How to use MSR Dragonfly stove

This video describes how to use the MSR Dragonfly stove. It's weight (not including fuel bottle and fuel) is 14.1 oz and it retails for about $150.

[@myronhorvathsk]

Good video Stony. I think I'm going to be getting one of these for Moto camping, what I currently have takes up more space and is heavier especially when accounting for the fuel it uses. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[@1pollock405]

A few observations if I may. 1. When you attach the pump to the fuel bottle the white fuel pickup tube should be curved away from the pump body so that it touches the sidewall inside of the fuel bottle opposite of the control valve. This allows it to use all of the fuel in the bottle and also allows the use of the flip stop method. 2. The flip stop method is when you Purge the fuel line and excess pressure in the bottle by turning the bottle over with the valve facing the ground while the stove is running and both valves are open. This place is the fuel pickup tube in the air pocket at the top of the fuel bottle and feeds that air into the line purging the line and the fuel bottle, The stove will run for about another minute when this is done and you can continue cooking while this happens. After about a minute the stove will go out on its own and you will hear air coming out of the stove until the pressure is fully released. Now the fuel line has been purged and there is no pressure in the bottle. Be sure to remember to close the pump valve when you're done. 3. Leaving the fuel pump attached to the fuel bottle is perfectly safe, I have done it for years with no leaks or problems. 4. If you want to keep your stove clean and looking pretty you can prime it with yellow heat gas line antifreeze found it any gas station. Yellow heat is pure methanol which is a clean burning alcohol that leaves no soot or black tarnish on your stove. Just squirt a small amount and the priming area of the stove and operate it as normal. I hope this helps and have a nice day.

[@patrickbuick5459]

That tip #2 is new to me after decades with my stove. I learn something new all the time. Thanks!

[@nathanferrey4486]

These are experienced and educated points. That being said, the mixes you buy at the gas station aren't solely methanol. I test the composition of these for work and they contain nasty stuff like glycols and glycerin that I don't want on my cooking setup.

[@patrickbuick5459]

I'll add to Pollocks points. 1) I bought mine for backpacking. It now doubles as a heat and cooking source during power outages. I'd rather have decent cooking and save weight elsewhere when backpacking. 2) The pump compresses air in the tank, which is why you can't fully fill the bottle. You won't get pressure or much time out of the pressure if there isn't enough air space. You will find the pressurization lasts longer the lower the fuel. 3) The fuel is fed as liquid until it hits that vaporization tube that you pre-heat. When the fuel hits that hot tube, then it vaporizes and increases in pressure as a result and feeds the flame. 4) I recently discovered people hate the noise. There is an aftermarket flame diffuser you can get that reduces the noise. 5) It may be heavy, but I find liquid fuel goes so much further. I guess one could use the smaller fuel bottles for shorter trips. 6) Since this was meant as an international stove, the ability to use other fuels becomes very important. In different areas, different fuels are available. You can't count on white gas or propane canisters, but gas (petrol), diesel, and kerosene are pretty common even in less developed countries. 7) Simmering is helped by closing the bottle valve a bit before using the stove valve to adjust the flame. I had to replace a pump after decades and probably a storage accident, causing it to crack. That apparently was an issue with the older pump design. Otherwise, it sits, ready to go.

[@bhut1571]

Have a Dragonfly and Whisperlight International from 28 years ago. Using the Dragonflly tonight for some canoe camping; it always sounded like a rocket taking off. I alway carry a small snort of methol alcohol for priming the Whisperlight. Cheers from Northern Ontario.

[@sethkoertner1341]

Rinsing rice helps it cook cleaner. You don't get the foamy bubbles that make a mess and cook over

[@justinlynch6691]

I don't mess around at all with the priming step. I give as much fuel as it'll take without burning down my site, and I check my re-opening the valve every couple seconds to see if it's creating a jet yet or not. Priming takes 15-30 seconds max. I haven't encountered any particulate issues yet, and burning nothing but naptha I don't think I ever will.

[@user-rv8mw6je6x]

Just subscribed for honesty about quitting your job haha. Cheers!

[@robertdewalt8711]

I use small Msr fuel bottle with stove, I use the larger bottle to refill smaller bottle. Smaller bottle I find more consistent when using stove.

[@travelwithbeardbawa9429]

Thanks for the information stony

[@nathanferrey4486]

Rinsing rice can lower heavy metal concentrations and decrease the starch in the water. That being said, starchy water is great for some recipes. If cooking rice alone I'd rinse it.

[@tonybrown7847]

Helping you to quit your job bro. Keep making more vids please

[@lucasmoraes3218]

Doing my part for you to kit your job!

[@kritsada1971]

Thanks Sir this video helps me easier to buy msr Dragonfly.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

It's only 2 to 2.5 ounces heavier than the WhisperLite which can't let you cook, just boil. I can't image why they boil only sell. Thru-hikers where every ounce matters I guess but normal backpackers should go with this one. It's lets you actually cook, not just boil water for 2 more ounces lol. Great vid. Thanks.

[@jackass5088]

So the main advantage of white fuel stoves comes when it gets very cold out, below 0c, where canister stoves fail. The Whisperlite is used more for boiling water/ rehydrating foods and not cooking

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@jackass5088 Yeah. You just re-worded what I said. :D I picked up a NOS dragonfly from ebay.

[@charleswinters7129]

If you pump the whisperlite less then what they recommend it will simmer. It is easier with the dragonfly but it can be done with the whisperlite.

[@carlabrams5072]

I've just bought a new Dragonfly stove - still waiting on the bottle, so not tried it yet. However, when I unpacked, I note the stove wick is not attached close to the base on both sides - one end of the wick is loose. I've been Googling & YT but can't find reference - not even mentioned in the MSR maintenance vids or included in the Expedition Service pack.... Then I found your video and noted your wick is also not attached both ends. Have you experienced any problems? Ta.

[@ashab1]

My whisperlites is removable I would only bother using it with kerosene or diesel, kerosene is fine and arguably safer in cold climates. It is sooty though especially priming. Never tried diesel but it’s an option in an emergency. I personally mostly use 4 stroke engine fuel Aspen 4 or Stihl 4 or kerosene in the winter primed with meths.

[@michaelchan4811]

You rinse the rice to remove the starch which eliminates that chalky taste.

[@jayk3784]

상향식 저소음연소캡잇써요

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Yeah I don't think you'll be quitting your job until you get thousands and thousands of subscribers haha and that takes working many hours making content masses want to watch and you wont quit your job, you'll just work a different one, that's all haha.