MSR XGK Stove

Rated: 5 by 24 reviews.

Mountain Gear

Building on three decades of expedition use worldwide, MSR has taken the time-tested success of the XGK Stove and made it even better. Now with a flexible fuel line that packs down smaller and attached, retractable legs that greatly improve stability, the XGK EX Stove is the next step in expedition stove technology. msrsale Because of stove fuel's volatile composition, Mountain Gear is not able to ship you fuel for use with this stove. Please check locally for the availability of fuel appropriate for this stove. Also, please be aware that liquid and canister stove fuels may not be transported via commercial airlines, or shipped without a Hazmat permit.

Features:

  • Attached, retractable legs and pot supports increase stove platform stability and allow you to use bigger pots
  • Burns an impressive variety of liquid fuel types including white gas, kerosene, and diesel; leaving you more options in whatever situation you find yourself in
  • Cleaning out your stove is as simple as shaking it with MSR's Shaker Jet technology
  • Curb your hunger faster with a boil time of under 3 minutes with kerosene fuel
  • Extremely durable with field maintenance capability
  • Includes fuel pump

REI

The stove of choice for expeditions throughout the world, XGK EX burns any liquid fuel from white gas to kerosene to jet fuel!

  • Improved design features a larger pot support and a flexible fuel line that can be wrapped up and stored inside a pot
  • Self-cleaning shaker jet has a built-in needle that pushes out built-up soot and debris with a simple shake of the stove
  • Bell-shape burner cup makes the stove extremely effective in cold temperatures and at high altitudes; now with feet that lift burner off the ground
  • Multi-fuel stove burns white gas, low-grade kerosene, auto fuel, Stoddard solvent, aviation (AV) gas, diesel #1 and naphtha
  • Fiberfax® priming pad makes priming and lighting fuels quick and easy while reducing spillage
  • Wide and sturdy pot supports handle continuous use with ease
  • Easily field maintainable with included cleaning and disassembly tools
  • Large-diameter fuel line allows poor quality fuels to burn well and requires less maintenance than smaller diameter fuel lines
  • Comes with aluminum windscreen, heat reflector, fuel pump and customized stuff sack
  • Requires MSR fuel bottle, sold separately
  • Weight of liquid fuel stove includes only stove and fuel pump

ProLite Gear

For over 30 years, MSR’s XGK has been the world’s most reliable extreme-condition stove, trusted by mountaineers everywhere. MSR's new XGK EX builds on that legacy. Like its predecessor, the EX boasts unrivaled performance, dependably burning a greater variety of liquid fuels than any stove on the market. It also features a new flexible fuel line that allows it to pack smaller than ever, as well as retractable legs and pot supports for superior stability—no matter where your next expedition takes you.

Specifications
Minimum Weight: 13.2 oz. (374 g)
Packaged Weight: 17.2 oz. (489 g)

Features:

  • (fuel bottle sold separately)
  • Compact: New flexible fuel line allows stove to fit in a 1.5-liter MSR pot.
  • Dependable: Easy to field maintain; Shaker Jet cleans fuel jet with a simple shake.
  • Extra-Stable: New retractable legs and pot supports provide unprecedented stability.
  • Multi-Fuel: Reliably burns more liquid fuels than any other stove.
  • Proven: No. 1 choice on expeditions worldwide.
  • Superfast: Boils 1 liter of water in just 2.8 minutes (using kerosene fuel).

Campmor

One of the most reliable, extreme-condition stoves with unrivaled performance, dependably burning a greater variety of liquid fuels than any stove on the market. Trusted by mountaineers everywhere.

  • Flexible fuel line allows it to pack smaller than ever.
  • Fits into a 1.5 liter MSR pot.
  • Retractable legs and pot supports for superior stability.
  • Easy to field maintain; shaker jet cleans fuel jet with simple shake.
  • Boils 1 liter of water in just 2.8 minutes, using kerosene fuel.
  • Wt. 13.2 oz.
  • Size: 3.70 in. H x 7.2 in. W

Oregon Mountain Community

For over 30 years, MSR’s XGK has been the world’s most reliable extreme-condition stove, trusted by mountaineers everywhere. Our new XGK EX builds on that legacy. Like its predecessor, the EX boasts unrivaled performance, dependably burning a greater variety of liquid fuels than any stove on the market. It also features a new flexible fuel line that allows it to pack smaller than ever, as well as retractable legs and pot supports for superior stability—no matter where your next expedition takes you.


Moosejaw (Spring 2010)

The XGK EX Stove by MSR features a flexible fuel line that allows it to pack smaller than ever, as well as retractable legs and pot supports for superior stability.


Marmot Mountain

The number one choice for extreme conditions around the world, the XGK is hands-down the most reliable stove in extreme conditions and high altitudes.

Average boil time - kerosene:3 min. 20 sec.
Average boil time - white gas:4 min. 56 sec.
Boil time (diesel), 1 liter:4.5 minutes
Boil time (kerosene), 1 liter:2.8 minutes
Boil time (white gas), 1 liter:3.5 minutes
Boiling time at sea level (white gas):3.5 minutes
Burn time (diesel) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fuel:170 minutes
Burn time (kerosene) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fuel:98 minutes
Burn time (white gas) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fue:109 minutes
Burn time - kerosene:UA minutes
Burn time - white gas:(100g fuel) 22.3 minutes
Cold weather use - kerosene:Excellent
Cold weather use - white gas:Excellent
Compact:New flexible fuel line allows stove to fit in a 1.5-liter MSR pot.
Dependable:Easy to field maintain; Shaker Jet cleans fuel jet with a simple shake.
Dimensions:5 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
Ease of operation - kerosene:Fair
Ease of operation - white gas:Fair
Extra-Stable:New retractable legs and pot supports provide unprecedented stability.
Fuel:White gas, kerosene, diesel, unleaded auto fuel, aviation gas, JP-8 and Jet 1-A
Minimum Weight:13.2 oz (374 g)
Multi-Fuel:Reliably burns more liquid fuels than any other stove.
Packed Weight:17.2 oz (489 g)
Packed size:5.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches
Pot stability:Excellent
Proven:No. 1 choice on expeditions worldwide.
Stove stability:Good
Suggested use:Backpacking/mountaineering
Superfast:Boils 1 liter of water in just 2.8 minutes (using kerosene fuel).
Total burn time (per 20 oz fuel bottle):109 minutes (white gas)
Type:Expedition Stove
Water boiled (diesel) per 1 oz. of fuel:1.9 liters
Water boiled (diesel) per 100 ml of fuel:6.3 liters
Water boiled (kerosene) per 1 oz. of fuel:1.7 liters
Water boiled (kerosene) per 100 ml of fuel:5.7 liters
Water boiled (per 1 ounce of fuel):1.5 liters (white gas)
Water boiled (white gas) per 1 oz. of fuel:1.5 liters
Water boiled (white gas) per 100 ml of fuel:4.9 liters
Water boiled - kerosene:(100g fuel) UA liters
Water boiled - white gas:(100g fuel) 4.6 liters
Weight (no fuel):12.6 ounces
Weight (without fuel):13.2 ounces
Similar Products:
MSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel StoveMSR XGK EX Multi-Fuel Stove$149.93 - $149.95
MSR XGK Extreme StoveMSR XGK Extreme Stove$149.95

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MSR XGK Stove Reviews Summary:

RatingNumber
of Reviews
516
45
33
20
10

Positive Reviews:

Good for Alpine Use

Rating:****
The stove will be hard to light under low temperature. The gas just doesn't evaporate, and you may need a long stick match or some additional lightning tools to light the stove. After a few times try, you will eventually get it.

The stove works great if you don't do gourmet cooking (poor temperature control). Good for backpacker and mountaineering, not for comfort trips.

The stove is hard to be clogged because of its thick fuel pipe, compared to other MSR stoves.

I had tried whisperlite and dragon fly before. This one is more stable and durable than the whisperlite. It is cleaner than the whisperlite, and as clean as dragonfly. But it is definitely durable and stable than the other two: less likely to be clogged and better support to pot and pans.

If you care more for the temperature control, go for dragonfly But if you care more about price, go for whisperlite. If you care durability and compactibility, XGK is a good choice
Weiwei Alpine at REI on 12/12/2008

Great Stove

Rating:****
This is not going to be a groundbreaking review, but like others have said, once this stove is on, it goes gangbusters. You literally can't hold a conversation and cook with this stove at the same time.

I was used to using the MSR simmerlite (despite it's name, it doesn't simmer either). This stove can easily cook for a group of 3 or 4. Boils or melts snow very quickly and is very stable compared to other stoves I've used.

I wouldn't say it's particularly hard to light as mentioned in a couple other reviews. But in addition to being loud, it uses quite a bit more fuel than the simmerlite does. I guess that is the trade off for being able to burn any fuel you can get your hands on. It's a bit heavier than some of the other MSR stoves, but it is considerably more durable.

I like this stove more than any other I've used. Definitely recommended!
Schell at REI on 12/12/2008

For when your absolutely positively have to burn something

Rating:****
As far as compact single-burner backpacking stoves go this one is heavy, but it's also unstoppable. I have been to the far corners of the Earth where camping fuel is not available (Tennessee) and can confirm that this stove really will burn alternative fuels if necessary. The legs and pot supports are wide and stable enough for most purposes, but if you're going all-out and setting up on the snow you can get an optional base plate to give even more support. When you start it up make sure not to give prime it with too much gas or you'll end up with some spectacular effects that could be catastrophic if you're cooking under a tarp or in a vestibule.
Christopher at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 05/04/2009

The Standard bomber expedition stove.

Rating:*****
This stove is bomber. It boils fast, and unless you're huge, it's sturdy enough to almost be a step-stool for getting to the top-shelf cookie jar. I took this all over south central AK, and it was our only stove at 17K camp on Denali. The design is wind-resistant, and it's even more solid if you add an Al screen. The wide arms and feet are really stable and a nice upgrade from the older models. As with all MSR stoves, everything is 100% serviceable and mostly field-maintainable. The only thing that isn't simple is flame control, but you can simmer fine if you clear the bottle pressure, pump it 5 times, and them light it.
Josh at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 11/03/2007

Very well built stove

Rating:*****
At first, the stove had some issues with temperature control, it was either full blast on off. I found out to simmer with this stove you only need to pump it 10 times and it provided the simmering temperatures desired, it does take some trial and error getting accustomed to the heat control. It does indeed burn any flammable fuel from gasoline to paint thinner with no issues in the fuel department. The sound emitted at full blast is not stealthy nor for a weekend camper, I find it a very well built stove with bullet proof design intended for the advertised application.
long rifle at REI on 10/10/2007

glad we own it.

Rating:*****
This is a wonderful stove. We had hot, boiling water for coffee in less than 5 minutes. Does it get any better? Still learning to cook with it - the burnt fired eggs wasn't the best...had no idea how fast it cooks things. When we got home we read some info online. Seems if you pump it half the time the directions state you will be able to have a simmer setting. Looking forward to using this lower setting next time we're out in the back woods. Sitll very impressed with this awesome little stove!
Heather&teofilo at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 08/12/2008

Invincible is the only way to describe it and the fact that it cooks pretty dam nice is just a bonus

Rating:*****
I'm no crazy person who's gonna be using this on the way to some far off summit but I do tend to do a lot of backwoods camping and this thing is great. Efficient in terms of fuel consumption, versatile in terms of fuels (like benzine, really?), and it's compact without sacrificing structural strength. For the normal backpacker this may be excessive but it'll pretty much ensure you wont need to buy a new stove for years to come, spend that little extra and buy the best.
Tyler at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 07/01/2009

Great Winter Stove

Rating:*****
The high heat output makes this my stove of choice for winter activities. I considered purchasing the older model until I saw the improved stability & flexible fuel line, a big plus when saving space in your pack. The noise level, when burning, keeps critters away. I'm currently burning kerosene but like the ability to burn a variety of other fuels. If you want to boil water quickly at all elevations & in all temperatures, this is the best. If simmering is your priority, keep looking!
Nathan at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 05/13/2009

not for beginer

Rating:*****
Not quick to write reviews I have on the stove for more than three years now with no complaints. However I use it in high-altitude winter camping mainly and only boil water with it. If this is what you have in mind for stove you'll find one that is no better suited for the task. However my first experience with the stove was burning a hole through an aluminum skillet i used to pack.
packing out at REI on 03/03/2008

Reliable at altitude or any season

Rating:*****
I have used several of these stoves, including twice daily for four month periods as a backcountry ranger. I can make a Liter of fuel last two weeks, cooking twice a day. A very fine touch enables a simmer, wide open boils water quickly in a covered pot. Trustworthy in subfreezing temperatures in winter at altitude - works every time. Field maintainable! No one questions the XGK, other than a bit of noise.
J MUIR at REI on 07/07/2008
Show all positive reviews...

Neutral Reviews:

great stove for blacksmithing

Rating:***
I got the MSR to try it against my most excellent Brunton Optimus Nova. I was attracted by the multi-fuel capability and its claimed bullet-proof performance. What I under-estimated was how limited a range the stove would afford based upon its design to perform in alpine situations. The stove lights and vaporizes fuel quickly, allowing the user to boil water in a matter of minutes. What it lacks is any kind of effective control on the flame intensity aka fuel feed. This stove seems to be capable of only ON and OFF. The lack of sensitivity in fuel feed valve located on the pump also leads to problems with delayed reactions to any adjustments one tries to make with the fuel feed and, when the valve is full closed, always leaves an ounce or two of unused fuel in the fuel line that invariably goes to waste and creates for messy packing and storage. Would be that hard to put a secondary simmer valve like the one on the Dragonfly on the body of the XGK?

Get this stove if you want a blast furnace for boiling water/melting snow that burns anything from rocket fuel to 2% milk. Don't get it if you want a camp stove you can cook on.
Captn Willard at REI on 09/09/2007

Good Heavyweight for the Extremes

Rating:***
I bought this stove specifically for that fact it is good for windy, high-altitude cooking and for its ability to burn almost anything. It definitely lives up to MSR's claim to burn anything flammable, but I have been using Kerosene (fastest boiling time) and it works ok. It is rather difficult to light, and you could never use it in or around your tent, but once it gets going it sounds like a jet engine boiling your water. Not the choice for the casual weekend camper, better for the high-altitude adventurer.
mastephens at REI on 09/09/2007

Sounds like a JET engine

Rating:***
Decent stove, sounds like a jet eninge while in use, if your trying to keep animal life away its a good choice. I prefer the whisperlite have used it for years and never lets me down
Imasdj at REI on 12/12/2007