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XGK Expedition
Gear Review

XGK Expedition


Page Type: Gear Review

Object Title: XGK Expedition

Manufacturer: MSR

Your Opinion: 
 - 8 Votes


Page By: GuitarWIzard

Created/Edited: Mar 15, 2002 / Mar 15, 2002

Object ID: 170

Hits: 3835 


The stove of choice for expeditions throughout the world, the XGK burns any fuel from white gas to jet fuel, making it a great choice for travel, too!

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-shaped burner cup makes the stove extremely effective in cold temperatures and high altitudes

Multi-fuel stove burns white gas, low-grade kerosene, auto fuel, stoddard solvent, aviation (AV) gas, diesel #1 and naptha

Fiberfax(R) priming pad makes priming and lighting fuels quicker and easier

Cross-over pan wires lock snugly in place for stability, and remove easily for compact storage

Easily field maintainable with included cleaning tools

Large diameter, rigid fuel line allows poor quality fuels to burn well and requires less maintenance than smaller diameter fuel lines

Comes with aluminum windscreen, heat reflector, customized stuff sack and fuel pump

"Fuel bottle sold separately"

Cross-over pan wires lock snugly in place for stability, and remove easily for compact storage. Large diameter fuel line burns poor quality fuels longer and requires less maintenance. Comes with aluminum windscreen, heat reflector, customized stuff sack and fuel pump. Easily field maintainable with included tools. Specifications based on use with white gas.. Made in USA.



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GuitarWIzardUntitled Review

Voted 5/5

The choice of winter mountaineers, high altitude climbers, and expeditions worldwide. If you need a reliable stove that's easily maintainable and repairable, look no further. It costs more than many others, but you get what you pay for. The included windscreen and heat exchanger work very well, and boiling water in below freezing temps only takes 4-5 minutes....a couple minutes longer in extremely cold temps. The rigid fuel line may be an annoyance for some, as it takes up more room to pack, but this ensures less clogging. It also greatly aids in moving the stove and fuel bottle, particularly if you start the stove outside, and then bring it in your vestibule to cook. The stove is very easy to light, with a cutout in the bottom with easy access to the starter pad. The stove sounds like a blowtorch, and produces blowtorch-like heat. All in all, if cooking and melting snow are top priorities in subfreezing temperatures, this is the stove to get. Period.
Posted Mar 15, 2002 6:47 am

geoffcaseyUntitled Review

Voted 5/5

This is the mother of all stoves. I have had mine since 1994, and I just rebuilt it. This means that it lasted for 8 years without anything breaking, and never needing new parts. I often would take it apart while on a trip and fix any problems, clogging, or whatever. There are so few mechanical elements to this stove that can always be fixed. The fact that it can burn any fuel is a plus for international use though I only have used white gas.

It is also quite rugged so when crammed into a pack it won't get all F'ed up. The rigid fuel line is a plus because it seems to anchor the stove giving it a larger footprint, and it can be moved while hot.

The only drawback is it's on and off setting with not much of an in-between. You can simmer, though it takes a lot attention and knob control. It's really an art.

This is a LOUD stove, though I have learned to love the purrrrr of it as it is synonimous with good times in themountains. The siginiture sound also tells you audibly if it's running to full potential.
Posted Aug 2, 2002 11:36 am

ViatorUntitled Review

Voted 5/5

I've had two XGKs, only because my first one was stolen. I love these things, it's a piece of gear I know I can always depend on. It's light, utterly serviceable, reliable, and powerful. Some people don't like the rigid fuel line, but I find it makes the stove much more sturdy. It certainly adds to the reliability. It's loud, but not a bad loud. It's a loud that lets you know it's working, and that soon you'll have a nice hot meal.

Also, I don't find I have a problem simmering. Here's my trick: Put your frying pan down on top of the stove as a heat diffuser. Then place your pot on top of the pan. For me, it works like a charm.
Posted Oct 3, 2003 12:17 am

IdahoClimberUntitled Review

Voted 5/5

You want the best? Get the XGK.

I would strongly recommend getting a base for it. This is very helpful for cooking on uneven ground (The stove has a small base that makes it a little unstable to cook large pots)

Found that the large fuel bottles don't burn very well when the fuel gets low, have to switch to smaller bottles.

On a recent trip to Baker this was the powerhorse outperforming the Dragonfly and Whisperlite at least 2 to 1 on melting and boiling snow.
Posted Dec 9, 2003 6:16 pm

CoraxTHE expedition stove!

Voted 5/5

The one and only stove I would ever bring on any serious expedition. I have tried it with loads of dirty fuels and it has worked extremely well. Ecuadorian kerosine, Tajik diesel or Chinese low-octane gasoline; it haven't mattered much - it has always done its job. Of course the flame hasn't been perfect all the time, but I've been able to cook my food and melt snow.
When I used the first model, without the shaker jet, I got annoyed many times by cleaning it, but since the upgrade with the shaker arrived that problem has been solved.

I've heard people complain about some things with the XGK.
1. It makes too much noise.
Yes, it's a noisy stove, but for me that sound is the same as; food is coming - soon! That sound is a friend since many years back now :-)
2. You can't udjust the flame very well.
True, but hang on here...
It is a serious expedition stove and when I'm off for those, I don't cook up any elaborate meals. I want my food quickly and It's always simple meals. I never felt any need for adjusting it to a certain level. Full blast or nothing is fine.
Posted Nov 20, 2004 8:52 pm

climbxclimbNo contenders....

Voted 5/5

This Stove is amazing, it roars like a jet engine!
I used it in very cold weather -15F and it melted snow very quickly! It is not a sophisticated cooking stove, it is basically made to melt snow and boil water, and that was target when it was designed...
The best stove for serious conditions!
Posted Apr 3, 2007 11:12 pm

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