Thread: MSR fuel usage

Can anybody give an estimate on the per day fuel usage of MSR whisperlite stoves?

I bought one off here ages ago but never really used it. I have a few extended trips down south planned and think it would be ideal as a base camp stove, easy to cook on with any Billy or fry pan etc.

Just wondering how much fuel to take?

Online guide says 600ml = 136 mins cooking time. Pretty hard to gauge cooking time per day, full on hunting days not a lot of cooking compared to bad weather or rest days sitting round stuffing ya face.

The 325ml bottle with the pump in it will do me 2 nights 3 days

I only use white spirits in mine, depending on how many brews on average 2-3 days.

White spirits only in mine- dont do coffee but if I'm taking that then I'm taking real food and cooking up a storm- get about 3-4 meals and a couple quesadillas for lunch time out of a can. Pretty extensive use over those use cases

1 fuel bottle and 1 litre did my son and I for a week.

So 1 litre should do 6-7 nights. Will have my Primus to for boiling water and taking for a walk.

Next question. I have no idea when this stove was last services or how much use it had prior to me owning it. Is it worth buying a service kit?

Crank it up outside and see how it runs....and if it leaks. Have something handy if it turns all flame thrower on you. Best to have it happen out on the concrete drive than inside the hut on day 1

Best way to start them is as follows.
1 Open tap to let fuel into pan.
2. Turn off tap
3. Light fuel
4. Wait for flame to completely die out.
5. Turn tap back on and light the stove.

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

Best way to start them is as follows.
1 Open tap to let fuel into pan.
2. Turn off tap
3. Light fuel
4. Wait for flame to completely die out.
5. Turn tap back on and light the stove.

I used to carry a small amount of Methylated to use as the preheat as its more stable and just so much easier to just pour a little in the pan and light it. Switched to a budget jetboil style cooker now though for convenience

Get very good at cleaning the bottle or be prepared to lose it to the friendly airline X-ray team

Any slight smell of fuel and it belongs to their bin

Originally Posted by LOC

Get very good at cleaning the bottle or be prepared to lose it to the friendly airline X-ray team

Any slight smell of fuel and it belongs to their bin

Very true!

Hot tip.... spraypaint bottle green or blue, put some stickers on it and take it carry-on as your waterbottle. Do make sure it's clean though! Make sure stove doesn't have any fuel odour though.

Originally Posted by LOC

Get very good at cleaning the bottle or be prepared to lose it to the friendly airline X-ray team

Any slight smell of fuel and it belongs to their bin

Good to know. Luckily for these trips we are driving down.