Stove of the Week: MSR Whisperlite Universal

As previously announced and reported here on Adventures in Stoving, MSR is coming out with a new version of their Whisperlite stove, the Whisperlite Universal.

An MSR Whisperlite Universal running on canister gas in liquid feed mode

I've written a review of the new Whisperlite Universal, and that review is now available at Seattle Backpackers Magazine.  This blog post will answer questions that may not have been addressed in the review and also serve as a place to display additional photos not used in the review.

Update, 19 January 2012:  The MSR Whisperlite Universal has been awarded the Backpacking Magazine Editor's Choice award.


QUESTION:  Can the gas adapter from the Whisperlite Universal be used on a Simmerlite?
ANSWER:  The end of the Whisperlite Universal's fuel line is threaded, and it is onto these threads that the gas and liquid fuel adapters attach.  The end of the Simmerlite's fuel line is smooth.  So, no, unfortunately, the gas adapter from the Whisperlite Universal can not be used on a Simmerlite.

The end of a Whisperlite Universal fuel line

QUESTION: What tools are needed to assemble/disassemble the Whisperlite Universal?
ANSWER:  Generally, the only tool you will need is the wrench/tool that comes with the stove.  However, a safety pin or needle can be really handy for replacing "O" rings.  For heavier duty maintenance, you may need additional tools.  For example, the burner head now requires a hex tool (Allen wrench) for disassembly.  However, this type of maintenance is almost never needed in the field, and you should be fine when out on the trail with just the MSR wrench/tool.

The wrench/tool that comes with the Whisperlite Universal

QUESTION:  What is the retail price of the Whisperlite Universal?
ANSWER:  MSRP is $139.95.   
  Update 11 Nov 2011:  MEC, the Canadian Outdoors retailer, has the MSR Whisperlite Universal listed for $131.00 (CAD -- about $128 USD).  Let's hope that MSR has relented a little bit on the price.  $140 is a bit much for a Whisperlite, even a wonderfully improved Whisperlite like the Whisperlite Universal


DETAILED PHOTOS NOT USED IN THE REVIEW:

The UC jet is seen here in the mixing chamber. Note how the height of the jet restricts the air supply to the mixing chamber.

The legs have "stops" that precisely control the positioning of the legs/pot supports.  Gone are the notches that each leg slipped in to.

A photo of the underside of the MSR Whisperlite Universal's burner. A spring clip holds the legs in place.

The canister adapter of the MSR Whisperlite Universal, opposite side. Note the pictograph of a canister gas jet and the letters UC which correspond to the letters on the actual jet.

The baffles of the Whisperlite Universal's burner.  There are fewer baffles than earlier versions.

MSR Whisperlite Universal (top) with liquid fuel adapter on the end of the fuel line.  MSR Whisperlite "Classic" (bottom).

MSR Whisperlite Universal (top) with liquid fuel adapter on the end of the fuel line.  MSR Whisperlite "Classic" (bottom).

MSR Whisperlite "Classic" (left), MSR Whisperlite Universal (right).

MSR Whisperlite "Classic" (left), MSR Whisperlite Universal (right).

The MSR Whisperlite Universal rigged for canister gas

Flame shot, running on white gasoline (Coleman fuel).  Note how hot it gets under the generator (pre heat loop).  This apparent heat entrapment allows the stove to simmer far better than current Whisperlite stoves.

Flame shot, running on white gasoline -- MAXIMUM POWER.

Running on canister gas in liquid feed mode -- MAXIMUM POWER. That is a really big flame for a Whisperlite.

Running on canister gas in liquid feed mode -- MAXIMUM POWER.

Running on kerosene

Soot build up after running on kerosene

MSR Whisperlite Universal (left) and MSR Windpro (right).

 MSR Whisperlite Universal (left) and MSR Windpro (right).

 The fuel line of the Whisperlite Universal is fairly stiff. Here, you can see that the fuel line never touches the table top. The line is stiff enough to support its own weight without drooping.

 A Whisperlite Classic snapped into a Trillium base.

 The legs of a Whisperlite Universal do not fit onto the tabs of a Trillium base

The Whisperlite Universal canNOT plug into older versions of the standard pump. The aluminum block is too wide. Note how the red plastic of the pump has been chipped by the aluminum block.

 The aluminum block of the Whisperlite Internationale fits right in to an older MSR standard pump.

The aluminum blocks of the Whisperlite Universal (bottom) and the Whisperlite Internationale (top). Note that the aluminum block is asymmetric on the Internationale. This asymmetry allows the block to fit into older versions of the standard MSR pump.

The Whisperlite Internationale has four "baffle" rings.

 The Whisperlite Universal has only three "baffle" rings

 MSR Whisperlite Universal (left) and MSR Whisperlite Internationale (right).

A Primus Omnifuel

An MSR Whisperlite Universal connected to a Primus Omnifuel pump using the Whisperlite Universal's gas adapter

An MSR Whisperlite Universal connected to a Primus Omnifuel pump using the Whisperlite Universal's gas adapter

Running an MSR Whisperlite Universal with a Primus Omnifuel pump

 Running an MSR Whisperlite Universal with a Primus Omnifuel pump

 Passing the "tea test"

 Breakfast is served.  :) 

Stove testing at First Water on the Mount Wilson Trail

Simmer test on kerosene.  Note that the burner is NOT glowing red.  I was able to get a nice low flame.

Simmer test on kerosene. A nice, low boil

HJ

MSR Whisperlite Universal -- First Videos, Detailed Photos

I'm in the process of writing a review of the new MSR Whisperlite Universal stove.


UPDATED 10/4/2011:  I have written a review of the MSR Whisperlite Universal.

See also this related post which contains additional info on the new (for 2012) stoves from MSR.

The new MSR Whisperlite Universal

I'm still working on the review, but I've posted some rough videos. Don't be expecting slick production values, but if you're interested in the stove, these videos should be pretty informative.

MSR Whisperlite Universal -- First Look







Field trial: MSR Whisperlite Universal, running on canister gas.





Another video of running the MSR Whisperlite Universal on canister gas.





The MSR Whisperlite Universal -- changing from liquid fuel to canister gas:





MSR Whisperlite Universal -- Flip Stop:





I've also posted some detailed photos -- and commentary:






I'll have more to say after I get the stove out in the field, but I thought I'd give you some preliminary thoughts now.

HJ

New Stoves from MSR

It looks like MSR is putting out three, count 'em, three new stoves.


UPDATED 9/6/2011 See also this related post which contains videos of the new MSR Whisperlite Universal.

UPDATED 10/4/2011:  I have written a review of the MSR Whisperlite Universal.


The first is the MicroRocket.

Basically, the MicroRocket looks like it's just a lighter version of the PocketRocket, but with some minor improvements. In particular, the pot supports are shorter and supposedly (per MSR) stronger, which would go a long way toward correcting the PocketRocket's Achilles heel.  Reportedly, the MicroRocket will be 15% lighter than the PocketRocket which would mean that the MicroRocket would weigh about 2.5 oz.  A German press release I saw lists the weight at 75g which would be 2.6 oz.  Either way, it's a very nice, light stove.

An MSR PocketRocket (left) and an MSR MicroRocket (right)

MSR MicroRocket (left) and MSR PocketRocket (Right)

A second "improvement" is the addition of a separate piezoelectric starter (see first photo). The starter is a stand alone unit not built into the stove. I'm not quite sure about the utility of this. Why not just bring matches, a lighter, or a firesteel?  Matches, a lighter, or a firesteel seem like they'd be a lot more versatile. With matches, a lighter, or a firesteel, one can light a variety of fires, not just a stove.  I haven't seen MSR's piezoelectric starter, but I think a piezoelectric starter would only work on a stove.  It'll be interesting to see if their separate piezoelectric starter catches on.

The pot supports on the new MicroRocket fold up a bit differently and the valve control folds over the body of the stove.  It all collapses down into what looks to be a very compact package indeed.

An MSR MicroRocket folded (left) and piezoelectric ignition (right)

The new case for the MicroRocket looks more compact overall when compared to the case for the PocketRocket.

Left to right:  Folded MSR MicroRocket, piezoelectric ignigtion, a MicroRocket case, and a PocketRocket case

Here's Steve Grimes of MSR discussing the new MicroRocket:

The second new stove is the Whisperlite Universal which is a "hybrid" stove (MSR's words) that will burn both liquid fuel and gas.

Apparently the Universal is a Whisperlite Internationale with significant revisions. Gone are the wire legs, and the generator has been significantly revised. Note also the black plastic canister stand which holds the canister upside down. It appears that MSR is finally conceding that their remote canister stoves work with the canister inverted (i.e. liquid feed), a fact that they have mysteriously downplayed for years. It's a wonder that MSR wouldn't market the heck out of the fact that their remote canister stoves can operate with the canister inverted since an inverted canister stove can operate in temperatures at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 degrees Celsius) colder than conventional upright canister stoves. The Whisperlite Universal supposedly has multiple connectors that can be swapped out for use with gas or liquid fuel. The Whisperlite Universal comes with three jets (much like a Primus Omnifuel) for use with differing fuels.

A closer look at the burner of the MSR Whisperlite Universal

From what I can see so far, this new Whisperlite should be a very interesting stove capable of a wide variety of modes: upright (vapor feed) gas, inverted (liquid feed) gas, and liquid fuel (white gasoline or kerosene). Let's hope that they have not only added a new fuel to the old Internationale's repertoire but also increased the Internationale's reliability with kerosene.  If in fact the Whisperlite Universal does have increased reliability with kerosene, the Universal might indeed be a really good choice for the world traveler, particularly if the Universal were more accessible from a price perspective.  Stoves currently on the market that burn gas, white gasoline, and kerosene tend to be pretty expensive.

The new Whisperlite Universal seems to have an upgraded fuel line.  The fuel line on newer MSR stoves like the Simmerlite and Windpro is thinner and more flexible, making the stove easier to pack.  It looks like the Whisperlite has now also been upgraded to the new more flexible fuel line.  Assuming the new fuel line is just as reliable as the old one, the more flexible fuel line is a change I heartily applaud.

It's possible, but I don't know this for a fact, that the new Whisperlite Universal will be a lighter stove than either the regular Whisperlite or the Whisperlite Internationale.  I say this just based on the legs and the overall look of the stove.  Of course, any weight shed on the legs may be regained depending on how they do the connectors.  Assuming that the new Whisperlite Universal uses the standard MSR duraseal pump (look at the photo below; notice the duraseal pump in her hand), there will have to be some kind adapter that the fuel hose will plug into so that a either a standard pump or gas canister can be attached.

MSR is smart, they have made the Whisperlite Universal so one doesn't have to carry the canister stand in warm weather, when you really don't need to invert the canister.

 The canister stand of an MSR Whisperlite Universal

Here's a video on the Whisperlite Universal:

Lastly, the third "new" stove:  The Windpro II.  MSR has improved the Windpro by adding a rotating coupler and including a canister stand that holds the canister in inverted position.  Again, it looks as though MSR is finally publicly acknowledging that their remote canister stoves can be used in inverted canister mode (liquid feed).  It's interesting to me that it took them this long to acknowledge what has been there all along.  They spent a lot of money on the Reactor, which they push as a high end mountaineering stove, when they had a gas stove that would work in much colder conditions way before anyone even thought of the Reactor.

Here are a couple of photos of the new, improved Windpro II.  In the first photo, note the MSR Whisperlite Universal in the background which appears to use the same canister stand.

Here's a video on the Windpro II

I don't have any photos, but per a press release dated July 18 from Cascade Designs, apparently MSR has also upgraded the Whisperlite Internationale if I'm reading things correctly, so it looks as though there will be three versions of the Whisperlite sold:
The regular Whisperlite
The Whisperlite Internationale (Improved Version)
The Whisperlite Universal
Perhaps no changes are being made to the regular Whisperlite?

All of the new stoves should be available in January 2012.

HJ