Fore Winds by Iwatani Luxe Camp Stove

i got this on a crazy sale for nothing, literally. if i buying retail it was stupid expensive.i wanted a butane stove to compliment my setup so i have propane and butane options, also different sizes the propane is huge and heavy, this isn't. sometimes i want to only take a small stove and butane bottle, this is very heavy duty and cooks well.

I tested this Iwatani-brand butane canister camping stove using a Coleman-branded butane canister I had on hand. Functionally, it works well.It is made of all metal (steel, not aluminum), and heavy. (6.2 lbs per spec, whereas some competitions are as light as ~3 lbs). Even though the seller calls it a "luxe" model, actually I don't see much in terms of useful features over the competitions - including Iwatani's own other models.For example, unlike many competitions, this camping stove is not butane/propane dual fuel compatible. So you do not have the option to use it with the economical 1 lb propane tank available everywhere. Unlike many, this unit does not come with a plastic storage/carrying case; apparently it is meant to be stored "as is", stood vertically when not in use. But I found it to be unstable and awkward in this position; I wish it came with a protective plastic storage case. The top lid doubles as a windbreaker, but it offers no protections from side winds.Overall, it's a nice camping stove especially if you are not particularly worried about running out of a compatible butane canister fuel cans and you don't care about the option of using a 1 lb propane tank. But overall I expected more, from the Iwatani brand name and especially for the higher price. So I am rating it 3 stars.PROs:- 12000 BTU heat (higher output than some competitions offering only ~8,000 BTU)- All metal construction appears durable.- Lights up reliably and flame adjustment works well.- Well known Iwatani brand; made in Japan.CONs:- Works only with the butane fuel canisters. (Some competitions offer a dual fuel option - working with both butane and propane)- The windbreaker (propped-up metal lid) protects only one side; vulnerable to side winds.- Heavy (6.2 lbs per spec on the back of product box. 7.4 lbs per Amazon listing)- No plastic storage/carrying case. (The stove can stand vertically when not in use, but it is unstable and awkward in this position. It seems to be more of a cost-saving measure for the manufacture, not really benefiting the user.)Manufacturer: Iwatani Corporation of AmericaModel Name: "FORE WINDS Luxe Camp Stove"Model Number: FW-LS01-BK

This has a finer adjustment than most camp stoves making getting the right temp so much easier. A quality camping stove.

First of all I’ll say I’ve used an Iwatani F35 for many years when I want to cook with gas for something quick like eggs. I wanted something more rugged for outdoors.First the BAD: Like with the F35 they claim a “windscreen “. This is a joke. This stove has a LID. It is in no way a windscreen. The slightest breeze outside knocks out the flame. You’ll need to buy a separate folding wind screen — taller is better.Next, the HORRIBLE carry handle! It’s just a metal bar with no silicone/wood/plastic comfort handle and hurts your hand quickly with this heavy bulky unit. They should fire whoever approved this. A proper HEAVY DUTY fake Pelican-like case would be far superior. Let’s be real, this is a heavy unit so it’s for car camping/picnics/backyard— NOT backpacking. This is expensive— leave off the lid and handle and include a proper windscreen inside a quality case — not the crappy case like the F35. Also, without a GOOD case the stove is not protected from dust/bugs/whatever in storage or travel — this could contaminate the fuel tube.The GOOD: the unit is heavy and well-made. The pot supports are superior and thank goodness they’re FLAT and not the crappy angled supports that make your pans slide and tip!The BEST: The gas is actually able to be fine tuned down very low. Check this on any unit you buy, it’s the worst on almost all of these types of stoves I’ve tried. This one it’s great — I only wish the knob was better quality.Improvement— as another commenter complained but I don’t blame Iwatani — it would be nice to include the adapter components to use propane. In the US this is more widely available, especially in rural areas. This is not necessarily true globally.Note: it is NOT NECESSARY to order expensive Iwatani butane. These stoves work fine on any brand. I’ve used Sterno, Coleman, and Gas One from Amazon. All burned fine. Cheapest were from Sam’s or local Asian groceries NOT sporting goods stores or W-mart.Addendum: I purchased this in early 2024 when it was $80. I noticed they now have a similar item with what looks like a sturdy case, however it has TERRIBLE POT SUPPORTS and no separate wind screen. If it had the great pot supports that this unit has I’d buy it. On this unit you can use tiny pots and they fit and don’t slide as well as bigger pans if you remove the lid and do NOT drape over the fuel canister compartment.