You should get a new filter replacement. Mold produce branching hyphae (like roots in a plant) that have likely caused microscopic damage to the membrane. I had giardia this summer and trust me, it is not worth the risk.

Also, you might want to inspect the O-ring. If it is cracked (and they do crack over time), you will not get the proper suction and the filter won't work.

This question is "What is the difference between pressurized fuel stoves (Aka "canister") and liquid fuel stoves?"

Canisters (like the WindPro) are gas under pressure. Liquid fuel stoves (like the Simmerlite) attach to an empty bottle that you fill the fuel with yourself. Here are some benefits of each:

PRESSURIZED FUEL/CANISTER STOVES (Ex. WindPro)
- Stoves themselves are generally cheaper (= cost up front)

- Because the fuel is under pressure the gas already comes out as a vapor and is ready to safely burn, so you don't have to prime it, which can be tricky for beginners and is an extra step (= ease of use, quicker to food)

- Because the canister is already under pressure, you do not have to pressurize it yourself by hand (= ease of use)

- Because you don't have to prime the stove, you will not get black soot all over you or your stove (= cleaner)

- Because you don't have to manually pressurize the canister, it is more uniform the flame can be adjusted MUCH more than that of liquid fuel for simmering things. (= more cooking versatility)

- If you are going out for trips that you cook less than 7 times, the overall weight (stove + fuel needed) is less than most liquid fuel stoves, including the Simmerlite. (= lightweight)

BENEFITS OF LIQUID FUEL STOVES (Ex. SimmerLite)
- Fuel is cheaper (= cost in the long run)

- White gas is easier to find outside of the U.S. (and you can't travel with fuel) (= more versitile if traveling)

- Because you can open the fuel bottle, you always know exactly how much fuel you have and you can bring only what you need rather than one full and one partly empty canister (= peace of mind, possibly light weight)

- Because you fill the bottle on your own, you do not have to dispose of, or try to recycle (sometimes difficult) the empty canister (= can be more eco-friendly)

- Because you buy your own fuel bottles, you can attach different sizes for different trips and carry only the amount of fuel you need (= can be lighter)

- If you are going out for trips that you cook more than 7 times (or you need to boil snow for water), the overall weight (stove + fuel needed) is less than most pressurized fuel stoves, including the WindPro. (= lightweight, more efficient)

- Liquid fuel stoves perform MUCH better under cold (below 30) and high-altitude conditions (above 11,000). If you are going to be somewhere freezing AND high altitude much of the time, it is a much better choice. (= more versatile)

There are some exceptions to the rules and some tricks you can do to improve certain aspects of them, but these are the basics, and the difference comes down to what YOU will be using it for.

You can safely use any canister (Brunton, Primus, Jet Boil) other than Gaz and Snow Peak on the pressurized MSR stoves. Gaz will not fit at all (different connection), and Snow Peak will fit most of the time (ever-so-slightly different connection), but I have seen Snow Peak canisters leak while on other brand stoves, and that can lead to a scary situation if your stove it lit!