MSR Windburner Group Stove System
Editor: Katjarina Hurt
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Just the facts:
For backpacking adventurers and group campers dreaming of more than freeze dried meals, the WindBurner Group Stove System delivers a quality cooking experience in the backcountry, maintaining its performance even in windy and cold conditions. The windproof and pressure-regulated stove system features a 2.5 L sauce pot for 2-4 people to share a simmered feast, and the pot’s ceramic-coated surface offers nonstick performance and easy cleanup. The stove is optimized for all WindBurner cookware, allowing for a range of cooking styles. The compact system nests perfectly inside its pot without rattling, to keep packs quiet on the trail.
Features:
Windproof Performance: 100% primary air combustion, enclosed design & internal pressure regulator work together to maintain performance in windy & cold conditions.
Multiuse: 2.5 L ceramic-coated nonstick sauce pot (serves 2-4) features an enclosed, heat-capturing ring for simmering & cooking versatility.
Compact Nesting: Perfect, rattle free nesting with an 8-oz MSR® IsoPro™ fuel canister (sold separately).
Stable: Self-centering pot fits WindBurner stoves’ deep lip for increased stability.
Features:
- Radiant burner with boil-to-simmer control
- Pressure regulator for consistent performance
- 5 L ceramic-coated aluminum nonstick pot
- Strainer lid with locking latch
- Folding Talon™ handle
- Room to nest optional 8-oz MSR® IsoPro™ fuel canister (sold separately)
My Story:
I was so excited to try out this amazing stove system that I packed it up and hit the trail without practicing at home. Oops! After hiking all over Ancient Lakes (near Vantage, WA) I found my stomach grumbling and only a freeze-dried meal left buried deep in my pack. Although the Windburner is intended for much more than boiling water, that was my first test of the stove and it passed with flying colors! First off, remember that I didn’t practice with it at home? I found a nice place to stop and make a meal and stared at all the pieces with mild concern, wondering what I was supposed to do. I had seen the image on the original box and it seemed that common sense would prevail, so I carefully began attaching one piece to another until everything looked right. It took a moment to figure out the right flow for the gas and where to place my lighter, but with some trial and error I succeeded in getting the stove going and quickly had boiling water and a delicious hot meal after several miles of desert hiking.
Since that first experience, I have grown to love this stove system! I can boil more than enough water for a group of hungry hikers, it is great for melting snow for filtering water, and I’ve been learning great meal tips from other backpackers. Getting to cook a fresh, hot meal in a pot that serves as a perfect dinner bowl and is easy to clean = win!
And, true to the WindBurner name, this stove holds up beautifully to adverse conditions. Some wind kicked up during one use and the stove kept right on cooking without needing a protective shield. In snow camping, I kept the fuel canister warm overnight as advised, and had no issues with getting the stove going in the morning.
Find it here:
What could be done better:
I noticed that the metal legs at the base of the stove got incredibly hot during cooking–so much so that they can melt the surface of a plastic picnic table if you aren’t paying attention. Not sure if a different material could offset this or if MSR could include some kind of “hot pad” or protective base layer to help offset the heat transfer.
4.5 Stars!
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Functionality
(4.5)
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Value
(4.5)
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Ergonomics
(4.5)
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Durability
(4.5)
