Touring - Stove for Touring?

Hello...

For those of you who have done extended self supported touring, what recommendations do you have as to what to bring for a stove?

Thanks,
Charlie

there's only one good anwser to that question.

there's only one good anwser to that question.


Ah yes! the pepsi ,cat food or tuna can alcohol stove, for less than $3. Many variations! I like the The Linguini Tuna Can Stove (http://wings.interfree.it/html/linguini.html) except I brazed mine together and used ss spokes for a pot stand

Hello...

For those of you who have done extended self supported touring, what recommendations do you have as to what to bring for a stove?

Thanks,
Charlie


MSR Whisperlite or MSR Whisperlite International.

FKS

If you're going for a long time or to somewhere where fuel choice is limited then an MSR type stove beats anything else hands down. Drawbacks are that they are expensive to buy (but dirt cheap to run) and not the easiest thing to use.

Otherwise.. Camping Gaz, Trangia and Pepsi cans seem to be as popular as each other.

Hello...

For those of you who have done extended self supported touring, what recommendations do you have as to what to bring for a stove?

Thanks,
Charlie

Where are you touring and how much of your tour will be spent camping vs staying in hotels, etc.?

White gas is so cheap in the US (<$5/gallon at Wal-Mart) that it's hard for me to imagine using anything else. The MSR Whisperlite is an excellent white gas stove IME, and it will run on unleaded auto fuel if necessary. Gas cartridge stoves are convenient, cheap and more user friendly than any liquid fuel stove, but finding the right cartridge for your stove might not always be the easiest thing in the world.

White gas is horrendously expensive in Europe (I paid 6.50 pounds for a 1/2 liter can in Scotland, which works out to about US$90 per US gallon) and hard to find. Lots of people use the various gas cartridge stoves over there, and Gaz cartridges are pretty widely available.

If you're travelling in third world countries, a multi-fuel stove that can be easily cleaned after clogging up with dirty kerosene or whatever is a good thing to have. MSR X-GK is a good choice, there are other good multi-fuel stoves available from Primus and other companies.

Alcohol stoves are quiet and clean, but I don't think they produce as much heat as other stoves.

I'm in Canada and I have an MSR pocket Rocket that I like. I mostly stock up on fuel at MEC locations throughout the country. I would say it's moderatly difficult to aquire the canisters. I'm thinking about picking up the MSR XGK for it's fuel diversity

Thanks! You gave me a ton of great info there! I think I will be spending 90% or more of my time camping on my tour across the USA.

Thanks again,
Charlie

A light and small as possible!

I use a Snow Peak Gigapower butane stove and titanium pot, total weight is about 420 grams including fuel for 3-4 days. There are lots of butane canisters available almost everywhere now, eg. most places that sell Coleman products also sell Coleman butane canisters too. Most brands are interchangable (they use the same valve), just try it out before you need to use it.

Alcohol (pepsi can type) stoves are really light but have lots of performance issues. Too many to list, see the backpacking websites for more discussion than you'll ever want to read. Tranga's are good but bulky.

Esbit fuel tablets are probably the lighest, and no stove is necessary if you prop up your pot on a few rocks.

Lots of people don't bother with a stove, carry dried or food that doesn't need cooking and just use the occasional fire.

I could say a little about the LP gas stoves (i.e. Camping Gaz, etc.). These are getting to be very popular lately even in the US. I have been using a Camping Gaz stove since 1995 and find it to be a very nice stove. It heats well and also simmers well, which is something that is often a problem with the white gas stoves. They are fairly light and clean, as the fuel can not spill. If you get a Camping Gaz stove make sure you get one of the newer units that allow you to remove the fuel cylinder between uses. I also sometimes use a white gas stove (Whisperlite) and a kerosene stove (Optimus 00) and find them useful on rare occasions, so I am not negative to them as well.

The Camping Gaz stove has two big problems that you should be aware of before you go this route. First, it is illegal to ship LP gas cartridges through the mail except through ground transportation. This means that you cannot have someone send you a mail-drop to a post office unless they send it by USPS ground transportation (think slow). For a long tour, having someone mail you the cartridges is about the only way to assure that you can get a fresh cartridge when needed. This is because the cartridges are not commonly available throughout the US. The second problem with the Camping Gaz stoves is also associated with the cartridges. When your current cartridge gets low it is difficult to predict exactly when it will go empty. This means that during a long tour you will find yourself doing one of two things; either tossing out a bunch of partially full cans, or periodically carrying two cans of fuel as you wait for the partially full can to go empty. There are a lot of people that think throwing away a partially full can is hazardous.

As you can tell from other posts there are a lot of people that like alcohol stoves. A lot of the people I know that go this route like them because of simplicity and because they can buy alcohol almost anywhere in small quantity, often in the form of automotive Gas-line Antifreeze from the local auto parts store or even convenience stores. These come in small bottles which somewhat solve the problem the white gas folk have in buying small quantities of Coleman fuel which is most often sold only in gallon cans.

Denis K

I'm in Canada and I have an MSR pocket Rocket that I like. I mostly stock up on fuel at MEC locations throughout the country. I would say it's moderatly difficult to aquire the canisters. I'm thinking about picking up the MSR XGK for it's fuel diversity
I've found that it's easy to find canisters for the MSR Pocket Rocket at Canadian Tire.

I'm looking hard at an alcohol stove, but rather than building my own, I'm thinking about going uptown a bit and getting a brasslite alcohol stove (http://www.brasslite.com/) I've heard some good things about them, light, good flame control. Nice thing about alcohol stoves, pretty much every gas station / auto parts place has fuel, it's the gas dryer additive. You have to make sure that you get the Methanol version, not the Iso version, but it always says on the label. That way you can get a small quantity of fuel, not have to buy a gallon at at time. Down side to alcohol stoves, they aren't the best bet if you are doing real cold weather camping, just don't have the performance needed. Check out brasslite and read some of the links to reviews on other sites.

Down side to the soda can stoves, and yes, I've used them, most of them don't allow much, if any, flame control. Great if all you are doing is boiling, but not so great for other things. Plus side is that they don't weigh anything to speak of. Stoves always seem to be a tradeoff, weight vs. convience vs. features. If I had somebody to carry it for me, I'd have a double burner propane stove with a grill and rotissary (sp) attachment, but since that's not likely to happen, I'm sticking with light and easy.

Steve W.
Who sometimes gets into hot water without a stove

I've found that it's easy to find canisters for the MSR Pocket Rocket at Canadian Tire.

You know what, I've had a friend tell me this as well, but I have yet to come across any. I've done fine on picking up canisters though. MEC stores throughout canada carry them, and I got some at Fresh Air Experience in Regina, SK, And now apparently Canadian Tire stores as well. So maybe this type of canister isn't so hard to find afterall.

I have been using Camping Gaz stoves since 1960. I also have a pop can alcohol stove in case I cant find Gaz cartridges. If I want a fancy meal I go to a restaurant.

I use a soda can alcohol stove and couldn't be more pleased. Although it takes longer to boil water with alcohol than white gas, it's really no big deal. I choose foods that can be cooked simply by boiling water, ading ingredients, and letting steep until ready. I use an insulated cozy for my pot made from a cheap blue foam sleeping pad so there is no need to simmer foods like pasta. Simply add the ingredients, place pot in the cozy, and wait the normal cooking time. The cozy keeps the water near the boiling point during the cooking time so you save fuel. Works like a champ.

A soda can stove never clogs, has no moving parts, and if necessary can be easily built along the trail. It certainly wins in the weight category, unless you are trying to travel for a long period of time with no resupply. Since alcohol is less efficient than white gas, you need more ounces of alcohol than gasoline for the same cooking time. This is a consideration for backpacking, but not generally for bike touring as denatured alcohol is readily available everywhere.

MSR Whisperlite or MSR Whisperlite International.

FKS


Seconded, I've got 15 good years out of mine and still going strong.

whisperlite is pretty much indestructable, and awesome for long trips (I go backpacking with one, if I went touring I would bring it)

If I had a little extra $$$, I might spring for a Jetboil. those are awesome.

You know what, I've had a friend tell me this as well, but I have yet to come across any. I've done fine on picking up canisters though. MEC stores throughout canada carry them, and I got some at Fresh Air Experience in Regina, SK, And now apparently Canadian Tire stores as well. So maybe this type of canister isn't so hard to find afterall.
That's funny, because when I went to Fresh Air Experience in Regina, they were sold out of the cannisters. I then went to an army surplus store, but they only had tiny cannisters. So we went to Canadian Tire, where my girlfriend had sugested we go in the first place, and they had plenty. As did the Canadian Tire in Swift Current.

White gas is so cheap in the US (<$5/gallon at Wal-Mart) that it's hard for me to imagine using anything else. The MSR Whisperlite is an excellent white gas stove IME, and it will run on unleaded auto fuel if necessary.

I found this to be true. I didn't want to lug around a gallon container of white gas and found out that my regular Whisperlite (not the International) will run fine on unleaded.This is even stated on MSR's website. Fill up your Sigg bottles at any gas station for 50 cents! It does, however, burn a little sooty.

I'm on my second Whisperlite (after 20 years or so). It's great if you tour high elevations or cold climates. Some negatives: the the rubber O-rings crack after a few years, the pump leather gasket needs to be lubed once in a while. You need to carry a maintenance kit with you.

I also have a Whisperlite International. I like it a lot. However, last year for fun I made one of the pop-can stoves (denatured alcohol). What a blast! It worked flawlessly! I'll admit, it didn't heat things up as fast, but it sure did work.

This year I'll probably take the Whisperlite to the Grand Canyon with me. A two week ride. I can't wait!!

I've made and used the Pepsi-can stove but like the durability of the Trangia and have since switched. A Trangia-mini packs in it's own cook-pot with a skillet as lid. Good for 1-2 people - go with a bigger Trangia-kit if you cook big.

FWIW, I like alcohol stoves because spilled fuel doesn't contaminate everything - it evaporates - the fuel's cheap and in a pinch you can use any alcohol (gas-line antifreeze is Methyl-alcohol if there's no outfitter or hardware store handy)

I might consider a stove that ran on any kind of fuel (jet fuel, avgas, alcohol etc) if I were in more remote areas but you pay more for that privilage - a Trangia is what?... $20?

yeah, to each his own. there's really more than one anwser.
my rules of thumb would be Trangia for the USA, but using white gas for winter or extended backwoods bikepacking. Gaz for Europe. Multifuel for developing world. (every country is different so check first though)

I think it all boils down to the Trangia for american on the road bike touring. Here's a trangia sitting on the delta windscreen/pot support, and then in operation on my computer desk. Burns denatured alcohol(shellac thinner), rubbing alcohol, fuel additives found at every gas station, and drinkable, everclear alcohol.Might burn 141 rum, haven't tried that, hmm.... About 20 bucks complete. standard bic lighter not included.

Mentor58,

Thanks for the link. I just ordered a turbo 1, only $15.00 and $5.00 shipping.

coleman peak 1. you can (i've seen it done) use gasoline in a pinch and white gas any time. also there is coleman dual fuel and multi-fuel mini-stoves but i have not tried either on tour. enjoy you tours!

I'm looking hard at an alcohol stove, but rather than building my own, I'm thinking about going uptown a bit and getting a brasslite alcohol stove (http://www.brasslite.com/) I've heard some good things about them...

Vargo outdoors makes a titanium alcohol stove that's super tiny with foldable pot holders. I was gifted one, but have not used it in real world conditions yet. I have tested it at home-not bad. There is no flame control, however it shouldn't be that hard to make a simmer ring, like the Triangias have.

-regarding white gas/multi fuel stoves, take care when flying to destinations with them. Airline security is getting ever antsy. Make sure there is no odor whatsoever from them, and it might be helpfull to make the stove look new (ie clean the outside with steel wool or somesuch).

Ah yes! the pepsi ,cat food or tuna can alcohol stove, for less than $3. Many variations! I like the The Linguini Tuna Can Stove (http://wings.interfree.it/html/linguini.html) except I brazed mine together and used ss spokes for a pot stand

Mine's made from the Heineken keg cans (http://zenstoves.net/CanPots.htm), and can boil 16 oz of water in about 8 mins.

Weighs absolutely nothing, and you can get fuel ANYWHERE - it runs on HEET

http://www.brasslite.com/SiteImages/Misc/HEET.jpg

Which is in just about EVERY convenience store's "automotive" aisle.

I heard of a small stove that runs on small pieces of wood. It has a battery powered fan, I always thought this sounded like a good idea becouse you would never have to carry any fuel, and batterries are usually easy to come by.

Have any of you tried a stove like this on tour?

Thanks! You gave me a ton of great info there! I think I will be spending 90% or more of my time camping on my tour across the USA.

Thanks again,
Charlie

When are you planning your C2C? ACA N. Tier by any chance? Since your in NH are you headed westbound?

We may be doing something, you can reach me PM (private mail?)

Tim

Here's a link for global fuel availablity by country and names for it in local languages.


http://members.iinet.net.au/~mbuckler/fuel/index.shtml


and a link to a clear and concise explanation about alcohol stove fuel choices. Pretty useful.

http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=2&cid=51

... The second problem with the Camping Gaz stoves is also associated with the cartridges. When your current cartridge gets low it is difficult to predict exactly when it will go empty. This means that during a long tour you will find yourself doing one of two things; either tossing out a bunch of partially full cans, or periodically carrying two cans of fuel as you wait for the partially full can to go empty. There are a lot of people that think throwing away a partially full can is hazardous.


Denis K

I always save one of those "instant" soups that takes 10-15+ minutes of simmering to cook to finish off the canister. After the soup is finally ready, you can make a meal out of it by adding other dried food, instant potatoes, etc.

You can tell when it's almost empty by shaking it and when there's only a few drops of fuel left inside the canister you will get a 10 - 15 minute simmer out of it. I always poke a hole in the canister with a tent peg or sharp rock when it's done.

Some people complain about the wasted canister and that this is not enviro-friendly, but you never hear them complain about the can when someone eats a can of beans (about the same amount of metal). There's a big can left over from buying white gas too.

Mountaineering being my other major activity, and me being a gear *****.....I vote the MSR XGK-II stove. While it may be overkill for your application, you can be rest assured you can cook anytime, anywhere, in any conditions with it. Plus it's easy to field strip and clean, and pretty lightweight.

Sure, it sounds like a jet plane taking off, it boils water in no time flat. Just make sure you take a few tours in sub-freezing weather to substantiate your purchase.

I like my ancient Trangia in summer- especially around kids. Petrol in winter.

I always save one of those "instant" soups that takes 10-15+ minutes of simmering to cook to finish off the canister. After the soup is finally ready, you can make a meal out of it by adding other dried food, instant potatoes, etc.

You can tell when it's almost empty by shaking it and when there's only a few drops of fuel left inside the canister you will get a 10 - 15 minute simmer out of it. I always poke a hole in the canister with a tent peg or sharp rock when it's done.


That sounds like a good idea. I think I'll put together a list of "canister cook-off dishes" specifically for that purpose. For good measure, I'll include heating up a big pot of water for a cat-bath.

Another thing I have wanted to do, but never done, is to weigh a canister as it is being used and put together a formula to map weight to future burning time. Post offices usually have a reasonably good scale which could be used to weigh your old canister at the same time as you are receiving a new one in a mail-drop. If the old canister still has enough juice to see you to the next resupply stop then you could just mail the new canister forward in your drift-box and postpone the shipment of the next one.

Denis K

I'll add my 2 cents. After 10+ years of using my MSR Wisperlite International I finally got tired of fiddling with it. If you've used them, you know they can be a bit fussy and don't simmer well. OTOH, I've always been able to fix it in the field and I've never been stranded without hot dinner.

I purchased an Optimus Nova to replace it and have been very happy. It's about twice as expensive as a Wisperlite, extremely reliable, but not nearly as fussy. As a bonus for touring, you can burn just about anything in it, and it responds to unleaded or diesel better than an MSR.

akarius, the wood stove you mentioned is the Sierra Stove. I've never used one, but you could google to find reviews.

I am with the Trangia: http://www.trangia.se/ Glad to hear the fuel is readily available in the US. This is also the case in Europe. You have exclent heat control and using the trangia 25/2 I have cooked for 5 people, bringing a bigger pot, but when I tour solo then I leave the big pot behind and use only the 2 pots the frying pan, use as lid,it save on fuel and heats up quicker. The same applies for the kettle. Use 10% water with the fuel, more water if you want a simmering action to what you are cooking. This also takes out the black sooting. 1 Litre bottle last 12 days and that is for proper cooking 1 meal and breakfast each day. You can run this on alternative fuel, I even read on this forum that someone used whiskey to cook his meal on a trangia.

I heard of a small stove that runs on small pieces of wood. It has a battery powered fan, I always thought this sounded like a good idea becouse you would never have to carry any fuel, and batterries are usually easy to come by.

Have any of you tried a stove like this on tour?

I have the stove you're talking about (http://www.zzstove.com/) and I like it. It runs with solid fuel which means you can throw in anything that can be burned, pretty economical, and the stove itself is cheaper than most of the stoves on the market. It's pretty neat, like a toy, when I first got it I was a bit doubtful, but it worked pretty well, only that you need to collect fuel everyday, but I always gather some for the next day just in case. Another drawback is that you get black pots, but after a while I got used to it and thought it prettier.

You don't need much woods to cook a meal, never really measured how much they weighted, but I guess more or less 500g.

The base itself is not that stable, almost fell to one side a couple of times, maybe a little modification would do.

Im debating over what stove im gonna pick up soon...i checked out the msr whisperlite internationale, and it seems pretty good. ive heard good things about msr, so thats an option for me. also, has anyone heard anything about a Brunton Nova MultiFuel stove? it seems like a decent stove. any other opinions on it?

Steve

I don't think you can go wrong with a whisperlite. The one I bought in 1989 is still working fine. Lately, I've been playing around with alcohol stoves and may use that on my next trip.

SteveFox, The Bruton Nova Multifuel is the same stove I posted about above as the Optimus Nova. Best liquid fuel stove IMHO. I've used MSR Wisperlite, Wisperlite International, XGK, and several canister stoves. The Nova is much easier to use and if you tend toward the gourmet side and don't just boil and rehydrate--you've be really glad you have a stove that simmers well.

FWIW, if you want to go with a canister stove, check out the jetboil system. Best canister stove for the money and much more efficient than other canister systems (read: uses less canisters so less weight to carry).

Another option is the Svea 123. It's been around for ever, super reliable, not too heavy and has nice old school appeal. The brass Svea stove goes well with the whole Brooks and Carradice thing if that's how you roll.

Cheers!

alright thanks mycoatl...ill look into that. im thinkin im leaning towards the brunton, even though it costs more than the msr, but im sure theres something to be found used in good condition.

Steve

Camel, good point. I've taken an Amtrak a couple of times with my Whisperlite International with no problems. However, this year I'll be flying to my beginning destination. A different stove, like a Trangia or Brasslite might be a good thing to have. I almost always carry my home-made popcan stove anyway.....for backup.

I have since stopped using the MSR pocket rocket due to the lack of canister availability in my area. I really liked the simplicity and efficiency of this small, lightweight stove. However, it's hard to run a stove without fuel.
I picked up a Whisperlite International and I like it so far. I haven't quite perfected the priming stage yet, so cooking under the vestibule is out of the question. The main reason for purchasing this stove was that it burns white gas, which is easily attainable, and if I'm in a pinch kerosene or gasoline. Also, I like the MSR brand name - but I'm a loyal brand junkie and when I find something that works I stick with it.
The whisperlite is a bit bulky(this of course, compared to a pocket rocket). The white gas also leaves a fair amount of soot on the stove, so you're hands can get quite messy. Overall though, I like the stove, and I like not having to worry about finding canisters, whereas now I can go to gas stations, retail stores, supermarkets, and even some corner stores and find white gas.

On the topic of Canisters vs. Refillable bottles- In my opinion - I think that it's pretty clear that the advantages of the refillable fuel bottle outweight those of the canister. The only upside to having a canister stove is that there is no need to pump, and once you get the canister it's fairly easy to use. I can't seem to see the other benefits, so for that reason I'd suggest that anyone looking for a stove, pick one up that takes white gas or multi-fuel, and that has a refillable bottle. Unless someone else has some light to shed on canisters..?

keep in mind though, I am in now way shape or form, a veteran on the subject. Just my thoughts ;)

I heard of a small stove that runs on small pieces of wood. It has a battery powered fan, I always thought this sounded like a good idea becouse you would never have to carry any fuel, and batterries are usually easy to come by.

Have any of you tried a stove like this on tour?

You are talking about the zip stove. A similar stove which do not require batteries is the trail stove (http://www.trailstove.com/).

I have never tried it but I like its simplicity... maybe a bit bulky compared to other stove? I don't know but you certainly don't have to carry a fuel bottle around.

I always poke a hole in the canister with a tent peg or sharp rock when it's done.


Hmmm, that brings back some memories... If you fill it part way with water, jam a match or stick into the hole so it is sealed, and then toss it in the fire (so the wood is up obviously) it'll boil the water and then either blow the wood out or burn it out, and you'll get a meter high geyser of steam. Great fun.

Not recommended, make sure there is no gas left, don't aim towards your face, don't leave the house or you'll DIE!!! etc.

Camel, good point. I've taken an Amtrak a couple of times with my Whisperlite International with no problems. However, this year I'll be flying to my beginning destination. A different stove, like a Trangia or Brasslite might be a good thing to have. I almost always carry my home-made popcan stove anyway.....for backup.

I'll be flying into Paris on the 19th, and will have my MSR XGK new/unused in it's box. I've used them before, so I feel comfortable taking it along without trying it out first. The fuel bottle will also be new/unused, and even if "confiscated" I should be able to find another fuel bottle before I'll have a need for it.

I don't plan on needing the XGK daily untill the Ukraine & beyond. I'll still be pissed if they confiscate it, as there pricey. At least I'll have ample time to replace it if need be. Being that it's new&in the box I hope the TSA folks realize there's zero threat/risk from it. I've meet some TSA folk with real power "issues", however most are quite normal and do there job well. Since you never know, I have a plan B for Western Europe:

I'll also be bringing a Vargo alcohol stove, as well as my Pocket Rocket. This way I'll be able to whip up quick hot snacks, soup, coffee, tea, cocoa, oats etc-without having to "break out" the xgk.

While the Vargo & Pocket rocket could be confiscated as well, it would take a serious TSA "grouch" to do so.

I think the gas stoves are probably better. I never use mine. I always use my little alcohol number. No fiddling, always lights, unlikely to blow up.

Bad: can't always see the flame, make sure the thing is really out.

I have a MSR dragonfly and it appears it is a rarity to use this type of stove for touring. Though it is not the lightest stove out there, it burns both kerosene and white gas and I am sure other gases as well but they are not listed. The thing I like about it is its simmering ability. I like to cook good and local types of foods and this stove allows for this and also diversifying my foods as I tend to get bored with just oatmeal or pasta allt he time. Also, I don't have to worry about throwing out canisters along the way and finding access to canisters. All I need is access to white gas or kerosene and both can be found reasonably cheap in many places.

I have a MSR dragonfly and it appears it is a rarity to use this type of stove for touring. Though it is not the lightest stove out there, it burns both kerosene and white gas and I am sure other gases as well but they are not listed. The thing I like about it is its simmering ability. I like to cook good and local types of foods and this stove allows for this and also diversifying my foods as I tend to get bored with just oatmeal or pasta allt he time. Also, I don't have to worry about throwing out canisters along the way and finding access to canisters. All I need is access to white gas or kerosene and both can be found reasonably cheap in many places.

My son has a dragonfly and used it on our two rides down the pacific coast. My son really cooked some amazing meals on those tours and I alway felt like we were eating better than any of the other bikers using their pop can stoves. This summer my younest son and I are planning to ride the pacific coast and are trying to decide what to use for a stove.

I looked a the dragonfly and whisperlite today and other than weight and price. I couldn't see much difference. I'm not very patient with fiddling around with things so if one was less tempermental would make a difference to me. Any opinions on the whisperlite vs the dragonfly.

My son has a dragonfly and used it on our two rides down the pacific coast. My son really cooked some amazing meals on those tours and I alway felt like we were eating better than any of the other bikers using their pop can stoves. This summer my younest son and I are planning to ride the pacific coast and are trying to decide what to use for a stove.

I looked a the dragonfly and whisperlite today and other than weight and price. I couldn't see much difference. I'm not very patient with fiddling around with things so if one was less tempermental would make a difference to me. Any opinions on the whisperlite vs the dragonfly.

I haven't used the whisperlite but I like the adjustability of the dragonfly. The dragonfly is only 80 grams less than the whisperlite so it really doesn't matter. In my case, the ability to adjust the flame is important for cooking good meals so I opted to pay the additional 50 bucks for it. I have heard that the whisperlite is also a great stove. I don't think you could go wrong with either stove.

I'm on my second Whisperlite (after 20 years or so). It's great if you tour high elevations or cold climates. Some negatives: the the rubber O-rings crack after a few years, the pump leather gasket needs to be lubed once in a while. You need to carry a maintenance kit with you.

Found this sheet about the MSR stuff and some tips: http://www.wilds.mb.ca/stovens.pdf . Also a few tips for the O-rings and such: http://www.wilds.mb.ca/tips.html#tips%20tag. Well done articles.
I have both the Whisperlite INternational and Dragonfly. Never failed me yet! A bit bulkier than a pepsi can, but never a problem with running unleaded.
My two cents.... John