Customer Reviews

MSR Windpro Canister Stove

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not sure what the other reviewer means. The title says "MSR Windpro Canister Stove," but perhaps I missed some other (erroneous) mention of liquid fuel in the details. At any rate, the other reviewer and the item's title are correct--this is a canister stove as is made clear by the picture. This stove is great because you can use a traditional wind-screen with it since the canister is away from the flame. MSR has achived this while keeping the stove very light...and quite stable. This is a great stove and I have no real complaints. I have 3 MSR stoves and they make quality products which they stand behind if anything goes wrong (which has only happened once to me)--Great customer service!

I just came back from a two week camping trip where I used this stove to cook two meals a day. It was exactly what I expected and wanted--a lightweight, compact cannister stove that sits solidly on the ground rather than precariously on top of the gas cannister (I like cannister stoves because they are easier to use than those which require a fluid, like white gas or gasoline, to be decanted into a fuel bottle, and the cannisters are at least as widely available as white gas). The cooking I do requires that I boil at most 2 1/4 cups of water at a time (which is sufficient to prepare a freeze-dried entree for two people) which it does quickly on the highest setting, but adjusts easily down to the low temperature necessary to cook pancakes.

I found the flexible sheet of aluminum supplied as a windscreen to be mickey mouse to say the least, but it is light and unquestionably does the job. Another small circular sheet of aluminum comes with it without any mention in the instructions as to what it's for. I THINK you might use it under the stove as a reflector, but as the gas jets point up and heat rises, I don't see the point. It also would compromise the stability of the stove if used that way. (But maybe I have it wrong and that's not what it's for at all.)

On my previous trip I used an MSR Reactor stove. While more windproof and compact (when taking into account that you don't need an additional set of pots), it costs $45 more (exactly what my aluminum MSR cookset cost) and limits you to a 1.7 liter pot--unless you want to shell out another $89.95 for the 2.5 liter pot that works with the system. Even with that, you don't have an easy way to cook pancakes or eggs.

If you want a light, reliable relatively inexpensive stove that fits inside of a cooking pot, that is stable and uses easy to find and convenient to use gas cannisters, this is the stove for you.

I've been using MSR stoves since the first one came out 30+ years ago. My first choice is the Whisperlite, but you can't take a used one in your airplane luggage any more. I started using a friend's Superfly but wind was sometimes a problem. So I bought the Windpro, only a couple of ounces heavier than the Superfly. It's windscreen is like the Whisperlite and very effective.

The reason for the unexplained aluminum disk is likely the same as for the disk that comes with the Whisperlite. It's to protect the surface you put the stove on. This is mainly for when you cook on a wooden picnic table or use some flat piece of driftwood for your cook bench. With the windscreen in place around a larger pot, there's a lot of heat reflected down. It is enough to char wood.

I've been using a Windpro for about a year and have been testing it side-by-side with several other cannister stoves. I have been completed impressed by its flawless performance even under harsh conditions. It is worth noting however, that like all isobutane cannister stoves it becomes difficult to light in sub-20 degree (F) temps. Great stove for general hiking, kayaking touring and minimalist car camping.

I have used this stove for car camping for several years and can find no fault with it. I haven't used it for backpacking, but if one person carries the stove and another a couple of fuel canisters, it should not present any problem weight wise. It heats water fast. It simmers like a dream and with the remote fuel feature on it you can use a wind screen which comes with it and really maximize your fuel efficiency. The stove is sturdy and the stand is very stable and has no problem handling 2 liter pots and larger. I would not recommend using heavy cookware like cast iron with it however. I have never had any functional problems with it and like it so much that it will soon have a twin to go with it and replace my heavy and outdated (in my opinion)two burner coleman stove.
Pros: Good Heat Output, Stable Pot Stand, Designed for use with a wind screen and heat reflector, Boils water quickly, lightweight for the performance provided, great for groups,fits inside a 1 liter pot, virtually maintenance free.

Cons: MSR does not give them away :)

Bottom Line: If you need a good reliable canister stove that will cook virtually anything you can put in a medium sized pot or skillet, then this stove has no competition. There are canister stoves out there that make this stove seem heavy if you are a gram weenie. But the extra weight is worth the performance and versatility you get.

I love this stove. The weight is incredible. Light as a feather and built very well.
I will be using this model on a 3 month trek from Sandpoint, Idaho to Santa Barbara, California.

Sold my Rogers and Optimus liquid fuel stoves because they were 8 pounds each.

With the MSR Windpro, The weight is perfect for long trips and compact as well. Comes with a nice little carrying case and fits inside my MSR Quick Solo Pot.

MSR does it again with another great product.

Used this for a week long trek in Yosemite and couldn't have been more happy with it. Was about $80 at Scheels but well worth the money. The whisperlite was the one I wanted but it seems like a pain over this one.

HI.
We wanted to let you know about a problem with our MSR "windpro" campstove. After about a dozen uses, and no problems, the stove started leaking fuel out of the place where the fuel line attaches to the stove. The flame that shot out the side was sufficient to quickly burn a hole in the wind blocking thingie. We had to cut our trip short. Once back home, we brought it to the outdoor store we bought it from, and they sent it to the manufacturer for us. We got it back a couple of weeks later with a charge of $25 for the repair, and a note stating that we must have damaged/dropped the stove for it to develop that kind of leak. We never dropped the stove, or even handled it roughly. Our last stove lasted us 25 years (and still works; we just had trouble getting the butane); we take good care of our gear. I can send you a photo of the stove and the hole it burned in the windscreen. Mainly, I wanted you guys to know there are problems with these stoves.
kathi mestayer

The description of this item is "MSR Windpro Liquid-Fuel Stove", but the stove shown in the photo is clearly not a "Liquid-Fuel" burner of any kind. One can clearly see that it's hooked to an iso-butane canister.