Sonik Sizzla Superstove

How well is it built?

The Superstove is made from stainless steel, aluminium and brass, which is the right mix for a stove that lives in a damp bag between sessions.

The stainless steel and brass should cope with wet weather and spills, the aluminium keeps the weight sensible, and the brass turns up where it matters, on the gas fittings that get screwed on and off every trip.

The gas side is well thought out too. An extended stainless-steel braided hose runs from the burner to a dual-seal main gas connector, and the braiding helps protect the hose from kinks and scuffs when it's packed away.

The burner has an integral windscreen built into its construction as well, so there's no separate shield to lose.

My only quibbles are weight and complexity. It weighs 570g, which makes it heavier than the Trakker Armolife CG-3, and folding legs have more moving parts than a simple fixed frame. For a mid-priced stove, though, I think the build is very solid, and the 8.5 is fair.

Heat & Performance

At 2800W, the Superstove has less raw output than the 3500W Trakker Armolife CG4, so I wouldn't expect it to be the quickest way to boil a big kettle first thing in the morning. Where it earns its 8.4 is control.

The Heat-Kontrol burner technology is the heart of it, covering everything from a fierce boil to a gentle warm, and the redesigned Low-Flow ports hold the flame steady at the bottom of the range. Why does that matter?

Because a steady low flame is what you need to simmer a stew or cook eggs without welding them to the pan, and it's kinder on your gas too.

The integral windscreen burner keeps combustion stable, and a pre-heat coil helps the gas burn efficiently. It takes EN417 ISO screw-thread butane or propane canisters, and as butane struggles in cold weather, a butane-propane mix is the one to carry through the winter.

For flame control, I think it's superb.

Ease of Use

Piezo ignition lights the Superstove without a lighter, and the four folding legs have infinite height adjustment, so you can level it on a sloping swim.

The self-levelling, rubberised anti-slip feet should help it grip on a flat stone or a board, and the wide stance and low centre of gravity make it harder to knock over.

Assembled, it measures 145 x 145mm across and stands 80 to 94mm tall, and it folds down to 95 x 95 x 95mm for its nylon storage bag, which is small enough to tuck into a carryall. The extended hose also lets the canister stand a little way off from the burner's heat.

Wherever you set it up, never cook or run a gas stove inside a closed bivvy or tent, because carbon monoxide and fire are real risks. Cook in the open or under a well-ventilated porch, on a stable, flat base, and the Superstove is simple to live with from one session to the next.

Is it good value for money?

Is it good value? It's a mid-priced compact stove, cheaper than the Trakker Armolife CG4 and a little cheaper than the Armolife CG-3, and you get piezo ignition, adjustable legs, a braided hose and the Low-Flow burner for the money, plus a nylon storage bag.

The Go Systems Sirocco and the Prologic Blackfire C-Series both cost less and boil water well enough, and if all you ever do is make tea, the extra control would be wasted on you.

Most of us end up cooking something proper on a long session, though, and that's where the Superstove pays its way. I'd happily pay the bit extra for its low-flame control, which is why it scores 8.6 for value.

Overall, I'd recommend the Sizzla Superstove to anglers who cook real food on overnighters and longer sessions, from stews and curries to eggs and bacon, and who want a gentle simmer just as much as a quick brew.