User Review: MSR XGK-EX

MSR XGK-EX
Above: The current XGK-EX, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed November 23, 2008 by Franc

Rating:
Price Paid: 125$

I've used it for one year so far from -30c to +10c and it works great! I'm in an intensive guiding program so I get to use tons of different stoves every week (and fix them and curse) and this one is by far the easiest, most reliable and hottest stove I've tried.

The fuel intake line is rather big so it does take a minute at maximum output to properly heat the tube and stop that annoying tiny little yellow flame coming from beside the jet. It doesn't change anything really, I just like it when it shines blue and red, it's a beauty on frozen mornings.

You can make it simmer thanks to the extra long fuel line. Give it a half-turn open for 2 seconds every minute or so and voila! The long fuel line is also useful for cooking indoors. You can put the stove outside and keep the controls inside.

That's where it loses its half star. There is really just 2 settings with this stove: full on or off. I guess this is the price to pay for reliability.

So if you need to convert cubic meters of snow in steaming water fast, look no further. After around 5 gallons of white gas burned the stove looks brand new and doesn't have the slightest hint of carbon in the lines. It never put out anything less than the first time I used it and I've never cleaned it, no need!

This is the last stove I'll ever own, I hope.

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