How to Choose a Backpacking Stove
MSR WhisperLite Universal Stove
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A hybrid-fuel trail stove, the MSR WhisperLite™ Universal delivers the ease of isobutane-propane canister fuel and switches over to liquid fuels for long trips, cold weather and international use.
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- WhisperLite Universal burns a variety of fuels available worldwide—it runs on white gas, kerosene, unleaded gasoline and isobutane-propane canisters
- Liquid and canister fuel couplers pair with fuel-specific jets for quick and easy transitions
- Boils 1 liter of water in only 3 min. 30 sec. when using white gas and 3 min. 45 sec. when using an isobutane-propane canister
- Stove allows excellent control of simmering when you're burning isobutane-propane canisters
- Aluminum mixer tube, stainless-steel legs and a refined design keep the weight down
- Shaker Jet™ technology makes cleaning as simple as shaking the stove
- Includes a stand for inverting isobutane-propane canisters for better cold weather performance and more consistent output over the life of each canister
- Also includes a fuel pump, windscreen, heat reflector, small-parts kit, instructions and stuff sack
- This stove requires an MSR fuel bottle or an isobutane-propane canister for operation (bottle and canister not included)
- Fuel not included
Made in USA.
View the MSR WhisperLite Product LineView all MSR Backpacking Stoves| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Liquid Canister |
| Fuel | Isobutane-propane White Gas Auto Kerosene |
| Burn Time (Max Flame) | Per 20 oz. of white gas: 1 hr. 50 min.; per 8 oz. of isobutane: 1 hr. 15 min. |
| Number of Burners | 1 Burner |
| Average Boil Time (1L) | 3 min. 30 sec. (white gas) / 3 min. 45 sec. (isobutane) |
| Dimensions | 6 x 6 x 4.75 inches |
| Weight | Minimum weight: 11.2 oz.; packaged weight: 14.9 oz. |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Excellent stove,cheap threads on butane connection
Blueberry grazer9 years ago
I had used a MSR Whisperlite International for a very long time. Decided I needed a new toy and wanted to try butane, so bought this stove. Use for two people for 6-7 day trips. We do more than just boil water so this with a titanium pot suits us well. Can go lighter if you basically just want to boil water for freeze dried meals. Stove works great. Simmers very well on butane. Stable for a pot and stirring. But as noted by others, the threads are terrible. After 3-4 trips, it is unusable and needs to be replaced. Would not take this into backcountry as your only option without a replacement for that connector. Fix that and its a 5-star stove.
Blueberry grazer
Durham NC
44 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Excellent stove,cheap threads on butane connection
Blueberry grazer9 years ago
I had used a MSR Whisperlite International for a very long time. Decided I needed a new toy and wanted to try butane, so bought this stove. Use for two people for 6-7 day trips. We do more than just boil water so this with a titanium pot suits us well. Can go lighter if you basically just want to boil water for freeze dried meals. Stove works great. Simmers very well on butane. Stable for a pot and stirring. But as noted by others, the threads are terrible. After 3-4 trips, it is unusable and needs to be replaced. Would not take this into backcountry as your only option without a replacement for that connector. Fix that and its a 5-star stove.
Blueberry grazer
Durham NC
44 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Camper
Israel
Great stove
12 years ago
Used the stove last week when hiking on a 20 mile hike during a very hot and windy day. Took a few attempts to light it but this is probably due my inexperience (this was the second time I ever used it, and the first time was a dry run at home when I got it). Boiled about two cups of water extremely fast and used very little gasoline. The tea was great. Note that when using unleaded fuel if seems to collect some soot in the lower part, but it's not terrible. The pouch is neatly designed. It has a small pocket for the tools and spare parts, some of which are included with the stove. Overall I'm very satisfied and plan on taking it with me on all possible trips.
Yes , I recommend this product
Blueberry grazer
Durham NC
Excellent stove,cheap threads on butane connection
9 years ago
I had used a MSR Whisperlite International for a very long time. Decided I needed a new toy and wanted to try butane, so bought this stove. Use for two people for 6-7 day trips. We do more than just boil water so this with a titanium pot suits us well. Can go lighter if you basically just want to boil water for freeze dried meals. Stove works great. Simmers very well on butane. Stable for a pot and stirring. But as noted by others, the threads are terrible. After 3-4 trips, it is unusable and needs to be replaced. Would not take this into backcountry as your only option without a replacement for that connector. Fix that and its a 5-star stove.
Jbarrett18
Edmond, OK, United States
Works great.....exactly as expected!
8 years ago
Took this on a week*ish long trip to the California Redwoods. Worked great! I had to buy canister fuel when we got there as you can't fly with fuel. I actually didn't use the correct nozzle for the canister...and it still worked perfect. Boiled water in no time and simmered when needed. I actually didn't even realize my error until we got back home. Good job MSR! Keep it clean and it'll last forever.
Yes , I recommend this product
krabipady
Seattle, WA
Versatility worth it
13 years ago
Fairly new backpacker and wanted to have alternative burner option to just a JetBoil, so went with the Universal WhisperLite that came highly recommended. Like the ability to adjust the flame and control the fuel consumption, plus the ability to use mixed fuel canisters or white fuel. The burner blades had sharp enough edges though that they cut through the carry case already, so some concern that with shifting inside the backpack, they might cut into a tent or through something else inside the pack or the pack itself. Avoidable enough if packed correctly though as our first use resulted in no other damaged gear.
Yes , I recommend this product
JamesG
San Jose, CA
Good Stove But Difficult To Change
12 years ago
MSR is a great company with a great reputation. This product surely is no different. However, when I purchased this stove to take backpacking I got home and tried to disassemble it. It would not come apart. The nuts were locked down too tight, even with the provided tool. Also, the fuel line would not break down because the fit was off. I immediately took it back and got a different stove - same model. Got home...same problem. I came back again and they replaced it again. This time I had the REI staff look at the broken stove with me. They were shocked. Third time was the charm. The stove came apart as advertised and works great. Just as I expect from MSR. Four stars because of the trouble. Otherwise it would be five. It is a fantastic stove. Justine sure you disassemble it before taking it into the field to be sure.
Yes , I recommend this product
Scouterdad
Canton, GA
Great Stove!
12 years ago
The Whisperlite Universal was purchased to enable our crew going to Philmont Scout Reservation in the Summer to utilize liquid fuel at higher elevations. Our group typically uses canister stoves, but we felt we needed something with better flexibility, especially when different types of fuel may or may not be available. We last used the stove on a training trip on the GA AT in cold weather. Our experience in the past has not been good with canister stoves in cold weather, but we really liked how well the Whisperlite worked in temperatures near freezing. The only "drawback" was needing to prime the stove when using liquid fuel. We easily adapted and are confidently ready to take the stove out west.
Yes , I recommend this product
togume
Minneapolis, MN
Great Stove, Best Customer Service
13 years ago
Bought this stove because of the positive reviews. It has been used a couple of times in backpacking trips, and it performed wonderfully. The things that stands out the most about the stove is that it uses a surprisingly little amount of fuel. The last time it was used was at a hike through the Cocuy National Park in Colombia, where the altitude was above 14k feet most of the time. We had an issue the first day where the thread of the adaptor that connects to the fuel canister got stripped, which almost put a damper on the trip. However, we rigged some straps to hold the components together. Aside from that issue, the stove worked like a champ in the high altitude environment, and we left the park with more than enough spare fuel. Oh, yes - The icing on the cake is the GREAT customer service from the folks at Cascade Designs; I called them about the stripped adaptor, and they are sending me a new one! Thank you! It's details like this that makes me stand by a brand.
Yes , I recommend this product
Disciple of Christ
New Jersey
Extremely versatile
13 years ago
Directions easy to follow. Love the fact it burns liquid or canister fuel. Canister can also be placed upside down. This is great when in cold climates and fuel in can is having trouble coming out. Very sturdy and well built. Wish they had this out before I purchased others. There's really no need to buy another stove once you have this one. Does not burn alcohol. Tried it just as a test. No way it would go. No big deal though. MSR didn't say it did. Lit it up about several times so far and each time it performed great. Check out videos on you tube for Whisperlite Universal for some added info.
Yes , I recommend this product
mnapieralski
Rochester ny
Great Stove
10 years ago
I just returned from three night trip in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada a few hours north of Toronto. I did a back-country camping and canoe trip with three other guys. I used a fuel bottle with white gas (Coleman) and used it to boil many pots of water. It boiled a big pot of water very quickly.... Make sure to prime the fuel bottle enough to get maximum performance. I used the wind screen and metal bottom as well which worked nice. I was able to squeeze the stove inside my MSR Flex-3 System Cookset (without the 3 Insulated 12.5 oz. stainless steel mugs... I leave those at home)
Yes , I recommend this product
Master Dirtbag
Billings, MT, United States
Plastic threads on isopro nozzle head??? Why?
9 years ago
So after opening up my stove I noticed plastic threads on the connector head for the isopro... No way that is gonna last long. Which means I'm going to have to replace it by the end of the summer. Or sooner? At least the connection head for the white gas is all metal. Good thing too cuz I'll be using it in the cold. If I tried using the isopro nozzles plastic threads in the cold it could easily break. Seems like a decent stove overall besides that. If it didn't have plastic threads on that one connector head I would have rated this stove higher.
No, I do not recommend this product
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