MSR XGK EX Stove

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

I have been using this for about 9 years without a single failure. I have not even doing a single required yearly maintenance either (Bad I know.)

I use it in the 4,500 - 12,000 ft elevation ranges in all weather conditions year round. Even if it gets wet, it lights up without a hitch. It really puts out a lot of heat and you can control the amount you need.

Like all stoves, once you get into higher elevation, it takes more fuel and longer to boil water. Its pretty fuel efficient as well. I will always have this with me when I go into the back country. I am going to try another MSR stove this year that is getting high ratings that uses smaller fuel canisters. I want to see if I can get faster intense burns with less fuel to lighten my loads for long trips.

Some of my friends are using other MSR models similar to this with the superfuel I am using, and no issues. Its a good product.

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

I wanted the stove for car camping. Was surprised how small, light and portable it is!!!

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

Light, fast to boil water, stable even in windy conditions

What more could you want?

It just works well and is a trusted and reliable piece of kit.

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

NASA could send this to Europa to melt through the ice. Believe every post you read about it's heating power. I thought I had something wrong the first time I ran mine and I thought the stainless steal cup was going to melt.

I agree a lot with Busto-969's post,

but

I don't need a stove to simmer - that takes a lot fuel and I don't feel like carrying a 5 gallon can of fuel to simmer rice for 20 minutes I'll build a fire.

AVGAS (100LL) works great!

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

Like all MSR stoves, the pumps are terrible, they need to replace a good deal of the flimsy plastic bits with stonger parts. As far as the stove, I wish it were a little lighter, and had a self ignighter so you didn't have to use matches. Furthermore add ons that would allow it to use butane like the new whisperlite universal and one that would allow it to simmer food like the dragonfly would make this the true king of the hill for MSR. If you need a stove that can run on almost anythign anywhere this is probably your best bet.

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

This Stove will burn about anything flammable,enabling it to be used all over the Globe!

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

Great stove for the right purpose. It's absolutely
bombproof for group camping and/or cold weather/altitude camping. I prefer white gas (aka naptha) due to low flash point and lack of stench.
To simmer fire up as usual, do any needed quick boiling (pretty much most of my cooking), turn off,
disconnect, let off pressure using a glove (tends to
get just a bit of vapor on your hand), pump 3-5 times
depending on temp/altitude, reconnect and relight.
Unless it is just brutally cold or you are really slow re-priming isn't needed. Results may vary by fuel type. Methinks diesel/cold combination could be a problem. LOL
You will get pretty good simmer control (I'm used to wood fire, so my idea of good simmer control may a
bit different than the average user...!).

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

I love this stove. I bought it because it is tough as nails and will burn anything.

The comments by others on the temperature control are definitely valid. You can work around it with patience and adjusting the pressure in the gas bottle.

The base is very stable and the stove is easy to use and maintain. I would recommend this stove to those how are tough on gear or who can't be sure to have camp stove fuel when they need to cook.

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

Me thinks there is an Optimus sales rep among us. Two identical reviews singing the Optimus praises?

Ok, on to the XGK. This stove has been an industry standard for nearly for nearly 40 years. I have used one since 1983. In fact I still use that same stove, along with several other including the latest model XGK-EX.

These are tough, reliable stoves that work for their designed purpose. They are meant to heat water and melt stove. The will work at a lower flame setting, but it takes either practice or a scorch buster between the pan and stove. No they won't "simmer" but I always find it funny when people talk about "cooking" in a true backpacking environment. Let's face it you are not cooking 1 hour meals in this setting. You are heating water for dehydrated food or melting snow for water to drink. For the few times you need to reheat already prepared food, just stir very often.

This stove burns lots of fuels (but in reality you typically don't "bring" more than one type anyway). It is loud and fast. It is easy to field maintain and spare parts are easy to come by (most likely the next person on the trail has some if you don't). MSR stands behind their products.

There is a reason people still drive Landcruisers (since 1953) in the remote parts of the world. Sure, there are "newer, better" vehicles, but none of the people with experience drive those. I'll stick with this work horse stove.

Comments about MSR XGK EX Stove:

The MSR XGK is a real workhorse of a stove. Solid and dependable. I've used it short backpacking trips to the full blown winter hardcore stuff and it just performs.

I've noticed that a number of people have said it doesn't 'simmer' yet once you get to know the stove you realise that its all in the initial pumping of the fuel tank. too much and yes it goes at it like there's no tomorrow. Being more gentle and topping pumps up gets you a much better cooking experience.

My only real downside is that its a bit of a faff setting it up especially after a potentially long day. Also be aware if your on an Alpine Start from a campsite you'll wake up everyone within a half mile radius firing it up!

Photo is of a summer camp in Chamonix, Framce using XGK and Reactor. Also simmering a chicken stew. Tent in background is a North Face Ve-25.