Stoves

[Peakbagr]

I have had an MSR XGK for years. Its a veritable blowtorch. Melts snow quickly and boils even quicker. Need to learn its little quirks for it to simmer and cook, but for the winter, its the boss.

 

[JimB]

No one's mentioned it here, but I use a Coleman Peak 1 (442) with the built in tank/base and have had real good luck with it down to -20. My first winter attempts with it were quite exciting until I got the ritual down pat and then it was a breeze. I realize it doesn't get mentioned in the new issue of Backpacker or have a real cool looking plastic pump but it seems pretty indestructable and isn't really that heavy when you consider it is all one unit. I did have it fail to pump up once before I knew it had an oil hole in the pump . Now I maintain it regularly and it always seems to come through for me.

 

[MissionsMan]

Goooo Primus!!!

I switched to the Vari-fuel from my other MSR stoves after, admittedly my fault, breaking the plastic pump housing - several times. I am too over-zealous (or in too much of a hurry!!!) in pressure-izing the fuel and have broken more plastic pump-retaining tabs than i'd care to admit.... So, knowing i am a little too dumb to change my ways , i eliminated the other weak link - the plastic pumps in exchange for the super-durable, all-metal Primus Vari-fuel. The weight for the Primus Vari-Fuel stove is no more than the MSR Dragonfly (with plastic pump) either and i get an all-metal stove - i'll take an "all metal" stove over one with a few significant plastic parts for the same wgt every time.

Also, i have found the Primus Vari-Fuel stove performs every bit as well as my (former) MSR stoves except the Dragonfly which simmered as well as my stove at home. In fact, though i have not *scientifically* measured this, i believe the Primus stove i have is more efficient than my Whisperlite or the Dragonfly - YMMV of course.

I have never been accused of being a 'back-country chef' so basically i use my white gas stoves to melt snow - huge quantities of snow - period (i REALLY like hot chocolate!!!). For the most part, all i require from my stove is to be super durable, to rarely breakdown, to be reasonably fuel efficient, and work in the cold temps i prefer. Tragically, all are loud... For me, the phrase i learned as a young paratrooper - KISS - works everytime. That and many years of studying Murphy (Murphs Law is inviolate!!!) Again, YMMV.

WHEW!!!!! Rant Off.

Mm

 

[Oldsmores]

...You can get the pumps for the optimus stoves Here
(I think they might also fit the Svea 123 as well).....

Well, I wasn't going to mention my ancient Svea 123, but... what a great piece of gear. Never fails and lights in the coldest weather I ever want to be out in. I actually got a pump for it, but find that priming it with Fire Ribbon is easier and more effective.

 

[Desalad]

I switched to the Vari-fuel from my other MSR stoves after, admittedly my fault, breaking the plastic pump housing - several times. Mm

Last winter my friend had the same problem with his MSR - with the plastic pump. He called up MSR and they replaced the part for free. MSR has recognized the plastic pump housing as a design flaw, admitting that it breaks VERY often.

Still, it sucks to have stove failure in sub freezing temps! I'll check out the Primus, thanks for the advice.

 

[Rik]

I bought an MSR whisperlite 12 years ago and have not had any problems since buying it. When I bought it it came without a pump. I wrote MSR and they sent me a whole new stove and let me keep the original! Great customer service!

 

[Quietman]

Another vote for the Peak1!!!
Cheap, almost indestructable, reliable, so what if it's not extremely light weight.

 

[MissionsMan]

Last winter my friend had the same problem with his MSR - with the plastic pump. He called up MSR and they replaced the part for free. MSR has recognized the plastic pump housing as a design flaw, admitting that it breaks VERY often.

Still, it sucks to have stove failure in sub freezing temps! I'll check out the Primus, thanks for the advice.

I accept full responsibility for the failure of the second, third, etc. stove pumps, but the design is lacking. To MSR's credit, they replaced the first one no questions asked and they were fast, fast, fast. I didn't ask about the second - and they would prolly have replaced it as well. I loved the performance, but durability was too suspect for me. I had eaten too many cold dinners and faced with too little water to keep using the MSR'S. After another failure with my Dragonfly and 5 hard won, deep snow miles from the car, i was quite livid. I was even trying to be gentle and the combo of me and the cold just was too much. I was livid and speed marched back to the car and drove home that same night. Yep, i sinned in my anger. God forgive me PLEASE!!!!

I had seen other Primus stoves in use, but was happy w/my MSR except for my breaking them. I switched to the Primus a few years back and haven't missed the MSR's at all. They are still a good product for many careful users, but not for me. YMMV.

Mm

 

[MissionsMan]

Another vote for the Peak1!!!
Cheap, almost indestructable, reliable, so what if it's not extremely light weight.

Used a Peak stove for many years before i learned it was heavy. Who cared? It was awesome! I didn't have to cook over a fire anymore! Over the years i guess i've slowly become a snob and forgotten my roots. I think i still have my first one somewhere - too many memories to toss it....not enough photos...

Mm

 

[lumberzac]

The plastic pump on the MSRs is probably the main reason I went with the Optimus Nova I have now. I was worried that the pump would break, so I went with something with an all-metal pump.

 

[giggy]

I am in the same situation and did some research on the jetboil and decided not to get due to the winter aspect. I heard through various places that it will not do well below freezing and if your in the whites in the winter - it will be much colder than that. MSR white gas ones are the best I that can see.

 

[dave.m]

It's not so much the breakage that concerns me with the MSR stoves. Its the fires.

I've seen 2 MSR stoves catch on fire at the pump assembly, sending the plastic pump into melt down and the fire into flare up. Interestingly, both times were at Crag. On one occasion, I had to grab the stove board and run the stove out the snow bank while the slack-jawed owner stared in disbelief. You can bet that I keep in mind where the fire extinguishers are during supper time now.

Now, in fairness, I should note that there seem to be as many MSRs out there as all other combined (in teh US) which might explain why I've seen "so many" MSRs fail catastrophically. We're talking 2 out of the gazillion that I've seen in the field.

Also I should note that I've managed to overheat my SVEA, which produces a 4 foot raging torch coming out of the safety release valve. Yes, the stove did not go *BANG!* and yes I could safely (albiet nervously) just turn the stove off but... It was quiet a show.

My other gripe with MSRs is all the fiddling with the jets that are needed. The self cleaning jet on the SVEA has really, really spoiled me. I'm at the point now where I'll carry my Tragnia as a back up when my buds insist on bringing an MSR as the primary group stove. Nothing like sitting around in the gather gloom of a January dusk watching your bud trying to field service the stinking stove with frozen fingers.

People laugh at my SVEA and remark that it's an acnient design. My counter to this is that is exactly why it is so reliable. Engineers understand this.

 

[jfb]

A hint for those who use the Peak 442 stoves: when it's cold out, I stick half of a cotton ball on the burner under the fuel tube and sprinkle a few drops of fuel on it. After pumping, first light the cotton ball to preheat the tube and then open the valve before the cotton ball goes out.

 

[afka_bob]

People laugh at my SVEA and remark that it's an acnient design. My counter to this is that is exactly why it is so reliable. Engineers understand this.

That new-fangled Svea 123 is pretty good -- I still miss my Primus 71L, but I'd miss it a lot more without my (or your!) 123.

For real cold weather and cooking for more than two, I like the Optimus 88 multi-fuel, but if I bring my stove, you guys make me cook (see here for complications associated with this).

MSR are great, but for real reliability, the Svea (not the knock-off-tov cocktails from the East) can't be beat -- and it's kinda like wool knickers or wooden skis -- amazing how good they still work!

 

[masshysteria]

My brother-in-law was a die-hard Svea man. A few years ago, he wanted to cook pancakes on it, so he attached a flame spreader. Within minutes the top of the fuel tank was cherry red due to the lack of ventilation from the fry pan on top of it. The ensuing explosion sent brass shrapnel everywhere. Fortunately, no one was hurt. He went right out and found a used one, which he bought. He uses it to this day, without the flame spreader and fry pan combination.

 

[afka_bob]

The integral "flame spreader" built into the Svea should glow red, but not much else should -- certainly not the fuel tank!

Great story, though.

 

[sardog1]

My brother-in-law was a die-hard Svea man. A few years ago, he wanted to cook pancakes on it, so he attached a flame spreader. Within minutes the top of the fuel tank was cherry red due to the lack of ventilation from the fry pan on top of it. The ensuing explosion sent brass shrapnel everywhere. Fortunately, no one was hurt. He went right out and found a used one, which he bought. He uses it to this day, without the flame spreader and fry pan combination.

In thirty-five years of using my SVEA 123 (including way below zero conditions), this is easily the most spectacular accident report I've seen.


You can pay more money for a stove. You can fiddle with tiny parts and lubricant tubes found in "annual" or "expedition" maintenance kits. You can become "expert" with intricate lighting rituals. But you cannot have my SVEA until you pry it from my cold, dead hands. (And you don't need the Optimus pump, or even the fire starter. A match or two under the tank, or a candle at way below zero, and you're good to go.

 

[dave.m]

The single most important part on the Svea is the filler cap, which contains the safety valve. A SVEA exploding is a sign that either a very, very old cap without the safety valve or a malfunctioning cap was used. Arguably, this is the one achilees heel of the stove.

That said, making the stove go bang is pretty easily avoided. First, replace the filler cap every couple of years. This is the single spare part that I carry for my stove (if the let-off valve lets loose, it is rumored that it should be replaced). Second, avoid overheating it. The tricky bit is knowing where the limit is, I guess.

I'm not giving up mine. Bob gave me tons of great advice getting started and buying that stove was by far teh best.

 

[Desalad]

Great news for all the MSR fans out there. I heard last night from an MSR rep who was at EMS that MSR has redesigned their stoves and is replacing the plastic pieces (the pump and related parts) with all metal pieces.