I've had my MSR Whisperlite stove for over 3 years, but (gasp) I have never officially cleaned it. How often should I clean it, and what does that entail?

Kari Greene
Seattle, Washington

Expert Answer:

If you've been using clean, good quality white gas, the stove should still be fine unless you've put many gallons of fuel through it.

If it's a shaker jet model, the jet should be clean enough. If its not a shaker jet model, use the cleaner wire in the MSR Whisperlite Maintenance Kit (which comes with instructions) to clean the jet. Definitely read the instructions!

Internal cleaning is required if diminished performance continues after cleaning the jet. Another indicator is if there is no strong jet of liquid fuel when it's fully pumped and you open the valve to fill the priming cup for lighting. However, without these signs, I'd leave the rest of the burner as is, because once you start pulling the cable from the fuel tube, you run the risk of dislodging stuff that can then repeatedly clog the jet. If you pull the cable, you must remove the jet as well, then reconnect to the tank and open the valve to flush the tube and cable with lots of liquid fuel. Do this somewhere that splashing fuel will not be a fire hazard or environmental hazard. Check the pump — a slight push and counterclockwise twist will unlock the pump piston assembly and let you check for dirt inside and allow you to flush it out with fuel. Lightly oil the piston, replace if it is hard and dry.

Depending on how often you disconnect the stove from the pump, the O-ring inside the connection on the pump may be deteriorating. There is a spare in the MSR Maintenance Kit.

Again, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MAINTENANCE KIT, and if in any doubt at all about doing these jobs properly, send the burner and pump (not the tank) to MSR for servicing.