Hi, I started a topic in the reference gallery for my new Brunton Vapor: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/21567 Somehow, due to my mention of the inability to flip the tank on my MSR XGK, that topic changed course into a discussion of MSR tank flipping. I'd like to keep the Brunton thread in the reference gallery "pure", so I opened this thread with a proper title in the forum. Moderators: can you cut the MSR discussion out of the Brunton thread, and paste it here, starting with HJ's post? I will then try to get this discussion more focused. Thanks, Yonadav
I don't know what the big deal is about having the need to flip the fuel bottle. It never was a issue all the years I had my sole stove, a MSR Int'l. If fuel smells so bad, why is one even using this type of stove? Maybe a gassie would be better suited. Also, if this need is so badly needed or desired, why is the MSR stove lineup so popular? Duane
Did anybody say flipping is BADLY NEEDED? All I said is that I hate the spilling of foul smelling kerosene. I still love the XGK, in spite... What's wrong with wishing that a very good stove be made even better? Yonadav
Not smelling, almost odorless kerosene is sold in Italy with various names and many brands, as fuel for fumepipeless portable space heater. It is a bit heavyer than kerosene, it takes a bit longer to prime but it doesn't clog jets neither generators and it burns really hot. Downside: it costs twice smelly kerosene. Orsoorso
Well, I might get some on my next vacation in Italy The one thing I got on my visit to Pisa was a costly traffic ticket, as the GPS guided me through a street "for residents only". Yonadav
Interesting how some threads have a mind of their own. I started a thread on the Brunton stove, and it changed course to a discussion of MSR tank flipping. Created a thread for the tank flipping, and off it went to odorless kero. I'd like to try and steer this thread to where I wanted it - MSR XGK tank flipping. I commented that I liked the Brunton Vapor and Primus Omnifuel system that allows you to turn the stove off by flipping the tank around the pivot of the fuel line connection. This sends air, rather than fuel, out of the tank, thus purging the fuel line and stove of any unburnt fuel. I also commented that due to the lack of a similar feature on my MSR XGK, I get a drizzle of foul smelling kerosene from the fuel line each time I disconnect the stove from the pump. Then HJ commented that he does flip the tank on his MSR stoves, but did not mention which models. There were some other comments, that caused me to get concerned and do some research. I will post my conclusions in a subsequent reply. Yonadav
You can by small bottles of sent to add to your paraffin http://www.endtimesreport.com/sweet_smelling_kero.html
OK, I still persist with discussing tank flipping. I checked my MSR Whisperlite and XGK. The Whisperlite has a flexible fuel line, which indeed can be swiveled around the connection to the metal block. This allows me to flip the tank when the stove is on, and indeed flush the fuel line and stove of fuel before I disconnect it from the pump. The XGK is another story. It has a rigid fuel line that is firmly united with the square metal block. No rotation is possible. I examined the possibility of unlocking the latch from the pump, in order to pull the fuel line a few mm out of the pump to allow rotation, but came to the conclusion that this is way too risky. I then tried another option, which some member suggested - flip the entire stove with the tank. I routinely do it after I shut the XGK off. It causes most of the fuel to drain through the jet, but this is slow, and leaves the burner drenched in smelly kerosene. Yesterday I tried to flip the burning stove over. I had moderate success. The stove hiccuped occasionally, but remained burning until most of the kerosene was drained. I still had a few drops of liquid coming out after disconnection, but this is way better than having the entire content of the fuel line spill out. I will give this method some more tries. Just as a curiosity, my trigger for wanting the tank flipping was the acquisition of my new Brunton Vapor. However, the Brunton has valves at both ends of the fuel line, so even if I disconnect it with the line full of liquid fuel, nothing will spill out. Yonadav
I don't own an XGK, but is it possible to unscrew the bottle to relieve pressure and hold it up so the fuel drains back into the bottle? Not sure if there's a check valve in the fuel circuit or not though. Mike
I've done that (tank flipping) with MSR stove for as long as I can remember. MSR GK stove (1986) instructions say to turn the burner over after turning the stove off, opening the valve to release air. The instructions I posted are HERE! There are other copies of the instructions elsewhere. Turning off the stove, then letting the flame burn out ought to get most of the fuel out, huh? Ken
there is always some in the line unless you purge it somehow. Just to through another stove into this rambling thread. BRS8 also works by flipping but dont undo the fuel line from the pump with the bottle under pressure. This fuel line is designed to also screw onto lindal valved gas cartridges and the control is on the hose. Nothing else to control fuel flow so once it is loosened you have a flood. (ok a teaspoon or 2 of white spirit does not constitute a flood but in a small hut that might of had another burning going it would be pretty exciting)
Success! I tried flipping my XGK again today. Used a small fuel bottle and a red pump. (I don't think these matter, but just for the sake of "proper disclosure".) After my coffee was ready, I simply grabbed the entire thing - fuel tank and stove, attached to each other by the rigid fuel line, and laid the burning stove face down on a steel table. It burned at full force for one minute or so, sputtered for another minute, and then died with a small sooty yellow flame. I shut the fuel valve and let the stove cool off (being upright again). Then I disconnected the line from the pump, and the line was dry! No fuel dripping whatsoever. The fuel was my favorite mix of 30% white gas, 70% kerosene. Yonadav
Hey Yonadav, that should do it although you might burn something if you did not place a metal tray under it. The heat will still heat up the metal plate and burn whats under the metal plate. What I do when shutting off the XGK is to raise the fuel bottle thereby tipping the XGK and the residual fuel by gravity flows to the heated coil thereby vaporizing the liquid left on the line. Yes, I still get some residual drip but not as much. Ron
Hi Ron, Here it was no problem - I did it on my welding table, which can take any amount of heat. I also have plenty of ceramic slabs which I use as the base for stove testing. Out in the outdoors there is always an odd rock or a bare patch of dirt. I'm glad that I learned how to end the use of an XGK without dripping kerosene. I will find a suitable evening hour to take some photos. Thanks again to HJ who triggered me to explore the issue. Yonadav
More progress. Today I tried flipping my XGK II Shaker. As I suspected, if I turn the burning stove upside down, the shaker needle drops into the jet and shuts the flame. Solution - I turned the stove sideways, so that the fuel tank is upside down, with the pump at the bottom. Since the pump fuel intake is close to the bottom of the tank (I mean when the tank is upright), now that the tank is inverted and has less than 60% fuel, the intake tube draws air, which is what I want. Indeed, the stove burned about 1 minute and went off. And, voila, when I disconnect the stove from the pump, it is totally dry! No dripping whatsoever. Here's the evidence: Priming: Burning: This is 70% kerosene via an S-G jet: Flipping: Yonadav
I never found it any problem that some fuel dripped from the line when disconnected. I think that is a personal thing. But when I'm on the camping site I always leave my stove (talking about a MSR Whisperlite atm) under pressure, just close the control and finished. When underway I'm always outside in the countryside, so when I make my coffee stop, I just connect the tank to burner, pump it up light it and boil the water. after wards, disconnect the burner let the two drips of fuel out, and put everything back in the pack. Usually I keep the tank pressurised even then. To depressurise the tank I usually unscrew the pump because it takes to long to do this in the upside down via the control knob thingy. Bart
It is only a problem if you use the foul smelling, slow to evaporate, kerosene. Pack the "wet" stove in a bag, and everything in it smells of kerosene. My wife detects the smell from a mile away. Yonadav
