Had my Internationale for almost 10 years. Never had a problem once I gave up on trying to simmer with it in breezy conditions. Lightweight and fuel-efficient, although I've only used white gas. The thin film of soot is easy to clean with a small rag but doesn't seem to affect performance if left alone. Had some stability worries until I got a stove base from Wilderness Concepts on sale at REI-great product, now I can move the stove assembly around the campsite easily. Just got myself a Dragonfly to get that simmer...

Similar Products Used:

None

Really like the stove. In the past have only had propane and the old sticks lit on fire thing going. I only had one problem and it involved the pump. Luckily I tinker a lot and was able to fix it but for someone else???? Would give it five overall but the pump is a bit fragile so 4 it is.

Similar Products Used:

None

I like this stove very much. It is light, sets up easily, and is trouble free. The only problem is that it is difficult to get a good simmer, although it can be done. You need to pump only 6 or 8 times (it takes some practice, your stove may not react the same as mine) and open the valve a minimal amount. You may have to ghive it a pump or two as you are cooking as well. I wish it had a second valve on the stove body itself.

Similar Products Used:

None

My first stove, and so far I'm very satisfied. Haven't used any others, so I can't compare it very well. It burns very hot, is light, and solidly constructed. Controlling the fuel intake is a bit of an art form in itself since it is touchy in terms of getting it to stay at a low setting for simmering. It's also tough to get the stove level because of the short and very stiff fuel line. Priming is a bit strange at first (you let a little fuel into the pan and light it and the whole thing burns in a foot high flame for a minute or so), but like others have said, once you get used to it, it's really not an issue. Lastly, it does leave a lot of sooty residue all over the stove and your pots, but I guess there's not much you can do about that with most stoves.

All that said, it may sound like I couldn't possibly like this stove, but it's so easy to complain about all the small inconsequential features. As my rating suggest, overall it is an excellent investment for a serious backcountry hiker.

Similar Products Used:

Campfires - the Whisperlite is much better than a campfire, except it's not as fun to make smores with it.

This is a dependable stove with a great customer service backup. Plus, white gas is cheap and easy to find. I still don't like the start up procedure, the limited flame adjustment, and the blow torch sound.

I usually take the camping gaz turbo 270 if only going out for one or two nights.

Customer Service

MSR sent me 3 steel leg/pot holders at no charge.

Similar Products Used:

camping gaz turbo 270

Great stove at a great price. Simmering is challenging, but if your main purpose is to boil water, you can't go wrong with this stove.

Similar Products Used:

None

A great little stove. Light, VERY hot, relatively easy to clean. Caused some amusement getting it to light on the first few attempts but becomes more graceful with experience. I'm in a club and it's definitely not a stove that can be handed around, some practice is needed with it in the art of cleaning and lighting it beforehand. Simply put a fantastic stove.

Similar Products Used:

MSR Dragonfly

I've been using my stove for well over six years and have rarely had trouble. It's easy to use and relatively compact. If I had to buy another stove, I would probably buy another Whisperlite.

Similar Products Used:

None

Pros:
Very Light (great for backpacking)
Extremely Hot (boils water in no time)
Very Compact
Very Fuel Efficient for the output

Cons:
Two heat settings - Off and Meltdown (impossible to simmer)
Difficult to keep stable because of short fuel line
Messy soot residue after each use
Huge Flames when starting (better once you get some practice)

Similar Products Used:

Coleman (naptha lantern-type stle with tank as base unit). This unit was borrowed and eliminated all of the cons of the MSR at the sacrifice of some weight and lower max temp. I plan on replacing the torch with one of these as soon as I can.

product is excellent. Very quick boiling water and somewhat more stable then other stoves.Only problem, it is rather troubling to light sometimes, but when you get used to it it is a cinch. Just don't plan on making any gourmet meals by the campfire.

Similar Products Used:

None