New Stove what to choose

[ninjapuppet]

I've never been too much of an MSR stove fan other than their reactor, but this new universal has changed all that.
The Whisperlite Universal now gets my vote as being the best all rounder.

Many other stoves can burn both shellite and cannister gas, but this MSR makes it just so easy to change between the connectors without being fiddly.
it simmers really well and it's upside down cannister stand is just a bonus.
Holds a 5L pot well like most stoves in this category so cooking for 3 is no probs.

[tasadam]

Maybe it's the Saturday night wine, but...
What a hot topic!

[Lady McGuyver]

Well, it has the potential to simmer. . .

[tasadam]

You're on fire!
We're cooking now...

[nq111]

The Whisperlite Universal now gets my vote as being the best all rounder.

How does it compare to the Primus Omnilite do you feel?

[ninjapuppet]

you're getting down to nit-picking here. Both are really good and you cant really go wrong with either.
I just like to use cannister more for short trips.

[Stonie]

Sorry I can't help but add to this im a closet stove nerd.

I was buying a new stove today it would be a Primus Omnilite http://www.primus.eu/omnilite/
However the new WhisperLite Universal looks like a no brainier too, as they have fixed the wire legs and added gas. both would be winners.

For the record older wisperlights will simmer just needs a bit of practice. The Omni simmers no problem. Some people don't like the plastic pump on the MSRs, But I think you would have to be unlucky to snap one.

My current stove is the older Primus Omni Fuel, previous was a wisperlight international. and I have tried a bunch of alcohol stoves but have had problems with wind and rain, AFAIK metho is pretty much stuffed once it has water in it. Having suffered some BAD weather in SW Tas I want my stove to work when I need it, even if it weighs a bit.

I also always pack a small gas msr pocket rocket clone ($20) and a 100g gas canister (in someone else's pack, for backup and for bigger two pot meals)

On other thing, If you don't like the noise open burner stoves make you can get damper caps for them:
http://www.bluewaterstove.com/Bluewater_Stove_Restoration/BernieDawg_Silent_Caps/BernieDawg_Silent_Caps.html
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/quietstove/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

And if you really want to know about stove fuels then read this
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Efficiency.htm

Regards,
Stonie.

Last edited by Stonie on Sun 22 Jul, 2012 9:53 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[corvus]

Hey thanks Stonie just what another stove nerd needed a new "more better louder stove "
now how to convince SWMBO that it is a " safety thing "
Have you checked out the price of the "silencers" for these Roarer Burners
corvus

[Stonie]

Yeah I priced them.... (ouch) that's why I still make a sweet racket with mine

Just camp away from the metho loving weenies and everything will be just fine... ;P
NB: That dosent include those drinking their metho... they don't seem to mind so much

[corvus]

Stonie where did you buy yours from.
corvus

[Stonie]

My stove?

MoonTrail: http://www.moontrail.com/stoves/primus_omnifuel.html
Here is the new one: http://www.moontrail.com/primus-omnilite-ti.php

Regards,
Stonie.

[corvus]

Thanks for that Stonie at that price +post it would be an extravagance for me ,especially that I am now an OAP so I guess I will just have to make do with my collection
corvus

[steveo]

I've got an omnilite TI, and I just ordered one of these http://store.quietstove.com/primus-omnilite-ti.html[url][/url]
$$ I know but i've got a bit of a stove collecting problem, and this is one of the best winter stoves going, gas or shelite.

[LTM]

I normally use a kovea stove that screws onto a gas cannister. I hadn't realised that they are affected by cold or altitude. At what temperature or altitude does this problem kick in?

[Stonie]

Have a read of the fuel link in my above post.

[WinterCampingGuy]

I've got an omnilite TI, and I just ordered one of these http://store.quietstove.com/primus-omnilite-ti.html
$$ I know but i've got a bit of a stove collecting problem, and this is one of the best winter stoves going, gas or shelite.

Hey Steveo,

Do let us know how it works it out. The Primus OmniLite Ti looks like a sweet stove!

I recently purchased this one for my MSR DragonFly http://store.quietstove.com/msr-dragon-fly.html It was as loud as a jet fighter before I added that little QuietStove wonder. Amazing product and super customer service. I've noticed it boils water much faster too.

Sam

[steveo]

Will do Sam,
It really is a great stove, but it is LOUD!! Hopefully the cap will fix the one and only critism I have with the stove.
Good to hear that it worked well for your dragonfly.

[Pongo]

Thought it worth bumping this thread in lieu of creating a new one.

I'm wandering into the terrain of buying a stove for the first time and am very quickly becoming overwhelmed with all the variation and opinions. So I thought I would ask you good folks for some stove recommendations to get me started. I pinched Moondogs template to simplify things.

What is more important to you?

Weight?
*Ease of use?*
*Ruggedness?*
Cost?
Availability of fuel?
Which fuel? Kerosine or Shellite??
*Safety?*
PICK 3

So a quick fill on what I want/need and how I justified the above (hopefully this will help you in making some suggestions too):

- Safety and reliability are of paramount importance to me
- I'm buying my first set of gear at the moment so am in that stage where I can't afford multiple purchases of the same equipment (ie. 4 season sleeping bag, 3 season sleeping bag), so the gear I get needs to be 'jack of all trades' type gear.
- I'm tending towards accumulating four season gear so I would preference something that works well in alpine conditions.
- I have used trangias before but am largely unfamiliar with most other stoves and fuel types (although not intimidated by sourcing fuel etc...)
- I would love something with an adjustable flame. The closer to what I'd use at home, the happier I'd be
- Something that's not too fiddly. I can see myself crushing a pepsican stove. Not to mention setting myself on fire. The less priming, prewhatevers that need to be done to make fire, the better. I can be clumsy lug at times.
- I have a trip to the south coast track planned for 6 months time, so I need something that I can run for 7-10 days.

I hope this is detailed enough to get you stove collectors thinking. I'm on here quite a bit so if there are any questions you need to fire my way, I'll reply pretty quick. Thanks a tonne ♥

[Nuts]

G'day pongo, gas is probably the easiest and closest to home style performance. I'd go for something from a reliable brand and with a hose between the cannister and stove if you do intend to camp in colder weather ( being able to turn the cannister upside down) or use a range of pot sizes eg msr windpro 11 is one we've used recently. I'm not a stove tragic but these are essentially bombproof (and simple) there are more elaborate models with piezo ignition and multi fuel personally id avoid these options if possible.

Metho stoves like ur trangia are nice but slower and a bit more fiddle. If you do want to use metho take a look at the Caldera stoves, especially the titanium models.

[Pongo]

Thanks Nuts ♥

Does anyone have any other suggestions or have any experience with the msr windpro 11?

This cooker and some water filtration are my last bits of kit before I'm well decked out. Man it take a while to gear up... that and the GDP of a small nation.

[maverick]

I've got both the msr windpro 2 and the msr whisperlite universal. The Universal is a excellent allrounder, it even simmers quite well on shellite. But the windpro is much more compact and lighter. Both are excellent stoves

[Pongo]

Sorry to keep bumping this thread, but a few questions if I may...

Would you folks consider this a 'safe' stove to use? Stories of things going 'boom' worry me. Also. what fuels would you use with this stove in alpine and non-aline conditions?

Thanks for taking the time to help, this really is an excellent community.

[Mark F]

Really most stoves are "safe" if they are used and maintained with care. It really depends on the skill of the user and this comes with practice and experience. The level of safety with stoves largely depends on the fuel and then operating the stove in an appropriate manner. For a novice I would suggest Metho or Gas - effective and cheap. For more experienced users, they will know what is likely to work for them in the conditions they walk in.

Esbit is inert until burning - main problems relate to fumes in an enclosed space - relatively slow but very light
Metho - doesn't go bang but can be kicked over and spread burning fuel - stoves range from light to heavy and relatively slow
Gas - can go bang if the canister is overheated or the stove is treated badly allowing gas to escape - stoves mid weight but fast
Shellite - can go bang and create tent destroying fire balls if not used carefully - stoves heavy and fast
ULP - as per shellite as well as fumes with nasty effects - stoves heavy and fast
Kero - needs a great deal of care not to allow any to escape - very messy, can go bang - stoves heavy and fast - the 3rd world fuel
Biomass -limited by regulation (fuel stove only areas) and fire bans - cheap, light, relatively slow to get started and a problem in wet conditions

For cooking in a tent vestibule I feel gas is the safest option.

[Strider]

As above, gas is the safest. Also an.option for alpine use if the stove allows for the canister to be inverted.

[cosmic_couple22]

I am also looking at a new stove, current stove is older style whisperlite international.

My must be check list is
multi fuel, (trek in 3rd world so low grade kero, diesiel etc are the fuel options)
burn well above 4000m (normally trek in the mountains and get in the fluffy white cold stuff)
cook food as well as melt snow
easy to clean
would also be nice if it would pack into my 1.5l Ti msr pot.

I think my best choices are :- MSR xgk ex - Primus omnifuel (like the Ti model, smaller lighter but doesn't have as much power as the standard model) - Optimus nova plus

Would like to here some personal experience, and opinions on which way I shoiuld go.

Many thanks

Chester

[Mano]

I've got both the msr windpro 2 and the msr whisperlite universal. The Universal is a excellent allrounder, it even simmers quite well on shellite. But the windpro is much more compact and lighter. Both are excellent stoves

Maverick, after a flameout with my 20 year old MSR Whisperlite on the weekend due to a leaking fuel line while testing it I need a new safe replacement. After reading posts on here I'm leaning towards the two new MSR's you mention. May I ask if you can recommend where to buy/see them? Also, I has some qualms about the rigidity of the fuel line on the Universal. Is this a hassle to get into your pack/cookwear?

Edit by moderator - also see this post.

[nq111]

For consideration the primus omnilite ti is certainly rugged - the roarer cup design is tougher than usual gas stoves. It can be primarily used as a remote feed gas stove (including inverted feed) or with an easy swap of the jet can be used as a shellite stove it in the future if you find a need to go that way (e.g. true 4 season).

By the way, shellite is not evil, and multitudes of campers use it safely (including in vestibules during storms ) . Just make sure you are practiced and confident in the procedures. I understand some even carry a little extra metho to use for priming to make that procedure safer again.

Also true that gas is easier again and can be made to work in many conditions.

[kmcgreg]

Where did you guys get the MSR wind pro II from???? How does go with simmering?
Deciding on this or MSR Reactor ot JetBoil Sumo Ti

[Pongo]

G'day pongo, gas is probably the easiest and closest to home style performance. I'd go for something from a reliable brand and with a hose between the cannister and stove if you do intend to camp in colder weather ( being able to turn the cannister upside down) or use a range of pot sizes eg msr windpro 11 is one we've used recently. I'm not a stove tragic but these are essentially bombproof (and simple) there are more elaborate models with piezo ignition and multi fuel personally id avoid these options if possible.

I've got both the msr windpro 2 and the msr whisperlite universal. The Universal is a excellent allrounder, it even simmers quite well on shellite. But the windpro is much more compact and lighter. Both are excellent stoves

Well I've made the plunge and have got my mans on a windrpo 2. EDIT: Looks like paddy pallin have them, and they be on sale Now the next big question... which stores sell the canisters to go with this bad boy? I'm new to camp stoves so am really just feeling my way through here.

Last edited by Pongo on Wed 19 Sep, 2012 7:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[andrewa]

I recently bought a Windpro 1 on special ( like US 90)

If you undo the junction between cylinder and hose by 180 degrees, you can use an inverted canister. It doesnt leak, and even comes with a tool to do so. Maybe not as elegant as Windpro 2, but still works.

A