A Coleman 443, triple burner suitcase stove, aluminum case with red wings. No date stamp found, but apparently these, like their 'little' 2 burner sister the 442, were only produced for 1 year, 1963. Aluminum frame and wings are very thin, which contributes to her light-weight. Very attractive stove but takes up a lot of real-estate. For size comparison, on the right is the 2 burner model 442 and upfront an Optimus 22B. The 443 measures 7" x 28" x 14.5" or 2800 cubic inches (in cm: 18 x 71 x 37 = 47 250 cubic cm). Top view, with aforementioned stoves and one of Coleman's smallest 2 burners, the 6-J (Canadian Coleman). Like most Coleman double burners, the top lid is easily removable when not required (large pot, indoor range, no wind, etc). Unscrew the little bolt on the inside left panel. Pop out the pin on the right side. Outside view of the winged support holding pin that pops into frame side. Red Diamond hard plastic Coleman logo on outside top of front panel. Her thin but broad legs can be deployed when in use, a simple push out from inside of case and she sets in place. These give the stove a good 1.5" (2 cm) of clearance off the ground and decent stability. Double red angled wings supported by clothes hanger-like wire support are adjustable, but don't need to be deployed (user discretion). Both side burners' lighting and subsequent flame intensity controlled each by their own winged spindle, recessed just inside the frame (doesn't pull out) Upper right opening is the slot fitting for the wings' wire support. Between middle and right burners, on burner support frame, the model number 443. Manufactured by.. When packed up for transport or storage, the fuel tank is stowed under one of the 2 flip-up sturdy and heavy grates. Large surface area can support two camp ovens; a camp oven and pot; or 3 pots (stove is not lit). No priming required, just pump, turn the lever up as directed and light. After a minute, turn the lever down and start cooking. Thanks to the wide burn radius and fuel used (Coleman fuel) these output a lot of heat. After tea made, turned on the other 2 flanking burners. A great basecamping stove for large groups, ever dependable, simple, huge cooking area, great pot support, decent fuel volume, good wind protection, many cooking options, light for her size and very attractive. Some of her few negatives: size - this one is huge, so despite her relative weight it's not one to take canoeing or out on the trail without motorized support. Needs a large suitable flat surface to deploy, and best suited for large groups, car camping, basecamping and hunt camps. Like most >=2 burner Coleman stoves, when one or both of the non-primary burners are used the amount of fuel reaching the main burner is reduced and the flame suffers. But there's still adequate heat to cook (and/or bake) up anything required. Her fuel tank volume also suffers, it has less capacity than the 2 burner 442 due to the interior layout restriction caused by the primary burner's generator assembly. Regardless, it'll still sufficient to burn for a few hours before refueling is needed. Her aluminum body also is prone to dents and the little frame wings on her top lid are weak where they attach to the main stove's frame (easily bent).
Hey pulsar - they are fairly common in the US, I was surprised no one had posted this model yet in the gallery. I don't think they were sold in Canada (but I don't know for sure). Forgot to mention the only thing she needed to get running was to remove the pump rod and oil/flare out the pump leather. It had dried/shrunk so you couldn't generate pressure with it. The previous owner had replaced the fuel cap with a new one, so its gasket was fine. Another advantage of these stoves: the case frames don't rust. Anyone know why Coleman discontinued these models? Expense? Or where they done to commemorate some milestone in Coleman's history? I wonder if they thought about designing/manufacturing a single burner in a case akin to the Optimus 111 line (but aluminum with red side panels...).
I think that they were canned because of the aluminum itself. Pain to clean and easily bent. They do look pretty, though. Did you find that locally ??
i have only seen pictures of them. there is only one 2 burner aluminum case coleman on ebay right now that i could find, and it is something like $120 shipped. if i could get my hands on a 2 burner and somehow fit a brass tank on to it, it would probably be about my perfect suitcase stove
Hi Weasel - no, this one came from the US, $45 if memory serves (late 2012). The small paneled grid pattern of the aluminum does make it more work to clean versus flat steel (ditto with the 442).
that's a beauty, and makes a 22b look like a toy i think us europeans would have to re-think what a family tent and a family car look like to fit it in though
Hi SM. Nice stove, havent seen one in the flesh either. That is a beast to be able to fit two ovens on it is pretty handy. Thanks for posting.
I have 3 of the aluminum stoves....2 of the 443's and 1 of the 442's. Just been too lazy to get them photographed and put up here. Bought the 442 several years ago off fleaBay for like $25. Beautiful used condition but no one else bid on it. Then, it took UPS to badly dent one corner of it....It was well packaged too with 1" thick house insulation that they managed to flatten. Only took them 4+ months to pay on the claim. I wouldn't use them again. Not even to ship a gram of my dog's ashes. Also bought one of the 443's off fleaBay for like $50 delivered. It was well used but not dented and should clean up fine if I live that long. The other 3 burner came from our local Goodwill store. Walked in several hours late one day to get any of the so-called good stuff, and here this one sat in its original aluminum-like covered box. Used but not the much....No rust or dents and only $8 out the door. Haven't seen but that one in this area before or since.
nice stove - who needs a posh multi-thousand dollar outdoor kitchen when you have one of these? :-) willie on the single-burner Gulf of Mexico
I really like the 22's, they are excellent stoves and much more conducive (size/durability) to canoe camping/portaging/etc compared to the Coleman's 2 burner offerings. Their surface area is small yet still relatively heavy stoves (beefier cases). They are better suited to smaller groups (and cars), when mobility is required and/or less pack space available. But when you gotta do those corn and crab boils on the same stove, hard pressed to beat one of the Coleman monsters.
I have a 442 and the control for the second burner does slide out so that it can be accessed without worry about inserting your fingers into the potentially very hot hole; I'd be very surprised if yours did not pull out. I suspect that they may be rusted/stuck in the in in position. Also, the screw/nut combo on the right side of your lid is not original to the stove. There should be a screw/aluminum stud on both sides of the lid. All in all, nice stoves.
