In my humble opinion, both the ATG Gas Stove and Kovea Spider performed well.
The ATG head is a bit broader, so it gives off a nicely spread-out flame that allows the heat to spread evenly beneath the pot/pan. The rugged and sturdy ATG Gas Stove feels very stable and well built, therefore great for hiking, camping, bike touring and the like. I'm pretty sure it can handle a cast iron pot like a champ!
The Kovea Spider is quite small and surprisingly sturdy, given its size. The invert option, with the vaporisation tube, helps to burn liquid canister fuel at sub-zero temperatures and at high altitudes. The ability do this makes the Kovea Spider more versatile than most other canister stoves. However, beware that this cannot be done inside a tent, as flaring does occur. So before attempting to invert the canister, make sure you've turned the stove to low and that the stove has been on/burning for at least 30 seconds to allow the vaporisation tube to heat up or you WILL burn those bushy eyebrows! This stove is at home on the Drakensberg escarpment in winter and equally at home on your kitchen counter top when Eskom implements load shedding for the umpteenth time this week. The Kovea Spider is ideally suited for weight-conscious, gram-counting hiking types who are venturing into more extreme conditions.
The verdict
Both stoves are great products and far better alternatives to the top-mounted gas stoves. The ATG Gas Stove is a great little stove, very sturdy and the price is great. The fact that it's a South African brand is a real bonus for me, as I believe we need to give more support to local brands. However, even though the ATG Gas Stove has a number of pretty good points, the winner here is the Kovea Spider, with its increased versatility due to the vaporisation tube.
More information
For more information on the ATG Gas Stove and where it is available from, visit www.atgear.co.za
For more information on the Kovea Spider and where it is available from, visit www.eigerequipment.co.za