MSR Whisperlite Universal Review

Hands down the most versatile stove on the market, the Whisperlite Universal allows you to cook for groups with ease. Its multi-fuel capability means you can use it anywhere that has kerosene or unleaded gas, and its canister setting provides great simmer control when paired with a fuel canister.

Fuel Efficiency

We tested the Whisperlite Universal with white gas and with a fuel canister. To keep it the most relevant to other stoves of its class, we focused on our findings with liquid fuel. In our lab testing, it used an average of .39 ounces per .5 liter boil.

While the controlled fuel efficiency scores may not turn heads at first, it's important to look at how the Universal performed in the real world as well. In more varied environments, from Alaskan glaciers to Montana tundra, we found improved fuel efficiency, especially after the stove had been primed. This is especially true when using this stove for larger groups, as some of our gear experts can attest to while cooking for up to 12 people on Denali.

Weight

Liquid gas stoves like the Whisperlite Universal aren't intended to shave grams in the name of going as light as possible. This is to say that its minimum essential weight is unlikely to drop any jaws, but we found its weight to be reasonable for long-haul adventures.

At 10.9 ounces (or 13.9 ounces with a lightweight aftermarket pot and lid), the Universal isn't the heaviest liquid gas stove in the lineup, but it's still quite hefty. Fortunately, it packs down to about the same size as all the other liquid fuel stoves we tested, inside an included MSR stuff sack. Depending on your cookware dimensions, it's also possible to fit it inside some pots, though again, many outdoors enthusiasts won't be using the Whisperlite for trips where a small and light backpack are the focus.

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Simmering Ability

At first, we weren't quite sure whether there would be any added benefit to using canisters with a Whisperlite, but we discovered this combination makes for great cooking. When we used the plastic canister adapter, we could simmer and cook actual meals that would have been carbonized with the classic Whisperlite. This stove is better at simmering than all of the integrated canister stoves and is on par with some of the small canister stoves in this metric.

Simmering with any liquid fuel stove takes some skill and a good understanding of how the stove works. The unique aspect of this version of the Whisperlite is that it can be used with isobutane, making it much more capable of simmering. For an expedition, it may be much more pragmatic to only use white gas, as changing its fuel attachment can be a pain to do regularly, and by using stove wires or some kind of makeshift skillet platform, we were able to cook on a skillet with ease.

While winter camping, we found the arctic ambient temperatures to aid in keeping the pan cooler. While it still required constant focus, we were able to make some delicious meals in our snow kitchen.

Ease Of Use

The Whisperlite Universal is easily one of the most versatile stoves we've tested. It can burn most types of liquid fuel, including white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gas, and it comes with a canister adapter so you can pair it with an isobutane fuel canister.

As with any of these liquid gas stoves, you'll need to prime the Whisperlite Universal, which involves lighting liquid gas before being able to use the main burner. If using this stove with isobutane, you won't have to do any priming, but if switching between fuel types, you'll need to change out the adapter. Compared to the rest of the lineup, this is certainly a stove with a steeper learning curve, but it's one of the few options that can be repaired in the field, which is part of why it's such a crucial companion for longer trips.

Wind Resistance

While the burner is exposed on the Whisperlite Universal, it offers enough power to battle gusty days. While some of the competition beats this stove in wind resistance, it's hard to beat the versatility of this model, and a windscreen is easy to employ when camping trips get stormy.

If you're mindful of your cook tent setup or utilize a windscreen, we bet you'll be happy with the wind resistance of the Whisperlite Universal, with minor output reduction during blustery cooking sessions. Its overall output is lower than its bigger cousin, the MSR XGK EX, but both options still require priming, which can be quite difficult in windy camps. Generally speaking, a stove like this will get used inside of some sort of cooking shelter or vestibule at higher elevations and/or if camping on a glacier, but even then, gusts are likely to still come through.

Should You Buy the MSR Whisperlite Universal?

Most backpackers, most of the time, are best served with a small canister stove. But, if you're looking for a stove that offers liquid fuel performance, versatility with multiple fuel options, and the ability to cook for groups, travel internationally, or do field repairs — you would be hard-pressed to find a better stove. These features coalesce to make the Universal an unbeatable option for certain types of adventures, but if you need something simpler and lightweight, then this stove is likely to be overpriced and over-featured.

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