Stove of the Week: MSR Whisperlite Universal ~ Firelite Tech Support

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 "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).

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.