Actually, to be more correct, I?ve been bitten by the bug. Yesterday, for the first time in my adult life, I saw in the flesh as it were and held in my hand, a paraffin/kerosene pressure stove, and it was wonderful! I have memories of my dad using a Primus stove to brew up tea, back in the 60?s, but doubt if I was ever allowed touch the stove, so yesterday may actually have been the first time in my life that I handle a stove of this type. I was shocked at just how light they are!! The wondrous moment occurred in a small ?Bric a Brac? store just a 20-minute walk from where I live. Until last Sunday, I didn?t even know this store existed, so I?m feeling quite overwhelmed by the events of the past 3 days. The stoves in question (for there were 2 of these beauties) were in need of a good ?fettle? and both missing some pieces, but this in no way detracted from the spell they cast on this ?stove virgin?. Stove #1 was a 1-pint, fixed pan support Phoebus with a ?roarer? burner. It is missing the flame spreader and the pump is in need of a new leather. Stove #2 was a 1-pint silent burner Veritas with removable pan supports. It is missing the pressure relief screw / flame adjuster from the filler cap, and again in need of a new pump leather. There were no spanners, prickers or extras of any sort, just the 2 stoves. As I mentioned they could both do wit a good ?fettle?, perhaps requiring replacement of the appropriate washers and seals, but I?m sure they can be brought back to a working state with some care. The Veritas stove is similar to This although I think it is only a 1-pint stove. Whilst the Phoebus stove is like the small stove here, with the 2 punch holes either side of it. Again I'm sure it is only a 1-pint - or metric equivalent - stove. Now, the storeowner is a bit of a rogue, he is asking 40euro each for the stoves. So if I decide to buy them I?ll have to do some haggling. However, they are in the store, waiting for me. There isn?t much interest in this part of Italy for these stoves, most Italians wouldn?t even give them a second glance, and so I hope to get a better price on them. So, after all of this, I have just one question. Are there any known cures/remedies for this type of infection? [/url]
Not only is there no cure, but it's catching! If it ever gets to pandemic proportions the implications are frightening. Mrs. M., unprompted and completely off her own bat, just bought a stove.
His and Hers Stoves !! mmmmmm nice. Just wait, in before you can say 'pass us the paraffin luv' your stoves will be removed from their current shelf space, and be replaced with the wifeys!! This can only end in tears ... What stove did the good lady but then? Spudz
Hey, Spudz, As your friendly 18th century surgeon, I can tell you that Brother Ian is 100% correct in his prognosis for cure of this stove virus!! You can tell when the "bug" is in full bloom, when you find yourself saying things like, "Oh, look, another SVEA 123 (or, fill in with any other stove). I already have 14 of those, but hey the price is too good to pass up, so I'll buy it"!!! 8) Furthermore, the deeper the "bug" bites, the less you will actually SEEK a cure!!!! Have fun with the addiction, and welcome to the ranks of the affllicted!!!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
"Mrs. M., unprompted and completely off her own bat, just bought a stove" Sounds dodgey to me Ian, she is setting you up for something mate, don't trust women when they do things like that, it always costs you a lot in the end
Oh dear, Spudz!! Unlike other drugs, the 'stovie' drug has no cure. I have tried arm patches soaked in paraffin, petroleum and methelated spirits - but nothing has worked. My garage is now full of brass and I think I will have to move house to somewhere with a double-garage.
