MSR Windburner Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
MSR Windburner | |||||
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Awards | Best Ultralight Backpacking Stove | Best Overall Backpacking Stove | High Value and Ultralight | Best on a Tight Budget | |
Price | $164.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $69.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $50 List $49.95 at Amazon | $17.00 List $16.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Great fuel efficiency and wind performance in a not-so-user-friendly package | A crowd favorite for simmering that works well in a breeze and is also easy to use | This lightweight stove is easy to use and will boil water when it's breezy | This canister stove is lightweight, compact, fuel efficient, and performs well in wind | A mini stove with a mini price |
Rating Categories | MSR Windburner | MSR PocketRocket De... | Soto Windmaster | Soto Amicus | BRS-3000T |
Fuel Efficiency (25%) | |||||
Weight (25%) | |||||
Simmering Ability (20%) | |||||
Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
Boil Time (15%) | |||||
Specs | MSR Windburner | MSR PocketRocket De... | Soto Windmaster | Soto Amicus | BRS-3000T |
Category | Integrated Canister | Small Canister | Small Canister | Small Canister | Small Canister |
Essential Weight (stove or stove + integrated pot only) | 15.0 oz | 3.0 oz | 3.0 oz | 2.79 oz | 0.9 oz |
Trail Weight (stove, fuel, pot) | 22.35 oz | 15.13 oz | 15.63 oz | 14.92 oz | 12.63 oz |
Wind Boil Time (1 liter, 2-4mph) | 5:36 min:sec | 5:27 min:sec | 5:46 min:sec | 6:30 min:sec | 14:45 min:sec |
Boil Time (1 liter) | 5:17 min:sec | 3:14 min:sec | 4 min:sec | 3:52 min: sec | 5:13 min:sec |
Packed Weight (stove + all accessories) | 16.8 oz | 3.5 oz | 3.5 oz | 3.5 oz | 1 oz |
Dimensions | 4.2" x 7" | 3.3" x 2.2" x 1.8" | 4.7" x 3.9" x 3.6" | 3.9" × 0.7" × 6.5" | 2" x 1.2" x 1.3" |
Fuel Type | Isobutane | Isobutane | Isobutane | Isobutane | Isobutane |
Additional Included Items | 1L pot, canister stand, plastic cup | Stuff sack | Stuff sack, pot support | Stuff sack | Stuff sack |
Piezo Igniter? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The WindBurner is one of MSR's new generation integrated canister stoves. It is very wind-resistant, boils fast, and is fuel-efficient. This model incorporates significant improvements but lacks some of the basic features found on less expensive, lighter integrated canister stoves.
Performance Comparison
Fuel Efficiency
In a field of six fuel-efficient integrated canister stoves, the WindBurner is in the middle of the pack. Its insulated pot and radiant burner/pot interface make it extremely fast and efficient at boiling water.
If MSR could find a way to integrate a piezo ignitor into the unit, it would make the WindBurner completely windproof. The only time this stove blew out during our review was between the time we were lighting it and when we put the pot on the burner. There are tricks to make this less likely to happen, like half sheltering the burner with the pot, but it feels like you need three hands to do this. If MSR could add a working piezo igniter to this stove, it would be invincible and extremely fuel-efficient!
Weight
Unfortunately, the WindBurner does not excel in this category. It has the heaviest trail weight in our review at 15 ounces, even heavier than the liquid fuel stoves. We are disappointed that MSR could not make this product lighter than the Reactor. It seems like there is a lot of unnecessary metal, as well as plastic parts that could be trimmed. We think there are ways that this stove could be lightened up, and hope that MSR will count their ounces more carefully in the future.
Simmering Ability
As with other stoves in the integrated canister stove class, the WindBurner is solely for boiling water. Any attempt at cooking something more than ramen noodles or boiling water for freeze-dried food will leave a burnt, half-cooked mess. If you want supreme simmering capability, look to a small canister design instead.
Ease Of Use
This isn't a stellar category for the WindBurner wither, but it does have features we like. The lid on the pot snaps nicely onto the sturdy, BPA-free cup. The koozie does not absorb water, and the handle does not droop over time. The control valve wire is the largest in our test, reducing the likelihood that you'll burn our fingers when trying to turn off a stove that's gone into volcano mode. A 4-ounce fuel can nestle nicely in the pot with room to spare for a lighter.
One of our testers had a problem with the included accessory cup getting jammed onto the bottom of the stove when packing his pack. We eventually used a multi-tool to pry it off. We read at least one online review where this also happened. While our testing team often leaves this cup behind (either eating out of the pot or bringing a collapsible bowl), backpackers who use the cup should be aware of this potential issue.
One of the things our testers like most about integrated canister stoves (even more than fuel efficiency) is the coupling of the burner and pot. This makes all stoves use easier and more convenient and is especially helpful in alpine and big wall climbing situations. We are disappointed that the WindBurner pot does not mate more reassuringly with the burner. Our testers voted this burner “Most Likely To Fall Off When You Least Expect It.”
The lid to the WindBurner pot is great at first, but we found that over many heating and cooling cycles, it seemed to warp and not snap on as well. Though the handle stands the test of time, it is small and tricky to hold onto with gloves. The WindBurner is also the tallest and tippiest of the integrated canister stoves we tested. There is a canister stand included that is meant to help with this problem, but that does little to change the fundamental problem — a high center of gravity.
Boil Time
At 5 minutes and 17 seconds, the WindBurner is in the middle of the pack of integrated canister stoves when it comes to boil time. However, remember that if any wind is added to the equation, most of the competition will be handicapped. The WindBurner — as its name may suggest — is very wind resistant and reliable even in inclement weather. Therefore, its boil times will be much faster than other canister stoves in all conditions other than perfectly still.
Value
The WindBurner is a decent value if you're sure you'll have no choice but to cook in inclement weather. Most of the other canister stoves cost less and are equal or better in most ways except for gusty winds.
Conclusion
We think that the MSR WindBurner is a good stove that still has a few features that could be tweaked, like the lid and the pot/burner coupling. If MSR could find a way to add a piezo ignitor and lighten it up a few ounces, this stove would be unstoppable! Regardless, it does well in wind resistance and fuel efficiency.