This stove is absolutely wonderful. It's light, it fits inside most cook sets, and it's a snap to do field repairs. The repair kit is about $6 and has everything you need to tear the stove and pump apart and fix just about any problem. I've used mine in the dead of winter and the middle of summer with equaly wonderful results. The big issues are learning how to control the priming bonfire (hint, only fill the priming cup about 1/3 full or you'll have a soot covered stove) and using the included reflectors. Without the reflectors, it's just about useless. The reflectors are wonderful, we have one stove that's almost five years old and the reflectors have been folded and unfolded so many times it's a wonder they were ever flat. They don't seem to EVER fail. All my metalurgist friends are pissed that their guesses on failure time have all been exceeded by MANY years.
It is true, this stove has two settings, OFF and CHARCOL. Any food left unattended will shortly be nothing more than ash. It takes some time to learn to cook over this stove, and with a few rocks, or by adjusting the wind screen, it CAN be made to simmer.
My biggest gripe with the stove is the screw on the top of the burner. The included tool will fit EVERY part on the stove and pump, from the hex shaped jet to the wire in the fule line, but it does NOT fit the phillips head screw on the burner. It agrivates me that such a perfect little tool would fit EVERYTHING but one screw on the stove.

Customer Service

Always friendly on the phone and full of advice.

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I've used various propane fuled stoves. The ones that use the disposable compressed fule containers (ick, they don't smash well when they're expended and I don't like disposable things in general). The fule container makes the stove tippy, and are absolutely useless at high altitueds because the fule rushes out WAY too fast to ignite. In the winter, a half full tank becomes useless too because the fule is content to stay as a liquid, not turn to a gas. Stick with a tank you can pressurize yourself.

I own an earlier model of the Wisperlight, which I bought around 1981 or 1982. I also got the repair kit. The stove has always worked well and is suitable for groups of 4-6 backpackers. I recommend it. In spit of changing technology, however, I still take my Svea 123 along as a back up. With the cook set base it is a great stove. I guess they don't make it any longer. I've had both it and the MSR stove work in below 0 weather.

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Svea 123, Coleman (ugh!)

Bought this thing on a last minute camping trip (with some future plans on backpacking) and was in the 'field' before even trying it. For the most part it did not let me down, started right up on the first match on the first time I've ever used any backpacking stove in my life. Setup was pretty simple although the burner wouldn't stay flat until I propped up the canister with a rock, no biggie. The only thing I wish is that MSR should include the description they have on their website about how the stove works, because after my first light, it seemed that filling the priming cup 1/2 full seemed wasteful so the next time I filled it with very little white gas, the burner wouldn't burn, it would sputter when I turned the gas on again. I couldn't figure out why it would take two attempts to get it to light until I saw their website where it mentioned that the burner has to be heated to a certain temp to burn the gas vapor/oxygen mixture coming out of the shaker jet. Now that I know, it works like a charm. And I have not tried to simmer yet, we've boiled water and stir fried some veggies.

Jay

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None

Been using this stove for almost 10 years now. They can be kinda tricky to light (read: practice in your backyard a few times), but they're darn near bomb-proof and burn exceedingly hot. Yes, simmering is difficult and requires constant attention, but for the $50 I save over the dragon-fly, I can hold the pan 2"" in the air.

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None

Nice stove. I have the model before the shaker jet, but i've never had any problems with clogging. Works well in cold weather. Only complaint is that you can't really simmer with it, but the newer models have supposedly addressed that.

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Peak 1. Blows

This is the best stove on the market in My view. I got mine in 1984 (it's pre-shaker)
and it's stood up to hard use and sometimes abuse and still works perfectly.
The only thing I've ever replaced are the seals everything else is still going strong
despite being dinged up and burnt black.
The one thing I would suggest is to always carry extra seals and do the maint.
that MSR suggests. I bought an XGK to replace this one but I still keep coming back to the Whisperlite. Bottom Line: BUY ONE!

Customer Service

After 16 years of use I still have never needed them. Great Product.

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MSR XGK Shaker
Century Trail Scout
Peak 1 Micro Butane

I have an older Whisperlite, before they came up with the shakerjet idea. I've never had problems with it clogging, although I clean it after every copule days of use. This stove has served me well in many conditions. I have used it for everything from weekend trips, to 14 day expeditions, and for tailgates in the parking lot of the stadium. It works well at low temps and boils quickly. If you are into slow simmers and making omelets over low heat forget about it, get the new dragonfly w/ a control knob. If you want reliable, effiecent, easy operation in a white gas stove, this is the best there is. The name is a bit misleading however (that is until you hear an XGK!). I've used Colman's liquid fuel stoves and find them much more difficult, filling the attached tank is to much work.

Customer Service

Haven't had problems with it, but have friends that recieved replacement parts in the mail quickly and free!

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Colman peak 1,Camping Gaz canister stoves, MSR XGK (great stove, but overkill for most uses)

Although my expirence with stoves is not extensive, but I feel that this stove is by far the best one I have used yet. On the turn of the millenium a fellow mountianeer and I climbed Mt. washington in NH. On the top winds were gusting at over 70 mph. Although we did not stay long, we did stop for some hot wets and needed to used the stove. I was very impressed by the easy start up and the boiling time. The quick and easy set up and dismantle might be the very reason why I have all my digits to type this. MSR is known for it's equipment, however I usually don't buy products with out field testing them first. With this stove I did not have the oppertunity, but again I am very pleased and will stand by it to the end.

I've heard all the horror stories about the priming flare-ups and poor simmering characteristics of the MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet stove. I've had no problem with my stove. Using a light hand on the pump before you prime your stove can solve the priming problem. Over pumping makes the primer cup fill too fast and the excess fuel causes the flare-ups. As soon as a "drop" of fuel gets to the priming cup, turn off the valve and light the fuel. As soon as the flame dies down a bit, turn the valve up and the stove kicks into action. A full priming cup probably causes the dangerous flare-ups encountered by many. Using a "Scorch Buster" plate on the stove easily solves the simmering problem. The stainless steel plate defuses and tames the flame making simmering a breeze. I've simmered cream dishes and cooked rice without burning. Half an old license plate will do the trick too. To keep the aluminum windscreen neatly packed, wrap it around your fuel bottle and secure it with cloth covered "pony-tail" bands. All in all, I love the MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet stove. It's lightweight, easy to light, and folds up nicely to fit into my cook pot. My MSR Whisperlite replaced an old, German, military stove that my father gave me. He brought the stove home as a war souvenir from WWII. It finally "gave up the ghost" after 55 years. With any luck my MSR will last as long… I can hope… Can't I?

Customer Service

I haven't had any need to contact MSR Customer Service yet, but living the Great Northwest might be an advantage since MSR is based here in Seattle.

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Old German Army Stove and campfires ;-)

I have been very happy with the way this product has performed. A friend of mine used it with little to no instructions and had no problems.The only thing that would be nice is a better adjustment to the flame.