spirit channels

Dave,
I have spirit channels on a couple of my stoves. A Valor 55 and a Petromax 100. Seems as though these are on silent burners. The end is crimped on the spirt cup side. The Petromax has a wick on the crimped end. Not sure if the crimp is there to hold in the wick or part of the design to create an upward draft. As the spirt burns out in the cup the channel acts as a wick to funnel a small flame at the burner end. This way you can light the burner without using a match or lighter. They don't work in any type of wind but, in a sheltered area they fire the burner up nicely. You don't have to have them and it seems to be common that these small parts are often lost. Keep an eye out at old antique shops maybe they will appear in the drawer of an old desk etc.

Chuck