Hello,
I purchased an Optimus Hiker No. 111C back in April of this year and used it for the first time this past weekend. First I must say that I have been using many camp/hike stoves for many years and have much experience.

This weekend, while on a camp trip I lit my No.111C for the first time, following the directions to allow the wick to saturate and pre-heat the burner assembly. Once that extinguished, I tried to light the stove . There was a small problem though in that orange flame was still coming from the rear of the outer cap, at this point I assumed there was something in the fuel jet so I quickly opened the burner spindle, and closed it. When this happened the stove erupted into flames, and I quickly shut the spindle but flames continues to erupt to nearly 1 meter high. I doused the flame using water, in fear the stove was going to explode. I assumed the problem was from a leak in the jet or the inner cap as described in the instructions. I shut the stove spindle down and used the multikey to check the jet tightness. It was tight. I checked the inner cap and it was pressed down. The fuel in the stove was Coleman fuel with the proper jet. The heat was intense enough to blister the paint on the top of the stove.

I am disappointed with the operation of the stove and feel there must be an error somewhere I am unable to locate. I would still like to have this stove because it is the proper size for my needs but am unwilling to disassemble the stove for fear of voiding the warranty. Please let me know what can be done in this matter.

Regards,
Bill Otten
12245 83rd Way N.
Largo, FL 33773

res0958z@verizon.net



Note: I just took a close look at the stove to try to figure out what is wrong....I checked the tightness again of the burner spindle, the jet, checked the needle to see if it rises/falls, etc. I then refilled the stove and immediately upon starting to pressurize the tank fuel begins to spill from the jet, even without opening the burner spindle. Open it up a bit and fuel shoots up like a geyser (I don't have the outer cap on at this time) but there is NO POINT AT WHICH THE JET WILL COMPLETELY CLOSE!! This cannot be correct and represents a huge hazard. This stove has not been used prior, I purchased it in April but had not used it until this weekend. I cannot recall whom I purchased it new from. Reading the instructions under Burner maintenance in step 14 it mentions that "Turn the spindle to a full right again. Make sure that the valve is fully closed by, for example, pumping up a good pressure in the tank - no air should escape through the jet. If air escapes, the position of the cleaning needle must be readjusted. Follow paragraph 11 above but reduce the number of teeth to 'skip' by one." I'm certain this needle must be maladjusted which is allowing fuel to escape (such as air would as described), but I don't feel comfortable trying to make this adjustment.

As you suggest it sounds very much like the cleaning needle rack needs setting up correctly. With a bit of trail & error it is not too difficult. You don't even need to keep replacing the jet or light the stove every attempt. When you have it right the air or fuel will not come out when the needle rack is at the bottom position - a stroke or 2 on the pump will confirm this. If air or fuel does come out from the burner release pressure & try again. I think it is easier to see you have it right with fuel in the tank but watch out for naked flames!

Bill,
Without a receipt or not remembering were you bought the stove is not going to help you much in the warranty area.
I have two suggestions. First contact Optimus via their webpage. They are now owned by Brunton.
http://www.brunton.com
Explain to them that you feel the stove is out of adjustment and that you had a flare up. No need to get dramatic or go into great details. They are a good company with a solid reputation. Most likely they will ask you to ship it to them to make the necessary repairs or give you a possible replacement. If not they will give you the name of a dealer to take the stove to for repairs.
The second is to do it youself. It is really an easy adjustment but, if you feel unsure you are going to have a repair center look at the stove. I bet Brunton replaces the stove no questions asked.

Good Luck,
Chuck

As Chuck says Brunto have a good reputation. They became distributors for Optimus in 2000 - not sure if the 111C was still in production then but it would be worth contacting them. I think it has been mentioned on the forum before that some users of these stoves have had them come with the needle maladjusted from new.

Chuck - What's this about Brunton owning Optimus? I know Brunton are owned by Swedish company AB Silva but certainly last year when Brunton contacted me they were only North & South American distributors for Optimus, rather than owners.
I know Primus have recently been acquired. Do I need to add more to the Optimus history page as well?
Cheers,
Ross

Ross,
In my haste I forgot that Brunton was a distributor for Optimus gear not the owning company. I found the link between the two while poking around the http://www.optimus.se website where I found the link to North America as http://www.optimususa.com/.
Brunton was really not much help with the older Optimus 80 or 8R's they directed me to http://www.packstoves.com
You are exactly right. The Hiker 111c was most likely manufactured by Optimus but, distributed here in America by Brunton. Sorry for the confusion.
Chuck

Hello All,
Here in the states there is an outdoor mail order catalog that sells everything from 'Used Swedish socks' to 'New Tiffany style lamps' The catalog is always a hoot to read and they are a rock solid company. I have received many a replacement when I received a worn surplus item and complained.
Here is the link to the Brunton stove I got confused with the 111c
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=71125

Chuck

I called them today and they had received my email, had responded already although it hadn't made my mailbox yet. They agreed there was probably a malfunction or maladjusted part, and offered to replace the stove, just as you had mentioned.

This confirms the reputation Brunton/Optimus has that you told me about. First rate customer service and warranty, most pleasant to encounter because not all firms work like this (although they should). I like a firm that stands behind their product, and it gives me confidence in my initial choice of a Brunton/Optimus stove. And to all who assisted me with answers here on the forum, thank you for your insight and help.

Bill

...not a small problem, especially since it seems that others have had a similar problem. A petrol-burning appliance with a tendency to become engulfed in flame as soon as you light it is a dangerous proposition, more dangerous than the general hazard of liquid fuel inherent to all the classics, especially the petrolburners.
The tradition of the "Swedish hand grenade", in Harvey Manning's phrase, is alive still!

HI.

Spiritburner is correct about the cleaning needle rack needing proper setup.

The 111c has a simular if not identicle burner as the Optimus 11 explorer or even the 199 explorer. Cobra burner to be exact.

I do like my 111c somewhat more than my 199, as it is housed in a better case/frame (even if the 111c's case is larger) than my 199s.

Unlike the 199's. The 111c's give one good access to the spirit cup.

The only drawback I find with the hinged lid optimus stoves is the utterly cheap paint they use. Hense the tendency for the paint to chip off and metal rusts.

For the price of the 111c here in Canada 300$ I would
certainly expect the case/frame to be made of stainless steel, or a tough light weight brass.

thanks for the chat

yt

Northernflame.

The Optimus 111C still is the stove of choice with many " Bushplane" pilots in Alaska and Canada because the stove will burn plane fuel from their downed plane if need be and has a plaform big enough for larger pots used to melt snow in winter. ( MSR type stoves don't have the base for a 8 or 12 liter stock pot) 111 stoves are still a great stove , it's just hard to " Trick " someone into packing it on a winter trip!! I call my 111B , " The Blue Buick" as it weighs as much as one!!!! ( OK , maybe not , only 58 ozs.!!!!!)