MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet

Review Date
July 31, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Mark G(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $65.00 at Intersport

Summary:
MSR Whisperjet Internation.

It's all been said. Doesn't simmer too well - I agree but there are techiques that's help.

Boils water in about 3.5 minute - it does and it's reasonably economical about it too.

Reasonably light and easy to pack - it is, as good as any other multifuel stove.

I rate this stove highly now that I've beaten it. You can transform this cantankerous, smelly, filthy borderline-dangerous stove into something that's actually enjoyable and clean to use simply by ignoring MSR's instructions and priming it with alcohol instead.

Fill, yes, FILL the little priming cup with alcohol having pressurised your bottle and connected it. Light the alcohol with a fire-steel. Wait 'til the alcohol is boiling and the flames are licking arounf the generator tube, then wait a little while longer. While the alcohol flame is still burning, open the tap - practically instant blue flame - no fireballs, no drama, no soot no stink even burning petrol.

Turn the bottle upside down when you're finished and it'll blow all the fuel out of the line leaving you with a clean stove. Swith off the bottle while it's still upside down, remove the stove then relieve the pressure with the bottle upright by unscrewing the pump at arm's length.

The stove will be soot free, you won't be stinking like a gas pump and you may actually get to like this stove.

If you're going to persist with MSR's method, look forward to a sooty, smelly life dominated by, quote MSR "soccer ball sized "flames""

Get a little bottle of alcohol though and life will be a lot easier. You don't need more than about 3/4 teaspoon for every lighting and you can rub your tired feet with it.

But for the alcohol priming technique, this stove would have been ebay fodder. As it stands, I'm happy to advise you to go and buy one, get to know it, then enjoy what must be one of the most rugged and reliable bits of kit you can buy.

ALCOHOL - FIRESTEEL - ESSENTIAL!

Customer Service:
Not used

Similar Products Used:
Primus Omnifuel, Optimus Nova.

Review Date
June 3, 2006

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: brian-in-lansing ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $60.00 at REI

Summary:
I have owned and used my wisperlite for about 10 years. I backpack up to 40 days/year.

For the life of me, I can NOT figure out why people like these stoves. I've actually had many conversations with veteran backpackers & thru hikers and most agree that this is most people's first stove, yet not one person I've talked to actually likes their MSR whisperlite. I include 2 good friends in that group. A guy in our outdoors club we call "torch" actually burned down an AT shelter with his wisperlite. I suspect MSR marketing is the culpret, or MSR convinced Backpacker Magazine to say good things about the product.

First, MSR has no business putting "whisper" in the name. If the stove sounds like a 737 taking off then the stove is working properly. Forget hearing the sounds of the forest, or even holding a casual conversation. The upside is that it scares you into a healthy respect of the stove.

But usually the sound isn't a problem, because my stove rarely works as designed. It usually works "well enough" so that I can actually cook with it, but it is a rare day that this stove will work every meal of a typical weekend outting. Again, an upside to this is that when it stops working right it will simmer. Which brings me to my next point...

If the stove is working properly, it has 2 speeds, "off" and "inferno". This boils water fast, but forget actually cooking. Again, why people rate this high when there are so many better options for simmering I will never understand.

Another issue I have with the design is the sensitivity of the priming. There's really no good way to know how much gas you've let out of the bottle to prime the stove before you light it. Be prepared for a suprise flare up. Flames 2 feet high are not uncommon. Again, I know a guy who burned down an AT shelter with his wisperlite when priming it.

There are a couple of upsides. First, it's pretty easy to disassemble and clean in the field. I've gotten quite good at cleaning out the jet and cleaning the fuel line. Those operations usually fix the constant problems I have with this stove. Also an upside, it's a white-gas stove w/ removable fuel bottle, has a nice low cooking surface, it's light as all hell, it comes w/ a snazzy carrying bag & a truly effective wind screen. And you can always sell it easilly when you get sick of it. I keep mine as a "backup" stove.

Seriously, this stove will work well enough to keep you from throwing it into the lake. But not much better.

Customer Service:
Eh. They'll help you clean it. But the problem is that their product is designed very poorly. You can't make $hi# shine.

Similar Products Used:
Several MSR Wisperlite International stoves(mostly bad experiences), Coleman backpacker stoves (nice, but high center of gravity), EsBit (nice in an emergencey), homemade pop-can alcohol stoves (nice, but narrow cooking platform)

Review Date
April 21, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Matt ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $100.00 at K2 Brisbane, Austral

Summary:
Outstanding. I am fussy on gear, and hard on gear. This stove has survived and served me well for the last 7 years all over the world. Unleaded? Av gas? etc.etc.? runs a little rough, but hey, we're travelling rough. Shellite / camp fuel? - perfect!! This thing is my soulmate. In a world of disposable consumables, this little gem is a diamond. If it runs a little hot, hold the pan up manually, or (as I do for rice), use a heat displacement pad (80 grams and around $5.00 from a kitchenware store).

Customer Service:
MSR still has parts for discontinued models from a couple of decades ago!!! Compare this to (say) PUR, who can not provide a filter for a water purifier 18 months after purchase (as happened to me). Outstanding.

Similar Products Used:
Trangia, Coleman, other MSR gear. A fire whenever possible.

Review Date
December 1, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Jason(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $59.00 at Appalachian Outfitte

Summary:
This last summer (2003) was my first year for backpacking. I tried this stove out before I left and I had a hard time boiling water, but found I was just not pressurizing the fuel enough. Once I figured out what it looks like when it's REALLY working, i had no problems with it. I boiled water for outmeal and coffee for four people in no time. I loved it. I would reccomend this to anyone. Some say you can't hold a simmer, just don't pump the fuel too much and it shouldn't be a problem.

Customer Service:
Never used

Similar Products Used:
none

Review Date
June 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ryan (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $70.00 at MEC(CDN$)

Summary:
We use this stove on multi day backpacking and canoe trips. It is easy to light. It requires very little maintenance (like once in a while you need to poke out the jet with a small tool they gave us with the kit....basically maintenance free). It is light and it folds down (maybe not clear from the picture...) into a very tight package. We've had ours for four years. If I lost it I would go buy another one. Otherwise i will probably never need to shop for stoves again. You won't be dissapointed with this stove.

Customer Service:
Never had occasion to try it.