Multi fuel Stoves such as MSR Dragonfly and MSR XGK

[GB2013]

Thinking of buying a MSR multi fuel stove.

Can anyone tell me if these would be capable of supporting a cast iron griddle plate approximatey 32cm in diameter for BBQ food and how they would perform if constantly heating the cast iron plate for say 40 minutes.

In addition the pot supports look very flimsy. Is there any accessories out there for more robust supports ? Cant find any on internet.

Any help or advice appreciated.

 

[Andy BB]

Do yourself a favour - get a Primus Omnifuel or multifuel, or older Optimus Nova! Much more solid and no probems with iffy plastic pump.

 

[Goatboy]

Just be carefull that the hotplate isn't reflecting too much heat onto the fuel bottle or BOOM it's flying sausages.

 

[Imagedude]

I'd go for an optimus 96

 

[rg598]

The MSR stoves are great and have proven themselves over the decades. That being said, if you are looking for a stove to function as a barbecue, you might be better off getting one that is designed for car camping that is already built for that purpose. Maybe something like this: https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...=X&ei=2sDlUaqOHYv-4AP-joG4Bg&ved=0CLkBEPMCMAc

 

[bigroomboy]

I have the MSR dragonfly, great stove if noise is not a concern. As Andy says some have had pump issues but not me in 5 years. Also note above risk of overheating fuel bottle. One advangtage of the MSR pump being plastic is that such overheating would more likely melt the pump causing a large fire rather than explosion. That is one reason MSR give for sticking with plastic pumps.

I have had a huge stew pan on mine prob 6 kg full with no problems they are stronger than you may think.

 

[David Morningstar]

Big griddles work fine under camp stoves. This is me using one on top of an American classic, the Coleman 502:

Either of the MSR stoves you mention would have plenty of power to get it up to temperature, although it does take a while. To do this for 40 minute would be no problem, the tanks would be absolutely fine. The current model of XGK has very robust feet and pan supports. I cant speak about the Dragonfly as I dont have one but I doubt it would have any problem handling the weight. The current MSR red/black pumps are very servicable, the older versions were not as good. My older model XGK stove has the new pump and I have no issues with it:

[video=youtube;bQ6jHb2-Hdc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ6jHb2-Hdc[/video]

 

[rik_uk3]

I'd go for an optimus 96

Nice stove but too small a fuel tank for extended cooking and the stove is very narrow to support a DO, not great for balancing a big heavy pot. A 210 would be OK or a 45.

I'd go the Primus Omnifuel route too, solid stove burns gas too. Its a remote feed so the bottle won't get hot.

 

[Teepee]

Primus Omnifuel will do it, mine runs for hours at full chat with big pots.
It will also run on gas which is a big plus and it simmers well.

Don't consider the Primus Omnilite Ti, the pot supports are too flimsy for anything heavy.

Any stove similar to these will give you a hot spot though with cast iron as its a bad conductor of heat.

If you want a super tough stove that you don't want to simmer stuff on and just have limited flame adjustabilty and want to use dirty fuels, the XGK fits the bill IMO.

 

[rik_uk3]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMMER-RI...pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item35bdaa1ba7 Well worth getting if your simmering big pots for a while.

 

[Andy BB]

nice spot Rik - another 2.89 spent!

 

[The MAX]

I had a Dragonfly, which was a good stove as you could control the level of flame to a simmer if need be.

That being said, I've got my trangia and honey stove and I'll never look back. Having to pump up the stove every 10-15 mins, plus the horrible loud sound it made really made it no fun to use for me. It also wasn't very compact.

My 2 cents.

 

[rik_uk3]

"Having to pump up the stove every 10-15 mins" You must have had a slow leak somewhere.

 

[mayobushcraft]

"Having to pump up the stove every 10-15 mins" You must have had a slow leak somewhere.

Or you have to much fuel in it. liquid doesnt compress so less fuel means more compressable air volume.

 

[rik_uk3]

Or you have to much fuel in it. liquid doesnt compress so less fuel means more compressable air volume.

Agreed, but as this was by the sound of it an ongoing problem I'd look for a leak.

 

[The MAX]

It was a brand new stove, I think I was more so paranoid about it going out. How often do you normally have to pump them?

I also found that if you had to pump it while the stove was on, it was difficult to keep the stove still. Anyway, few things I didn't like. I'm much happier with my honeystove and trangia.

 

[David Morningstar]

Once it is running, if you find you need to pump it up again to maintain the same power level then you have an air leak. None of my many pressure stoves need any topping-up in use.

 

[rik_uk3]

It was a brand new stove, I think I was more so paranoid about it going out. How often do you normally have to pump them?

I also found that if you had to pump it while the stove was on, it was difficult to keep the stove still. Anyway, few things I didn't like. I'm much happier with my honeystove and trangia.

You won't harm the stove pumping as much as you like, same for pressure lanterns.

 

[bigroomboy]

I always pump to the max then never have to touch it again unless I'm doing a long slow cooked stew.

 

[BigMonster]

A bit late but may be helpfull to someone. DO NOT BUY MSR XGK stove! Very well made and reliable stove. One problem, only have two positions: full rock melting blast ande off. No flame control in any way. Great for fast snow melting in the alps but useless for proper cooking...