I've been super terrified of doing maintenance on my Whisperlite Uni, not having enough confidence in knowing what and how to take apart. After watching this video I just sat down and took two hours to go over both the pump and the stove. Thanks man! 💪
I've had my Whisperlite Shaker Jet since the late 80's and burned a lot of fuel out of both types of pumps after losing my original with the can and replacing with the new style. I gotta say I never knew about the flip trick!! Always just cussed at the fuel I would get all over my hands depressurizing every time! Thank you for that and hope I remember out in the field!👍👏👏👏
Thanks for another great video !!!! Nice job using old pump for the new stove. imagine how pissed people can get trying to get their supper, all cold and tired, only to find out that "new" pump they packed doesn't fit. That's why I watched your videos, so many useful tricks. It's no the matter if but when it will make my cam trip easier. And it's not just mine, i am sure you saved few people from sleepless night during family camp/hike trips just because of something they learned from you. I realize you like your lights, but every time i have a free minute and watch one of your gear review/repair videos it makes my day !!!
Very nice and informative video! For information I have a MK2 Whisperlite - with the red cloth clad fuel line - which I have successfully converted to a 'hybrid' Universal. I also tried the canister gas jet with ethanol, which actually worked quite ok without any other modifications. I also modified the adapter at the end of the fuel line with a grinder, and not the fuel bottle - to fit the old fuel bottles. Keep those videos coming!
Great to see the two compared to each other side by side. One comment I'd make, having used these stoves for decades: You don't need nearly as much fuel in the priming cup. I crack open the valve, and as soon as I hear that little squirting noise in the cup, I close it immediately. It takes no more than 20-30 seconds to heat up the vaporizer tube, and the smallest amount of fuel is enough for that.
Thank you! I just used my old whisper lite camping and wasn't exactly sure what I was doing, this helps alot! I think my pump seal is broken there is no resistance when I pump and I wouldn't know that without this video!
I was in US Army Special Forces from the late 70's until after Desert Storm and use a Coleman Peak I. I bought a Whisperlite but did not use it because of the flame during heating the generator tube. We could not risk this issue and be seen. The Coleman did not have that issue. It started right away with a good blue flame. I did always use white gas or Coleman fuel. My old Coleman gave up the ghost after 20 plus years from parachute jumps and general abuse crammed dropped kicked thrown in a ruck sack. Luckily, it never took a bullet while in my ruck but I did rebuild several times. I now use the Whisperlite but the flame still bugs me. It is a lot lighter and do like that. So if you are military, I do recommend the Coleman for field use. I have not tried the newer Coleman model to verify the flame on startup. Their fuel bottles are great for carrying extra fuel. I've had them on military HALO jumps to 30,000 ft with no problems.
I would love to see Coleman make a modern version of the M1950 as they were great out field, shame we got rid of them from general issue in the 90's in the Australian Army.
Thanks, i just bought one in great shape at a g sale for $4.00 complete manual bag shielding n all. had an idea it was something and was able get a great run down on it, thanks to you :)
I've had one of the Whisperlite Internationale stoves for some 30 years and never had a single problem of the hundreds of times I've used it. There are a few things I wish they'd change. One is to make the fuel lines swivel or be more flexible so all the legs would easily settle on the ground without my having to fiddle with the fuel line to get them to. The other is to modify the pot supports even more than they have to extend more over the burner for using small pots or coffee cups, and have something you could flip up on the outer edges to keep pots from sliding off, which I've had happen when bumping the table.
I jusr sent one of mine whisperlites in to msr they are overhauling the stove so longer fuel line and bring it back to like new spec also send older still pump in that had a crack in it that also started a fire msr said pumps obsolete they donot want people using them and said send it in they will send out a new one for 20 so thats shipped out too
I know this is an old video, but thank you so much. You answered basically all of my questions I had. I just got an old WL International yesterday at a thrift store for $0.50 😂 didn't know how to work it, whether it was an International or not, or anything about what fuels I could run (I've read kerosene needs a different jet?), but I knew I needed to grab it and run for the register lol. Actually got the stove, bottle, pump, a Katadyn water filter pump, a new backpacking chair, pocket bellows, and few things for my daughter all for $13 😅
Very good comparison video. Did you replace the jet in your old stove so it could burn gasoline? I’m thinking about replacing the original jet in mine with a UG jet like the Unversal uses.
Whisperlite since late 80’s. Dragonfly for about five years. The friend that I camp/climb/paddle with has the same two MSRs. We have used them hundreds of times on wet trails, at very high altitudes, in sub-zero temps, ...and even car camping when our families were young. He and I both prefer the Dragonfly, by far. I almost never need to boil water in a hurry, so it doesn’t have to be loud. I just turn it down a bit. I find the noise very helpful. I’m able to gauge the heat output better, because of the sound. I can tell how low it’s simmering because of the sound. I can fine tune it because of the sound. I like that. I don’t care which boils a hair quicker. If I’m in a hurry, I’m missing the point of the trip. My WhisperLite is a fine stove, especially if you just heat and eat, or need to boil a lot. The Dragonfly does all of the above, and then some. If I want the water to stay at a low boil while cutting potatoes, I can do that. I don’t have to run full-on at all times, and therefore, I save gas. The WhisperLite is a lot trickier to keep a low flame, especially if you’re a beginner. The Dragonfly packs bulkier, but the legs are stronger than they appear. Mine have both been smashed around for years, and neither have needed any spare parts. A lot of reviews talk stats, and boiling times, but like you know, it’s what performs for you when you’re out there. Incidentally, my son was playing with both of my MSRs on the weekend, and decided to order the Dragonfly. I don’t have any experience with that other stove.
I’ve got the old pump that’s completely grey and my simmer control is perfect. I’ve got the leather gasket too. Bought the newer version pump and sent it back. I’ve got the international 600. I’ve got a wick wrapped on bottom of mine. Paid 25$ for it got a 22oz fuel bottle and a can of white gas included.
I have had an original whisper light since the early 90s and my whisper light universal is scheduled for delivery today period great little stove not just for backpacking but foverlanding as well. Very good flame control I just wanted the multiful capability so that I don't have to worry about finding white gas wherever I go.
Love Whisperlite stoves. I have a Whisperlite International that has always been a dependable workhorse. Really enjoyed selling them at an outdoor shop where I used to work. Having had experience with MSR products was really helpful for providing feedback about the stoves and water filters that wasn’t simply what was printed on the box. I appreciated the deep dive into the classic vs current pumps. I will definitely hold on to and take care of my stoves pump. Wasn’t expecting it to be desirable over the currently available ones. I was really hoping that the new ones would offer greatly improved flame control.
Thanks I been trying to decide if the universal was worth it. I bought a cheap iso butane stove they bought all iso butane lol got a lil alcohol stove but it takes forever. Looking for something like this now.
The newer rubbers dont break down like the old rubber used to. So it should last just as long as the leather one as the leather one would crack if it drys out
Just ran across this video, i actually own myself the original msr whisperlite, still got the original pump but did need to purchase a replacement as i noticed my original was cracked after owning it for damn near 23 years. love the heck out of mine its never let me down and i love its self cleaning nozzle while you walk.
I understand what you say about “old” stuff, but sometimes there’s new for a reason. In my experience the shut off valve after awhile, will fail and is unrepairable. It cracks around the brass shaft. (Plastic around metal) The new one has an all brass housing go figure. Secondly, that removable valve at the bottom, MSR supplies a tool with every stove that has a screwdriver on the end for that piece. Also the round ball will invariably fall into the grass or leaves making the entire pump useless. The new one stays with the spring unless you pull it off. Now, the part that I’m really excited about is the new fitting that allows the use of isopropane canisters, that’s really great! I hope the new fitting will be available to buy separately for the Dragonfly stove. ATB
True indeed but I would have liked to see interchangeable pumps. I don't think it would have been impossible for MSR to do. I've never owned a Whisperlite but I have heard great things about them so if I find one used for a decent price I'm getting it for sure, same thing goes for other stoves that run on white gas/petrol/diesel or whatever 😁
Good review and demo. However the old whisperjet was left longer than the universal so the fuel evaporated. Not sure there was any real priming difference.
Gotta remember the old Navy addage should be applied to the pumps as well: "If it makes sense why do it" or the ever faithfull : "If its not broke, fix it till it is" lolol
Hi what do you think about Windpro II vs Wisperlite universal? not for just boiling water. for simmering and cooking. I have Windburner and Jetboil Flash for boiling water and also Trangia gas burner for my Trangia kit. just looking for a good reliable remote gas stove for cooking.
Love the stove videos - just a note - I'm sure you're aware now but MSR provides a tool with the stove to take the check valve out of the pump - they instruct you to do this so it's not that they don't want you to mess with their pumps. I have a feeling they changed this so the check valve doesn't accidently come off the pump in transit.
It's easy to convert the MSR Whisperlite International (WLI) stove to canister gas/propane/butane. The white gas jet works fine. Remove the WLI fuel line from the WLI pump. There is an exposed ¼ brass nipple. Parts needed: a 2" of ¼" I.D rubber fuel hose (auto store) b. Two small hose clamps (auto store) c. The shorter version of a "Campingmoon Z21-25" canister fuel hose and valve (amazon $20). You will connect the new canister hose/valve to the WLI fuel line with the ¼ rubber hose and 2 clamps -part a. You have to only remove one part off the Lindal canister fuel line (part c). to assemble this. Remove the big silver male threaded Lindal fitting from the fuel line with a wrench. There is a small brass nut joining the fuel line to the Lindal fitting. Insert and twist in the now exposed brass threaded nipple with two "O" rings into the ¼" rubber hose (part a.) and secure with hose clamp over the threaded portion of this nipple. Then final assemply. Push the rubber fuel hose onto the WLI brass fuel fitting and clamp. You can still convert back to white gas by removing one hose clamp. You can also buy a lindal to propane adapter Amazon) to use a green propane bottle. 1 liter water to a rolling boil was 3:20 min. With a butane adapter was 5:45 min. much slower. Enjoy your new stove. Much better simmer control PS: I did not test with iso-propane canister They were all empty and I'm not buying more.
Hey Jiujitsu, Great video! Thanks for sharing. Regarding the pumps, I believe they switched to rubber as it was it required less maintenance as the leather could dry out (not really an issue if you take care of the stoves. That being said, the rubber does seem to have issues in extreme cold so MSR uses the same leather cup on their new artic pumps! Also the red tabs on the older pump was an issue for some as they could break easily. Newer plunger is less easy to take out but seems more robust for now. -Kevin
Great review! I was a bit dubious about the rubber plunger but it has been ok so far and often bicycle pumps have a similar setup so I guess they must work ok and last a long time provided that they are lubricated. Also I guess that a rubber plunger is better on the plastic pump case than a leather plunger (less wear). I must admit I do like the MSR pump even though it is plastic as it is lighter and easier to use than say the Primus pumps. Also the rubber plunger is less likely to deform than a leather one....good stuff!
Only one trip into the pacific northwest in the 1980's with my Whisperlite which was only 3 years old and it just worked perfect .. One the third day or fourth the pump would only pump part way almost no pressure ? So i got out the instructions that came with it to troubleshoot it.. I removed the pump and the cup had grease on it .. Next with a quick twist i removed the spring and check ball in the end of the pump to see if the ball was stuck somehow .. You can guess the story from here , the micro ball went some place where i never found it.. I didn't have a repair kit with me so that was that .. I wrote to MSR when i got back and included $5.00 and asked for a few check balls which they sent me right away with O rings and some other stuff.. A few years went passed and i bought the Simmerlite ahhhhh new pump and it's different (new and improved) the reason the check ball is attached to the spring is so you cannot throw it out in the brush like i did ..I did write to thank them and told them i did like the new pump design and features and there was only one thing i didn't like too much was the cap on the pump with the built in O ring as it was sometimes very hard to unscrew .. Great information .. You are the best tester of mtn stoves out there i have seen so far.. I like that.. well done..
Hi Jijitsu. I Need help! My whisperlite stop vaporising kerosene and starts to spit liquid whenever I over pump. If I pump it less it works fine but then it takes 10 minutes to boil water. I recently replaced my pump because I broke the original one.
I use alcohol to prime my XGK. It really cuts down on the that black soot. You must have gotten that right before they went to the new pumps. My 12 year old stove has the new pump. Your new pump is now actually outdated. The yearly service kit has the upgrade parts.
Oh i had a question and almost forgot .. The Optimus Nova stove do you have that model by chance or know much about it ? Performance and features .. thanks ... The reason i ask as i have been looking at buying one off and on..
i imagine you've gotten your answer by now, but just in case... th-cam.com/video/8wYzC6A8auM/w-d-xo.html ( get ready to hit the right arrow key a lot to fast forward through the slower parts :-)
Thanks for the reply. how does that compare to the burn time of actual gasoline? what type of maintenance do you have to do when burning actual gasoline?
If you primed with alcohol there wouldn't be any soot right? I know it would be another container of liquid to keep up with on a backpack trip, but it would keep the soot down I think and the container would be very small. Also, shouldn't there be a wick on both stoves? Great video, thanks for the GREAT detail in all your videos.
The wick is only required if your using Kerosene or Diesel as they have a higher flash point. The standard Whisperlite does not come with a wick as it is not compatible with Kerosene or Diesel as it has a smaller diameter fuel tube and does not come with a "K" marked Kerosene fuel jet.
If your looking for a way to support small pots, go to an electronics supply store and pick up a computer fan grate, they are dirt cheap , come in different diameters and you can cut them with diagonal cutters too, they are the next best thing to the original MSR expresso star. Maybe the expresso star was before your time. That was back in the day before little pots became available for back packing. Lots of cool things back then, like 3 little clip on snow pads for the Whisper lite, lighter and smaller than the Trillium base of today.
Hi from southern France and great video :-)). I have owned the MSR Whisperlite Internationale 600 stove Model 311600 for quite a while now and I was wondering if it has the Shaker jet feature...where can I get the info ? You have a great day!
Yes, that model is the one I have and does have the shaker jet. If you don't hear it moving when you shake the stove, then it is clogged. Do a deep cleaning and restore it to new.
I still have the Original whisperlite as seen in the Backpacker Magazine. You have to use i believe a wire (00.7) or a guitar string to unclog the fuel hole when need be. But it performs very good as the newer ones ! I believe i have mine for over 20 years now.
I know this is five years old but thank you for mentioning the guitar string. Was looking all over tonight for something to unclog fuel line while literally in a room with guitars and strings!
Love your videos. One mark of a competant reviewer of stoves is sooty fingers while handling the product. I've seen a lot of reviews where the stove looked unused.
i know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the account password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
@Gibson Abel Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Nice comparison between the old and new. I have the old wisperlite, but mine is over 30 years old. It has the older style pump latch where the retention clip that snaps over the pump has the clip sit right in the middle if the adjustment valve. It's been a great little stove, looks like they kept most of the original design in the updated version. I thing the potstannd is an upgrade. A not, you said the new pump comes with the filter in the bottle. The old one did as well, maybe yours didn't or you lost it. Was the old stone style like the 60's car had as an inline carburetor. fuel filter. Advantage of the old style was you could soak then in a cleaner to unclog.
Was good to see the whisperlite burning gasoline 👍🏻 I’m also considering getting the dragonfly though, it has a throttle for simmering for flame control, have you tried the dragonfly?
+Travis Mcghee Thank you! The whisperlite Universal burns for around 110 minutes with a 20-ounce canister of white gas, 75-minute burn time with eight-ounce canister of MSR IsoPro fuel, and 155-minute burn time with 20-ounce canister of kerosene...
I have the old stove that burns all the different fuels but mostly use white gas. They are very powerful and can boil a big pot. Use it on occasion to boil corn on the patio. Works great to melt snow for water. I have used a couple different kits to replace filters and rubber parts as well as jets. Learned a long time ago if you don’t pump it up as much it will simmer. I find I need to use larger pots for the supports to be work properly. Pans are no problem. I have the large fuel bottle and two small ones. It is great if you travel. Any gas station has fuel you can use. The only thing I find I don’t like is waking up on a nice trout stream and making wha sound like a jet engine to make a hot cup of tea when other are sleeping in a tent next to you. It is why I often carry an alcohol stove in the summertime. They take a little longer but how can you complain about that when your in the wilderness.
Great video ledgendery msr Classic bomb proof stoves proper I have a dragonfly now since 2001 19 years never let me down fully serviceable. I hear your passion for quality products & I feel the same about msr the best.
fill primer cup with super small squeeze bottle of alcohol and you will have no big yellow flames and zero black soot on your stove. I carry about one ounce of alcohol with my stove
"Flame control" is all about how LOW it will go! If you're going to cook on a stove it MUST have a good simmer. I could absolutely not care less that one boils water 10 seconds faster, but that seems to be what everybody demonstrates. :-(
I just ordered a whisperlite. When it gets to my house I’m getting rid of the pump and using the optimus pump. That’s a shame they use such a crap pump with a great stove.
Great Video....!! I I went on my first backpack trip in August 1986, with a family that used the little ole green Coleman backpacking stove. As far as I know it is still working! When it came time for me to get a stove, only the Colemen Peak 1 was available! After two of those trashing out on me, I switched to the Whisperlite!! I am on my third one now, I think. And, it is far from new, and may be headed for Colorado soon, unless I buy the Universal I see here!! But, my comment and my question is about the pumps. My pumps keep cracking, and being replaced by REI, etc, and the O rings keep pooping out. MSR did send me a few O rings to use, but, is this normal ????? Do other people have pumps to crack and O rings to die, etc, etc.. ???? I am very careful with my equipment, but still things happen.. Would like to know if others who backpack with old stoves carry and extra pump, and some O rings!!! There is a rebuild kit for these things, but do people really carry one???
+Tom Ballard yes O-rings get old and brittle over time. MSR makes an Expedition service kit that you can buy for your stove. It has every old ring in the whole stove. In fact it has all new Jets and the kit is basically designed for a complete rebuild of the stove and I carry that with me
OK, I am in then.. THANKS for the education... I will get one. First I will rebuild the stove I have, then will plan to carry a repair kit in the future! How I have gotten by so far remains a mystery, but, I will follow your advice and do things correctly.. THANKS
My current model is.. I have had them all, I think.. But, yes, the current one is a shaker.. I love it, but need to learn to maintain it better! Maybe I was thrown off but buying a kit where much of the kit was not for my stove, but maybe that is the cost of having fun. Would be great if the company had a small kit better suited to just my basic Whisperlite, but will not complain.. I would find other ways to get rid of the money!!! So, I will order my kit soooooon, as the urge to get back on the trail is making me itch!!! THANKS for you support. .................... I do see MSR has the baby kit, but it is missing some things I might need.. I think they need a third kit.. One in the middle of the top and bottom!!!!!!!!!!
the reason why its not leather anymore is because the universal means you might use gas that tend to melt organic materials,also the universal uses a little more gas than the original due to the compatibility thing BUT i think it's valuable to be able to burn anything you want in it since it's already not super lightweight you might as well make it versatile
Sorry, got cut off. I know the CampinGaz fuel can be hacked but will do in the future. Got both stoves and a self inflate mat and multi blade folding saw for $20. Not a bad haul.
Great snow melting stoves! I have a yellow pump, grey, and two different grey/red. I changed all the cups to leather. Same on all my lanterns. I always change to leather
Using gasoil, with much use, is there much difference between MSR whisperlite and MSR universal whisperlite? Is much clogged? I have an MSR whisperlite. Is it justified to change it?
+Kuroi Kumo I would keep using the whisperlite if I had one already. The one thing that I would try to make sure of is that the whisperlite that you have is the Shaker jet model
Kerosene and lamp oil are the same except lamp oil is extra refined which allows it to burn cleaner with less soot on lamp glass globes and less smell but at a higher cost.
So I just bought a whisperlite universal .. 30 years ago a whisperlite put me down on the face of white top mountain on the Appalachian trail in Virginia .. I took that damn thing apart and put back together 5 times .. it was cold .. and my damn stove didn’t work .. it worked fine for a few years prior .. I did maintain it .. but damn I was pissed .. after that switched to the Coleman dual fuel or butane ... well decided to give whisperlite another chance .. I like this stove because it’s easier to take apart and it runs on butane or white gas ... I carry a small Coleman butane as a backup .. oh we car camp now with a tepui roof top tent .. so two stoves and two lanterns .. we carry a Coleman dual fuel and a single mantle propane .. .. now if I can get another butane lantern I can get propane from the mix .. snow peak quit making lanterns and primus hard to find .... .. but if you going into the back country .., be prepared .. cuz I ain’t going to be stuck again .. it sucked .. oh it was rainy that day so wood was hard to make a fire .. and I still had two more days walk to a road .... yeah Shiite trip .., but knees have said backpacking days are gone .. it’s now a ford ranger with a tepui .. and I like it .. but our first trip we carried too much shit !!
I've been super terrified of doing maintenance on my Whisperlite Uni, not having enough confidence in knowing what and how to take apart. After watching this video I just sat down and took two hours to go over both the pump and the stove. Thanks man! 💪
I've had my Whisperlite Shaker Jet since the late 80's and burned a lot of fuel out of both types of pumps after losing my original with the can and replacing with the new style. I gotta say I never knew about the flip trick!! Always just cussed at the fuel I would get all over my hands depressurizing every time! Thank you for that and hope I remember out in the field!👍👏👏👏
They're awesome stoves!
Thanks for another great video !!!! Nice job using old pump for the new stove. imagine how pissed people can get trying to get their supper, all cold and tired, only to find out that "new" pump they packed doesn't fit.
That's why I watched your videos, so many useful tricks. It's no the matter if but when it will make my cam trip easier. And it's not just mine, i am sure you saved few people from sleepless night during family camp/hike trips just because of something they learned from you.
I realize you like your lights, but every time i have a free minute and watch one of your gear review/repair videos it makes my day !!!
Very nice and informative video!
For information I have a MK2 Whisperlite - with the red cloth clad fuel line - which I have successfully converted to a 'hybrid' Universal. I also tried the canister gas jet with ethanol, which actually worked quite ok without any other modifications.
I also modified the adapter at the end of the fuel line with a grinder, and not the fuel bottle - to fit the old fuel bottles.
Keep those videos coming!
Another good video. My Whisperlite is 1983 vintage. Damn near wore it out. Just keeps working. Wish I got the International with the shacker. Thanks
Great to see the two compared to each other side by side. One comment I'd make, having used these stoves for decades: You don't need nearly as much fuel in the priming cup. I crack open the valve, and as soon as I hear that little squirting noise in the cup, I close it immediately. It takes no more than 20-30 seconds to heat up the vaporizer tube, and the smallest amount of fuel is enough for that.
In depth and fair review, just ordered the international as had all other bases covered. Thanks.
Thank you! I just used my old whisper lite camping and wasn't exactly sure what I was doing, this helps alot! I think my pump seal is broken there is no resistance when I pump and I wouldn't know that without this video!
I was in US Army Special Forces from the late 70's until after Desert Storm and use a Coleman Peak I. I bought a Whisperlite but did not use it because of the flame during heating the generator tube. We could not risk this issue and be seen. The Coleman did not have that issue. It started right away with a good blue flame. I did always use white gas or Coleman fuel. My old Coleman gave up the ghost after 20 plus years from parachute jumps and general abuse crammed dropped kicked thrown in a ruck sack. Luckily, it never took a bullet while in my ruck but I did rebuild several times. I now use the Whisperlite but the flame still bugs me. It is a lot lighter and do like that.
So if you are military, I do recommend the Coleman for field use. I have not tried the newer Coleman model to verify the flame on startup. Their fuel bottles are great for carrying extra fuel. I've had them on military HALO jumps to 30,000 ft with no problems.
I would love to see Coleman make a modern version of the M1950 as they were great out field, shame we got rid of them from general issue in the 90's in the Australian Army.
Preheating with alcohol can help reduce the possibility of yellow flare-ups in war zones. :-)
Just found your channel, and all of your stove videos were exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for Sharing!
Thank you, Happy New Year!
@@jiujitsu2000 Happy New Year!
Thanks, i just bought one in great shape at a g sale for $4.00 complete manual bag shielding n all. had an idea it was something and was able get a great run down on it, thanks to you :)
This guy knows his stuff. Well done on the explanations.
I just found a msr whisperlite international at goodwill with everything but the bottle, that has an all grey pump. Best thing I've found so far
Sweet! Those are great stoves!
Just picked one up with a bottle and pump for 5 bux at the swap meet 😆
Good score !
Thank you for the great review! Question: what was the diameter of the cup that you are using that was too small? Thanks!
I've had one of the Whisperlite Internationale stoves for some 30 years and never had a single problem of the hundreds of times I've used it. There are a few things I wish they'd change. One is to make the fuel lines swivel or be more flexible so all the legs would easily settle on the ground without my having to fiddle with the fuel line to get them to. The other is to modify the pot supports even more than they have to extend more over the burner for using small pots or coffee cups, and have something you could flip up on the outer edges to keep pots from sliding off, which I've had happen when bumping the table.
I jusr sent one of mine whisperlites in to msr they are overhauling the stove so longer fuel line and bring it back to like new spec also send older still pump in that had a crack in it that also started a fire msr said pumps obsolete they donot want people using them and said send it in they will send out a new one for 20 so thats shipped out too
I liked your review and dig your style. Keep it up!
Awesome, through review. Thank you. Years of using the (original) WhisperLite, never knew about the flip trick 🤣
I know this is an old video, but thank you so much. You answered basically all of my questions I had. I just got an old WL International yesterday at a thrift store for $0.50 😂 didn't know how to work it, whether it was an International or not, or anything about what fuels I could run (I've read kerosene needs a different jet?), but I knew I needed to grab it and run for the register lol. Actually got the stove, bottle, pump, a Katadyn water filter pump, a new backpacking chair, pocket bellows, and few things for my daughter all for $13 😅
Very good comparison video. Did you replace the jet in your old stove so it could burn gasoline? I’m thinking about replacing the original jet in mine with a UG jet like the Unversal uses.
Nice comparison of the two stoves.
Whisperlite since late 80’s. Dragonfly for about five years.
The friend that I camp/climb/paddle with has the same two MSRs.
We have used them hundreds of times on wet trails, at very high altitudes, in sub-zero temps,
...and even car camping when our families were young.
He and I both prefer the Dragonfly, by far.
I almost never need to boil water in a hurry, so it doesn’t have to be loud. I just turn it down a bit. I find the noise very helpful. I’m able to gauge the heat output better, because of the sound. I can tell how low it’s simmering because of the sound. I can fine tune it because of the sound. I like that.
I don’t care which boils a hair quicker.
If I’m in a hurry, I’m missing the point of the trip.
My WhisperLite is a fine stove, especially if you just heat and eat, or need to boil a lot.
The Dragonfly does all of the above, and then some. If I want the water to stay at a low boil while cutting potatoes, I can do that.
I don’t have to run full-on at all times, and therefore, I save gas.
The WhisperLite is a lot trickier to keep a low flame, especially if you’re a beginner.
The Dragonfly packs bulkier, but the legs are stronger than they appear. Mine have both been smashed around for years, and neither have needed any spare parts.
A lot of reviews talk stats, and boiling times, but like you know, it’s what performs for you when you’re out there.
Incidentally, my son was playing with both of my MSRs on the weekend, and decided to order the Dragonfly.
I don’t have any experience with that other stove.
I’ve got the old pump that’s completely grey and my simmer control is perfect. I’ve got the leather gasket too. Bought the newer version pump and sent it back. I’ve got the international 600. I’ve got a wick wrapped on bottom of mine. Paid 25$ for it got a 22oz fuel bottle and a can of white gas included.
Great video. I'm a noob at this. Thank you
I have had an original whisper light since the early 90s and my whisper light universal is scheduled for delivery today period great little stove not just for backpacking but foverlanding as well. Very good flame control I just wanted the multiful capability so that I don't have to worry about finding white gas wherever I go.
Love Whisperlite stoves. I have a Whisperlite International that has always been a dependable workhorse. Really enjoyed selling them at an outdoor shop where I used to work. Having had experience with MSR products was really helpful for providing feedback about the stoves and water filters that wasn’t simply what was printed on the box.
I appreciated the deep dive into the classic vs current pumps. I will definitely hold on to and take care of my stoves pump. Wasn’t expecting it to be desirable over the currently available ones. I was really hoping that the new ones would offer greatly improved flame control.
I just joined up with you man. Great reviews.
Thanks I been trying to decide if the universal was worth it. I bought a cheap iso butane stove they bought all iso butane lol got a lil alcohol stove but it takes forever. Looking for something like this now.
The newer rubbers dont break down like the old rubber used to. So it should last just as long as the leather one as the leather one would crack if it drys out
These look great apart from being lighter weight do these have much of an advantage over the Coleman 550?
Just ran across this video, i actually own myself the original msr whisperlite, still got the original pump but did need to purchase a replacement as i noticed my original was cracked after owning it for damn near 23 years. love the heck out of mine its never let me down and i love its self cleaning nozzle while you walk.
+Chaucer Faux I love mine too. Shaker needle is amazing. Thank you!
Chaucer Faux what a great foxy =^.^=
Great video
Great video and i think i will get one or the other just do not know which one yet!
thanks for the info on both of those stoves
+Jason Williams Thank you brotha!
Thanks for a great video!
I understand what you say about “old” stuff, but sometimes there’s new for a reason. In my experience the shut off valve after awhile, will fail and is unrepairable. It cracks around the brass shaft. (Plastic around metal) The new one has an all brass housing go figure. Secondly, that removable valve at the bottom, MSR supplies a tool with every stove that has a screwdriver on the end for that piece. Also the round ball will invariably fall into the grass or leaves making the entire pump useless. The new one stays with the spring unless you pull it off. Now, the part that I’m really excited about is the new fitting that allows the use of isopropane canisters, that’s really great! I hope the new fitting will be available to buy separately for the Dragonfly stove. ATB
True indeed but I would have liked to see interchangeable pumps. I don't think it would have been impossible for MSR to do.
I've never owned a Whisperlite but I have heard great things about them so if I find one used for a decent price I'm getting it for sure, same thing goes for other stoves that run on white gas/petrol/diesel or whatever 😁
Is flipping the fuel bottle recommended to by MSR, or is that something you just do?
Fantastic review... Thank you
Good review and demo. However the old whisperjet was left longer than the universal so the fuel evaporated. Not sure there was any real priming difference.
Gotta remember the old Navy addage should be applied to the pumps as well: "If it makes sense why do it" or the ever faithfull : "If its not broke, fix it till it is" lolol
Really glad you took the time to compare these, as well at the 23 thousand other views are, I'm sure.
Hi
what do you think about Windpro II vs Wisperlite universal?
not for just boiling water. for simmering and cooking.
I have Windburner and Jetboil Flash for boiling water and also Trangia gas burner for my Trangia kit. just looking for a good reliable remote gas stove for cooking.
Love the stove videos - just a note - I'm sure you're aware now but MSR provides a tool with the stove to take the check valve out of the pump - they instruct you to do this so it's not that they don't want you to mess with their pumps. I have a feeling they changed this so the check valve doesn't accidently come off the pump in transit.
It's easy to convert the MSR Whisperlite International (WLI) stove to canister gas/propane/butane. The white gas jet works fine. Remove the WLI fuel line from the WLI pump. There is an exposed ¼ brass nipple.
Parts needed:
a 2" of ¼" I.D rubber fuel hose (auto store)
b. Two small hose clamps (auto store)
c. The shorter version of a "Campingmoon Z21-25" canister fuel hose and valve (amazon $20).
You will connect the new canister hose/valve to the WLI fuel line with the ¼ rubber hose and 2 clamps -part a. You have to only remove one part off the Lindal canister fuel line (part c). to assemble this. Remove the big silver male threaded Lindal fitting from the fuel line with a wrench. There is a small brass nut joining the fuel line to the Lindal fitting. Insert and twist in the now exposed brass threaded nipple with two "O" rings into the ¼" rubber hose (part a.) and secure with hose clamp over the threaded portion of this nipple. Then final assemply. Push the rubber fuel hose onto the WLI brass fuel fitting and clamp. You can still convert back to white gas by removing one hose clamp. You can also buy a lindal to propane adapter Amazon) to use a green propane bottle. 1 liter water to a rolling boil was 3:20 min. With a butane adapter was 5:45 min. much slower. Enjoy your new stove. Much better simmer control PS: I did not test with iso-propane canister They were all empty and I'm not buying more.
I did a video similar to that 4 years with MSR Dragonfly
Thanks learn some more. Great video
Hey Jiujitsu,
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
Regarding the pumps, I believe they switched to rubber as it was it required less maintenance as the leather could dry out (not really an issue if you take care of the stoves. That being said, the rubber does seem to have issues in extreme cold so MSR uses the same leather cup on their new artic pumps!
Also the red tabs on the older pump was an issue for some as they could break easily. Newer plunger is less easy to take out but seems more robust for now.
-Kevin
+Kevin Do Awesome comment brotha!! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts
Great review! I was a bit dubious about the rubber plunger but it has been ok so far and often bicycle pumps have a similar setup so I guess they must work ok and last a long time provided that they are lubricated. Also I guess that a rubber plunger is better on the plastic pump case than a leather plunger (less wear). I must admit I do like the MSR pump even though it is plastic as it is lighter and easier to use than say the Primus pumps. Also the rubber plunger is less likely to deform than a leather one....good stuff!
very useful video keep it up sir!
Only one trip into the pacific northwest in the 1980's with my Whisperlite which was only 3 years old and it just worked perfect .. One the third day or fourth the pump would only pump part way almost no pressure ? So i got out the instructions that came with it to troubleshoot it.. I removed the pump and the cup had grease on it .. Next with a quick twist i removed the spring and check ball in the end of the pump to see if the ball was stuck somehow .. You can guess the story from here , the micro ball went some place where i never found it.. I didn't have a repair kit with me so that was that .. I wrote to MSR when i got back and included $5.00 and asked for a few check balls which they sent me right away with O rings and some other stuff.. A few years went passed and i bought the Simmerlite ahhhhh new pump and it's different (new and improved) the reason the check ball is attached to the spring is so you cannot throw it out in the brush like i did ..I did write to thank them and told them i did like the new pump design and features and there was only one thing i didn't like too much was the cap on the pump with the built in O ring as it was sometimes very hard to unscrew .. Great information .. You are the best tester of mtn stoves out there i have seen so far.. I like that.. well done..
great point on the redesigned spring and attached ball. Personal experience is precious, thanks for the explanation.
Nice comparison video
Great review, thanks.
+RhodieFreedomCamp thank you, they're both great stoves!
@ 7:30 the half ball on the spring is probably so you don’t accidentally drop the ball and lose it.
Great vid! Thanks
thanks for the comparison, good explanation
+refukulator thank you. They're both great stoves. More videos coming in this topic. Have a great evening!
Hi Jijitsu. I Need help! My whisperlite stop vaporising kerosene and starts to spit liquid whenever I over pump. If I pump it less it works fine but then it takes 10 minutes to boil water. I recently replaced my pump because I broke the original one.
I use alcohol to prime my XGK. It really cuts down on the that black soot. You must have gotten that right before they went to the new pumps. My 12 year old stove has the new pump.
Your new pump is now actually outdated. The yearly service kit has the upgrade parts.
Oh i had a question and almost forgot .. The Optimus Nova stove do you have that model by chance or know much about it ? Performance and features .. thanks ... The reason i ask as i have been looking at buying one off and on..
i imagine you've gotten your answer by now, but just in case... th-cam.com/video/8wYzC6A8auM/w-d-xo.html ( get ready to hit the right arrow key a lot to fast forward through the slower parts :-)
Hi, which stove is easier to maintain? ie: less replacement parts? Thanks for the video.
The universal will of course have more parts. But both fairly easy to maintain.
Thanks for the reply. how does that compare to the burn time of actual gasoline? what type of maintenance do you have to do when burning actual gasoline?
+Travis Mcghee
td p { margin-bottom: 0in; }p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }
Enjoy and THANK YOU
again!!! :-)
WhisperLite™ Universal
Minimum Weight
11.2 oz / 318 g
Packed Weight
14.9 oz / 423 g
Burn time (white gas) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fuel
Appx. 110 minutes
Burn time (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g / 8-oz. canister
Appx. 75 minutes
Burn time (kerosene) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fuel
Appx. 155 minutes
Boil time (white gas), 1 liter
3.5 minutes
Boil time (kerosene), 1 liter
4.4 minutes
Boil time (MSR IsoPro), 1 liter
3.75 minutes
Water boiled (white gas) per 100 ml of fuel
4.4 liters
Water boiled (white gas) per 1 oz. of fuel
1.3 liters
Water boiled (kerosene) per 100 ml of fuel
5.3 liters
Water boiled (kerosene) per 1 oz. of fuel
1.6 liters
Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g canister
15 liters
Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 1 oz. of fuel
1.8 liters
Country of Origin
Made in Seattle, USA
If you primed with alcohol there wouldn't be any soot right? I know it would be another container of liquid to keep up with on a backpack trip, but it would keep the soot down I think and the container would be very small. Also, shouldn't there be a wick on both stoves? Great video, thanks for the GREAT detail in all your videos.
The wick is only required if your using Kerosene or Diesel as they have a higher flash point. The standard Whisperlite does not come with a wick as it is not compatible with Kerosene or Diesel as it has a smaller diameter fuel tube and does not come with a "K" marked Kerosene fuel jet.
Awesome Video mate, very thorough. I am after a MSR myself, think I will get the universal
spotter thank you so much the MSR Universal is a top-notch stove. I think you'll be very happy!
Thanks a lot for creating this video!, I really enjoyed it :-)
If your looking for a way to support small pots, go to an electronics supply store and pick up a computer fan grate, they are dirt cheap , come in different diameters and you can cut them with diagonal cutters too, they are the next best thing to the original MSR expresso star. Maybe the expresso star was before your time. That was back in the day before little pots became available for back packing. Lots of cool things back then, like 3 little clip on snow pads for the Whisper lite, lighter and smaller than the Trillium base of today.
Those work fantastic very good comment!
Hi from southern France and great video :-)). I have owned the MSR Whisperlite Internationale 600 stove Model 311600 for quite a while now and I was wondering if it has the Shaker jet feature...where can I get the info ? You have a great day!
Yes, that model is the one I have and does have the shaker jet. If you don't hear it moving when you shake the stove, then it is clogged. Do a deep cleaning and restore it to new.
I still have the Original whisperlite as seen in the Backpacker Magazine. You have to use i believe a wire (00.7) or a guitar string to unclog the fuel hole when need be. But it performs very good as the newer ones ! I believe i have mine for over 20 years now.
+Edward Moran I have a couple old original whisperlite and they work well too. Thank you for the guitar strings idea, I never thought of that!
I know this is five years old but thank you for mentioning the guitar string. Was looking all over tonight for something to unclog fuel line while literally in a room with guitars and strings!
Love your videos. One mark of a competant reviewer of stoves is sooty fingers while handling the product. I've seen a lot of reviews where the stove looked unused.
i know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot the account password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
@Antonio Chris Instablaster ;)
@Gibson Abel Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Gibson Abel it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thanks so much you really help me out !
@Antonio Chris you are welcome :D
Nice comparison between the old and new. I have the old wisperlite, but mine is over 30 years old. It has the older style pump latch where the retention clip that snaps over the pump has the clip sit right in the middle if the adjustment valve. It's been a great little stove, looks like they kept most of the original design in the updated version. I thing the potstannd is an upgrade. A not, you said the new pump comes with the filter in the bottle. The old one did as well, maybe yours didn't or you lost it. Was the old stone style like the 60's car had as an inline carburetor. fuel filter. Advantage of the old style was you could soak then in a cleaner to unclog.
Thank you!
JIUJITSU2000, is it important to have a wick if you happen to lose it
Really enjoyed your videos, very thorough. Thanks for sharing. atb Si
+Ascent 41 thank you so much and just to give you a heads-up I have many more videos just like this coming in the near future
+jiujitsu2000 cool. I used white spirit in mine and didn't like it so switched back to unleaded. works great. looking forward to more of your uploads.
+Ascent 41 thank you for sharing your findings. I'm always enjoy experiment with different things. have a great day!
Was good to see the whisperlite burning gasoline 👍🏻
I’m also considering getting the dragonfly though, it has a throttle for simmering for flame control, have you tried the dragonfly?
I havr it love it had it for like 5 years
Great video! How long does it burn on one canister of gasoline?
+Travis Mcghee Thank you! The whisperlite Universal burns for around 110 minutes with a 20-ounce canister of white gas, 75-minute burn time with eight-ounce canister of MSR IsoPro fuel, and 155-minute burn time with 20-ounce canister of kerosene...
I have the old stove that burns all the different fuels but mostly use white gas. They are very powerful and can boil a big pot. Use it on occasion to boil corn on the patio. Works great to melt snow for water. I have used a couple different kits to replace filters and rubber parts as well as jets. Learned a long time ago if you don’t pump it up as much it will simmer. I find I need to use larger pots for the supports to be work properly. Pans are no problem. I have the large fuel bottle and two small ones. It is great if you travel. Any gas station has fuel you can use. The only thing I find I don’t like is waking up on a nice trout stream and making wha sound like a jet engine to make a hot cup of tea when other are sleeping in a tent next to you. It is why I often carry an alcohol stove in the summertime. They take a little longer but how can you complain about that when your in the wilderness.
congrats on 25k lets see some reloading vids sir! keep up the awesome vids
+Ceez33 Thank you!
Great video ledgendery msr
Classic bomb proof stoves proper I have a dragonfly now since 2001 19 years never let me down fully serviceable.
I hear your passion for quality products & I feel the same about msr the best.
How do you like your Dragonfly? I'm leaning towards buying that one.
fill primer cup with super small squeeze bottle of alcohol and you will have no big yellow flames and zero black soot on your stove. I carry about one ounce of alcohol with my stove
THANK YOU!!
excellent.Thanks!!
I saw they ran for about 2hrs. For 1 liter of fuel. That is extremely cheap fuel that is readily accessible. I am impressed with this
Very Good!
Very Cool!
+lonestarrider Thank you! I'm giving a MSR whisperlite universal away! Feel free to check that out! It's on my 25,000 playlist.
"Flame control" is all about how LOW it will go! If you're going to cook on a stove it MUST have a good simmer. I could absolutely not care less that one boils water 10 seconds faster, but that seems to be what everybody demonstrates. :-(
I picked the Dragonfly over the Whisperlite for the simmering ability. I do both fast boiling and slow simmering.
I just ordered a whisperlite. When it gets to my house I’m getting rid of the pump and using the optimus pump. That’s a shame they use such a crap pump with a great stove.
Great Video....!! I I went on my first backpack trip in August 1986, with a family that used the little ole green Coleman backpacking stove. As far as I know it is still working! When it came time for me to get a stove, only the Colemen Peak 1 was available! After two of those trashing out on me, I switched to the Whisperlite!! I am on my third one now, I think. And, it is far from new, and may be headed for Colorado soon, unless I buy the Universal I see here!! But, my comment and my question is about the pumps. My pumps keep cracking, and being replaced by REI, etc, and the O rings keep pooping out. MSR did send me a few O rings to use, but, is this normal ????? Do other people have pumps to crack and O rings to die, etc, etc.. ???? I am very careful with my equipment, but still things happen.. Would like to know if others who backpack with old stoves carry and extra pump, and some O rings!!! There is a rebuild kit for these things, but do people really carry one???
+Tom Ballard yes O-rings get old and brittle over time. MSR makes an Expedition service kit that you can buy for your stove. It has every old ring in the whole stove. In fact it has all new Jets and the kit is basically designed for a complete rebuild of the stove and I carry that with me
OK, I am in then.. THANKS for the education... I will get one. First I will rebuild the stove I have, then will plan to carry a repair kit in the future! How I have gotten by so far remains a mystery, but, I will follow your advice and do things correctly.. THANKS
+Tom Ballard welcome. If your stove is a shaker jet that's even better!
My current model is.. I have had them all, I think.. But, yes, the current one is a shaker.. I love it, but need to learn to maintain it better! Maybe I was thrown off but buying a kit where much of the kit was not for my stove, but maybe that is the cost of having fun. Would be great if the company had a small kit better suited to just my basic Whisperlite, but will not complain.. I would find other ways to get rid of the money!!! So, I will order my kit soooooon, as the urge to get back on the trail is making me itch!!! THANKS for you support.
.................... I do see MSR has the baby kit, but it is missing some things I might need.. I think they need a third kit.. One in the middle of the top and bottom!!!!!!!!!!
VERY COOL!
+SSR KNIVES AND GUNS! Sweet ash! Thank you!
the reason why its not leather anymore is because the universal means you might use gas that tend to melt organic materials,also the universal uses a little more gas than the original due to the compatibility thing BUT i think it's valuable to be able to burn anything you want in it since it's already not super lightweight you might as well make it versatile
I was lucky enough to come across 2 free ones and now i have 3. Good video i just dont prime with that much fuel in cup. I dont find it necessary.
The fuel cup only needs to be moist.
Sorry, got cut off. I know the CampinGaz fuel can be hacked but will do in the future. Got both stoves and a self inflate mat and multi blade folding saw for $20. Not a bad haul.
Bouimy Whisperlite in 1984, always reliable but the pump is the weak link as the rubber seals deteriorate after 4 or 5 years and have to be replaced.
can the universal use fuel cannisters?
Yes, it can use isopro fuel canisters
Great snow melting stoves! I have a yellow pump, grey, and two different grey/red. I changed all the cups to leather. Same on all my lanterns. I always change to leather
Using gasoil, with much use, is there much difference between MSR whisperlite and MSR universal whisperlite? Is much clogged?
I have an MSR whisperlite. Is it justified to change it?
Sorry, no gasoil, using gasoline.
+Kuroi Kumo I would keep using the whisperlite if I had one already. The one thing that I would try to make sure of is that the whisperlite that you have is the Shaker jet model
Yes, I have that model. Thanks for the reply!!!
Sorry for my english, I use the google translator
Does the grade of gas matter? 87,89 or 92?
Low octane is cleaner
Thanks!
Have you managed to convert the old WhisperLite to a canister.
Max Meadows not yet, I would like too. not really a need for me to do it though. I'll just use the universal
I have! :-)
I just posted a video of the process.
is that the video where you grind the corner
Why don't you replace the rubber cup with a leather cup
Kerosene and lamp oil are the same except lamp oil is extra refined which allows it to burn cleaner with less soot on lamp glass globes and less smell but at a higher cost.
@2:38 lmao
So I just bought a whisperlite universal .. 30 years ago a whisperlite put me down on the face of white top mountain on the Appalachian trail in Virginia .. I took that damn thing apart and put back together 5 times .. it was cold .. and my damn stove didn’t work .. it worked fine for a few years prior .. I did maintain it .. but damn I was pissed .. after that switched to the Coleman dual fuel or butane ... well decided to give whisperlite another chance .. I like this stove because it’s easier to take apart and it runs on butane or white gas ... I carry a small Coleman butane as a backup .. oh we car camp now with a tepui roof top tent .. so two stoves and two lanterns .. we carry a Coleman dual fuel and a single mantle propane .. .. now if I can get another butane lantern I can get propane from the mix .. snow peak quit making lanterns and primus hard to find .... .. but if you going into the back country .., be prepared .. cuz I ain’t going to be stuck again .. it sucked .. oh it was rainy that day so wood was hard to make a fire .. and I still had two more days walk to a road .... yeah Shiite trip .., but knees have said backpacking days are gone .. it’s now a ford ranger with a tepui .. and I like it .. but our first trip we carried too much shit !!
Go Navy
+fitz201000 Yes! Go Navy!!
I can't believe you use gasoline in this or your Colemans.
Definitely looks like they complicated the new pump with no added advantage.
try using cups that will fit on the stove properly
WIDER PAN HEAT FASTER ,CLEAN BATTER AND YOU CAN COOK MORE THINGS IN IT.