Before I buy a Jet Boil ...

I have to ask, anyone use any of the "Multi-Fuel" stoves, specifically the MSR XGK EX or the Brunton Vapor AF stoves ?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Dimitri

I have a Brunton Nova ( model before the Vapor)and it works great with coleman, Auto and Kerosene. The Auto gas works better than Coleman. The kerosene is ok but sooty, Not sure if I want to try Jet A fuel.


Mike

Dimitri,

I have an MSR Dragonfly, the best multifuel stove I've ever used. Heat control range is from barely a simmer to a blowtorch. Tried many others & returned them all to get the Dragonfly.

As for JetBoil, the heart of their system is the "FluxRing" corrugation at the bottom edge of their pots. That's why I bought the 1.5 L. JetBoil pot. That pot and an MSR foil windbreak is virtually as efficient as their entire system. I removed the steel pot handles & use an aluminum pot gripper. I use that pot with all my stoves to save fuel.

To see how efficient the "FluxRing" is simmer one cup of water in a 1.5 liter JetBoil pot at a medium heat setting & you'll see it begin to bubble at the outer edge above the ring.


Eric

Dmitri, I have both an XGK (early 80's model) and an Optimus Nova (Brunton distributed them in the US for a while).

These are two very different stoves. The XGK is a simple design that does one thing well-burn virtually any kind of liquid fuel at full blast. It is easy to fix and rarely breaks down. It was designed as a mountaineering stove, not a gourmet cooking stove.

The Nova is more versatile-it will simmer, but it is finicky and prone to clog up. When it works, it works okay, but mine has been trouble. Other people love them. When I take it, I carry a small canister stove (Primus Micron) as a backup.

Primus has a stove that will burn liquid fuel as well as canisters. I have only seen one once at REI.

The Vapor is very expensive. I have no idea why.

There are a lot of threads here on stoves. Use the search engine and look back a year or more.

The MSR GK is a full out expedition stove that not only melts snow at a huge rate but also is like standing next to a F-15 during takeoff.I have the GK,Wisperlite and the pocket rocket.If you want top melt snow at upper elevations go with the GK,does not simmer well.If you want to melt some snow and have fair simmer qualitys for gourmet backpacking go with the wisperlight.If you want very light weight and simmering go with the Pocket Rocket or the JetBoil,both very good stoves.

Humm, I think I may go with the Whisper light then.

I'd like to still be able to boil snow if nessesary and the multi-feul aspects interest me as well. And if the Jet boil is only as good as the pot, well no need for canister stoves then.

Thank you very much.

Dimitri

Ok the Nova is out of consideration then, I rather it not clog up when I'm outdoors. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dimitri

Thanks for the reply, Dragonfly or Whisperlight it seems like I'd be going with. Both Multifuel which is a very big plus for me.

Dimitri

My Nova also froze up in winter. I think it was the fuel filter-once I took out the filter from the fuel line, it worked okay. If you get the Whisperlite, make sure it is the Internationale model-MSR also makes one that burns only white gas.

Yup bought the Whisperlite "Internationale" which is the multifuel version.

Dimitri