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MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Stove

Hiking & Camping > Stoves & FuelRated: **** by 11 reviews.

Mountain Gear

The lightweight and compact MSR WhisperLite is the stove all others are measured against. msrsale Because of stove fuel's volatile composition, Mountain Gear is only able to ship you fuel via ground shipping. Please be aware that liquid and canister stove fuels may not be transported via commercial airlines, or shipped without a Hazmat permit.

Features:

  • For continental backpacking this stove is hard to beat
  • Includes fuel pump
  • Liquid-fuel stove design saves on weight, provides superior cold-temperature performance and delivers greater fuel economy
  • Only to be used with MSR Fuel Bottles (sold separately)
  • The Whisperlite burns white gas clean and hot, boiling a liter of water in 3.9 minutes
  • The legs fold flat to store compactly into most MSR pot kits
  • To clean the jet just pick it up, shake, and presto the jet is clean

REI

The ever-popular MSR Whisperlite stove features a self-cleaning shaker jet to reduce soot build-up and stove maintenance.

  • Clean the jet with an easy shake—a weighted pin inside the jet pushes away any debris or soot to reduce maintenance
  • Runs on white gas for maximum heat output and excellent cold-weather use; requires priming
  • Legs fold out to provide a stable base and fold down to store compactly
  • Durable metal fuel line keeps fuel bottle away from stove for ease of use and safety
  • Totally field maintainable—every stove part is designed to be taken apart and be easily replaced in the field, including the fuel pump
  • Includes windscreen and heat reflector for increased operating performance; also included a durable, lightweight MSR fuel pump
  • Use only with MSR fuel bottles, sold separately
  • Weight of liquid fuel stove includes only stove and fuel pump

Ability to simmer:Fair
Average boil time:3 min. 58 sec.
Boiling Time (@ sea level):3 minutes 54 seconds
Burn time (max flame):(100 g fuel) 28.7 minutes
Cold weather use:Good
Dimensions:6 x 4 x 4 inches
Ease of operation:Good
Fuel:White gas
Packaged weight:14.5 ounces
Packed size:6.5 x 4 x 4 inches
Pot stability:Good
Stove stability:Good
Suggested use:Backpacking
Total burn time:136 min. per 20 ounce fuel bottle
Water boiled:30 liters per 20 ounce fuel bottle
Water boiled per 100g fuel:7.3 liters
Weight:Minimum Weight: 11 oz. (305 g) Packaged Weight: 14.5 oz. (410 g)
Weight (without fuel):11 ounces

View other products from MSR classified in Hiking & Camping > Stoves & Fuel.

View all products from MSR.
View other products classified in Hiking & Camping > Stoves & Fuel.

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MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap - 11 fl. oz.MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap - 11 fl. oz.$14.95
MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap - 20 fl. oz.MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap - 20 fl. oz.$17.95
MSR ReactorMSR Reactor
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$127.96 - $159.95
MSR SimmerLite StoveMSR SimmerLite Stove
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MSR Whisperlite InternationaleMSR Whisperlite Internationale
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MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Stove Reviews Summary:

RatingNumber
of Reviews
*****6
****2
***2
**0
*1
To see how this product compares to others view Camping Stove Reviews.

Positive Reviews:

No better stove for the price

Rating:*****
I go on long backpacking trips each year where a reliable stove is essential. I have the MSR WhisperLite, my son has the MSR DragonFly, and my best friend has the MSR SimmerLite. I've used all the stoves on various trips. I used to use the earlier versions of the MSR XGK stove and the old Coleman Peak 1.

I would recommend both the DragonFly and the WhisperLite. I've been able to maintain these stoves in the wilderness when they clog. (I've had stoves repaired over the years by the MSR techs, and they always tell you the higher the quality of the white gas, the less the stove clogs).

The WhisperLite is a best buy--great price, easy to light, good stability, great reliability, and quick to boil water when using the windscreen. It takes some practice to get the stove to simmer--keeping the fuel bottles only partly full helps.

Buy the DragonFly if you like having lots of control over temperature, will put relatively big pots on the stove, or just like high-end gear. It is highly stable and reliable. It has two separate vales which controls flow of fuel, making it easy to control the temperature. (You do need to remember which valve to turn on or off first). It is very easy to get the stove to simmer. It takes up more room in the pack than the WhisperLite, but only weighs a few ounces more.

On one trip, the MSR SimmerLite clogged after about 20 days of use. We could not dissemble it no matter how much force we applied. We had to have a part replaced when returned to Seattle. If you use the Simmerlite, be sure you can dissemble it. Use the MSR brand white gas which burns really clean. The 5 oz you save in weight with the SimmerLite compared to the Whisperlight can be important, say, on a trip to the Grand Canyon when you have to carry lots of water. But normally I'd rather have a slightly heavier stove that is more stable.

By the way, on our long trips with 4 or more adults, we carry two stoves and at least 2 fuel bottles. This allows us to cook faster, and provides redundancy in case a stove or a fuel pump breaks or is damaged.

I don't like the canister stoves. With white gas and fuel bottles, I can carefully measure out the amount of fuel needed for each trip and I can monitor the rate of use of the fuel. The Whisperlite always runs hot no matter how much fuel is in the bottle.
Buck FInn at REI on 12/20/2008

Excellence Period

Rating:*****
I have read the reviews and I do not undedrstand the ones about the pump easily breaks, not easy to light, etc.,
Follow the process of priming and I assure you that this stove will work flawlessly and efficiently in the worst conditions. I have used this stove in bone chilling weather the worst conditions. If I am going out in benign conditions where the weather is balmy and dry, then yes I will take my diminutive alcohol stove, but when the weather is cold, or the trip is long, you will not find a MORE EFFICIENT or RELIABLE stove than the Whisperlite. Many a winter night I have relaxed, reassured by its comforting sound in the stillness while it heated my water for chocolate, stew, tea...
This stove is very efficient, boiling more water per gram/oz of fuel than ANY alcohol stove, and/or butane blended fuel stove. I own 5 stoves, used them all when conditions warrant and beleive me the white gas stove, despite being heavier, comes out ahead on trips of more than 5 days in cold weather. Do not put your trust in anything else in cold conditions where your safety depends on it. MSR Whisperlite is THE STOVE when your safety is on the line. I would like to add that I have owned the Whisperlite for 11 years using it every winter, with NO maintenance, without any issues.
EXCELLENT PRODUCT.
soleful2001 at REI on 03/04/2009

Easily my favorite portable stove

Rating:*****
I have used the WhisperLite on many backcountry backpacking trips in very high and very low elevations and it has performed beautifully every single time. The shaker pin makes cleaning a breeze and it is very easy to disassemble making field maintenance completely painless on long trips. It fits snuggly inside my MSR Alpine Classic cook set and boils water extremely fast.One of the only cons I have found is that at certain altitudes I have a hard time bringing water to a simmer, even on very low heat it often brings water to a raging boil very quickly. However, this isn't a problem at all in places where boiling water is a priority, the heat output for me is a plus.I would recommend this stove to anyone, however, I'd say if you're going to get it go ahead and spend 10 extra dollars on the International version which has a thicker fuel stem and can use fuels other than white gas.
Leif at REI on 01/12/2008

Workhorse stove; reliability issues

Rating:****
I'm a science teacher, and my students and I have used the same two WhisperLites for over 3 years now. They produce a lot of heat, but it's impossible to simmer with these stoves; we waste a lot of fuel by turning down the stove, then having to relight them because the fuel valve isn't very sensitive.

We've experienced some reliability issues with both stoves; my colleague ended up returning his and exchanging for the same model, and has had no problems. My stove, however, lost some "umph" over the years. Cleaning it did not help, but lo and behold, when I removed the fuel cable and turned it around 180 degrees (inserted it in its housing *backwards*, so to speak), it took off like a 747. I'm glad to have the great performance back!

All in all, a great workhorse stove if all you really want is boiling water, fast. My next stove: MSR DragonFly!
Mister F at REI on 08/18/2008

Reliable, tough, powerful & convenient

Rating:*****
I've had this stove for a few years and really like it. The only issues I've had with it is that one time I spilled some food by not being careful when returning a pot to the burner. But if a person is halfway careful about where then set up the stove and careful when using it, it's very stable. I use alcohol to light it, which can be a little tricky in high winds. But if I need to I can squirt out a little gas and use that. Alcohol is a little cleaner, leaving no residue. With the Trillium base it's easy to use the stove on snow. While others are messing around trying to keep their cannister stoves upright and warm enough to make a flame I'm drinking tea. MSR, [...], is a great company and stands behind their products at least 100%.
Ancient Mike at REI on 10/05/2007

Best darn stove ever

Rating:*****
I bought my Whisperlite back in the mid 1980's.
And then a few years later I bought the shakerjet upgrade kit. Every year I look to see what is new on the market to see if It's time to replace it, and once again, I find nothing compares. It's only real drawback is learning the fine art of making it simmer. 3 key ways to improve your simmering. one, get the scorch buster.
two, start with a fuel bottle 1/2 full or less if possible.
three, only give it a couple of pumps, low pressure is key to a good simmer, and even at that, it still requires due diligence listening to it so you don't let it go out.
zb1ll at REI on 10/08/2008

Reliable Stove

Rating:****
I've used this stove for 8 years now and see no need to replace it. Works with multiple fuels. Has multiple bottle sizes. I normally use auto fuel, which creates extra soot, but that does not bother me. Using Coleman fuel is cleanest/best, though a bit more expensive. Very durable. Very low annual maintenance required. It is always ready for the next trip. It's only downfall is a very low simmer is hard to maintain and requires constant attention. Bus since I usually just boil water for mixes, I dont need to simmer oatmeal etc. I would buy this one again if mine was ever damaged.
Prosuper at Mountain Gear on 02/14/2008

This Stove always works

Rating:*****
This stoves works. Period. No matter the temperature or the elevation, this thing is going to light when you need it to. Since it is white gas, it requires a little more effort to light than a propane/butane gas stove but for all my winter trips it is worth it. I have been thoroughly impressed with its heat output and the windscreen works great. The stove has a very stable base for cooking.
ultralightguy at REI on 11/29/2007

Negative Reviews:

Not for me

Rating:*
I owned one of these for 4-5 years. It was a great stove until I found the need to go as light as possible. learned how easy it is to make my own stove. I carry a stove now that weighs 0.9oz - which is significantly lighter than the whisperlite. boil time is about equal and it can never clog. Just ask all the ultralight hikers on the trails what stove they use (if any) and i'm guessing none will be using the whisperlite. If weight is not a concern, buy this stove, they work great.
minnesotamade at REI on 09/13/2007

Neutral Reviews:

Great performance, has issues

Rating:***
I have used this stove for 5+ years and it has worked good for the most part. It boils water quick and seems to put out more heat than other stoves I've used. Although, like other reviews have said it is difficult to preheat and light and it does not simmer well.

My biggest concern has been the fuel pump. Mine started leaking gas everywhere and it lost pressure. I bought the "maintenance kit" which is a box of replacement & cleaning parts. I replaced all of the internal parts even though everything seemed fine(except the pump cup was worn out). Still, it didn't work. I was in the process of reassembling it and tightening the fuel control knob when the plastic cracked wide open. Apperently others on here have had the same issue. Looks like I need a whole new pump now.
ADewey at REI on 11/07/2008

Makes fire

Rating:***
I've got a love hate relationship with my Whisperlite. I will say that it has always provided me with fire and the ability too cook even up to 12,600 feet. It has never failed me, so for that I am happy. While it has never failed me, it has been nothing but trouble. Getting anything to simmer on this stove has been next to impossible. It also seems to require a lot of maintenance in order to keep it running.
pfinley at REI on 10/03/2007