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MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove

    MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove

    • $79.95
    (81)

    Item # 708999

    REI Members get back an estimated $ 8.00 on this item as part of their annual member refund.

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    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 includes a durable, lightweight MSR fuel pump
    • Windscreen is designed to accommodate cookware up to 10 in. in diameter
    • Use the MSR WhisperLite stove only with MSR fuel bottles, sold separately
    • Weight of liquid fuel stove includes only stove and fuel pump

    We cannot ship fuel-burning products to addresses in Japan or South Korea.

    Please note: MSR products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

    Made in USA.

    Item 708999

    REI Membership

    Related items

    MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove Specs
    Specification
    Description
    Best use
    Backpacking
    Liquid
    White gas
    No
    (100 g fuel) 28.7 minutes
    3 min. 58 sec.
    7.3 liters
    (Stove and pump only) 11 ounces
    6 x 4 x 4 inches
    Good
    Good
    Good
    Fair
    Fuel type
    Fuel
    Auto ignition
    Burn time (max flame)
    Average boil time
    Water boiled per 100g fuel
    Weight
    Dimensions
    Cold weather use
    Stove stability
    Pot stability
    Ability to simmer

    MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove Customer Reviews

    REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

    by PowerReviews
    MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove
     
    4.4

    (based on 81 reviews)

    96%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Pros

    • Good power output (61)
    • Lightweight (57)
    • Easy to light (56)
    • Easy to clean (54)
    • Stable (42)

    Cons

    • Poor temperature control (44)
    • Unstable (9)
    • Difficult to clean (6)
    • Difficult to light (5)
    • Heavy / bulky (4)

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking (74)
    • Hiking (46)
    • High altitude (42)
    • Car camping (21)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Avid adventurer (55), Casual/ recreational (27), Outdoor professional (3)
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Survivalist / minimalist (21), Comfort driven (18)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (9)

    Reviewed by 81 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-10

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    (29 of 30 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    No better stove for the price

    By Buck FInn

    from Atlanta, GA

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    See all my reviews

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Easy to Light
    • Lightweight

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking

      Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

      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.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      (14 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Excellence Period

      By soleful2001

      from Pleasant Garden, NC

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      See all my reviews

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Easy To Clean
      • Easy to Light
      • Lightweight
      • Powerful
      • Reliable
      • Stable

      Cons

      • Poor temperature control

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Car Camping
      • High Altitude
      • Hiking

      Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

      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.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Best darn stove ever

      By zb1ll

      from Folsom, CA

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      See all my reviews

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Easy To Clean
      • Easy to Light
      • Lightweight
      • Powerful
      • Stable

      Cons

      • Poor temperature control

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking

      Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

      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.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      (5 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

       
      3.0

      Great performance, has issues

      By ADewey

      from Everett, WA

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      See all my reviews

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Powerful
      • Stable

      Cons

      • Difficult to Clean
      • Poor temperature control
      • Pump is prone to breaking

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • High Altitude
      • Hiking

      Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

      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.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      (5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Workhorse stove; reliability issues

      By Mister F

      from Orange County, CA

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      See all my reviews

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Powerful

      Cons

      • Poor temperature control

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking

      Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

      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!

      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      (4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      This Stove always works

      By ultralightguy

      from Denver, CO

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      See all my reviews

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Easy to Light
      • Lightweight
      • Powerful
      • Stable

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • High Altitude
        • Hiking

        Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

        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.

        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Easily my favorite portable stove

        By Leif

        from Cornelia, GA

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        See all my reviews

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Compact
        • Easy To Clean
        • Easy to Light
        • Fast boil
        • Fast boiling time
        • Fuel efficient
        • Lightweight
        • Powerful
        • Stable

        Cons

        • Poor temperature control

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • biking
        • High Altitude
        • Hiking
        • Kayaking

        Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

        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.

        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Reliable, tough, powerful & convenient

        By Ancient Mike

        from West Linn, Oregon

        About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

        See all my reviews

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Easy To Clean
        • Efficient
        • Great temperature control
        • Lightweight
        • Powerful
        • Reliable

        Cons

        • See notes
        • Slightly unstable

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Car Camping
        • High Altitude
        • Snow camping

        Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

        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%.

        (3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

         
        3.0

        Makes fire

        By pfinley

        from New Mexico

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        See all my reviews

        Site Member

        Pros

          Cons

            Best Uses

              Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

              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.

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Great Stove

              By Nunyabiz

              from Raleigh NC

              About Me Avid Adventurer

              See all my reviews

              Site Member

              Pros

              • Easy to Light
              • Powerful
              • Stable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Backpacking
                • Car Camping
                • High Altitude
                • Hiking

                Comments about MSR WhisperLite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove:

                I have had my Whisperlite so long that I honestly don't remember exactly when I got it but I know I got it [...]sometime in the early 80s So I've had it for over 20-25 years and it works just as good today as It did when I bought it.I have used the hell out of it all over the Sierras, down in Baja, out in Joshua Tree national Park 100s of times, out on my various fishing boats I have had, during Hurricanes when all power was out for 2 weeks and this was all we had to cook with.I will be buried with this stove and I bought it for around $25 I think it was way back then.

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