MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

I bought this stove for a two month backpacking trip, but it won't simmer. I ended up returning it to trade it in for a Dragonfly.

"SimmerLite" is a misnomer. (Visualize a burger charred on the outside and raw most of the way through.) It's lightweight for a liquid fuel camping stove, yes, but it doesn't work at all below what I'd call medium-high on another stove. If I try to turn it down more it sputters, flickers, reeks of unburnt white gas, goes out a lot even with a windscreen and no wind. It's worse at higher altitude or in cold weather or with the slightest breath of wind. (White gas fuel only, and that's what I used.)

I was told by a repair technician that with MSR's old pump design it would simmer, "but with the new pump design, it's embarrassing".

All that said, if all you want is to heat water fast it works fine for that, but you might as well save $30 and get a Whisperlite.

If you want a liquid fuel stove that simmers you need to get a DragonFly or Brunton Optimus Nova. I have one of each of those and they seem pretty comparable to me. Both are sturdy, simmer well, boil water fast, are easy to maintain, fuel-efficient, etc. The DragonFly is more stable with really big pots I'd never take backpacking; the Brunton packs a bit smaller and lighter. These roar a bit loud at full blast are but not too noisy when turned down.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

This stove works really well for heating up water or cooking your dinner in the water (like noodles, etc.). I've used it on backpacking/climbing trips for the last 5 years without any problems and no complaints of consequence.

It doesn't really simmer all that well (I'll need to try using less pressure in the fuel canister that some of the other users mentioned), but I've always just planned on cooking something that doesn't need simmering. I find that when I'm camping in the cold or at high elevation, I just want to get water boiling as quickly and easily as possible. This stove performs that task really efficiently. Once it's primed and burning, it sounds like a rocket ship and kicks out quite a stong flame.

Which brings up a quick tip. I haven't had too much trouble with priming it. I think maybe the first one or two times, I let out a little too much fuel, which overflowed the resevoir and landed on the ground, resulting in a dangerous situation. Since that time, I've learned that you need to watch the fuel saturate the resevoir. Once the resevoir (at the top of the stove, not the one below) is wet, then shut off the fuel, light the resevoir and back up. The gas will ignite and result in a big flame at first, but as the fuel burns off and it begins to warm up the fuel line, the fire will die down and you can then open up the gas and you should promptly have a strong, blue flame.

Anyway, it works like a charm for me and I have yet to do any maintenance on it (in the field or otherwise).

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

First of all let's clarify one thing, I'm not a minimalist but I'm certainly closer to that end of the scale than the Comfort Driven extreme. What I am is a hardcore, experienced, mostly off-trail, range-crossing backpacker. And i've been at it for 35 years. Now, back to the point at hand; this stove rocks. Once you get the hang of it it lights well, it boils water quickly and it is a friggin' fuel miser. Three people, seven days, two hot meals a day plus beverages and I still came home with fuel left in a 650 ml bottle. This is not my first MSR stove. I carried a Whisperlite for years and liked it. But the Simmerlite is smaller, lighter and more efficient. I'd say it's the cat's back-side for packing in the lower 48 if not everywhere white gas is readily available. It's not much heavier than a butane stove and doesn't come saddled with the conscience-busting dilemma of empty cannisters.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

I took this stove on a cross country bike trip, and it performed well. It takes a bit of touch to get good at priming it, but after a while you get the feel of it, and it's no longer a problem. For the first few times, I got some fuel spillage onto the rock that I had it put on, but once I got the feel for it, that never happened again. The temperature is a little finicky as well, but you get used to it. It performed well overall, even though I didn't filter my fuel the whole time.
I was able to make very good pancakes with it, as well as boil water for dishes, cook soup and stir fry, etc. Not for baking a chocolate cake by any means, but if you're for real you won't be making anything too gourmet anyway. Needless to say, this is not a stove for your RV with heated seats and a shower.
I liked how light it was as well. Pretty easy to fit into a small space in the pack or pannier, and comes with a handy bag. I nested mine in my 1 liter pot, and it fit just fine there.
My biggest complaint about the stove was that it got fairly sooty on the bottom of the burner. So when you're putting it back in the bag, be careful to avoid touching the bottom of the burner if you don't want black line across your hands. Very nice stove and WICKED light.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

I love gas stoves in that I can put the unused portion of the gas back into the tank.

This stove produces a nice spread out flame, rather then one thats concentrates in one small area.

However, this is not a stove for someone that definately requires reliability. It will break and require repairs. MSR gas stoves require a lot of maintanence and it show by the large number of specialized field repair kits they sell.

Furthermore, be tolerant of hands they will smell of fuel. The system design is such that the gas will spray when ever there is presure inside the fuel canister and the cap or punp is removed. There is no way of cleanly exhausting the unwanted presure.

The overall design and quality is questionable. I still use it however, on day hikes and overnights because I don't like having canisters with partial fuels.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

When I am backpacking, I am looking for a stove that is dependable, simple, and light. Boil water fast on high and let me bring the heat down to at least a medium level for longer cooking. This stove does both. I use this stove with my Primus pot and I can boil 16oz. of water in just over 2 minutes. If I need my dinner to cook for a while, I only use 5-6 pumps for lower heat levels. I normally backpack for 3-5 days (cooking twice a day) and because it is so efficient, I never worry about using all of the 11oz of white fuel I bring. I never bring more unless I am doing longer than 5 days. This is the stove I carry 90% of the time the past couple years. I look at other packs, bags, boots, and other items, but I can't remember the last time I even though about a new stove. This one is it.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

I recently went to the Cloud Peak Wilderness in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains for my first backpacking trip. I practiced using the stove before that, which I recommend since you have to play with it to figure it out. I haven't simmered with it yet but found the temperature control fairly easy. You can go from a little flame to full blast with this stove. I was mostly above 10,000 feet on this trip and used it at over 11,000 to boil water. The stove is pretty quiet and powerful. I also used less than one 22-ounce MSR bottle in 4 days.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

I have used this for a number years and find it a great stove. Contrary to other reviews here I find you can adjust the flame well. The key to achieving this is to pump it to the max, remember that you are controlling the flow into the system so the response is not instant like a propane stove, you need to turn the valve slowly and wait for the flame to stabilize before reducing further.

I find this stove lights much easier than the whisperlite. Just make sure you don't flood it, you only need to wet the burner and not fill the drip tray below.

I am still amazed how little fuel this stove uses, typically we can do a 2 person 3 day trip using just the smallest fuel bottle which makes for a lightweight, reliable and powerful package.

The only reason I don't give this five stars is the fact that this stove looks identical to the MSR Windpro except the fuel bottle connector which begs the question, why don't MSR do a multi fuel version which could run on white gas or isobutane cartridges?

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

* Most compact of many brands I was considering.
* Near lightest of many brands I was considering.
* Easy to light but of course it needs some technique. Practice at home before leaving on your trip.
* Adjustable with care. The first 1/8 turn will control near 75% of flame increase. It is sensitive but with a careful gentle turn it simmers well. Use the wind guard it helps a lot.

***** Remember - It is not your gas stove at home. Think about where and how you use it.

Service and delivery comments:

Had a couple of issues,
- the fuel valve had been damaged before use.
- the Top Screw fell out while on the first hike.
(note - check fasteners and use stove stove before departure) whittled a stick as a screww for every use until returning from MX Adventure trip.

In both cases both REI and Cascade Designs were exceptional with service and parts replacement.

Comments about MSR SimmerLite Backpacking Stove:

I have used this stove for several years on everything from extended bicycle tours to backpacking and mountaineering trips and it is a lightweight, good performer. As with all white gas stoves, lighting and simmering take a bit of practice, but can be accomplished relatively easily once you get to know the stove. I've had half a dozen MSR stoves over the years and found them all to be reliable performers. I like this stove because it is light weight and quiet, but still performs well at altitude. I prefer a white gas stove over propane/butane stoves for (1) winter performance and (2) no throw-away gas containers. I've used the same fuel bottles for 25 years.

With a little practice and proper maintenance, I've found the MSR line of stoves to work well and very reliably. However, if you don't like fussing with your stove, don't use it in cold weather, and don't mind throwing away empty gas containers, stick with one of the non-liquid fuel stoves.