Which MSR fuel bottle: 11 oz, 20 oz or 30 oz? A comparison by weight and burn time
Many people hesitate over which fuel bottle size to choose when using an MSR gasoline stove. ULCompass published a clear comparison based on weight and burn time, so here is a summary.
First, why choose the genuine bottle. The bottle threads are designed specifically to match the stove's pump, which prevents fuel leaks when pressurised. With third-party bottles, even a slight mismatch in the threads raises the risk of leaks or parts coming apart, and MSR does not cover damage caused by non-genuine products. The article also notes that the bottles are extruded from aluminium in one piece, so the base and shoulders are naturally thicker, which adds strength.
The specs are as follows. The 11 oz holds 325 ml and weighs 126 g in practice. The 20 oz holds 591 ml and weighs 180 g. The 30 oz holds 887 ml and weighs 223 g. When burning gasoline in a Whisperlite International, the 20 oz gives about 110 minutes of continuous burn according to MSR's published figure, while the 11 oz is roughly 60 minutes and the 30 oz roughly 165 minutes. Note that the 11 oz and 30 oz figures are estimates based on volume ratios, and real times vary with temperature, wind, altitude and flame setting.
The author suggests that for solo trips a light 11 oz is the default, while larger groups or elaborate cooking call for the 20 oz. The 30 oz suits long traverses and winter mountaineering, but it is correspondingly heavier.
For ultralight hikers, a difference of a few dozen grams matters, but the idea of working backwards from the number of days and people to the amount of fuel needed, and avoiding a bottle that is too big, is a useful takeaway.
Source: ULCompass
First, why choose the genuine bottle. The bottle threads are designed specifically to match the stove's pump, which prevents fuel leaks when pressurised. With third-party bottles, even a slight mismatch in the threads raises the risk of leaks or parts coming apart, and MSR does not cover damage caused by non-genuine products. The article also notes that the bottles are extruded from aluminium in one piece, so the base and shoulders are naturally thicker, which adds strength.
The specs are as follows. The 11 oz holds 325 ml and weighs 126 g in practice. The 20 oz holds 591 ml and weighs 180 g. The 30 oz holds 887 ml and weighs 223 g. When burning gasoline in a Whisperlite International, the 20 oz gives about 110 minutes of continuous burn according to MSR's published figure, while the 11 oz is roughly 60 minutes and the 30 oz roughly 165 minutes. Note that the 11 oz and 30 oz figures are estimates based on volume ratios, and real times vary with temperature, wind, altitude and flame setting.
The author suggests that for solo trips a light 11 oz is the default, while larger groups or elaborate cooking call for the 20 oz. The 30 oz suits long traverses and winter mountaineering, but it is correspondingly heavier.
For ultralight hikers, a difference of a few dozen grams matters, but the idea of working backwards from the number of days and people to the amount of fuel needed, and avoiding a bottle that is too big, is a useful takeaway.
Source: ULCompass
Comments 0
Leave the first comment, in any language.
Log in to comment