Hot take: gas canisters beat white gas for cooking on the trail

I used to be all about my old MSR WhisperLite burning white gas on trips in the Sierra Nevada. The refueling ritual and the soot on the pot bottom felt like part of the experience. But last summer after a 3 day trip where I spent 20 minutes fiddling with the pump, I switched to isobutane canisters and never looked back. Who else made the switch and what pushed you over the edge?

3 comments

3 Comments

susan_wright3412d ago

Blew up my WhisperLite pump gasket twice in one trip lmao.

nora_park12d ago

@susan_wright34 user error, those things are bulletproof if you read the manual.

alicehernandez12d ago

Just tighten the gasket in a cross pattern a little at a time, dont crank one screw all the way down first. @nora_park is right actually, those pumps are tough but the manual says to do that step. I've seen guys blow gaskets on brand new ones because they got in a hurry. Also make sure the gasket is seated flat before you start, dirt or a fold will mess it up fast.