The MSR XGK EX is an expedition stove that reportedly improves on similar models from the past (the XGK and XGK II). Some of the improvements to the older models from the manufacturer include a flexible fuel line, retractable legs and pot supports. For more detailed information please see my initial report.   
   

Safety First

This was the first time that I had used a pressurized fuel stove in years. I normally use an Esbit stove in the warmer months and a commercial alcohol stove or hobo wood stove for colder months. In preparation for this trip, I practiced setting up and lighting the stove before I took it on the expedition. I wanted to see how easily it would light, if a fireball would be a problem and how much the lever should be moved to regulate the white gas which was my chosen fuel. I also wanted to check how my 2 qt (1.89 L) pan with a diameter dimension of 6.25 in (16 cm) would fit on the pot supports and what kind of clearance there was with the wind screen that was provided.

I approached the lighting of the stove with a bit of apprehension. The owner's manual that comes with the stove warns operators of the stove that a "brief soccer ball flame is normal " after lighting. This is something I was not exactly looking forward to, never having pyromania as a trait of mine. I am probably a overly safety-orientated person so I proceeded with extra caution. I slightly turned the control lever to release a small amount of fuel into the cup ( approx. 1/2 Tablespoon) and then lit the stove to warm the generator tube. It is a bit hard to see the fuel being released into the cup but I could certainly hear the hiss sound of the fuel traveling through the fuel tube into the stove cup. When the initial yellow flame subsided and then turned blue in color, I reactively turned the control lever to allow more fuel to enter the stove. After a few episodes of practice I was ready for the trip.

During the trip, I used a small cookie sheet with raised edges (9 in/23 cm x 13 in/33 cm x 1 in/ 3 cm) to hold the 33 oz (976 ml) size bottle of fuel and the stove so that it wouldn't sink into the snow. I left the circular piece of foil that was provided as a base at home. This will be reserved for non-snow conditions. The windscreen that  was provided does fit around my 2 qt (1.89 L) pot with a diameter of 6.25 in/16 cm) but it could easily be adjusted to accommodate both smaller or larger pots (8 in/20 cm). I used a paper clip to overlap the two ends together so that there was about 1 in (2.54 cm) of clearance around the pan.

At camp, I set up my stove with more confidence. The stove lighting process went flawlessly and soon I was melting enough snow for water requirements for the evening (a quart/liter) as well as some for the next morning. I like to boil two quarts ( two liters) of extra water at night and then store it in insulated cozies. In the morning, I reheat the lukewarm water to boiling to carry with me during the day. It just makes the morning boiling process a shorter procedure when I don't have to start with snow.

I had paid full attention to the warnings about setting the stove up away from flammable materials, I made sure it was an adequate distance away from the tent that was my shelter for this trip. I also removed my sticky dot gloves as I wanted to be sure that my hands weren't covered by flammable material.

My first few boiling sessions lasted about 20 minutes each to boil 1.75 qt (1.66 L) to 2 qt (1.89 L) of water each time. I did not use the stove at full tilt but just at a comfortable simmering type level. That was produced by backing off on the amount of pressure I pumped into the bottle initially. On this trip I paid full attention to every sound of the stove. I added a few pumps of pressure if I heard the stove sputtering a bit. Normally this wasn't an issue if I kept it going at a constant rate and if I didn't adjust the control lever. MSR recommends adding a few pumps every ten minutes but it always wasn't necessary to maintain the pressure.

I had brought plenty of fuel along for this trip totalling 75 oz (2218 ml). MSR recommends a minimum of 8 oz (237 ml) of fuel a day for melting snow and cooking so I brought along a bit extra. It was supposed to have been a nine day trip but due to road closures and later the complete exhaustion of a trip participant, the trip only lasted five days. I only used about 30 oz (887 ml) of the total fuel for an average of 6 oz (177 ml) per day. With mild winter temperatures (low was 1 F/-17 C) fuel consumption was most likely at a minimal level. Consumption of fuel also varies with personal needs. I simply don't use or need to melt snow to make more than four to five quarts (liters) of water per day.


Packing the Stove

The stove has a very sturdy appearance and so far fragility hasn't been an issue. After retracting the legs and pot supports I put it back in its stuff sack with the flexible fuel line looped or bent so that it fits in the sack. The retractable legs and pot supports pivot together making it so convenient to put away. The stuff sack does fit into my cook pot but I stored it separately as I had other items stashed in the pot. There was also plenty of room in the sledge so that I didn't have to compact my equipment. This was placed in a larger sack with the three 33 oz size (976 ml) fuel bottles that I carried on the trip and other related supplies. It was loaded into my sledge with all my other gear.


Big Advantage

So far, the MSR XGK EX has provided many advantages over my other main winter stove (alcohol stove). The boil times have been shorter, I haven't had to refuel and relight the stove several times in an attempt to boil several quarts of water, and the fuel lasts longer so I don't use as much. My alcohol stove only holds 3 oz (89 ml) of fuel at a time so that necessitates frequent refueling and relighting. Although the alcohol stove with accompanying accessories of the stand, simmer ring and windscreen weigh a lot less (7.0 oz/198 g) compared to the MSR XGK EX (16 oz/454 g), the later utilizes a lot less fuel to do the same job. After a few days in the field, the weight difference pays off.

Quick Comparison-- A Look at Numbers for 5 Days of Melting Snow for 4 - 5 qt (3.79 - 4.73 L) of Water per Day.
	MSR Stove Kit (minus Heat Reflector)	Commercial Alcohol Stove and Accessories (Stand, Simmer Ring and Windscreen)
Stove Weight	16 oz (454 g)	7 oz (198 g)
Fuel Bottle/Pump (MSR) and Fuel	32 oz (907 g) Includes MSR 33oz size (976 ml) Fuel Bottle containing 30 oz (887 ml) of fuel with pump and filter	68 oz (1928 g) Includes Nalgene 32 oz size (3.7 oz/105 g)) Fuel Bottle containing 32 oz (946 ml) of fuel at 40 oz (1134 g) and Nalgene 32 oz size (3.7 oz/105 g) Fuel Bottle containing 23 oz (680 ml) of fuel at 28 oz (794 g)
Fuel Requirements	30 oz  (5 days @ 6 oz/177 ml)	55 oz (5 days @11 oz/1627 ml)
Total Weight (Stove and Fuel)	48 oz (1361 g)	75 oz (2126 g)

The above data for the alcohol stove reflects my experience during average winter trips in the past using the stove. It may not reflect every situation as temperatures and other factors may have varied but the overall numbers suggest that the MSR XGK EX Stove is a more efficient stove to carry during the winter months instead of the alcohol stove.