Soto Amicus Review
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you understand the importance of having reliable gear for your adventures. Enter the Soto Amicus stove, a lightweight and efficient cooking device designed specifically for camping and backpacking. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the Soto Amicus, exploring its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks. As a brand, SOTO Outdoors has made a significant impact in the outdoor market since its inception in 2010, earning prestigious awards from renowned publications like Backpacker Magazine and The Gear Institute. SOTO has another well-known stove called Windmaster and the Amicus is their entry-level backpacking stove. It lives up to its name by being a reliable and budget-friendly companion on your outdoor journeys.
The Soto Amicus is a compact and lightweight stove. The stove uses standard isobutane/propane fuel canisters and can boil a liter of water in just 3 minutes and 50 seconds, making it an efficient and reliable cooking tool for any outdoor adventure. The price point is around $45 USD, being in the middle of the pack of comparable stoves. It’s such a good stove that we’ve included it in our top recommendations for best backpacking stoves.
Soto Amicus Features & Specs
- MSRP is around $45 USD
- Raised metal rim to protect the burner from crosswinds
- Has a piezo igniter option available
- Includes a burner and a storage sack
- Very robust thanks to high-quality materials
- Four-leg support for a stable platform of the cookware
- Also suitable for larger pots
- Power can be adjusted very precisely
1.7×1.6 inches (4.3×4.0 cm)
3 inches (7.5 cm)
2.9 oz (81 grams)
10210 BTU
3min 50sec
Standard isobutane/propane fuel canisters
How To Use The Soto Amicus
To get started, attach the stove securely to a fuel canister using the provided connector, ensuring a tight connection. With the fuel canister in place, open the fuel valve to allow the flow of gas. Now it’s time to ignite the stove, and you can do this by using a lighter or a match. Simply hold the flame near the burner and turn the control valve to release the gas, which will ignite with a satisfying whoosh.
Once the flame is lit, you can adjust the heat output by turning the control valve. Whether you need a gentle simmer or a roaring blaze, the Amicus gives you precise control over the flame intensity. When you’ve finished cooking your delicious meal, it’s important to turn off the stove by closing the fuel valve.
Allow the stove to cool down completely before handling or packing it away. This ensures safety and helps prevent accidental burns or damage.
How Has The Soto Amicus Held Up?
The Soto Amicus has proven itself to be a stove that can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures and stand the test of time. This durable and long-lasting stove has received high praise from users who have relied on it for years without encountering any major issues. Thanks to its robust design and quality construction, the Amicus is built to handle the wear and tear of the wilderness.
Furthermore, Soto, the manufacturer of the Amicus, stands proudly behind all their products and offers a warranty on their stoves. This demonstrates their confidence in the durability and performance of their stoves. In the rare event that a component malfunctions or becomes damaged, Soto readily provides replacement parts, ensuring that users can keep their Amicus stoves in excellent working condition.
This ease of maintenance contributes to the stove’s longevity and reliability. When it comes to purchasing a stove, which is a critical piece of gear for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s important to invest in a brand that you can trust. Soto’s commitment to quality and their willingness to address any issues that may arise make them a reliable choice. By choosing the Soto Amicus, you can have confidence that you’re investing in a stove that will hold up to the demands of your outdoor adventures.
What Are The Pros Of The Soto Amicus?
Its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to pack and carry, even on long hikes or multi-day backpacking trips. The stove is incredibly efficient, using very little fuel to achieve a high heat output, making it an excellent choice for those looking to conserve their resources. The stove has a whopping BTU of 10,210, making it one of the hottest stoves on the market.
The Amicus is equipped with a long control wire, making it easy to reach and adjust the flame without burning your fingers. Additionally, SOTO Outdoors engineered the stove to have a raised ledge at the crown of the burner head to stave off the wind. The shock-resistant, built-in stealth lighter in the stove’s burner post makes lighting the stove in windy conditions a breeze as opposed to using a lighter or a match. The Amicus stove utilizes a Piezo igniter and is extremely easy to fire up with the push of a button.
The stove is stable, with 4 spring-loaded pot legs that easily fold out and are engineered for ultimate pot stability. It is also reliable for simmering abilities, so you can add some versatility to your backcountry meals. The Soto Amicus is easy to use, affordable, and compatible with standard isobutane canisters from Soto, Primus, Snow Peak, MSR, Jetboil, and others. It is perfect for backpacking, day trips, and lightweight camping, and it is designed to make outdoor cooking easy and efficient.
What Are The Cons Of The Soto Amicus?
One potential downside is the stove’s stability. Due to its small size and lightweight design, it can be prone to tipping over, particularly when used with larger pots or in windy conditions. Additionally, the piezo igniter can be finicky and may require several attempts to get the stove lit in some cases. Another issue is that the spring-loaded pot supports may seem short and tiny, which can make the pot feel less stable. The pot support spread is also limited to about 3 inches, which may not be ideal for larger pots. I have used a 2-liter pot successfully but a 1-liter pot sure feels more comfortable and stable.
Similar to lots of canister stoves, it’s not the best choice for high altitudes or freezing temperatures. Finally, while the sewn carry bag is a nice touch, its odd shape can make it difficult to pack efficiently. Keep in mind that this stove might not be the best choice for group camping trips, as it may not be large enough to feed everyone.
Conclusion
Overall, the Soto Amicus is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. Its compact and lightweight design, combined with its efficient cooking capabilities, make it an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, and campers alike. While it may have a few minor issues, these are easily outweighed by the many benefits of this fantastic stove. So, if you’re planning your next camping or backpacking trip, be sure to add the Soto Amicus to your gear list – you won’t be disappointed!
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