I have used all models from all manufacturors. The MSk-GK is indeed the best for melting snow. However, the maintanence issues, and the plastic pump handle ( I once had one with a metall pump) are a BIG negative. I am now back to my old old Svea 123 because it does not break down. If the MSR folks would make an aluminum pump like the Optimus folks do, they woulld have a terrific product. CBJ

I bought it 8 years ago and to be honoust I have never serviced it, and it still works every three times a year I use it! Just great!!! It is strong and I dont have to threat it qith great care, it is that strong. Plus it is simple to use.

Customer Service

dont know

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This is truly a great stove. However, it isn't perfect. Here are some pros and cons. Pros: -Built like a tank. This truly a robust stove. -It gets the job done. If the main concerns are melting the snow, boiling water and getting "not so gourme" food prepared in rough conditions this is the stove you should go for. -Fairly fuel efficient and burns clean with good quality white gas (80/110 filtering or better). Extremely clean white gas is also less volatile so it is even safer that way. However in extreme cold you might prefer less filtered variant. Cons: -This is the only stove from MSR that doesn't fit into their 1.5 liter pots. If you need to pack it tight and light you should think about DragonFly. However Dragon Fly isn't as robust as XGK. -Pump is plastic. Pump isn't as robust as the rest of the kit. However, the new one is an improvement. -It sounds like jet taking off.. However, if this is a major concern then you should look take a look at butane/propane burning stoves. They are much easier to handle and if you don't use your stove in remote (do you need a multi fuel burning stove?) or extreme locations they will also serve you better.

Customer Service

Responsive and available in most places around the world.

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DragonFly, PocketRocket, many models from Trangia and Optimus.

even a technically-inept moron like myself can work this thing and fix minor problems with it, however rare they may be. A good example: about 5 yrs ago I was forced to hurl the entire stove/pump/fuel bottle apparatus out the door of an NPS backcountry cabin when the priming flame got out of control (the inept moron part). It still works - the jet housing is now a little crooked and pots tend to sit at a slight angle, but hey, it works like new! Buy this stove, easy, reliable, fast, you'll learn to like the jet-engine sound.

Customer Service

none needed

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primus canister stove

I have the old XG-K with the yellow pump, bought around 1987-88. I have heard that the pumps made in the early 1990s were worse and sometimes broke easily. The new red pumps are good. If you have one of the old-style pumps, you can send it to MSR and they will send you a new model for around $20. The old yellow pumps work O.K., but you have to be careful with a couple of things. First, don't overtighten the adjusting screw or you will strip the delicate threads in the pump body. The new pump has a nut placed under the adjusting screw to prevent this. With the yellow pumps, the "air hose" at the end of the pump will often become brittle and crack. It is possible to replace this if you know what you are doing, but you need to use a hose bent upwards just like the original hose. You can mould some types of clear tubing (the kind made for chemistry setups) in a warm oven and then put it in ice water to set the bend. If the tube is not bent UP (opposite the direction of the the smaller "dip tube"), it will not be above the fuel level in the bottle and this is a little dangerous. With a straight tube, it is possible that fuel could leak into the pump body if the O-ring in the end of the pump leaks. This could be dangerous. Also, you will probably need to force-fit a larger piece of tube on the end of the pump to retain the two tiny pins holding the air hose. One you remove them to replace the hose, they won't fit as tight and could work loose. So unless you really know what you are doing, just send in your old pump and the $20 and get a new one. The new one will work fine with the old stove assemblies. Also get the spare parts kit for around $13. It has O-rings and other parts you will need to replace after a few years. I would suggest to everyone that you use kerosene in your stoves and not white gas. Kerosene is much less volatile. Gas vapors can explode violently and cause serious injury. There are lots of stories of leaking stoves (of all brands) blowing up with gasoline. Kerosene is much harder than gas to ignite. The disadvantages of kerosene are that it doesn't evaporate as fast, so spills can stink for a while. Since it is harder to start, you need to bring a little bottle of denatured alcohol (sold in hardware stores) or 90% isopropyl alcohol (not 70%, sold at some drug stores; Target has it) to prime the stove. Squirt a little in the stove bowl by

Customer Service

Very good; just e-mail them and they will get back to you a couple of days. They will rebuild pumps and stoves for reasonable cost.

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Great Product. Just like anything that MSR builds/sells. Have used the stove about 1000+/- hours.....Great Stove. Have used white gas, unleaded as well as kerosene. Of course you are going to get a better btu result with the purer fuel(White Gas). Made to work as it is designed. "Flame Thrower Jet Engine". Perfect for quick boil of packaged foods. Not intented to make cream sauces or omlets.........Can be done though just be reducing the amount of pressure output by decreasing from fuel bottle. Have never had any problems. Like anything else you own......take care of her and she will last a lifetime.

Customer Service

No Need !!!!

Similar Products Used:

MSR''s whisperlite, OPtimus

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Really a great piece of equipment. It will burn just about anything that you can think of to fead it. I have backpacked with guys who have many different types of stoves - but this is the one that everyone comes to rely on in the cold, or wet or freezing temps. And yes, you can make it simmer - anyone who can''t figure out how to get the stove to do that after one or two tries should maybe consider letting someone else play with the fire.

Customer Service

Never had it break, but I have called MSR just for fun, and they are really great people.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus and Primus

An excellent piece of gear. The pump finally broke after 20 years of (extensive)use. Sent it back to MSR for repair and basically got a new stove back for $20.
What excellent service. I totally recommend this stove.

Customer Service

Excellent

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Everthing from solid hexamine, coleman optimus primus etc none come close to the xgk

All of the below is true...
I just want to add..

If you get an uncoated metal plate to rest on top of the legs, the plate will heat to a lovely "simmering" temperature. It's an extra thing to carry, but you can make crepes with one on there... And durn, crepes are good

GREAT STOVE
HEATS IN HALF THE TIME!!!

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I went on a scout outing last month, and saw every variety of stove made. Half of them required fooling around with, or performed poorly because of the icy temps we had in the cascades. My xgk fired up, cooked my cut up steak, then boiled water for tea. The scouts spent an additional hour getting the competitors fired up and cooking.

The jet on one of the kids dragonfly cloged, the peak one was hard to stay lit, and the propane stoves had no umph because of the cold.

I had a chance to visit MSR. This stove, in one form or another has been cooking for almost 30 years. (The G model came before the Xgk, and people even use this early non generator model on Mt. Ranier today.)

I know more than one guide service uses a fleet of xgks stoves guiding on Ranier.

It will burn anything more flamable than bear piss.

The simmer thing is overrated. Just pump it one stroke, then move the valve 1/4 a turn and you have a flame that only sometime sputters, and have an output at about 1/2 full juice. You can cook on this if you learn how.

I would much rather have this dependability and learn the stoves tricks, than go with the more problematic dragonfly, or wimpy wisperlight. You will not see me with a throw in the landfill, no presure in cold temp, canister stove.

By the way, the MSR product dude uses only the XGk stove when climbing, and leaves his others at home. He says if your life could depend on the stove, this is the only one to take along.

I wish it had a pump that did not look like a happy meal toy however. The original prototype pump was brass, but must have been very heavy.

The only other stove i like to cary is my old svea 123. Both are dependable, and both have been used by serious mountian people. Those climbers know what they can depend on.

If the price scares you, buy a used one. In 10 years the xgk will still be blow torching buckets of water for you. Even if you buy a new one, it will look old soon. When you over prime it a time or two, it will look like you pulled it from the depths of hell anyway.

The old (not for sale anymore) non shaker jet models just require a quick poke with the cleaning tool. (like the old svea 123 before the fancy self cleaning gismo in the R model.)

The old G model that came before the xgk can't be field stripped for tube cleaning. But, these are starting to be collectable anyway.

The (used market) non shaker jet model can't be jet retro fited with the shaker jet, but agian, there is something to say for the fewer parts in the old one.

If you are obsessed with stoves like me, you gota get one of these. If you just want a dependable stove, this is it.

Customer Service

For 20 bucks they will rebuild your stove and pump. Not that it will need it, but if yours is all bent to hell send it in. They will take care of you. They replaced the whole outside housing of mine, and replaced all the seals on the pump. They love stoves, and will talk stoves with you if you are obsessed.

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