Today we are doing a ‘Fire Maple vs APG cook systems available in the UK’, spec comparison. These are budget cook systems that are a great alternative to the high end options, such as Jetboil. The aim of this article is to make it easy for you to compare the specs of these popular cook systems.
Using Fire Maple vs APG cook systems
The Fire Maple and APG cook systems are great options for wild-campers and backpackers who want lightweight stoves that are easy to use, have fast boil times and pack down small. This style of stove is probably best for just boiling water, making them ideal for having a brew or boiling water to have with dehydrated camping meals (you can buy accessories, such as frying pans). For campsites / car-camping, where you may want to cook ‘fancier’ meals, you’re probably best going for the more traditional option of separates – fuel, camping stove and relevant pan(s).
The cook systems we are comparing:
- Fire Maple Fixed Star 1 FMS-X1 cook system
- Fire Maple Fixed Star 2 FMS-X2 cook system
- Fire Maple Fixed Star 3 FMS-X3 cook system
- Fire Maple Polaris cook system
- APG 1.4L cook system
- APG 0.9L cook system with coffee press
We are comparing the following specifications:
- Image
- Capacity
- Dimensions
- Weight
- Fuel type
- Ignition
- Material
- Power
- Boil time
- Fuel regulator
- Pressure regulator
- Locking lid
- Price
Let’s get to it.
Fire Maple vs APG cook systems available in the UK – spec comparison
Note: All information provided is from the manufacturers’ websites, and/or their product retailers. Some of the specs seem to vary, depending where you look (as often seems to be the case). If you’re unsure about anything, or a particular spec really matters to you, we suggest you check with the manufacturer before buying.
Fire Maple Fixed Star 1 FMS-X1 cook system | Fire Maple Fixed Star 2 FMS-X2 cook system | Fire Maple Fixed Star 3 FMS-X3 cook system | Fire Maple Polaris cook system | APG 1.4L cook system | APG 0.9L cook system with coffee press | |
Image |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capacity | 1L | 1L | 0.8L | 1L | 1.4L | 0.9L |
Size (folded) | Folded 12.8 x 17.3cm | 13.3 x 20.5cm | 13.3 x 18.5cm | 13.2 x 20.7cm | 12 x 24cm | 12 x 19cm |
Weight | 511g (18.03 oz) | 630g / 22 oz | 600g/21.2oz | 622g/22oz | 427g/15oz | 396g/14oz |
Fuel type | propane / butane | propane / butane | propane / butane | propane / butane | propane / butane | propane / butane |
Ignition | Auto ignition | Auto ignition | Auto ignition | Auto ignition | Auto ignition | Auto ignition |
Material | Anodised Aluminium / Stainless Steel / Silicone / Copper | Anodised Aluminium / Stainless Steel / Silicone / Copper | Anodised Aluminium / Stainless Steel / Silicone / Copper | Anodized Aluminum / Stainless Steel / Tritan / Silicone / Copper | Anodised Aluminium | Anodised Aluminium |
Power | 2200W | 7500 BTU | 2200W | 7500 BTU | 2200W|7500BTU/h | 1800W|6142BTU/h | APG don't give the information | APG don't give the information |
Boil time | 1min 42sec per 0.5 liter | 1min 42sec per 0.5 liter | 1min 42sec per 0.5 liter | 1min 50sec per 0.5 liter | 2min 30sec per 0.5 liter | 2min per 0.5 liter |
Fuel regulator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | APG don't give the information | APG don't give the information |
Pressure regulator | No | No | No | Yes | APG don't give the information | APG don't give the information |
Locking lid | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | APG don't give the information | APG don't give the information |
Price | For best price, see price checker below | For best price, see price checker below | For best price, see price checker below | For best price, see price checker below | For best price, see price checker below | For best price, see price checker below |
Fire Maple vs APG cook systems available in the UK – Price Checker
Related: If you’re looking for a trekking pole tent for wild-camping or backpacking, check out our Trekking pole tents available in the UK or Budget 2 person wild-camping tents articles. Perhaps you fancy ditching the sleeping bag this year in favour of a camping quilt? Our Camping quilts available in the UK article features some cracking buys.
In summary
Fire Maple vs APG – there’s not much in it to be honest, and it may even come down to which colour/design you prefer, or which suits your budget. At the time of writing, the APG 0.9L cook system with coffee press is the cheapest, with the Fire Maple Fixed Star 2 FMS-X2 cook system coming in as the most expensive. Prices do fluctuate though, so check the links in the table above for the latest prices. Also, the FMS-X2 currently has the best review ratings. The weights of the stoves vary a little too, so if you’re a gram counter, you may want to go for one of the lightest models. The APGs seem to be the lightest, but we were unable to 100% verify the weights given.
Hopefully, this article has made it easy for you to compare the specs of the Fire Maple and APG cook systems available in the UK. This style of stove is great for when you’re on the move, or shattered at the end of a day’s hiking and you just want to pitch your tent and boil water as fast as possible to prepare a dehydrated meal, or cook something simple, such as noodles. However, there are a few down sides. They have limited use (mainly for boiling water); they can be pricey (though the ones we have mentioned here should be within most people’s budget); they are also tall and quite unstable, even with the stand, which makes them unsuitable for high winds and/or uneven ground. However, if you’re a wild-camper on a budget and looking for a stove that’s straightforward to use, has fast boil times and packs really small (especially if you can fit your gas canister inside the pot when transporting), these stoves are well worth considering.
