MSR Whisperlite Review

Backpackers and mountaineers have relied on the original Whisperlite stove for decades for cooking and snow melting. While it is still a great stove —indeed, the best liquid-fuel stove in our review —newer stove technology offers more to modern backpackers. Still, for expeditions and varsity-level snow melting, this is still the stove of choice.

Fuel Efficiency

As with all liquid fuel stoves, some knowledge and skill are required to be able to light this stove properly. You must prime the stove first, which involves burning a bit of liquid gas to heat up the fuel line so that the white gas turns to a vapor. This allows the stove to burn a hot blue flame. This priming process uses up a tiny bit of extra fuel (if done correctly).

Our tests showed that the Whisperlite was more fuel-efficient than most other liquid fuel stoves. MSR says that 20 ounces of white gas burned at max flame will burn for 1 hour and 50 minutes — that's a lot of Ramen noodles! Getting the included windscreen wrapped tightly around the pot is important for the operation of any liquid fuel stove. This will help screen the stove from the wind and boost fuel efficiency even in calm conditions.

Weight

The Whisperlite weighs 10.4 ounces, and with our separately-purchased 3-ounce titanium pot and lid, it's 13.4 ounces. Though it is the lightest of the liquid fuel stoves, it's heavier than most of the canister stoves in our review.

We always find a stark mindset shift when moving from canister stoves to liquid-fuel stoves. In addition to usability considerations, liquid fuel stoves simply weigh more and require a fuel bottle and fuel pump. Relatively speaking, the Whisperlite is fairly light for its class of stove, so if this feels too heavy for you, it might be worth looking into isobutane options instead.

Simmering Ability

Although the Whisperlite is not known for its excellent simmer control, we have experimented with cooking all kinds of things on this stove. Because it has been around for so long, people have developed lots of different tricks to cook more intricate meals. Most of these tricks begin with depressurizing the fuel bottle: prime, light, turn off, release fuel pressure, pump three times, and light again.

One system that works very well for baking things like pizzas and brownies on a Whisperlite is what we like to call the “tower of power”. This involves depressurizing the fuel bottle and using the windscreen to create a tower around the burner to place the pot or pan on — thus removing the pan from the direct, intense heat of the burner. With some monitoring, this produces great baking results in the backcountry. Backpackers who want to introduce some finer cuisine to their wilderness experience without having to become a stove whisperer should look into one of the small canister options, though be aware that these generally don't work well with big pots and pans.

Wind Resistance

A classic white gas stove like this is likely to see a lot of wind, and we're happy to report that the Whisperlite can handle light to moderate winds without blowing out. However, as one gets into strong or extreme wind speeds, this might have a tougher time boiling a pot of water.

If you're headed out on an expedition, chances are you'll be bringing a cook tent or some sort of sheltered kitchen to accompany the Whisperlite, and we had minimal complaints with that much protection from the wind. If using this stove out in the open, you'll need to be more mindful of protecting the burner head from wind, but again, this is for those stronger wind speeds.

Ease Of Use

All liquid fuel stoves require more setup and care when operating than any canister stove, but the Whisperlite is the most straightforward of the bunch. Readers new to cooking their own meals in the backcountry should be aware that any liquid fuel stove presents much more open flame during normal operation than a canister gas stove. While using a canister gas stove in a tent or vestibule is definitely frowned upon by stove manufacturers (and tent manufacturers), using a liquid fuel stove in a tent or vestibule is much more of a risk.

The Whisperlite is very easy to troubleshoot, clean, and repair in the field. Those of us who have used this stove for a long time can take it apart, clean it, and put it back together with our eyes closed. This stove is a great choice for any extended backpacking trip, especially when cooking for large groups. Many outdoor schools, including Outward Bound and NOLS, use it for all of their expeditions. It has a wide and stable base for larger pots and group cooking. We have noticed that the legs tend to warp over time, especially if it is jammed into a pack haphazardly. This can create a less stable platform that may wobble slightly if not set up carefully. Almost any liquid fuel stove will be more stable than a canister stove, and this one has average stability for its sector.

Should You Buy the MSR Whisperlite?

The Whisperlite presents excellent value and is the simplest, lightest, and smallest stove in the liquid gas stove category. It is very easily repairable, and, with a little practice, you can cook a variety of items on it, making it fairly versatile. It lasts a very long time and is also the least expensive liquid fuel stove in this review. However, there is a learning curve to this style of stove, and if you're a casual backpacker, you will likely be better served by a simpler canister model.

What Other Backpacking Stoves Should You Consider?