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Reviews > Cook Gear > Stoves > MSR Whisperlite Shakerjet > Owner Review by Ryan Lane ChristensenMSR Whisperlite ShakerJet Backpacking Stove
Name: Ryan L. Christensen Backpacking Background: I began hiking, camping, backpacking at twelve, and continued until 25. After a long hiatus due in part to a bad back, I resumed hiking and camping three years ago. Now, I have teen-age boys with whom I share my love for these sports. The past three years, we have hiked, or camped, nearly every month, year-round. We vary our experience: desert, forest, meadow, and mountain; in the spring, summer, fall, and winter; be it sunshine, rain, wind, or snow. Together we began backpacking this summer. I am not an ultra-light packer; I carry a full array of gear. Product Information:
Product Description: I was looking for a compact, easy to use stove that would function at higher elevations and in all seasons. After much consideration, and an article I read online which recommended liquid fuel stoves, I decided on the MSR Whisperlite backpacking stove. The Whisperlite comes in a simple, triangular-shaped cardboard box. The box contains the stove itself, a fuel pump, a windscreen, a heat reflector, a small parts kit, an instruction booklet in six languages, and a nylon stuff sack. The stove does not look like much. Three stainless steel wire legs also serve as pot supports. These tripod legs fold around the bowl-shaped, stainless steel burner. Below the burner are the brass mixer tube and the stainless steel priming cup, into which fuel drips and is burned to prime the stove. The fuel line connects the priming cup to the fuel pump and the fuel bottle. The generator tube, as MSR calls it, is the section of fuel line between the fuel bottle and the primer cup that passes through, and slightly above, the burner cup. The generator tube is a key design element of the Whisperlite stove, for it is here that fuel is pre-heated and vaporized. Nearly half of the fuel line is flexible brass hose, the balance is rigid stainless steel tubing. The stainless steel catch arm connected to the fuel line secures the line to the fuel pump. The pump assembly, including a fuel filter, fits inside and securely screws into the threaded top of the MSR fuel bottle.
Aerial view of Whisperlite stove Side view of Whisperlite stove Field Information: I have successfully used my MSR Whisperlite stove on numerous backpacking and camping trips. I primarily camp in southeastern Idaho. Occasionally, I venture into Grand Teton National Park, which is located in western Wyoming, or Yellowstone National Park, which is located in eastern Idaho, western Montana, and western Wyoming. The elevations of the areas I usually camp range from 5,500 feet (2,000 m) to 8,500 feet (3,000 m) above sea level. The summers in these areas are usually dry and warm (80 to the upper 90 F (27-32 C). Winters are usually cold and snow depths vary from the high-plains desert to the higher elevations. Springs can be somewhat cold and wet. In addition, the wind blows frequently, regardless of the season. The instructions for assembling and operating this stove are quite simple. First, uncap the MSR fuel bottle and fill with white gas. Next, insert and snugly screw the pump assembly into the MSR fuel bottle. Make sure the control valve is closed. Then pressurize the fuel bottle via the pump plunger until there is firm resistance. MSR suggests 15-20 strokes will be required to pressurize a full fuel bottle, and approximately 40-55 strokes for one half-full. Next, lubricate the end of the fuel line and insert into the pump assembly. Secure the fuel line to the pump via the catch arm. Make sure the catch arm clicks into the slot on the pump. Now rotate the three legs/pot supports, making sure they click into their designated slots on the burner. In dry areas, or in snow, it is a good idea to place the stove on the foil heat reflector. Now, the stove is ready for priming. First, open the control valve and allow about a teaspoon of fuel to drip into the priming cup. Next, close the control valve, and check for fuel leaks. If there are no leaks, ignite the fuel in the priming cup. When the priming fuel has burned down to a small flame, gradually open the control valve until getting the desired flame. The stove design is such that the fuel line passes through the burner, near the flame, to preheat and vaporize the fuel. The vaporized fuel passes through the balance of the fuel line and out the fuel jet. As the vaporized fuel passes through the fuel jet, it pulls air with it. This air mixes with the vaporized fuel in the burner head and ignites as it passes through the corrugated burner plates. Unfortunately, it is quite easy to allow too much fuel to fill the priming cup. Lighting the stove then results in a massive yellow fireball. In addition, if the fuel valve is left open, things can get out of control in a hurry. My teenage sons often over fill the priming cup. I am not sure if this is accidental or intentional, as they like the inferno. The first time I used this stove, I was amazed at how quickly it boiled water. I was eating my freeze-dried chicken enchiladas quite a bit sooner than my friends who were using different stoves. Such is the case whether I am in the snow, rain, or sunshine. Because of the frequent winds in southeastern Idaho, I find that I use the foil windscreen quite a bit. It keeps the flame from blowing out, and I believe it also increases the efficiency of the stove. I boil a lot of water on the stove, as I eat a lot of freeze-dried food when I am backpacking. However, I have also cooked omelets, fish, and other foods quite well on the stove. MSR claims that the Whisperlite will boil one liter of water in about four minutes. From my experience, especially when using the heat shield and the windscreen, I am able to boil water in about 3.5 minutes. My MSR Whisperlite has a self-cleaning shaker jet. For quick cleaning of the fuel jet, simply shake the stove up and down. The rattle sound heard when shaking the stove is the shaker needle doing its thing. This seems to work most of the time. Occasionally, a more extensive cleaning is required. However, I have not had any major problems with this stove. Summary: I believe the MSR Whisperlite is a great backpacking stove for the non-ultra light backpacker. It is simple to use. The white gas fuel is easy to ignite in all weather conditions, and burns efficiently. It is quite durable, and maintenance, other than the quick shaker cleaning, is seldom required.
Reviews > Cook Gear > Stoves > MSR Whisperlite Shakerjet > Owner Review by Ryan Lane Christensen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
