question about coleman camp stove.

[vash]

i found a decent, fairly clean coleman camp stove at a thrift shop. they want $25 bucks. i dont know the vintage, but it is old looking, and the tank is red. looked like there was a mild grease fire because there is a black sooty swath running up one side.

would you buy the used one? or just pony up for a new dual fuel? my lantern is dual fuel, so it makes perfect sense to own a stove that uses the same fuel. are the old stoves strictly white gas? i assume they are rebuildable?

i have a propane stove..and with a hose adapter i run a 20lbs bottle.

i am thinking earthquake prepardness as well as camping trips. any advice?

[Hugh R]

You really, really want to only run coleman fuel in it. It uses pressure by pumping it up, and if you look you will see that the fuel supply line gets heated by the burner as well. Gasoline can make it explode.

[john70t]

Could be wrong, but the pump-up kerosene type seemed to store the most btus in the least amount of space.

[Rot 911]

Damn I can't believe the prices of new ones. I was going to tell you to just get a new one, but then checked the prices. $90.00! I don't think I paid $25 for mine new back in the '80's.

[GWN7]

There is very little that needs rebuilding on them. The biggest problem with them is people over fill them and they leak for a bit while it burns off.

[Les Paul]

For 25 bucks you can get a single burner propane system that is pretty darn good for the price. Detaches from the tank and way smaller and easier to store if space is a problem on trips. I took mine on my big 356 trip last fall then never used it.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Many years ago I switched from a pump up white gas unit to the propane type.

Much simpler way to go camping. Open stove, screw on bottle, push button, cook.

[Erakad]

I'd listen to all of them. When I was a Boy Scout, Scout Master, even we got rid of all the white gas stoves and went to only the screw on bottles. Used to be able to get a conversion kit from Coleman. $25 plus the conversion kit may be a cheap way out.

[RWebb]

yes, use propane unless you are camping in the cold, when only the gas ones will work well or at all

I still have my family's Coleman stove from the 1950's (or '60's?) - the cost a bit b/c Coleman is a class act type of company and their stuff will last a looooong time; they also will repair it or sell you parts for a pittance

[Evans, Marv]

I actually prefer the old version that burns white gas. I've tried to keep an eye out for a 3 burner but haven't found one. To me the propane stoves don't burn as long - at least it seems like it, plus you never know very well when the bottle becomes close to empty. A tank of white gas lasts for a long time. When I worked in the mountains, I would take 3 five gallon cans of white gas in to last for up to 4 months. That included everything: lights, cooking, showers, clothes washing, etc. After 3 months, I would have an unopened 5 gallon can still remaining.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I actually prefer the old version that burns white gas. I've tried to keep an eye out for a 3 burner but haven't found one. To me the propane stoves don't burn as long - at least it seems like it, plus you never know very well when the bottle becomes close to empty. A tank of white gas lasts for a long time. When I worked in the mountains, I would take 3 five gallon cans of white gas in to last for up to 4 months. That included everything: lights, cooking, showers, clothes washing, etc. After 3 months, I would have an unopened 5 gallon can still remaining.

we have them here all the time. here is one. i can mail it to you!! you buy..heck i may be driving down there soon.

3 Burner Coleman Camp Stove with Griddle

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by vash

we have them here all the time. here is one. i can mail it to you!! you buy..heck i may be driving down there soon.

3 Burner Coleman Camp Stove with Griddle

wow i have a two burner of simular vintage

[URY914]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

wow i have a two burner of simular vintage

So do I. Haven't used it for 25+ years.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

You really, really want to only run coleman fuel in it. It uses pressure by pumping it up, and if you look you will see that the fuel supply line gets heated by the burner as well. Gasoline can make it explode.

Coleman fuel is "White Gas". I think they use pure Naptha these days.

In the old leaded fuel days, if you put gasoline in, the lead would plate out and plug things up. I believe you can use "unleaded" in most camp stoves these days.

Camp Stoves and Fuel, Adventure Sports Online

Edit: If you choose the "Dual Fuel" Coleman, it will run on unleaded gasoline.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by john70t

Could be wrong, but the pump-up kerosene type seemed to store the most btus in the least amount of space.

100% correct.

[recycled sixtie]

I usually take it hiking/camping and with a small amount of white gas. A small container of white gas seems to go a long way.However one I had was temperamental . I was cooking in a chalet and next thing I saw was that it was flaming outside the burner ring around the fuel tank. I picked it up and threw it outside like it was a hand grenade. Mine tend to develop leaks so I tend to buy a new one every ten years. To me it is like bear spray, I buy a new one every few years. However I find bear spray canister is more reliable than the white gas burner. I would buy new but they are expensive.

[jyl]

Mine is just like the one vash linked to. Kind of finicky but you get the hang of it. Lots of heat, good wind block, plenty of area. Have made some yummy stuff using the old Coleman. For $25, buy it already.

[Mothy]

I have been using a dual fuel Coleman on unleaded gas for years - about 15 I think.

It finally failed on me this Christmas - it would not pump up any pressure. Kinda sad since nearly all our family meals were cooked on it during our annual 2 week camping trips. It had to be the cheapest cooker to run.

Maybe the recent trend to blend ethanol into the gas took it's toll - the pump might have a rubber seal.

Tim

[aigel]

That old thing will run on "dual fuel". It all is gasoline. I would probably spring in for a better looking used or a new one unless you can get that old thing for $5.

I find that the gasoline stoves deliver much higher BTUs, so if you are interested in cooking a large pot of water (crab boil, pasta etc.), you should buy a gasoline stove only.

I run my dual fuel stove and lantern with regular gasoline. I refuse to pay $8 a gallon for the canned stuff.

In terms of emergency preparedness and camping, the gasoline stove is much superior. If you hunt in the boonies, you sure bring spare gas anyway. If you have a huge earthquake and decide to wait at home for civilization to turn back on, you sure have gas in your tank that you can siphon out and use to cook and run your light.

G

[LWJ]

I chucked a couple of white gas stoves and moved to propane. I only see a benefit. I have been wrong before however.

Larry