Whisperlite International flat leg version observations and warning

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by xgk281, Jun 28, 2026 at 4:44 AM.

  1. xgk281 Canada

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    I just acquired a 2016 Whisperlite International with the flat stamped stainless legs. The first of this style I have used.

    The legs are wider, taller, and hold bigger pots better then the wire leg models in my fleet.

    When priming, the leg adjacent to the fuel line can allow priming fuel to run down it, and catch fire when the priming is lit. (The fuel line is held by a hook in the stamped leg.)
    This looks at first like a fuel line leak burning at the the join of the fuel line. Slightly alarming. Cured by carefully squirting priming fuel on the open side of the cup, not under the fuel line, so it does not run down the leg.

    This could over time, subject the brass coated rubber fuel line to direct flame, which is not a good thing. A failure waiting to happen if one is not careful. So be careful when priming not to allow it.

    I noticed that the cap holding the burner rings is fastened by a screw with a hex key socket. This is the first msr stove I have seen that does not use a Phillips head screw to hold the cap. The parts kits sold for these stoves do not include a hex key, leaving them not complete, and the stoves not fully serviceable absent an hex key.

    Translating my Canadian logger language first impression of this oversight, to more polite language, WTF MSR!

    This is beyond stupid for a stove sold as user serviceable for backcountry use, and could leave the unwary and inexperienced in a bad place. I will change this to a Phillips screw before I use use it in a serious location. In my case, one of my hex keys that fits scope rings works. By dumb luck, not by MSR planning.

    Both jets supplied with this stove, the g and k, have a U prefix, indicating they work in the Universal model. They work fine, just a bit confusing.
     
  2. hikerduane

    hikerduane Subscriber

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    Contact MSR and let them know your thoughts, especially about being able to service.
    Duane
     
  3. xgk281 Canada

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    I will Duane. They should have caught both of these faults in their own testing