The New MSR Windboiler – First Look & Questions

I don't know where Primus came up with that number. REI lists the stove at 14.1oz (400gms) Mine weighed in at 392 grams with out the canister stand. The doubles as a cup. I purchased mine t the last REI garage sale and so far it has worked great with the exception of the Piezo starter which was not working when I purchased it and probably why it was returned. I just use a lighter and stripped it off which saved 3 more grams – stove is now at 389 grams. :)

Well, I wonder, as that ‘telltale’ is at the side and at lower elevations the mixture is not so rich so that only the center of the burner will glow, is it possible that the flames don’t reach the ‘telltale’ at that altitude ?

I think that is in fact what is occurring.

I’m going to take the Windboiler up to about 8000’/2400m in elevation on Saturday and see what happens. I will also run some tests at home which is at about 80’/24 m. It will be interesting to contrast the two.

It may be that the telltale would work better if it ran over the crown of the burner. We shall see.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

"It may be that the telltale would work better if it ran over the crown of the burner."
You read my mind :-)

> Turn it down, the circulation doesn't quite work right, and the CO goes through the
> roof. [that's from memory from reading one of Roger Caffin's write ups on the stove]

And I can assure you that MSR DO know all about the CO levels – there was some extended background email discussion with them about just how dangerous it was. They were very defensive about it – 'you should not be using it in a tent' sort of thing (damn right!), but they would not even admit that under some storm conditions that would be the only safe place for the user. Of course, after all that work and expense (and ego), they simply could not withdraw the thing from sale, could they?

> (note that the burner head is anything but conventional).
Actually, I will disagree here. That burner column, jet and air hole design looks far more conventional to me, even if the 'burner head' on top is different. The air flow in this burner column is very 'conventional'.

So yeah, reckon they may have done a bit more careful engineering this time. Good thing!

Cheers

That burner column, jet and air hole design looks far more conventional to me, even if the ‘burner head’ on top is different. The air flow in this burner column is very ‘conventional’.

That struck me as well. The column, ports, and jet look a lot like any number of other stoves. For example, here is a Soto Windmaster:

Compare that to the Windboiler:

Quite a bit in common. You can’t see the length of the burner column of the Windboiler because the windscreen blocks it. Now, there is a bit of an innovation, I must say. A built in windscreen on an upright canister stove. Yes, I know that many of us have used “hanging” windscreens of various types or freestanding ones, but this is a pretty nice integrated windscreen. I suspect it’s not quite as good at wind protection as the Venturi tubes of the Reactor, but I don’t really know yet. The trade off, I suspect, is that they’ve brought the CO levels down even at low flame. Presumably it’s also cheaper to produce; this stove costs $60 USD less than a comparable Reactor.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

I’ve revised the component weights in the appendix of my blog post (see link below) to list the cozy/handle assembly and the pot (bare metal only) as two separate figures. For those wishing to lighten the unit, the cozy could be left at home, saving 49g/1.7 oz. Likewise, the bowl could be left at home, saving 32g/1.1 oz. If both the cozy and the bowl were left at home, one would save 81g/2.8 oz.

Interestingly, in this configuration, the Windboiler would be only about 1 oz. heavier than the stated 12 oz. weight of the Jetboil Zip. Of course, if one had a Zip, one could also leave behind the cup and cozy. I mention the weight merely for comparative purposes.

The New MSR Windboiler – First Look

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim’s Blog

I'll help with derailing this thread a bit.

My brother just recently purchased the Eta light and while we didn't have occasion to use it this last weekend I can give you my hands on opinion on it.

The connection between stove and pot is rock solid and yet easy to remove. It takes maybe an eighth turn to engage/disengage.

The handle seems to be pretty steady in both the handle and hanging position.

The lid is definitely overkill even if it does double as a drinking cup. I don't think the handle would keep another lid in place very well, though

Also, I didn't have a chance to even fill it with water but it seemed to be quite a bit bigger than most 500ml pots I've seen before. I suspect it's the difference between safe volume and total volume. In fact one of the reviews for it calls it a .75L pot. Without filling with water I can't say which is actually right.
Here's the review I mentioned: http://www.gearinstitute.com/hiking/item/primus-eta-lite

Jesse:

Thanks for your thoughts on the Eta Lite. In terms of thread highjacking, that’s not so bad. :)

I’m pretty familiar with Jetboil products and MSR’s Reactor line, but I haven’t ever seen an Eta Lite (well, except at the store, but I mean out in the field in actual use).

I’m also curious to see what the Kovea integrated canister stoves are like. I’ve been bugging them for one, but so far they’ve been putting me off.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

Without hijacking the thread anymore. I have written about my experiences with the Eta Lite. You can find it on my blog at

http://www.nielsenbrownoutdoors.com/2014/11/my-thoughts-on-primus-eta-lite.html

I do hope that BPL (i.e. Roger) will publish carbon monoxide values for the both Windboiler and the MiniMo (and perhaps the Joule too although that is a heavy beast).

No carbon monoxide updates, but here are some size comparisons that I thought might be of interest.

First the Windboiler shown next to a 1.0 L Reactor, a Jetboil PCS, and a Jetboil Sol.

The Windboiler is about the same size as the original Jetboil.

Second, a bit off topic, but a Jetboil Joule shown alongside a Sumo, PCS, and Sol.

I’ll eventually have more on the Jetboil Joule, but I won’t really start reviewing it until I’m finished with the Windboiler. More photos of the Joule on my blog if you’re interested.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim’s Blog