reliable performance at high altitude and in cold conditions, though like all canister stoves performance will vary with fuel temperature.

What fuel does it use?
The Hornet II is designed for standard propane and isobutane mixture canisters that comply with EN417; use recommended canisters for best results.

How stable is the pot support?
The pot stands accommodate cookware 64mm to 122mm across and offer good stability for small pots and cups on level ground, but large or heavy pans are not recommended.