TRIED AND TRUE. PHOTO: KAYDI PYETTE
Field Test
MSR Whisperlite International
HOT STUFF
Some things are built to last. They are items that stand out in a world where products are built for fashion, not longevity. Think of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser, or the MSR Whisperlite International stove. Built by Cascade Designs, under their Mountain Safety Re-
search (MSR) brand, the Whisperlite International has been help- ing outdoor enthusiasts cook for nearly two decades. A minor evo- lution from the Whisperlite stove, the International was designed with a slightly larger fuel line, and came with a second fuel jet, allowing it to burn not just white gas—the fuel used in the regular Whisperlite—but also auto gas, kerosene and jet fuel. Using white gas, MSR says the stove will boil one litre of water
in 3.5 minutes, while taking almost a minute longer when burning Kerosene. It’s worth noting that such numbers will vary based on ambient temperature, elevation, cleanliness of the stove and the pressure inside the fuel bottle. Since being released, the stove has undergone one major set of
changes. In place of the bent wire legs, the new International has sprouted a different set of stamped metal legs, to aid in simplicity and strength. The pump for the fuel has also gone through one major redesign. That’s it. Aiding the strong reputation of the stove is the ease with which it can be serviced in the field. A complete overhaul kit can be purchased
42 PADDLING THIS MONTH || March 2013
Price $99 USD (without fuel bottle) Weight 15.6 oz (441g)
VERSATILE AND DEPENDABLE, MSR’SWHISPERLITE INTERNATIONAL IS OUR BACKCOUNTRY STOVE OF CHOICE
for under $30 and includes a full complement of seals, tools and jets. A complete replacement pump can be had for roughly the same price. My International has only once required major repair after 15
years of use. The original pump housing cracked at the plunger. I bought a new pump and stripped the old pump of seals and any other parts worth saving, and have added those items to my spares kit as a back up to the back up. Regular maintenance will help keep the stove in top shape. MSR and Cascade Designs build the stoves in the US, and are
well known to provide timely, excellent support for users around the world. Of course, Whisperlites do have some challenges. They can be a
bit unstable on uneven ground, so it’s a good idea to ensure it is care- fully placed to keep your dinner in the pot instead of on the ground. Camping foodies will also be frustrated by the fact the stove is dif- ficult—nearly impossible—to simmer. However, simmering food has never been a priority after an active day in the backcountry, at least for me. Those who see this as a problem can look to the MSR Dragonfly, which MSR lists under their “Gourmet Cooking” cat- egory—the International falls under “Simple Cooking.” In a world where gadgets are designed to have a short lifespan
followed quickly by planned obsolescence, the Whisperlite Interna- tional will burn like a beacon long into the future. —Dean Campbell
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