The SOTO WindMaster stands proudly as a maximalist canister stove that promises high power and unparalleled performance in the wind or cold temperatures and high altitudes. Even during winter, you can put the stove through its paces on coffee rides. Partner it with the SOTO Smart-Pump for immediate cooking in gasoline mode without conventional preheating.
I love the Brand SOTO for many reasons. First, simply the place of manufacture is great: Japan. SOTO builds on decades of engineering experience in designing industrial burners of all kinds. They offer good quality and provide detailed care instructions. Perhaps it is no surprise that their innovative stoves have come to be highly regarded by backpackers. Since the brand’s international launch in 2010, it has become popular for outdoor activities and is now sold widely.
Ard Leeksma
Ard Leeksma was born in the Netherlands. He is a self-taught freelance photographer who travels anywhere and has been thru-hiking about 4 years from now. His love for long-distance hiking all started in the best hiking country: New Zealand. Eventually, he discovered his way to the mountains in Europe, especially in the Alps, Pyrenees, and the Balkans. Ard writes detailed itineraries of his trips and shoots personal portraits and business outdoor branding.
The SOTO WindMaster is a powerhouse stove with 4Flex, which is made of a mixture of stainless steel, aluminum, and brass. The stove is fairly compact when folded and will fit inside the included carry case along with accessories, even including a small cooking pot for hiking trips.
The concave burner head earns SOTO its reputation, and its resistance to cold weather and increased windspeeds is impressive. The design drastically improves the performance and efficiency in real-world conditions, and spoiler alert- it works well. With the Micro Regulator System, which makes for a large heat source, water boiled in no time whatever the conditions were.
According to SOTO, the gentle giant delivers up to 3260W (11000 BTU) of heat, which puts it at the top of the pack for canister stoves. The high output means there’s plenty of margin for boiling lots of water or cooking for multiple people even in cold and windy conditions. For a solo hiker, the excess of power is overkill but still appreciated, since I can dial the stove down to reduce the noise and boost the efficiency of this already economical stove.
Do you need that much power from a stove on trails? I tested the stove on multiple cold and windy trails, and the flames kept burning strong and the temperature remained high. The micro-regulator works admirably at keeping the heat output constant while the canister draws down, perhaps until 20% of the gas remains. While you might think the micro-regulator could also prevent the common issue of pressure fading at low temperatures, not even the brilliant engineers at SOTO can circumvent fundamental physics. When it gets cold, the gas in the canister gets lethargic and increasingly unwilling to vaporize. This manifests in low pressure and flow at the burner, but no regulator can create pressure where there is none to start with. This is a fuel problem, not an issue with the stove.
4Flex pot support
The 4Flex pot support folds out to hold a SOTO 750ml pot, which is ideal for cooking. The support has slip-resistant material that keeps the pot securely in place. It packs down surprisingly well, even though the system is bulkier than other stoves with attached folding arms. I found out that a slimmer three-pronged 3Flex pot support is also available.
The Smooth control
The WindMaster’s size means handling it with gloves or cold fingers is straightforward and not fiddly at all. Attaching the sturdy 4Flex pot support to the throat of the stove is a two-second job, and the substantial construction of the 4Flex holds up to heavy loads with zero deflection. No chance of spilled water here.
Cooking is made easy as steam flows out of the array of tiny holes up top. Punching the red button of the piezo igniter is satisfying as the light of the tiny jets burns. In damp and cold conditions, this occasionally took a second try, and I’d always bring a lighter as a backup. Once lit, the micro-regulator keeps the flame at a steady level, unlike standard needle-valve stoves, which require manual adjustment as the canister cools and the gas pressure drops. The flow adjustment is smooth and has an adjustment range of several turns for precisely dialing in the flame.
Specifications
Soto Windmaster
Weight
87g (3.1oz) Included 4Flex
Output
3260W (11000BTU)
Width of pot support
142 mm (5.6’’)
Place of Manufacture
Japan
Price
$64,95/€74.90
Manufacturer's details
SotoOutdoors.com
Discover SOTO
Find out more about the SOTO WindMaster and this Japanese outdoor brand.
Relatively quiet even at full flow, especially considering its incredible firepower.
High heat output boils water for up to 3-4 people in a flash, no matter the conditions.
Excellent wind performance means great real-world efficiency and predictable gas consumption.
Solid 4Flex pot support and stable simmer lend themselves to cooking fancy meals for 2-3 people.
The integrated piezo igniter is surprisingly useful.
The fantastic fit and finish make the stove a joy to use.
con's
Large-ish size and bulky pot support mean it doesn’t nest as well in slender one-person pots.
High-flow burner is more sensitive to gas pressure drops in cold conditions. Make sure to use isobutane canisters with this stove.
The flimsy nylon bag is disappointing at this price point.
Conclusion
How does the SOTO WindMaster fare in the wind? The protected concave burner sits very close to the pot base, so there’s little opportunity for gusts to disrupt the heat exchange. Using the stove in wild wind conditions, the WindMaster seemed unflappable. I have tested out in storm weather during my hikes. While the wind almost blew my tent away, the WindMaster did just fine, and the heat flame was fast enough to boil water. Under these adverse conditions, the WindMaster is a masterpiece for the windiest conditions you would want to use on the trail.
Testing the SOTO WindMaster
The Smooth control