Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Cleaning Whisperlite stove
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TechnoScout |
Any ideas about how to clean off the carbon buildup? It is not a functional problem, just an issue with getting carbon all over me when I set it up and tear it down. Back in the day, carburetor cleaner would have done the job (I think), but these days, carb cleaner has lost its potency due to whatever reason. |
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TechnoScout |
butthead: "TechnoScout: "I have a Simmerlite that has never been cleaned. I will do a before and after on that." Citric acid soak gave only marginal improvement from the pictures I posted above. I am quite happy with the results. Now I need to master the alcohol priming method. Also, I think I will carry a Scotchbrite pad and wipe down the legs on a regular basis. |
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TechnoScout |
butthead: "WHendrix: "Was that on purpose ?" Why do you remove the shaker needle? |
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butthead |
As I use only Coleman or Crown fuels and filter that, little jet clogs have occurred. I also prime with alcohol most uses. butthead |
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gotwins |
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butthead |
To prevent the soot/carbon buildup use alcohol for priming. butthead |
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gotwins |
another tip, once you get it cleaned off, prime the stove with denatured alcohol. It burns clean, gets the generator loop hot, then start the white gas once it's warm. I have a small squirt bottle to carry the DN alcohol in. if it leaks or spills, no big deal since it's essentially everclear. no bad smells. |
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gotwins |
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TechnoScout |
I knew about the alcohol primer but have not been motivated to try it since my stove is already so dirty. |
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butthead |
gotwins: "um, I should have read Butthead's reply fully before responding. LOL!" Hey such is my lot. The Everclear is a much better idea as I use meth alcohol stove fuel, POISONOUS! A lot better mixer. butthead |
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gotwins |
I met Will Steger last February at a fundraiser and asked him why he took the Whisperlite on his expeditions Vs. the Dragonfly. He said, "well, the whisperlite is a lot more quiet." If it's good enough for Will, it's good enough for me. |
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butthead |
butthead |
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WHendrix |
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TechnoScout |
gotwins: "I'd like to take this opportunity to speak of my love of the MSR Whisperlite. Bulletproof stove. Easy to fix and clean in the field. Never has let me down. Mine is from ~1994 (standard white gas, not International), purchased at Midwest Mountaineering when I was a Sophomore at the U. Still rips a hot flame now 26 years later. I hope that someday my kids will want to steal it from me for their own adventures! I also got lucky, I'm still using the original pump, the gray and black one. I also own 2 Dragonflys that get more use these days so I can simmer, but if I could only choose one desert island stove, it probably would be the Whisperlite. DItto. When I am camping with someone else...I hope they stay asleep until I get the stove lit and water started. It is a magical experience. Whisperlite |
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butthead |
TechnoScout: "I have a Simmerlite that has never been cleaned. I will do a before and after on that." Because cleaning inside the burner is out on the Simmerlite, I use a different method. CLR soak. Maybe citric acid soak will work, but CLR does for sure! Shown is a WindPro same basic stove and burner. butthead |
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TechnoScout |
Have not tried citrus wipes yet. Any recommendation on a good one to buy?? |
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gotwins |
TechnoScout: "I made some progress using Hoppes gun bore cleaner. When I fix up the old colemans, I disassemble and soak the parts in a citric acid solution. I got it in the canning section at the store. I’ve taken my whisperlite apart too, it’s pretty simple. I’d take it apart and soak it in the acid overnight. |
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TechnoScout |
gotwins: "TechnoScout: "I made some progress using Hoppes gun bore cleaner. Sounds like a plan. Thanks |
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butthead |
WHendrix: "Was that on purpose ?" I was experimenting with how much heat I could get so you could say it was intentional. Turned out more than I wanted so I went back to as sold, minus the shaker needle. I use good filtered fuel so the jets rarely clog. And the stove runs a bit better without it. Same for all my shaker jet stoves. I have a pile of MSR stoves and lots of parts to experiment with, or set fire to my garage! "Have not tried citrus wipes yet. Any recommendation on a good one to buy??" I have used, with good results, PowerHouse Orange Citrus Multi-Purpose Cleaner Wipes - 35 CT a household cleaner and a bunch of shop/automotive wipes, Gunk, Gojo, Tub-O-Towles and no-name. butthead |
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gotwins |
TechnoScout: "I ordered some of this. Will arrive tomorrow. Looks like the stuff I used. If you dissasemble the stove to soak it, I'd use about 1/4 cup in a quart of water as a starting spot. Throw the parts in that mix, let it soak overnight, then use a bit of steel wool or a wire brush to knock off the soot. Rinse well under water, then dry the parts thoroughly. Take a photo and make us all jealous showing us how shiny your stove is :) |
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TechnoScout |
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gotwins |
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TechnoScout |
Citric Acid |
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Fizzle |
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arm2008 |
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rdgbwca |
TechnoScout: " Before and after shots would interesting. |
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TechnoScout |
gotwins: "TechnoScout: "I ordered some of this. Will arrive tomorrow. Stuff arrives today. This morning I took the stove apart in anticipation. Went ahead and cleaned the main shaft using Hoppes...just because. It came out pretty clean, but I am still going to soak in citric acid. I will post pictures. |
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rdgbwca |
gotwins: "TechnoScout: "I ordered some of this. Will arrive tomorrow. I have well water. I have been using vinegar every couple of months to descale my coffee maker. Apparently this will do the job too and probably smell a whole lot better. |
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TechnoScout |
rdgbwca: "TechnoScout: " I should have done that. Here is a shot after cleaning with Hoppes. Limited improvement on the bowl. I will post after next step |
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gotwins |
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TechnoScout |
rdgbwca: "gotwins: "TechnoScout: "I ordered some of this. Will arrive tomorrow. Me too. I have used vinegar and H2O2 to etch pc boards. It works, but it is slow. Maybe...if the citric acid does not yield...I will use vinegar ad H2O2. |