Alright, headed to Rainier in a few months. My MSR pocket rocket did ok on Shasta last year but while dreaming of higher peaks in the next few years (Peru/Kenya/Acon), I have decided to upgrade my stove system. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna buy the XGK so I don't have to worry about finding canisters overseas. Now what I cannot decide on is what cookware to get. I currently have the MSR Alpine 2 pot set but the stainless steel is unnecessarily heavy. Looking to upgrade to aluminum or Ti. Do any of you have a good suggestion on a complete ultralight combo of cookware for at least 2 people. I've been looking at Snow Peak and MSR but there seems to be so much to choose from. Double vs single....Ti vs Aluminum...My first thought is: XGK/2-11 oz. fuel bottles/MSR Titan Kettle/2-Snow Peak Ti mugs. I don't need a full kitchen, just the basics for melting snow and cooking up some descent dinner. Suggestions are welcome...

XGK is a solid stove, I bought mine second hand years ago, and it was 15 years old then. After a professional 'cleaning' it looks and operates as if it was brand new. For Rainier, however, a Pocket Rocket is my choice for late spring through early fall trips.

As far as cookware, I am generally disapointed in the selection available. I find a single, 1.5 liter aluminum pot to be ideal for alpine climbing with 1-2 people. I dislike titanium due to its high cost, poor durability, and poor heat conduction (= longer boil times and more fuel used). I also dislike steel due to its high weight. Aluminum seems to be the best blend of low weight, low cost, high strength, and good heat conduction. Sadly, it is hard to find a nice, simple, uncoated/unanodized, aluminum pot. I have never found mugs/tea pots especially usefull (I always bring one Nalgene bottle and use it for a mug). I do like having a light fry pan on long trips to make pancakes and what not.

For fuel containiers for my XKG I have a single, 8oz MSR fuel bottle. If I am out for more than one night, I bring extra fuel in plastic containers. MSR sells their premium white gas in plastic containers that are perfect for this. I thought about using a Platypus water bottle to carry extra fuel, but after I analyzed the chemical resistance of the materials to the constituents of white gas, I decided it was probably not good for the stove.

ExcitableBoy...Dude, you're all over the place! Thanks for the the info....

Yeah, I am a vertible font of knowledge. One more tip, if you can, buy the XGK used as cheaply as possible. I have taken two old, non-working MSR XGKs for repair/cleaning. The first one I got back I could not tell what was original, the entire thing, fuel bottle, stove, and pump was brand new. All for a $35.00 cleaning fee. That stove belonged to a parnter and after I had it refurbished, he wanted it back.

So I bought myself a used, beat up, non-functional XGK. I walked into MSR (MSR/Cascade Designs/Outdoor Research are all a short distance from my office in Pioneer Square). I explained everything that I wanted fixed (new pump, new pan wires, new shaker jet, good cleaing. The dude reaches into a bin, pulls out a brand new stove, pump, and windscreen and hands it to me. Price: $35.00.

I was sold on my first XGK back in 1979. I have owned only two since then. My first lasted me up till 2004.

Get to know your XGK, clean it properly after each use as one would their weapon, doing all prescribed periodical maint yourself and it will last you a lifetime.

PS: Don't forget the different larger JET with you if you go international. You are gonna need the larger one for burning lower grade thicker thicker kerosene Jet fuel & Diesel type fuels one will find overseas. If I remember correctly, there were originally three different sizes available for the XGK. Now one only needs the two. Standard and then the larger.

From my own personal experience the XGK is a solid stove for melting snow but, in my opinion, a bit overkill for something like Aconcagua depending on the route your plan to take. Whatever stove you go with I've had good luck with Ti cookware like that available from REI. Also, if you haven't used them before you can save a lot of fuel just melting snow until it's cold water then treating it with Aqua Mira drops instead of burning fuel bringing it to a boil. We use these drops all the time on Aco to the point where I only used one liter of fuel up the Polish Traverse route for two climbers. Of course, selecting food to take that doesn't require water helps too.

http://www.rei.com/product/764182/rei-t ... t-13-liter

http://aquamira.com/consumer/aquamira-w ... atment-2oz

The XGK is a rocket and is best used for melting snow & boiling water. It does not have the simmer option so using it with the Titanium pots might not be best for cooking. Your food will get burned real fast. Your MSR non-stick pots might work best with the XGK. Another option is the Dragonfly International. I have had the MSR Dragonfly Intl. for six years now. It has the simmer option and is not far behind the XGK in output. It burns everything including cloudy white gas from some random farmers in Peru to crappy Russian gasoline. I should note that after burning the Russian gasoline, my pump got clogged. Just disassemble and clean like the others have said.

When selecting pots, you might consider the fit of an MSR heat exchanger. It may be my imagination, but they seem to work pretty well, but have a limited adjustment range for pot size.
We used the new XGK, heat exchanger, and a black, no-stick MSR pot to melt and boil snow on our Denali trip. I wanted a bigger pot but decided to go with this "system". Worked great.

I've had the Whisperlight since forever (don't remember how long but it's been more than 20 years) and the thing has been completely reliable and bombproof. For those who own it, what's the big benefit of the XGK? It looks like it may be a little sturdier. Does the boxy thing around the burner make it more windproof?

JHH60 wrote:For those who own it, what's the big benefit of the XGK?

Solid, reliable, puts out a ton of BTUs. Really, the Whisperlite and Dragonfly are just as functional in most circumstances.

ExcitableBoy wrote:

JHH60 wrote:For those who own it, what's the big benefit of the XGK?

Solid, reliable, puts out a ton of BTUs. Really, the Whisperlite and Dragonfly are just as functional in most circumstances.

Sorry, I meant "benefit compared to Whisperlight" (which, it sounds like you agree, is also solid, reliable and puts out a ton of BTUs). Not questioning that the XGK is good, just wondering whether there's some reason to indulge my gear whore tendencies in the future.

JHH60 wrote:

ExcitableBoy wrote:

JHH60 wrote:For those who own it, what's the big benefit of the XGK?

Solid, reliable, puts out a ton of BTUs. Really, the Whisperlite and Dragonfly are just as functional in most circumstances.

Sorry, I meant "benefit compared to Whisperlight" (which, it sounds like you agree, is also solid, reliable and puts out a ton of BTUs). Not questioning that the XGK is good, just wondering whether there's some reason to indulge my gear whore tendencies in the future.

I understood what you meant. If you already have a liquid fuel stove, I wouldn't buy another one. Whisperlite will work as well as the XGK for most situations. XGKs are nice for Alaska where you are spending a lot of time melting snow, but unless you are planning on spending a lot of time there, the Whisperlite will get you by.

I've had a Whisperlite International, used an XGK and now own a Dragonfly.
I'm still using the MSR Alpine XPD Cookset that came with the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger easily pays for its weight in fuel and burn time if you're going on anything longer than a weekend trip at near freezing temperatures.

The Dragonfly is nice to have for recreational use, it's made with the same disign as the XGK but with added components to allow it to simmer, but more parts equal more potential issues. It's also pretty bulky when compared to the Whisperlites.

The XGK is simply a blowtorch that will burn anything including brandy. It's loud! not very popular when used in a refuge. I've seen it spewing a foot high blue flame when burning kerosene, keep an eye on your pots, they'll start glowing pretty quickly once dry.
Basically the XGK is a snow melter specialist.

I could get a new pot, but why, I only bring the 1.5L pot and lid when going light and they're all in good shape (minus an XGK burn on the 2L).
Don't forget a platform to hold the stove and pot, all depending on what terrain you get)

Good overview Luc. As for stove bases, here is a fairly brilliant design, ideal for expedition and group cooking: http://www.bradleyalpinist.com/cart/ind ... ohboov4i17

I have an old XGK (really old, looks hand-garage-built) that is outstanding, needing only a gasket from original condition to be useful (loud & super-hot!). Before I got smart and bought the original XGK, I bought a new one slightly discounted (still expensive). Cross-compatability is okay between the two (fuel bottles and pumps 100%, tiny gut parts less-so).

XGK is why a person wants a titanium pot of 1.5L to 2.5L. If your pot boils dry from neglect, a Ti pot will glow almost white. No problem. Just let it air-cool and you will get a rainbow and some non-destructive bottom distortion. Aluminum pots get a burner-sized hole, and the stove gets blobs of aluminum on it. This one reason why a Ti pot is worth the price. They aren't really lighter than a stupid-light aluminum pot, but at the same weight are significantly stronger. Ti is non-reactive to acid foods.

I see criticism of the XGK simmering as about the same as internet-repeated criticism of the Ruger Mini-14. It's a sign that people are unwilling to use the tool correctly. Get a steel tuna can to set above the XGK burner, put your Ti frying pan on that: instant heat-speading. The US Military has some SS heat spreaders that do the same thing at 100x the price and 20x the weight. XGK's did great work in the 'Stans, burning the "whatever" fuels available. Even back in the 'States, Kerosene is the best fuel: not dangerous. Buy a pint of 99% alcohol at the drug store or use a piece of waxed paper to pre-heat.

White gas and Kerosene are THE fuels to use in very-cold high-altitude places, or where compressed gasses on your back are likely to make you a human torch. Per pound and per volume of fuel (even per dollar), you get more water boiled. Only a tiny sacrifice in instant-on convenience is asked compared to gas cartridges. Amazing performance compared to found-stick fires (although I carry a small ti stick-burner, too).

Stove Base: flat aluminum lid, from free pile. ~8" diameter with center ring. Useful in the pack, as a fire-starting air-mover, clean spot to set cup or cut food, and as a general reflector. Similar material source would be thick aluminum from disposable aluminum pan used in food service. Free, with food residue, behind restaurants.

Keep eyes open at thrift stores in PNW for Ti pots. I just found a Snow Peak Trek 700 filthy & missing lid for $0.79. Bodum Coffee Press fits that diameter!