Stove of the Week: MSR Whisperlite Universal

I've finalized my review of the MSR Whisperlite Universal for those who would like to take a look.

Here are a few photos to whet your appetite:














HJ

 

Hey Jim,

Whats that I see a partially metal pump? where did that come from?

 

That's the pump from my Primus Omnifuel. She's a joy to use after using an MSR pump. Such a precision piece of gear.

I mention her in my review.

HJ

 

Sorry, I clicked on the link and my Norton software blocked it saying it was a malicious website. Maybe it doesn't like stove reviews.

 

Link works now, that burner looks suspiciously like a Coleman type crinkle burner. looks like a much better stove. Maybe in the next couple years they will get their act full together and offer a metal pump. Even as an upgrade from them would be very welcome.

Great review Jim.

 

Thanks, John.

I mention it in the review, but with the Whisperlite Universal you can basically use any pump you like that has a 7/16" UNEF connector. The Brunton Vapor All Fuel and the Primus Omnifuel come immediately to mind. I particularly like the Omnifuel pump which is a really nice pump. The Omnifuel pump is the one you see in my photos. There are also, from what I've seen posted here on CCS, some Chinese manufactured pumps with 7/16" UNEF connectors.

HJ

 

HJ, I see many of those kettles in use by backpackers. Can you cook in it or just boil water? What is it's weight?

Duane

 

Duane,

I actually have two of the darned things, a 0.9L and a 1.5L. They're both Primus LiTech annodized aluminum tea kettles. They weigh 5.3oz and 7.7oz respectively. They're not as lightweight as a titanium pot, but they have three main selling points: convenience, convenience, and convenience. Did I mention that they're convenient?

Seriously though: no pot grabber, a really good handle with a plastic grip so that one doesn't burn one's hands, and THEY POUR WITHOUT SPILLING. I just find that whole thing of using a pot gripper and pouring out of a regular pot to be a bit of a hassle, and I'm always dribbling water around. I like the tea pots because there's zero hassle and no spills.

Also, they have a nice, wide base which is good for absorbing heat. If your flame is wider than the pot, you're wasting a lot of heat, heat that you've had to pack up the mountain in the form of fuel.

The proof of any gear is how often you use it. I find myself repeatedly grabbing my tea kettles. My ti pots do a lot of sitting these days. However, if I were on a trip where I was really trying to cut every ounce, I'd probably grab one of my ti pots.

I haven't ever tried to cook in one. They might be a little harder to clean, but there's no absolute reason why you couldn't do it.

HJ

 

Thanks HJ. Yep, I've read more recently about wider pots up to a point being more efficient. I've been wondering for quite some time also if an aluminum pot which I think would be transfer heat faster than a titanium pot, which would boil water faster and thus use less fuel? Even worth worrying about?

Lets see, you have a Primus pot and pump, a Sigg fuel bottle and a MSR stove. What's missing? Anything?

 

Ti is so stinkin' strong that they make the pots really thin. The thinness of Ti pots generally offsets the poor heat conductivity. Generally it's a wash between Ti and Al even the Al conducts heat better because the Al is generally thicker. I wouldn't sweat it in terms of fuel use.

Ti of course does poorly as a fry pan material or for pretty much any real cooking. Al, particularly thicker Al is far better.

Don't forget the Coleman fuel! (actually, I was running on kero in that photo)

HJ

 

HJ, I'm not convinced on the "so stinkin' strong" bit!! My Ti mug & pot are dented, the mug seriously so. Most of my Al cookware is greater than 25 years old and still going strong. I have no faith whatsoever that my Ti stuff will last anywhere as long.

BTW, your kettles look awfully clean...you must clean the bottoms as they are not black...there again both my Trangia kettles are between 25 & 30 years old, and I've never cleaned the bottoms of the kettles.

Cheers,

Rob

 

Hi HJ,

It looks like MSR have made a good decision to upgrade the Whisperlite so that it will be truly multifuel. I do think they have made a mistake in making two connectors - one for liquid fuel and one for lpg....particularly as there are so many people out there who are incapable of keeping their kit in good order....I can see them selling lots of connectors!

I am surprised that they continue with their plastic pumps...but good you can fit the Omnifuel one to it.

I sold my Whisperlite Internationale to a squaddie a couple of years ago. It served me well (when running on petrol it never did like paraffin). I bought mine when it was first produced by MSR, when it had the quirky but excellent booklet with great drawings...here is one from page 3:



It will be interesting to see the pricing level when it comes out in the U.K. Curently the Whisperlite Internationale is around £85, XKG is around £110.

Primus Omnifuel is around £125.

The most expensive PETROL stove is the Soto Muka....at around £170....if anyone is stupid enough to pay that.

 

I like it that MSR has gone to using the legs like those on the Simmerlite. They are sturdier, easier to deploy, hold the pots more securely -- I can't think of any downside. Have you ever tried to get the old wire-type Whisperlite legs level again after they've gotten squished or mangled? What a hassle. Give me this sort anyday.

In fact, IMO the Simmerlite is superior to the Whisperlite in every way. I like the silent burner, for instance. Why did they mess with a Whisperlite Universal, instead of doing the same thing with the Simmerlite? Shucks, they might have sold me one! I'm not buying another Whisperlite of any sort. But a Simmerlite that would use kero or canister fuel -- that would be awesome.

 

Rob, I think you are right. If my experience is any indicator, those "alternate" parts are going to get lost easily. I've seen a lot of Whisperlite Internationales at used gear sales and such. The jet for the alternate fuel (either petrol or paraffin) is almost always missing.

I smiled rather broadly when running an MSR stove on an Omnifuel pump. So smooth!

Love the drawing!

Yes, I think pricing is what may make or break the new Whisperlite. It's a good stove with a lot of functionality, but it has to compete with the likes of the excellent Omnifuel. If MSR can't come in with a price that makes the Whisperlite competitive with the likes of the Omnifuel, then the Whisperlite Universal may well be DOA (dead on arrival). MSRP is supposedly $140. The Omnifuel can be had here in the US for $160. For $20, I might just go with the Omnifuel where one does not have to change the adapter at the end of the fuel line to change fuel type. Indeed, the Omnifuel runs fairly well on canister gas using the petrol jet, now that's trouble free fuel switching!

HJ

 

There's a website called camelcamelcamel.com where you can set up price alerts for Amazon.com on various products of your choosing. If you set up a price alert for a product, they'll email you when it goes down. Point being, patience will reward you with a cheap stove.

 

Nice! I might have to check that out.

HJ

 

I just saw http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/StovesFuel/PRD~5026-911/msr-whisperlite-universal.jsp]the Whisperlite Universal [/url] for sale (but not in stock) on MEC's site for $131.00 CAD (about $128.00 USD). Assuming the price doesn't change when the stoves actually hit the shelves in January, I think it's a smart move by MSR. I think MSR was reaching a bit with their original MSRP of $140.

For those who don't know, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is a large, outdoors-oriented Canadian retailer. They're vaguely similar to REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated), the US retailer.

HJ

 

I just ordered the Whisperlite Universal from Cascade Designs for $139.95 + shipping + CT state sales tax. Since I had tried their online order form several times in the recent past to no avail, I assume that means that they have the new Whisperlite in stock.

 

Just curious if the lindal connecter is made of metal or plastic for the new stove. Cheers

 

If you're referring to the gray piece shown here which houses the connector, it is metal.


Just for reference, though, it's a threaded connector. The only think that the word Lindal applies to is the valve on the canister.

HJ