MSR Whisperlite Universal -- Review

“@1camper,

I think a Windpro normally retails for about $90. I'm looking for about $70 + postage for it.

I'll think about the Chinese stove, but to be honest there's nothing about it that is new or innovative that I could learn from it. I already have seven stoves capable of inverted canister operation (Rapidfire, Windpro, Omnifuel, Hank Roberts Mini Mark III, Nova (converted to run on gas), Gerry Infrared, and a Brunton Vesta). I'm most interested in stoves that illustrate a technology, principle, or technique that is new to me. The Chinese clone stove doesn't do something that my current stoves don't already do.

HJ”

“Well, I guess that's all true except for the fact that it's made by children..you know how much fun they can be. Owning this really nice Chinese stove would offer you an inclusive/extensive collection. Lol. Besides, there's bound to be a recall on this damn thing making it all the more interesting..”

“lol.

Well, the nice thing about selling things "under the radar" on eBay is that no one can sue if there's a defect, and there will never be a recall. The Free Market at it's best; caveat emptor.

HJ”

“I can't remember where I got it or exactly what I paid, can't imagine it was more than $40. It's fine, just kinda heavy...that's really the only reason I'd like to get rid of it.

For short bping trips with my wife I like using cannister stoves. I'll take two so we can expedite the breakfast and I have a lantern she likes to use at night. I'm perfecly happy with using my whitebox if I'm solo. Cannisters seem like such a waste of space.”

“Yeah, I've gotten so I really like my Caldera Cone if I'm doing a solo backpacking where weight is important. For solo day trips or where weight isn't quite so important but I might want to do some real cooking, I've been getting into the Clikstand.

But those are more for solo trips or if my wife and I just want a cup of tea on a day hike.

For group backpacking, I'm definitely more of a gas guy, and the Windpro is definitely one of my go to stoves. Nice low simmer and handles big pots well. It also can run with the canister upside down, so I don't worry at all if it's cold out.

For serious snow trips or for bigger groups, I still go with liquid fuel. For snow trips, I like liquid fuel since it's got lots of power and doesn't give a rip about how cold it is. Not so easy to cook in a tent with. The Windpro is better there. For bigger groups, my Dragonfly can hold as big a pot as I care to carry and is pennies on the dollar to run compared to a gas stove. I haven't reviewed the Dragonfly yet. I need to get to it!

HJ”

“The Clickstand seems uber complicated. Ever try http://www.whiteboxstoves.com/ ?

Stove/stand in one comes with a simple windscreen and a square piece of aluminum for a reflector underneath. Put it on top to help achieve a simmer. Simple, reliable, few moving parts. Not unlike that Svea 123 I still like very much.”

“Svea 123? Did someone say Svea 123. :)


The Clikstand isn't particularly complicated. It's just a stand that clicks together. The nice thing about it is that it all fits into a pot pretty nicely, including the windscreen. You can use a fairly short windscreen because the stand supports the windscreen.

The Whitebox stove is pretty nice.[img]https://
3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpfdddvG0dw/TrBfHih8p9I/AAAAAAAAK7k/opFb8ksJ5pI/s800/P1040959.JPG[/img]
The only problem I've had with it is flame spillage, where the flames go up the side and are wasted (as in the photo). The WB is simpler than a Clikstand, but I've found the Clikstand to be more stable and far more efficient. The WB is generally faster though.

I also like that I can simmer with a Clikstand set up whereas a White Box stove isn't really set up for that. I've made eggs on my Clikstand. :)

HJ”

“Why is this forum's edit function so lame? Let me try the Whitebox stove photo again.


HJ”

“Do other people have edit problems on this forum? I try to edit a post, and it previews fine, but then when I "submit message" the edits that I did disappear. Grrr.

HJ”

“I use this little kettle with the whitebox. Also, one egg wonder works well for pancakes and cornbread.


Coffee from the hammock.
Got the kettle at a thrift store in High Point, NC. Holds about 17oz. Yeah, the Svea is a thing of beauty no doubt.”

“You can make pancakes on a Whitebox stove? How do you manage that? My Whitebox has two settings: MAX and off.

The Svea 123? Aye, lad, she's a thing of beauty.



HJ”

“You make pancakes by holding the pan in your hand keeping distance from the flame. The pan won't balance on the stove very well anyway. The one egg wonder is thick aluminium and holds heat well.”

“Sounds like my old days of cooking over a woodfire.”

“I have 3 Svea 123...one was purchased back in 1974.”

“I just acquired my 123's the last two years Mike. One is a one owner from the early 70's style, one has the rings under the burner bell and one is a "R", given to me. Three differing models. The older one got to go bping a week ago in the snow for my first bping snow trip of the year.
Duane”

“Jim, there have been ongoing problems with apostrophes, causing the edit problems you mentioned above. Get in the habit of typing cant instead of can't and youll be ok.”

“Hey Jim, that sideburner above doesn't appear to be a whitebox, at least not like mine. Mine has straight sides. That one looks like a popcan copy.. The metal on mine seems thicker than a popcan, seems like some kind of aerosol can.

Svea 123 really deserves it's own thread..”

“The Whitebox stove has varied over the years from what I can tell. The one I have is old. I bought it used, and I'm assuming the person who sold it to me knew what they were talking about, but perhaps it's an imitation.

I've talked to Bill over at WhiteBox. Very nice guy. Everything I've ever bought from him has been really well made (windscreens), but I haven't bought one of his current stoves.

One of these days, I'll do a Svea 123 post. It does deserve it's own thread.

HJ”

“NO APOSTROPHES When you edit you can not use them...this includes the ones in your original post. You have to remove all of them and replace with quotation marks if so inclined.”

“Looks like HJ hijacked his own thread.:)
Duane”

“That is some weird edit software.

HJ

P.S. I apologize to myself for any threadjacking. :)”

“Don't start spanking yourself. ;p”

“lol.

Is this a no spank forum? ;)

HJ
Adventures in Stoving”