Primus Omni-Fuel Stove versus msr xgk ex

I've owned both stoves, and personally much prefer the MSR XGK. I really liked the optional versatility of the Primus in burning canisters, too, but in use I found that burning with liquid fuels (ie white gas) the Primus clogged somewhat easily and I found it a pain to clean. They use a cleaning needle that I couldn't get into the stove to clean the jet without disassembly. Perhaps I'm just an idiot and did it wrong. My XGK, though, has that shaker jet that forces deposits out of the stove with every movement, and I've never had to take it apart to unclog (aside from a cleaning every few years).

That said, the XGK will burn pretty much anything flammable you put in it–not having been in that area, will you really only have the one fuel available?

Brad,
Unfortunately only kerosene is widely available.LPG would the choice for canister type of stoves. Petrol or gasoline is available but It's twice as expensive as gas !

Brad, have you tried diesel in either of them?

Hi Raj,

I was sharing a tent at SAR training last weekend with with a guy with a lot of Himalaya (Everest doctor/climbed Makalu) and Antarctic experience. He was using his 15yr old, 10 rupee, screw on cylinder stove he bought in the market in Kathmandu, using 30/70 canisters.

It wasn't UL, but less than an XGK or Primus.

Will you carry the Fuel bottle and pump of the Primus, even when you are planning on using LPG?

If so I would go with the XGK, and pick up a second LPG stove, for when kero isn't available, or you prefer LPG.

Try putting a WTB on Gear Swap for an XGK. It will be the older fixed fuel line probably, but should save some money. Those things are bomb proof, so a used one is a good option, as long as the pump is okay. Just make sure it has a shaker jet, which was added around 1992 I think.

Pick up an LPG model in India or Nepal to save some cash, or a Primus Ti model here to save some weight.

Any stove burning kero will/should be noisy, since it should use a plate burner for maximum reliability with dirty fuel. Buying a second LPG stove will make it much quieter, and in fact David commented that since his was so quiet, he had to check it occaisionally to see it was still burning properly.

Rod

Rod,
Thanks again for your answers. I will do put that wtb request for an xgk in gear swap. I will source the LPG burner in india or nepal.
I'll find out about the cost and availability of LPG canisters.They sell heavy LPG cylinders in India for residential cooking. Here's what one outdoor gear store in new delhi said about stove and canister availability

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camping Stove Rs.1,950 each (about 40 to a US $)
Gas cylinders Rs.250 each.
Isobutane Gas Cylinders.

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