I have just got an MSR XGK 11, good stove so far, I intend to use parrafin/kero with the stove and am wanting to know about priming with this fuel, a quick try with fuel in the stove was hard to light, meths seemed to work ok but I have seen info about a priming pad, would this allow me to prime with kero, what are they made of and could I make my own ie with stove rope or felt. Thanks in advance for any help
Hello, Gary, Yes, you can prime an XGK with kero, but it's a smoky mess, that's for sure! Does work, though. Is your X-GK II a Shaker Jet model, or do you know? If you shake it, can you hear as weighted cleaning needle moving back and forth in the jet? You can remove the jet, and see if it's there, if you can't here it. Your stove should also have a priming pad, underneath the burner. If not, then you can't prime it well, and it's not going to start as easily as it otherwise would. If you need a pad, call MSR and they will send you one, free of charge. Getting it installed, however, is another matter, entirely. I can help you with that, so give me a shout, and I'll talk you through it. SOMEDAY, I hope to post my article on how to completely rebuild the X-GK stoves, and the information contained in it also tells how to replace that priming pad. It's basically done, all I have to do is combine the words with the photos, and send it to Ross, who is waiting patiently for me to do just that! Anyway, you have a great stove, and as long as you go through it, and make sure it's working as it should, you can burn kero in it until the cow's come home, and it will work perfectly for you! Oh, and get a good simmering plate, too. Helps you to use that X-GK for all cooking chores, and not just for boiling water. Here's a shot of some of my X-GK family, though some of the family members are not shown here. Here, you can see the priming pad clearly, underneath the pristine burner of this lovely Model G, which is the blue-bodied one at the bottom of the photo. And, to the rear, is an X-GK II Shaker Jet, which should be just like yours. You can just make out the priming pad, underneath the burner. Hope that helps you some. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc Thanks for the advice, I have found a place that sells them so two primer pads should be on the way soon. One other observation is that you seem to be using sigg bottles with your msr stoves, is it ok to do this as the pump says MSR bottles only, (it would of course). Do you use sigg bottles with your MSR stoves. Thanks Gary
Hey, Gary, Glad to have been able to help. As to using Sigg bottles, I do on all of my older MSR stoves, as they were actually recommended back then. But, for the new ones, I tend to use MSR bottles. Don't know if it makes any difference, but that's what I do. I have always believed that all of them are, pretty much, the same, but have no real proof to back up my opinion. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
The thread on Sigg & MSR bottles are the same, but the latest pumps have a lip on them that ensures that they will only fit an MSR bottle. So anyone buying a new MSR can't use their existing Sigg bottle, which has a thicker neck. Smart, cynical marketing by MSR, backed up in the name of "product safety". The Sigg bottles are of much stronger construction, especially in the threaded section.
hi there you can use the sigg bottles with the newer msr stoves well xgk ex and dragonfly,when you do the pump up to the bottle and got it tight give the pump body an extra 1/2 turn,i use them and have had no problems
Mark, if I could trouble you for a moment, I wonder if you could identify the various XGK's in your photo above (I are confused) . I believe the stove in the lower right is a Model "G". Beyond that, I'm lost as to which stove is which. By the way, thanks for showing me you MSR model "MF" stove at CASG3, hence my interest. HJ
Morning, HJ, It was great seeing you at CASG3, and we're already looking forward to more of the same!! In addition to that Model 9A MF stove I showed you at the Gathering, I had two boxes of other X-GK stoves in the truck! Along with most of the other stoves I bought, however, I just decided to leave them there, as it was far to wet and windy to bring them out. Next Gathering, maybe it will be "BajaBum Weather" 8) 8) and I can lay out a "show and tell" as was the original plan for our recent Gathering! As to identifying the stoves in that photo, I'd be glad to do so: Bottom left is my original X-GK stove, bought from A-16, in San Diego, in 1988, for the princely sum of $84. Top left, is my first X-GK Shaker Jet II, bought from REI, can't remember when, exactly. Top right is my first GK stove. This one came from the 'Bay of Evil', and is in very nice condition. Bottom right is my very first G stove, and it's in mint condition, with all it's goodies. This one, too, came from the "Bay". I have MANY more MSR X-GK stoves, now, and one day, I'll set them all up for an X-GK Family Photo! Still looking for an original Model 9, just for grins, but I'm VERY tickled to have found my Model 9A MF, which is the one I showed you at the Gathering!! Thanks for your interest in these fine stoves, Jim. I believe they are amongst the most reliable stoves that have ever been developed, and I've never had one fail on me, in the field, or otherwise!! This stove is a true tribute to the genius of the late, and very great, Larry Penberthy, who originally designed it!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc, if you have too many of the XG models, you know where you can find a good home for them Fettled the 123R you gave me and its got a new lease on life. Ron
Mark, Thanks for the run down on the XGK class stoves. Is the model "G" older than the 9A MF or is it the other way around? I believe the original 9 was just "white" gasoline and that the MF was the second stove. The "G" stove was later than the MF, wasn't it? You were smart to keep a lot of things in the truck as much as I might have liked to have seen them. Some my stuff is still drying out. Sigh. HJ
Hey, Ron, Now you're asking me to give up my CHILDREN, Sir!!! The main reason I continue to buy X-GK stoves is that I use some of them, and keep some of them for show and tell. I want every version that MSR offered, and so far, I think I have them all, except the first one, the Model 9. So, I'm afraid you're on your own for scoring a good X-GK! But, IF you get out and look, I guarantee you will find one, and for a good price, too. I once found a nice older X-GK, over in Arizona, for just $5, complete with a very nice yellow pump, and a red-laquered Sigg fuel bottle!! They ARE out there, Ron, but you have to go seek them. If you do, I know you will find one, or more of them, just like I do!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hey, HJ, You are very welcome, my Friend. I am still learning about these fine stoves, just like everyone else. But, I love the X-GK family! You are right about the Model G. It came after the 0, the 9A, and the MF. According the list of MSR models, there was also a Model DF, too, meaning "dual fuel". I have never seen one, and wonder about them. Probably a variation of the MF, I'm guessing. In truth, I was really bummed not to have been able to set out all the stoves I brought to the recent Gathering! It was a lot of work, carrying those things down the stairs and loading them in the truck. But, once the sun went away, and the rain, fog, rain, sleet, and snow came, there was no way I was going to drag out all those boxes filled with stoves, into the malestrom!! For the next Gathering, if the weather is similar to that we enjoyed for our last, I'll just bring user stoves, and enjoy using them, and a few to fettle. But, if the weather is good, I'll set out a display, as we did for CA Stove Gatherings 1 & 2. Hey, it's cool that we will be having our FOURTH CASG, next time we plan one!!! Unfortuately, I'm the only one who's been to all of them, to date. But our valient crew of Stovies for #2 showed up in spades for #3, and we had some great participation from some long-range Stovies, so that's outstanding!! Sweet Bride and I are already looking forward to CASG4!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
