| I have used a Whisperlite for many treks and found it to be an excellent stove especially in the fuel consumption dept.
I have found that by starting with "0" pressure and pumping 3-4 times and maintaining that amount of pressure that I am able to cook on a low flame which I much prefer over a roaring fire. (You can't get a low flame if you use a lot of pressure and besides it wastes fuel) I work off of a 11oz MSR fuel bottle and can cook three full meals daily for a period of 10 days without refilling. I carry an additional 8oz as a backup but have never needed it because I usually reach a re-supply within that period. The above consumption is based on solo hiking/cooking.
One helpful hint--- The owners manual says to prime from the fuel source and when it is preheated, open up the valve and cook. I don't know if you have tried it yet but this action produces a lot of soot on the stove which gets all over your backpack. Instead I carry a little 2oz flip top bottle filled with denatured (isopropyl/rubbing) alcohol and just apply 3-4 drops to the prime cup and light. Within a minute the burner is preheated and the valve can be opened and away you go. The best part of this technique is that there is no soot formed on the stove and it is clean when you pack it away. I don't mind the extra 2oz if it will keep my stove soot free.
Enjoy your new stove ----- ITS A JEWEL ~!
Randy |