PRODUCT SPECS (MFG)
WhisperLite Internationale™
The WhisperLite Internationale combines the reliability and durability of the WhisperLite with multi-fuel burning capabilities, making it the ideal stove for globetrotting backpackers.
Burns white gas, kerosene and unleaded auto fuel
Made with an extra-durable fuel line, including Shaker Jet technology
Folds and packs into MSR cookset
Minimum Weight: 11.5 oz. (330 g)Packaged Weight: 15.5 oz. (460 g)
The WhisperLite Internationale combines the reliability and durability of the WhisperLite with multi-fuel burning capabilities, making it the ideal stove for globetrotting backpackers.
Burns white gas, kerosene and unleaded auto fuel
Made with an extra-durable fuel line, including Shaker Jet technology
Folds and packs into MSR cookset
Minimum Weight: 11.5 oz. (330 g)Packaged Weight: 15.5 oz. (460 g)
INTRO
I have not had a chance to own a stove like this before, so take this review for what its worth. A few of my buddies and I use to hike Mt. Lolo each easter weekend, and one brought along a camping stove each year. VERY similar to this. So i was estatic at the oportunity to buy and review this critical peice of dinner making kit. This was bought with a bit of a concern between getting the whisper international or the plain whisper stove. I went with the international because it uses so many different fuels, and is a bit more sturdy (only by a little)
FIRST GLANCE 3/5
Solid stove, very compact. Was a bit concerned with the simplicity, and the wire legs. On on looks alone I wouldn't have preferred it over anything else, but 1) im not a stove officianato, and 2) only thing that matters is how much controlled heat it throws
SETUP 3/5
The stove comes with a tin base place and heat sheild that wraps around, and is thin enough to fold up and conforms to the stove when stored. But when unfurled it more than wraps around. Almost too big, but sturdy enough when standing. I had to work at the wire legs since they collapse, it took a bit of pressure the first time to unclick them from the position that they were in. But afterwards they seemed to move easier, so i think it was the fact that it was new that was the issue.
Following the excellent instruction manual (which includes a toolkit and dissasembly diagrams for maintenance), I pumped up the fuel bottle (Sold Seperately), and hooked up the heavy duty fuel like to the bottle.
This is where i started noticing that most of the MSR pump parts appear to be made of plastic. Durable plastic, but plastic none the less. I am a bit concerned by this as I am VERY hard on gear, and tend to break things through copious amounts of pressure and torquing. But the hand pump, as light as it felt, operated correctly and smoothly.
However, the pump armature, sticks out a bit so when putting the fuel line onto the charged bottle, you have to press it down again (thus partially pumping it) to get the securing arm onto the bottle. This is of little concern, but does get in the way when assembling / disasembling
Upon, setting up, the bottle and stove have a bit of an argument on who is going to lie flat. The heavy duty braided fuel line between the bottle and stove tend to leave the stove a little rocky, and it takes a moment or two to get it level and flat.
USE: 5/5
Once the primer cup was dosed with a little fuel (by opening valve then closing), I lit the stove and it produced, as the manual promises, a soccer ball size flame, which dies down to an orange flickering canteloup size flame for a moment or two. At this time, you are to wait for it to 1) preheat the burner, and 2) burn off excess fuel. After this occured, and the flame was lower, I turned the valve open and let a bit of fuel in. It takes about 30 seconds to get a blue HOT flame, which turns the stove ring/element red hot. Doesn't throw a huge amount of flame , but certainly gets the job done.
Upon this I placed my new MSR collapsable pot, and began a quick heating of 2 cups of water which came to a rolling boil in under 2 minutes. The box states it takes 1 liter 3.5 minutes to boil with white gas, but i am using gasoline (89octane) and am not a 0 altitude. I dont know that it makes much difference, but I enjoyed the fact that it was quick. My electric stove would never have gotten that hot, that quick.
I spent 8 minutes cooking a pasta meal, and was pleased with the results. The meal was very hot, and if i had left it any longer, it may have burned. However, 8 minutes was more than enough.
After letting the stove cool for about 2 minutes, I tried relighting. It smoke alot as it vaporized the fuel, since the body was still hot. It took a bit of coaxing for a relight, but it eventually did, and produced the same result as before.
A quick note, the new stove will probbably 'flash off' some residual coating, but that does not happen after that.
CLEAN UP 4/5
After letting the stove cool, I detached the fuel bottle, and discharged the pressure (opening it slowly and away from the body and eyes). I noted that the fuel bottle, since it has the fuel pump in it, has been coated with fuel. If i was to take the fuel pump out, and replace the standard cap, the fuel and residual essence, would coat my gear and stink it up. So i am for now leaving the pump in the fuel bottle, as I have not found instructions otherwise. It would be nice to have some sort of cover for this as I am not fond of the plastic pump parts.
OVERALL 4.5 / 5
I give this product a 4.5/5 only because the parts are plastic, it doesnt sit perfectly flat unless it has a pot on it. Other than that, I think it is an exceptional stove. Solid and easy to use. Not something that needs to be tweaked with when you have a bunch of hikers/campers waiting for the 1 warm meal of the day.
