MSR Whisperjet Internation.

It's all been said. Doesn't simmer too well - I agree but there are techiques that's help.

Boils water in about 3.5 minute - it does and it's reasonably economical about it too.

Reasonably light and easy to pack - it is, as good as any other multifuel stove.

I rate this stove highly now that I've beaten it. You can transform this cantankerous, smelly, filthy borderline-dangerous stove into something that's actually enjoyable and clean to use simply by ignoring MSR's instructions and priming it with alcohol instead.

Fill, yes, FILL the little priming cup with alcohol having pressurised your bottle and connected it. Light the alcohol with a fire-steel. Wait 'til the alcohol is boiling and the flames are licking arounf the generator tube, then wait a little while longer. While the alcohol flame is still burning, open the tap - practically instant blue flame - no fireballs, no drama, no soot no stink even burning petrol.

Turn the bottle upside down when you're finished and it'll blow all the fuel out of the line leaving you with a clean stove. Swith off the bottle while it's still upside down, remove the stove then relieve the pressure with the bottle upright by unscrewing the pump at arm's length.

The stove will be soot free, you won't be stinking like a gas pump and you may actually get to like this stove.

If you're going to persist with MSR's method, look forward to a sooty, smelly life dominated by, quote MSR "soccer ball sized "flames""

Get a little bottle of alcohol though and life will be a lot easier. You don't need more than about 3/4 teaspoon for every lighting and you can rub your tired feet with it.

But for the alcohol priming technique, this stove would have been ebay fodder. As it stands, I'm happy to advise you to go and buy one, get to know it, then enjoy what must be one of the most rugged and reliable bits of kit you can buy.

ALCOHOL - FIRESTEEL - ESSENTIAL!

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Primus Omnifuel, Optimus Nova.

I have owned and used my wisperlite for about 10 years. I backpack up to 40 days/year.

For the life of me, I can NOT figure out why people like these stoves. I've actually had many conversations with veteran backpackers & thru hikers and most agree that this is most people's first stove, yet not one person I've talked to actually likes their MSR whisperlite. I include 2 good friends in that group. A guy in our outdoors club we call "torch" actually burned down an AT shelter with his wisperlite. I suspect MSR marketing is the culpret, or MSR convinced Backpacker Magazine to say good things about the product.

First, MSR has no business putting "whisper" in the name. If the stove sounds like a 737 taking off then the stove is working properly. Forget hearing the sounds of the forest, or even holding a casual conversation. The upside is that it scares you into a healthy respect of the stove.

But usually the sound isn't a problem, because my stove rarely works as designed. It usually works "well enough" so that I can actually cook with it, but it is a rare day that this stove will work every meal of a typical weekend outting. Again, an upside to this is that when it stops working right it will simmer. Which brings me to my next point...

If the stove is working properly, it has 2 speeds, "off" and "inferno". This boils water fast, but forget actually cooking. Again, why people rate this high when there are so many better options for simmering I will never understand.

Another issue I have with the design is the sensitivity of the priming. There's really no good way to know how much gas you've let out of the bottle to prime the stove before you light it. Be prepared for a suprise flare up. Flames 2 feet high are not uncommon. Again, I know a guy who burned down an AT shelter with his wisperlite when priming it.

There are a couple of upsides. First, it's pretty easy to disassemble and clean in the field. I've gotten quite good at cleaning out the jet and cleaning the fuel line. Those operations usually fix the constant problems I have with this stove. Also an upside, it's a white-gas stove w/ removable fuel bottle, has a nice low cooking surface, it's light as all hell, it comes w/ a snazzy carrying bag & a truly effective wind screen. And you can always sell it easilly when you get sick of it. I keep mine as a "backup" stove.

Seriously, this stove will work well enough to keep you from throwing it into the lake. But not much better.

Customer Service

Eh. They'll help you clean it. But the problem is that their product is designed very poorly. You can't make $hi# shine.

Similar Products Used:

Several MSR Wisperlite International stoves(mostly bad experiences), Coleman backpacker stoves (nice, but high center of gravity), EsBit (nice in an emergencey), homemade pop-can alcohol stoves (nice, but narrow cooking platform)

Outstanding. I am fussy on gear, and hard on gear. This stove has survived and served me well for the last 7 years all over the world. Unleaded? Av gas? etc.etc.? runs a little rough, but hey, we're travelling rough. Shellite / camp fuel? - perfect!! This thing is my soulmate. In a world of disposable consumables, this little gem is a diamond. If it runs a little hot, hold the pan up manually, or (as I do for rice), use a heat displacement pad (80 grams and around $5.00 from a kitchenware store).

Customer Service

MSR still has parts for discontinued models from a couple of decades ago!!! Compare this to (say) PUR, who can not provide a filter for a water purifier 18 months after purchase (as happened to me). Outstanding.

Similar Products Used:

Trangia, Coleman, other MSR gear. A fire whenever possible.

This last summer (2003) was my first year for backpacking. I tried this stove out before I left and I had a hard time boiling water, but found I was just not pressurizing the fuel enough. Once I figured out what it looks like when it's REALLY working, i had no problems with it. I boiled water for outmeal and coffee for four people in no time. I loved it. I would reccomend this to anyone. Some say you can't hold a simmer, just don't pump the fuel too much and it shouldn't be a problem.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

none

We use this stove on multi day backpacking and canoe trips. It is easy to light. It requires very little maintenance (like once in a while you need to poke out the jet with a small tool they gave us with the kit....basically maintenance free). It is light and it folds down (maybe not clear from the picture...) into a very tight package. We've had ours for four years. If I lost it I would go buy another one. Otherwise i will probably never need to shop for stoves again. You won't be dissapointed with this stove.

Customer Service

Never had occasion to try it.

If you want to buy the best use anywhere stove, this one is it. It is light weight and bomb proof. You can bring a small or medium size fuel bottle for short trips, or large/multiple bottles for extended trips. I have had this stove for 5 years and I love it. It has been in a house fire, blasted by sands in Baja California, soaked on a 6-day whitewater rafting trip, and seen sub-zero temps in Northern Idaho's Rockies. It makes some funny sounds and burps now and then, and the pump has a crack in it, but it will boil water now just as well as the day I bought it. If you treat it well (periodic cleaning and oiling) it will perform profoundly for you. Oh yeah, the option of using other fuels than white gas is a huge bonus (especially when you're in another country, or there's no store nearby to buy more gas - just siphon gas from your car).

Customer Service

It works so well, I've never had to call customer service!

Similar Products Used:

Propane canister style stove; Coleman two burner propane stove (big green thing; the campfire.

I've had this stove for over 2 years now. Purchased it for work as I worked as a trail crew in the deserts of Arizona. Then I camped out for 4 months in the pines of Flagstaff. The stove had goen through so much abuse (occasionally by rain...if the weather is sunny, it's definitely out in the sun - Arizona sun) I just returned from Yosemite for a weekend trip. The stove lasts and it's still working just fine. I wouldn't recommend food that requires simmering, because you will never to get it simmer unless the stove is on the brink of being off. I only had to service it once when the pumping suction cup needs to be re-oiled (at home). It's light and sturdy...though you really need to "feel" the stove out (ie. an inferno once or twice in the beginning) If you get a good deal on this stove, get it. If not, buy something that simmers and easy to use - it does make your trip so much easier!

Customer Service

self-served. no need to use it yet.

Similar Products Used:

MSR Dragonfly - from a friend. No...too noisy.

I can understand a lot of people not liking this stove. It definitely has it's quirks. The Whisperlite was my first stove, and it's now about 12 years old. In 12 years of near-constant use in mountains and deserts all over the country, I've had only one problem. About 4 years ago, the pump stopped working on a winter backpack trip. Turns out the O-ring was dried out. Pulled the ring off, spit on it, put it back on, and it's been perfect ever since. I have since bought the repair kit, but have never used it. I've had many many great meals over the years thanks to this stove, and have never had a problem with either high heat or simmering. OK, simmering with the Whisperlite may be an art form, but it's never been too difficult that I felt I needed a different stove. I'm not going to tell everyone to go buy this stove, you just need to get something that works for you. But this was my first stove, and in 12 years I've never had a reason to look for something else. This stove is going to last forever. As a final note, for any doubters out there, the windscreen and reflector may look cheap, but they get the job done. Oh, and to the person who says they paid $130 for one of these, either you are posting to the wrong product, or you didn't do your research and got completely screwed.

Customer Service

For what?

Similar Products Used:

None, but this thing has worked every time while my fellow campers with other liquid fuel and canister stoves are trying to figure out why theirs aren't working right.

It works great. I am nervous with the thought I may need to work this thing with frozen hands or in a tent or with a headache. It is the Mack truck of stoves. I still am not sure I am doing it right and wouldn't have a clue to fix it. Does a stove need so many variables? Turn it on and light it seemed easier with my old one. But again, it does fire up and go. I am pretty much a Ramen noodle eater anyway so it works. Good deal for the money. Base and reflectors score with me

Inexpensive, compact, light, firepower... what more can you ask for? Whether roughing it in the backcountry or at a campsite, the Whisperlight is a breeze to set up, a cinch to light, and boils a quart of water in minutes. They say the true test of a stove is to make a perfect pot of rice - both boiling and simmering... haven''t tried it yet, but on everything else it plain rocks.

Similar Products Used:

old Coleman stove (the green ones with 2 burners)