The MSR Windburner Stove is a top performing integrated canister stove system. The unmatched quality, durability, and speedy boil times make it one of the most sought-after stoves on the market.
In this MSR Windburner review I lay out the key differences between the MSR and Jetboil stove systems so you can pick what’s best for you.
Having been a Jetboil fan since 2005 I didn’t think I would ever use anything else. My Jetboil followed me around the world. From 18,000 feet on Thorong La pass to cranking out cups of hot coffee at the office, it never let me down. Well, almost that is.
There were 3 things that I didn’t like about the Jetboil system,
- Durability
- Wind performance
- Poor warranty and product support
DURABILITY
While I had been using Jetboil stoves for the last decade I most certainly had a few wear out on me. I say wear out because in all honesty, I used them A LOT and always felt like I got my monies worth out of them.
But it begged the question, could you build a more stout and durable Jetboil?
Yes, you can, it’s the MSR Windburner!
When you compare the two side it is clear the MSR has a more stout feel to it. The Jetboil always had a bit of a wobble where the stove connects to the fuel can. In fact, just below that connection is where my Jetboil started leaking.
The MSR Windburner has a more pronounced connection eliminating the majority of wobble. More metal, more drop protection, and just overall feels tougher.
WIND PERFORMANCE
Wind has plagued camping stoves since the very beginning. While the Jetboil did make big strides in the wind department, it was still far from perfect. It was essential to provide shelter from the wind or your boil times would double or even triple.
The MSR Windburner has solved this problem. The integration between burner and pot is almost completely sealed. Making this stove one of the most efficient on the market.
COMPANY SUPPORT
THE IDEA THAT BETTER, SAFER, MORE RELIABLE EQUIPMENT IS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING GREATER ADVENTURES. — MSR
MSR just plain stands behind their products like no one else. A small Seattle based company built on the backs of real outdoor enthusiasts. It’s truly a company you can be proud of supporting.
My most recent Jetboil developed a gas leak that you could somewhat mitigate by putting some side pressure on the unit. A little scary to say the least but I was able to finish the trip. The response from Jetboil was unapologetic, “here’s a 20% percent discount code.”
Well, I don’t know about you but with a quick google search, I can find 20% off in about 3 minutes. No bueno Jetboil!
Having used a lot of different stoves and other MSR products over the years, I can assure you they stand behind their products.
MSR WINDBURNER SPECS
| Weight | 15.3 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.5 x 7.1 in |
| Boil time 1 liter | 4.5 |
| Burn time 8 oz canister | Approx. 95 min |
| Water boiled per 8 oz canister | 18 liter |
PERFORMANCE
Performance wise I think the two are very similar as long as you keep the Jetboil out of the wind. The published boil times differ a little between the two but in my real-world testing, they are very close. The Jetboil is usually about 10-15 seconds faster on a 4 min boil.
I should also mention that both the Windburner and Jetboil offer models that can simmer which is a HUGE improvement. Older versions do not have this feature and are typically SUPER HOT or OFF making re-heating a meal a miserable experience.
The MSR Windburner also has a great selection of larger pots and even frying pans to handle more complicated cooking tasks. Check out the video below to see the new frying pan in action.
DISLIKES
Now it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t mention a few things I don’t like about the MSR Windburner.
- No push button ignitor
- Neoprene sleeve around pot seems to get hotter than Jetboil
- More expensive
I also must give props to Jetboil for making what I consider an ideal pot shape. The problem with these systems is they typically use a tall and narrow pot that precisely fits the fuel can making for a compact kit. This however, makes it difficult to eat out of unless you have long utensils. Nothing a long-handled spork can’t handle.
You can see below how the Jetboil offers the same 1 liter pot but in an easier to use shape.
CONCLUSION
Obviously, I prefer the MSR Windburner over the Jetboil for how I use these stoves. If durability and heavy use are important I would recommend the MSR.
For less frequent use you may be better off saving a few bucks and going Jetboil. Either way I am confident you will be very happy as they are both excellent stoves.Have you heard of Glamping?
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