Hi all. I recently became enamoured with the castellated look of the Shmelb 2 and 3 stoves, and so picked up a NOS #2 off Ebay. What an excellent blast furnace! However, it is not easy to operate with precision: - full flame control is achieved with only about 1/16 of a spindle rotation - the flame varies widely as the tank changes temperature All in all, I was quite frustrated as I made shakshuka for breakfast this morning on the back patio. Any suggestions for better operation? Or is this stove simply a winter snow melter? On a related note, from the pictures I assume it was priced at 50 kopek in 1990. My grandfather could read and speak Russian, but I can't - what else is printed on the preheat cup? Thanks alot Tim
I have both and I'm really satisfied with them. Both are not only snow melters, but yes, you need a calm hand for regulating. Maybe the pressure was too low? They are build bomb proof, only the rubber at the pump is worth to be changed against a leather cup. How often has you cooked with it? Sometimes it needs some time to 'learn' the stove... Sorry, I cannot help with the kyrillic letters. Ciao, Bastian
@Timothy Epp I don’t own a Schmelb but from the symptoms you describe I wouldn’t be surprised if it has the same issue the control spindle had on THIS stove, a Russian Prim Compact. The spindle tip had too obtuse an angle, allowing too much fuel through at small openings of the valve. Optimus control spindle left, Prim’s on the right. Solution, which made a world of difference with a very controllable and reliable simmer, was to silbraze an additional piece onto the Prim spindle and form a tip with a much shallower angle. John
Oh, thats interesting. That reminds me on the valves in the newer MSR pumps... I have to take a look, how the spindles in my Shmels look. Ciao, Bastian
May be the best report about russian stoves: Мифы и сказания о примусах "Шмель". Жизнь — все новости (вчера, сегодня, сейчас) от 123ru.net Automatic translator would help you.
the price was 17 rub 50 kop, it was about 30$. spindle control is the excentric and steel ball or cone valve. your stove was made in 1990y at Frunze (Bishkek now) "предприятие В-2331 министерства судостроительной промышленности СССР" or "завод физических приборов имени 50-летия Киргизской ССР", "ОАО ТНК Дастан" now Главная Туристический примус “Дастан”
Thanks for the translation @gideon - I'm pretty sure I own nothing else from Kyrgyzstan! The article was very helpful @pau-i-amor. Seems like I have the ball-bearing style of regulator, which must be very sensitive (like me!). Also, nice of the author to reference your pump technique. I guess I'll overcome my frustration, and try a few more meals this week. Despite all, my 17yo son thinks it pretty cool. If it becomes regular user, I may need some spare parts. Any source for a spare pricker or jet? Thanks alot Tim
@Timothy Epp I love this soviet stoves!!! My favourite is Shmell1 (a Phoebus 625 clon) A spare pricker, jet or other spare part is easy to find in Europe. Feel free to call me if you need any Shmell spare part.
Thank you @pau-i-amor . What about the Shmelb 1 is your favorite? As I've cooked a few more meals on my #2 this week, the spindle has become less "jerky". This allows for more precise control, so that's good progress. I encountered another slight problem this morning: the pump wouldn't catch any air. Maybe the O-ring contracts in cold (7C) weather? I had to warm it in my hand before it would pump. I expected this stove to work in -35C! Tim
Ok, a replacement o-ring from the box of spare parts seems to have done the trick. However, I'd like o-rings that were made in this current millennium, so I'll probably give the notching technique a try. @Harder D. Soerensen , thanks for your experience with the stove - very encouraging. Tim
