I´ve had a MSR whisperlite since 1994. I´ve used it extensivly over the years. For the last ten years mainly on longer trips in the Scandinavian mountains in the winter, for melting snow and boiling water. I now need to buy a new stove. I´m want a stove for fluid not gas catridge. I´ve been looking at Soto Muka and Primus Omnilite Ti. I´m new in this forum and would love to get some idees and recommendations
If reliability at melting snow and boiling is your main concern, then definitely the XGK-EX. ....Arch
In addition to whatever stove you pick, I would also pay a lot of attention to the windscreen. I agree with Arch & Suantou about the XGK - particularly in the winter. In addition to the fuel bottle-sized tank, I think the windscreen (ugly as it is) just can't be beat. Surrounds the whole burner and extends up the sides of the pot. I've gone so far as to ignore the shallow pan style windscreen that came with my MSR Firefly and make myself an XGK-style one instead. The only issue I would have with the XGK is the lack of a secondary valve to simmer.
Get something with a silent burner if your requirements are torching whole snowbanks into drinking water. This is long, tedious process at best and the racket “plate burner” stoves put out at full tilt is soon tiresome. I would recommend a Coleman 400A, highest BTU output and virtually silent, and lacks all the plastic fiddly bits, springs, and gee-gaws.
Get one with a second valve on the burner. I would recommend the Optimus Nova. I have the Muka, Dragonfly, XGK EX and the Nova. I have some concerns about MSR stoves and have had issues. The Optimus and Primus stoves have the edge in quality and reliability. I would also run kerosene with alcohol for priming…overall it produces the most heat and is the safest fuel. I love my MSR stoves too and the Muka. The Muka doesn’t simmer well. The needle valve on the burner gives instant flame control.
I’d go with an old, reliable stove, rebuilt back to new. I would rely more on MSR stoves, checking that orings on the pump are in good shape. Other Swedish made stoves from years gone by are great too, but may be heavy. A roarer burner will melt snow faster than a silent burner. I have so many stoves, it is tough to pick a stove for a trip. Duane
Small fuel bottle/tank capacity is a deal breaker melting snow. Stop, cool, refill, preheat, start again. MSR model 9 to XGK development of stoves was based entirely on hydration requirements of climbers.
The XGK EX is a lovely stove. I did have a few issues but no stove is perfect even the Nova I had an issue with a bottle seal and a leather pump cup. I can vouch that the XGK EX is the most powerful stove on kerosene.
I would consider an msr xgk ex, or a rebuilt xgk. In winter use only white gas(Naptha, Coleman type fuels) for reliability and problem free burning, and good energy density. A silent burner cap helps the loud roar, and makes no difference in snow melting performance. I have used both the standard msr pump, as well as the arctic version specifically made for cold temperatures. I would use the arctic pump when it is very cold, just for likely better reliability and less chance of the plastic pump cracking. I always pack a spare msr pump, from long experience.
