Introduction
The MSR WindBurner Stove is a 1-liter (33.8 oz) capacity, radiant-burner, integrated canister stove system. MSR claims that the WindBurner's "100% primary air combustion, enclosed design, and internal pressure regulator work together to make [the] stove virtually impervious to outside conditions" (which we presume means "stormy" i.e., windy). So is this true? This MSR WindBurner Review features test to see how it performed head-to-head against the Jetboil Sol in response to artificially-generated wind.
Features
- Lid with drinking and straining ports
- Insulated cozy with handle
- Pot with heat exchanger
- Secure connection between pot and stove
- Radiant burner technology (similar to MSR Reactor Stove System)
- Fuel pressure regulator for controlled fuel delivery
- Folding canister stand included
- Integrated plastic cup/bowl: 16 oz. (0.47 L) capacity
Specifications
Three of the most popular integrated canister stove systems with a volume of 1 L (33.8 oz) or less include the MSR WindBurner Stove, the Jetboil Flash Lite Stove, and the MSR Reactor Stove. These stoves are compared extensively in this review.
The MSR WindBurner and the MSR Reactor use radiant burner stove technologies and a highly wind-resistant (enclosed burner) design. The primary difference between the two is in their heat output and flame regulation: the MSR Reactor, at 9,000 BTU/hr, is primarily a snow-melting stove for the mountaineer, while the MSR WindBurner, at 7,000 BTU/hr and a finer simmering control through a different pressure regulator valve than the Reactor. In addition, the WindBurner is more compact, and has an integrated pot cozy and handle. This makes it more similar in usability to the immensely popular Jetboil Flash Lite, the successor to the now-discontinued Jetboil Sol.
Read on for the full review that includes a performance assessment of the MSR WIndBurner stove in controlled wind, a comprehensive usability and performance comparison of the WindBurner to other similar stoves from both MSR and Jetboil, and a discussion of whether or not the WindBurner deserves our "Highly Recommended" Award.
MSR WindBurner Review: Learn More
Determined to see if the MSR WindBurner lived up to its "windproof" claim, we conducted an experiment to see how the MSR WindBurner and the Jetboil Sol performed in windy conditions. We were most interested in the mild "breezy" conditions most of us are most likely to find in the mountains, so we set up a house fan in a garage and timed how long it took each stove to bring 16 oz (.47 L) of ice water (34 deg F / 1 deg C) to a rolling boil. We had three variations of wind speed: none, low (3 mph), and high (8 mph). The ambient temperature was 48 deg F (9 deg C) and the fan was located a horizontal distance of 10.5 in. (27 cm) from the edge of the pot. The results from our tests, as well of a discussion of usability comparison, are available in the full review.
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