By Jeff Fabiszewski: Professional Outdoor Educator, Expedition Guide, Backcountry Chef
When I first started guiding trips and cooking on the trail back in the ‘90s, the very first stove I purchased was the MSR Dragonfly. Nearly three decades later, this rugged multi-fuel beast continues to earn its spot in my kit whether I’m leading sea kayak expeditions in the Gulf, training new Wilderness First Responders, or cooking up backcountry meals during hurricane relief efforts across Florida.
This isn’t just a stove. It’s an emergency readiness tool, a culinary game-changer, and one of the most reliable pieces of equipment I’ve ever owned.
🧰 Why the MSR Dragonfly Is Still an Ideal Stove in 2025:
✅ Multi-Fuel Flexibility
The Dragonfly burns white gas, kerosene, diesel, and even unleaded gasoline — making it a powerhouse for disaster scenarios when fuel supplies are uncertain. In hurricane zones like Florida, being able to cook with whatever fuel is on hand can be the difference between a cold meal and a morale-boosting hot one.
✅ Field-Maintainable
This stove is easy to repair in the field with the included maintenance kit. I’ve rebuilt the pump seals mid-expedition in the Everglades and had it roaring again in minutes.
✅ Precision Simmer Control
Whether I’m boiling water for freeze-dried rations or delicately simmering clams in bacon-cream sauce, the adjustable flame control lets me do it all. The Dragonfly’s dual-valve system is perfect for actual cooking, not just heating.
✅ Rugged + Stable
Its wide pot supports hold everything from titanium mugs to heavy cast-iron fry pans. That’s ideal for coastal overlanding trips and Florida kayak camping, where sand, shells, and humidity make stability a challenge.
I only experienced one major issue. A few years back my brother ran over my stove with his truck. He didn’t see the red drybag that the stove was in. The housing and one leg was bent. I sent the stove into MSR and in a month they had replaced the damaged parts. The customer service of MSR is awesome.
✅ Wind-Beating Burner Design
Even in windy beach camps or under storm-stressed tarps, the Dragonfly performs reliably. With a good windscreen, it’s hurricane-camp ready.
🍳 Favorite Meals Cooked on the MSR Dragonfly
As a backcountry chef, I’ve pushed the Dragonfly to its limits and it’s never disappointed. Here’s a short list of real meals I’ve cooked on this stove:
🎂 Backcountry Chocolate Birthday Cake
Using a nesting cookpot, I baked a moist chocolate cake for a client’s birthday during a weeklong kayak expedition. A slow simmer and steam method made it possible right on the beach.
🦪 Littleneck Clams in Bacon-Cream Sauce
Fresh clams, real bacon, garlic, cream, and white wine; all gently simmered over the Dragonfly flame. Served on baguette slices toasted on the pot supports. Five-star dining, 20 miles from the nearest road.
🍲 Cuban Mojo Chicken with Rice
Marinated chicken thighs with citrus, garlic, and cumin. The Dragonfly kept a consistent medium heat for a slow pan sear and long simmer over jasmine rice.
🥘 Redfish Étouffée
A Florida twist on a Louisiana classic with red drum fillets, the holy trinity of veggies, and roux. Dragonfly heat was spot-on for this rich, complex dish.
🥚 Campfire Huevos Rancheros
Simmered beans, pan-fried tortillas, over-easy eggs, and homemade ranchero sauce. One pan, one stove, one full belly.
🚨 Why It Belongs in Every Hurricane “Go Kit”
- Fuel Versatility = you can cook when propane is sold out
- Field Repairable = no reliance on fancy tech
- Compact & Lightweight = fits in a dry bag or vehicle bugout box
- Boils & Simmer Capability = purify water, sterilize gear, cook real meals
When storms knock out power or you’re feeding neighbors from your kayak-accessed camp, the Dragonfly isn’t just a convenience; it’s a lifeline.
🛶 Final Thoughts from the Frontlines
I’ve carried this stove kayaking around Maine, the Florida Keys, hiking the Appalachian Mountains, and kayaking down the Suwannee River. It’s sat under tarps in hurricane aftermath zones in Mississippi to Florida and cooked celebratory meals under the stars. If someone asked me for one stove to trust when it counts. Whether you’re in a kayak, on a ridge, or post-disaster in your backyard, this is it.
Ready to learn expedition cooking on this stove or others? Hire me to teach you how to go from freeze-dried to fine dining in the wild and how to use the same gear for storm prep and survival cooking right at home.
Let’s get cooking.
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