I have been backpack hunting for over a decadeand tried a few stoves and saw more from friends. There are many good ones and a few great ones, I mean, but none of them are made for hunting. Until now, of course.
The Roughridge Highcountry Cook System is a stove made by hunters for hunters. Yes I know. This word is used a lot these days.
Being “done by hunters” is all well and good, but that has nothing to do with whether it works or not. So, naturally, I had to put my hands on one for testing and confirmation.
In summary: Hunters looking for a top-tier backcountry stove made by hunters for hunters will be very pleased with the Roughridge Highcountry Cook System ($250). Non-hunters doing non-hunter things too. Just look at how much you light the flame unless your fuel is enough.
Weight
10 oz. w/windguard without fuel; 1.01 lbs. with a fuel cap
Stove power
9,483 BTU (British Thermal Unit – a measure of how much heat a burner can produce per hour)
Type of oil
Any regular isobutane
Benefits
- Built-in fuel regulator
- Ignitor is inside (keeps it safe from objects, collisions, etc.)
- Everything packs into the pot, even the spork
- Made by hunters hunters
Evil
- You may run out of fuel sooner than later if you keep lighting the flame when there is a big explosion
Roughridge Highcountry Cook System Review
Overview
Roughridge was created by two brothers who recently followed it. Chris and Josh Neville are dedicated hunters who were sick of drilling stove kits together from random companies and decided to make their own. The system is made to not only save, but also work by using the difficulty of hunting back. The Highcountry Cook System was born.
This cooking system is made of titanium pot, lid, stove, fuel container, spork, microfiber cloth, and removable windguard. All of this packs down into a uniquely octagon-shaped pot and weighs a shade over 1 pound (with a small fuel tank). Without the fuel box, the entire system weighs about 10 ounces. A microfiber cloth is totally optional, but it’s there if you need it.
The stove itself has three collapsible pot holders, a collapsible fuel nozzle, and an ignition system. This stove is incredibly powerful, clocking in at 9,483 BTU. Most stoves are around 5,000 BTU. The Roughridge boys opted for extra power to help with the windy conditions.
On the pot, you’ll find silicone grips and a lid that won’t budge. The removable windguard has three slots that sit directly between the three pot bases for a secure and stable system. Finally, this stove has a built-in fuel regulator, which means you will get the same fuel output every time, no matter how low or high the fuel bottle is.
Features
Finally, A Legit Ounce Marks!
This is a really simple feature, but it has been largely overlooked until now. Roughridge doesn’t just put ounce marks inside the pot. That’s pretty standard, right? They offer them in one ounce increments from 6 to 16 ounces. This is huge, because most frozen meals these days require somewhere between 8-12 ounces of water.
This not only ensures that you get the best experience from your meal, but it’s also important if you’re short on water in the back yard. Knowing exactly how much water to add to your diet instead of guessing is important.
Removable Windguard
The removable windguard sits right on the pot and can be used as needed in windy conditions to help block wind from your flame. I think it’s better to use it all the time, because we create a stable platform by using the spaces where the pot supports itself when boiling water.
This is very easy to install with a simple twist-lock system. Hunters can choose to leave it open when packing or take it out and pack it in a pouch to save space in their packs.
Simmer Control
With the Highcountry Cook System, you have control over the flame. Most stoves do not have this. This means you can control the amount of fuel you use per boil, controlled by the height of the flame.
Roughridge recommends using the flame only at full blast in windy conditions. Otherwise, use low to medium flame. You will save fuel in the long run.
The Ignitor is Built to Last
Let’s face it. Built-in burners in backcountry stoves aren’t the best. They collapse and stop working completely.
Roughridge set out to solve that problem with its burner, which is built into the shape of the stove. This means that it is not exposed to the elements, it cannot be beaten, and you will not break it. The trigger on the front of the stove’s body ignites it continuously, and it is designed to last a long time.
My Experience
Right out of the box, I was impressed with the Roughridge Highcountry Cook System. Everything was very well put together and looked very professional. From there, holding the stove in my hands, I felt it was well built and ready for anything a hunter could throw at it.
The first boils with this cooking system happened right in my backyard. I wanted to make sure the stove was working, of course, but also how long it took to boil 16 ounces of water, the maximum I could boil. With cold water from my refrigerator, it boiled 16 ounces of water in 2:07. Impressive. Most stoves are mostly in the 2:30 range.
Backyards are nice and sweet, but the real test was a backyard bear hunt that could use the Highcountry Cook System. This was a very windy 7 day hunt. I boiled water twice a day. Once at 16 ounces with breakfast and coffee, and another around 10 ounces with dinner.
It performed better than expected in the air using the windguard and advancing the flame. Overall, I really enjoyed using this and look forward to many trips with it.
What’s going on
Above, there is a lot of discussion surrounding the Highcountry Cook System and the price. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s not the most expensive stove out there. It is a premium product, so you will pay a premium price. So, in my eyes, the price is not a big concern. There is one thing I noticed about my potential testing, however.
This stove is the perfect torch, and it was made that way on purpose to help in windy conditions. If it’s windy, turn up the stove to full blast. If not, run it on low to medium flame. And that’s where the trick comes in.
The more the stove burns, the more fuel you will use. On my 7 day hunt, I ran out of gas on the last morning of the hunt. Fortunately, it was my last boil, but it was food for thought for future use. All that to say, remember how high you make that flame, because you use more fuel.
Closing Thoughts
When the rubber meets the road, the Roughridge Highcountry Cook System is a bomb stove for backcountry hunting, and I highly recommend giving one a try if you get the chance. It’s the little things that shine with this stove.
Items such as an indoor heater that will not be vulnerable to the elements. Or the unique shape of the pot to store your bowl and your cooking kit. Chris and Josh Neville are real backyard hunters out there doing just what you do. They don’t have time for weak gear, and neither should you.