MSR Whisperlite Universal -- Review

“I've been working on a review of the new MSR Whisperlite Universal.

The big news is that the new Whisperlite Universal will run on gas as well as liquid fuel.

Running on canister gas. NICE big flames.

My review of the new MSR Whisperlite Universal is complete and now available:
MSR Whisperlite Universal Review.

By the way, Seattle Backpackers Magazine is a worthwhile read even if you're not interested in my particular article.

Configuring the stove for different fuels:


More photos:

Running on white gasoline (Coleman fuel).


Putting out some heat!


The new Whisperlite (left) and the old Whisperlite (right).


Running on kerosene.


Stove testing at First Water on the Mt. Wilson Trail.

It's a really nice stove and a really nice job by MSR.

HJ”

“Thanks for the review. Did they get it any lighter? I would worry that a multi-fuel capability would also mean a little more weight.”

“The weight is essentially the same (about a 2g difference). All that multi-fuel capacity comes without a weight penalty. Pretty sweet. :)

HJ”

“Why does that thing look so Stone Age to me?”

“The problem with them is they sound like a jet plane when they're lit......

Alcohol or the pocket rocket for me...

By the way, anyone seen the new rocket? it comes with a piezio igniter now.”

“ChinMusic, look at those newer legs and generator loop that is misshaped now. They must still have a carload of the burner bells it still looks like it has for years.
Duane”

“I don't think the Whisperlite is loud. You should try a Dragonfly some time if you think the Whisperlite is loud -- although heck yeah an alcohol stove is way quieter.

I've seen photos of the new MicroRocket (plus there's a video at that link). It looks pretty cool. Maybe I can talk MSR into letting me review that one. Not so sure about the utility of the separate piezo ignition. Why not just carry a Bic? Haven't seen it yet though.

HJ”

“Hi, Duane,

You noticed that generator's shape too? It really helps. The simmering on a W'lite Universal is WAY better than on a classic or Internationale.

HJ”

“I dunno, that "whizzp, whizzp" sound the alcohol stove makes is deafening.”

“Dang! You must hike in REALLY quiet places. ;)

HJ”

“Go ahead, laugh...the Whisperlight XGK (Multi-fuel) was simply LOUD.”

“lol. We have a names issue here. :) The XGK *is* really loud. The Whisperlite not so much. They're two separate stoves, though, and not one and the same. The XGK is a roarer burner, and it's called a roarer for a reason (freaking loud). The Whisperlite is called a ported (or baffled) burner. It's much quieter (hence it's name), although it's not exactly a whisper.

HJ”

“The Micro Rocket I believe is what the new PR is going to be called, seemed to me to really have a concentrated/aimed flame straight up, good for boiling water, not so good for preventing food from burning in the middle of a pot.”

“Yeah, the new MicroRocket looked like it might have a pretty "pencil torch" type flame. It probably is targeted at the ultralight crowd who just boil water for cooking -- which it would probably do quite well.

For more serious cooking, it might not be my "go to" stove.

HJ”

“It will be a tad lighter to compete with others in the sub 3 oz. lineup. Yep, for us who just boil water, it will be fine. I need to use some of my old MSR stoves on solo trips since they are so loud and match them with the yeller pumps. Trying to get a couple more old pumps, one has parts I need as the housing is shot from what I read.
HJ, did you get the recent #9?
Duane”

“What! There was a number 9 on eBay?

No, I didn't get it. :( What did it go for?

I've been so busy with work and stuff that I haven't been watching.

Do you have a midi-cap for your old MSR stoves? A midi-cap should pretty much take care of the loudness. The midi-caps definitely fit a Firefly and a Dragonfly. I think they'll fit the XGK line too.

HJ”

“Yes Dude! I bid it up but been trying to hold things down. Under $200. Not as nice or with accessories like mine. I have a midi and mini cap. One is MIA somewhere. Maybe it is on one of my Fireflys. Gary said I had underburn on the one, I'll have to watch it next time, but he polished up the one so nice before sending it back to me hate to fire it again.
Duane”

“17 post, and all on topic, way to go TT!!”

“Yeah, Gary's caps are works of art. It's almost (almost) a shame to use them.

Well, I'm glad I missed that #9. I'd have been tempted to bid on it. :)

HJ”

“Not just on topic, but deep on topic, too.

It's all Bush's fault! Tastes Great! Less Filling! How about the Qwickster fiasco?

Ok, I've done my part to try to derail the conversation. :-)

(OT, I still love my home made alky stove)”

“Dus thet mean we'uns have ah life?
Duane”

“> Dus thet mean we'uns have ah life?

Sho' 'nuf.

OK, time for a flame shot: :)


HJ”

“I just saw the Whisperlite Universal for sale (but not in stock) on MEC's site for $131.00 CAD (about $128.00 USD). Assuming the price doesn't change when the stoves actually hit the shelves in January, I think it's a smart move by MSR. I think MSR was reaching a bit with their original MSRP of $140.

For those who don't know, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is a large, outdoors-oriented Canadian retailer. They're vaguely similar to REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated), the US retailer.

HJ”

“I'm boycotting REI for sending sleeping bags to the Occupy loonies.

Sorry for the fuego but I think it ties in...”

“lol. This is the Whisperlite Universal thread in case anyone was wondering. :)

HJ
last edited: 11/10/11 4:46:14 PM”

“Price seems a little strong for what it is.. I bought an international on eBay brand new less than a year ago for $40 American.

I take it you don't have to change jets? Does it burn diesel and white gas as well?”

“Yeah, the price seemed to be a little high to me too -- for a Whisperlite.

The Whisperlite Universal is a significant upgrade over previous Whisperlites. It can burn canister gas, gasoline type fuels (unleaded gasoline, white gasoline, aviation gasoline, etc), and kerosene type fuels (kerosene, jet fuel, etc.). The only fuels it's going to do well with are the "standard" fuels: canister gas, white gasoline, and kerosene. Really, the other fuels like automotive gasoline, aviation gasoline, etc. should be avoided if you can. Diesel is a last resort, and you'll spend a lot of time cleaning the stove.

You do need to change the jets between fuels for optimum performance.

You also need to change the adapter on the end of the fuel line when you switch from gas to liquid fuel or liquid fuel to gas.

It looks like the price on the American retail market will be between $120 - $140, but that's just an educated guess. Give it a few years, and the price will come down. If you got a Whisperlite International for $40 new, you got an EXCEPTIONAL price.

HJ”

“I could have got it for 35, in fact, the seller agreed to sell me one for $35 and I didn't check my messages in a timely fashion...had to wait around and pay $40.

If I remeber right, the Whisperlght actually operated at the best efficiency burning kerosene. That is, it would boil more water for the least amount of fuel. Jet fuel is essentially kerosene.

I've never tried diesel but I would expect the efficiency to be similar to kerosene, just the smell is awful. ..and you damn sure don't want to spill it on any of your gear. Like you say last resort, but it uses the kerosene jet.”

“as soon as this hits the market I'll have it.....won't be my top stove of choice but will go to my MSR collection...”

“Any MFS burner is going to be pricy. I bought the very first Primus MFS and I found it for $99 which I thought was a steal.

1camper the Universal can use canisters where the original whisperlight can not. Big difference.”

“How does fuel use with cannisters compare to say kerosene, I wonder.. over the long haul I would think kerosene would provide more heat for the weight.

..if you want to use cannisters, then there are much lighter options..

I'd rather just keep my whisperlite set up for one fuel and if the trip dictated cannister use, use a pocket rocket. I'm not on an island where I can only have one stove.”

“Oh inverted cannister..that makes more sense. Maybe if I lived in CO I would want it. As it is, I could buy a pocket rocket and a whisperlite international for less that that beauty. Tough sell here.”

“How much you want to bet you can do it with them now...they just say you can't.”

“I've Only ever had one legit backpack stove and there's no reason to ever change it, the pocket rocket has never faltered. Even at high elevation it puts out like a crackho on Bourbon street....”

“Is "it putz out like a crackho on Cheap Wine Street.' a Cain Quote?”

“Is your face a Cain quote?”

“1camper,

One of the nice things about the Whisperlite Universal compared to other Whisperlites is that it will simmer. Most current Whisperlites won't really go below a medium flame, let alone simmer.

The W'lite Universal is also pretty easy to protect against wind -- which a PR is a little tougher.

HJ”

“sticks said: “How much you want to bet you can do it with them now...they just say you can't.”

You are correct; you can. Inverted operation has been sort of the undocumented feature of the MSR Windpro. It works great. The only difference with a stove like the Whisperlite Universal is that it comes with a swivel that makes it easier. Before the swivel, you had to twist up the fuel line like so:


HJ
Adventures in Stoving”

“The W'lite Universal is a sort of "best of both worlds" stove. If you wanted to really apply the KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetheart) principle, this stove will do it. Keep your gear closet nice and lean:

-"Summer" weather: Upright canister operation
-"Shoulder season" weather (early spring/late fall): Inverted canister operation (i.e. liquid feed)
-Full on Winter weather: Liquid fuel

One stove that will work really well in all seasons.

I like that it's a "remote" set up (burner and fuel separated). Unlike an "upright" set up (burner on top of the fuel), the burner is lower to the ground which a) makes things more stable, and b) takes you out of the wind a bit more. Also a "remote" configuration is much safer because you can put a windshield between the fuel and the burner. Heat + fuel = KABOOM (not good).

The drawbacks of course are a) price (all this functionality ain't gonna come cheap) and b) weight. For summer use, a little upright gas stove will be much lighter. The trade off for the weight and price is a lot of functionality, a lot more windproofness, and greater stability. The upright style (like a PR) is a little "tippy" and is far more vulnerable to wind.

HJ”

“I like that it's a "remote" set up (burner and fuel separated). Unlike an "upright" set up (burner on top of the fuel), the burner is lower to the ground which a) makes things more stable, and b) takes you out of the wind a bit more. Also a "remote" configuration is much safer because you can put a windshield between the fuel and the burner. Heat + fuel = KABOOM (not good).

Again...wrong. Only if you totally enclose the unit. If you use a 3 sided or an arced set up leaving one side open it will not overheat.”

“So hikinjim, now that you're working on getting that gear closet lean, do you have a windpro you want to sell?

Good info, thanks for posting.”

“LOL @ 1camper!”

“I actually do have a Windpro for sale if you're serious. BNIB.

HJ”

“Sticks,

Of course you can use a windscreen with an upright canister stove. Is it as easy? No. Is it as effective. Maybe. See the preceding link if I'm not being clear here.

But you can't separate the fuel from the burner to the degree that you can with a remote set up.

Now, in all fairness, there's no inordinate risk with with a windscreen on an upright canister stove if you keep an eye on things and don't let the canister get hot.

Anyway, each to his own, but it is generally easier to protect a low slung remote style stove from the wind than a higher profile upright style. Like most things in life, stoves are a series of trade offs. I'm just putting out there what I know. Each person then has to look at the various trade offs and make the call for themselves. Or if you prefer, "ya pays yer nickle, and ya makes yer choice." :)

HJ
Adventures in Stoving”

“Brand new in box? ..really? I can't believe you would be able to resist opening it! Send me an email I'm always interested in picking up new gear.
I bought a remote canister Chinese stove on sale somewhere for cheap, but I got what I paid for..

..maybe you would take that one in trade so you could review it on your website..just a thought.”

“Wasn't too hard to resist opening the box since I've already got a Windpro. The one that's killing me is the Brunton Vesta that I bought new on a whim. I really don't need yet another stove. It's killing me to have a beautiful stove like the Vesta just sitting their all shiny and new. It's calling to me: "bluuue flames, Jim. Lovely bluuue flames. Don't you want to try it just a little?"

Would I trade a genuine MSR stove for a Chinese knock off? You funny guy. Ha!

HJ”

“I meant only as partial payment of course.. For someone with a stove fetish like you the Chinese thing is an interesting device, a real blowtorch. Imagine poking a hole in a cannister with an icepick and setting it ablaze..remotely. kinda heavy too.

Tell you what, I'll mail it to you and you tell me what you'll give in trade...what did you want for the windpro?”

“[img]





Works inverted, but for some reason won't simmer at all that way..notice the electronic ignition!

Could be yours...”

“Did I forget to mention hard-sided case?

”