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Review: MSR XGK EX

Like a ’68 Mustang, this no-frills multifuel burner is about as subtle as a swift kick to the cargo pants. Its performance could be measured in decibels, so it’s no surprise that the demon cooker brings serious heat in a hurry: When we cracked two eggs into a briefly heated pan, the white of the […]
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Rating:

7/10

WIRED
Convenient match slots. Boils faster than an anger-management dropout, under 3 minutes. Intense flame decreases wind worries. Seven-inch diameter great for wider pans. Definitely the best blaze for the buck
TIRED
Can't handle butane. Difficult to regulate heat (not for the simmer-loving gourmet saucier). No fuel canister included. Gas guzzler. Fold-up windscreen is dinky.

Like a '68 Mustang, this no-frills multifuel burner is about as subtle as a swift kick to the cargo pants. Its performance could be measured in decibels, so it's no surprise that the demon cooker brings serious heat in a hurry: When we cracked two eggs into a briefly heated pan, the white of the first egg set before the second even hit the Teflon. While mid-range flame variety was slim, we managed to tone things down enough to prep a solid meal. At 17 ounces, the XGK's not exactly a lightweight, but its legs fold sensibly to create a super-packable device.