Black Packing Light
  • Sections
  • Today’s Features
  • Subscribe
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • Email Newsletter
  • Membership Info
  • Articles
    • Recent Features
    • Gear Reviews
    • State of the Market Reports
    • Gear Guides
    • Gear Lists
    • Skills & Techniques
    • MYOG
    • Science, Technology & Testing
    • Stories
    • Calendar
  • Education
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Masterclasses
    • Online Courses
    • Guided Treks
    • Education Portal
  • Forums
    • Forum Index
    • Recent Forum Posts
    • Gear Forums
    • Gear Swap (Buy/Sell)
  • Gear Recommendations
  • Gear Deals

Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

You are here: Home / Gear Reviews / Performance Gear Reviews / MSR WindBurner Review (Stove System)

MSR WindBurner Review (Stove System)

by Eric Vann on May 10, 2016 New Features, Performance Gear Reviews

Enjoy this free preview of Members-only content.
Login or Subscribe to see it all.

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.

Boiling Water, Hidden Lakes, Vann MSR WindBurner Stove System Review

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.

# of photos: 4; Word Count: 2700

--- end of free preview ---

To read the rest of the article, please Login or Subscribe.

Access to the rest of the content on this page
requires either a Premium or Unlimited Membership.

Subscribe

Your membership fees have helped sustain the creation and curation of quality information, education, and community at backpackinglight.com since 2001.

canister stoves, msr

Get ultralight backpacking skills, gear info, philosophy, news, and more.


Want outdoor gear and skills info you can really trust?

Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight.


Today's Gear Deals

Guide’s Gear Recommendations

Find out what gear our guides recommend if you want lightweight gear that is durable and versatile.

guide's gear logo

Gear Recommendations

  • Publisher’s Gear Guide
  • Staff Picks
  • Guide’s Gear Recommendations
  • Our Lightweight Gear Recommendations for REI Members
  • Today’s Gear Deals
  • Search for Gear on Sale

Subscribe Right Now

Receive new Members-only content, gain access to 2,000+ articles in the archives, and become a part of the most passionate community of backpacking experts in the world.
Subscribe Now
  • Backpacking Gear Reviews
  • Backpacking Skills
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Backpacking & Outdoor News
  • Outdoor Recreation Science & Technology
  • Backpacking Courses, Webinars & Other Events

Follow Us

Get outdoor skills and gear info you can trust.

Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight.

Join Now: Support fair and objective product reviews.

Something for everyone: Basic, Premium, and Unlimited Membership options available.

View Subscription Options

More @ Backpacking Light

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us
  • Submit a Product for Review
  • Diversity Grants
  • Help / Support / Contact
  • Terms & Policies

Call Us

Membership Sales & Support: 406-640-HIKE (406-640-4453) | About

© Copyright 2001-2021 BEARTOOTH MEDIA GROUP, INC. | U.S. Library of Congress Serial Registration ISSN 1537-0364
BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. Subscribe here.

  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • My Account
  • Forum Profile
  • Private Messages
  • Newsletters
  • My Course Enrollments
  • Unlimited Membership Portal
  • Help / Support / Contact