Hello all, I am new to this forum and new to stove collecting. I started with old Coleman lanterns, and now my fascination has carried over into the classic stove world, from the posts I have read already it only seems to get worse. Anyway I inherited my first stove from my father A Coleman 425B, and I bought my first one a few months ago A Coleman 413G. My main question is… are there any major functional differences in the old stoves that have the cylindrical tanks vs. the newer red metal gas tanks. In addition, I hate to repeat posts, but I was unable to find any clear answers, are there any Coleman stoves that are functionally superior, any glory years of coleman stove production, or personaly favored model numbers, (subjective, I know, but I ask anyway). Accurate information has been difficult to find, and any help towards getting me started is appreciated, thanks Nate
Hello Nater, Welcome to CCS. Basically collection of stoves is with the collector himself who perhaps likes to collect vintage stoves, aesthetics, age, and makes. For myself, I collect small stoves (for camping, fishing, or just to fix up where the end result is normally the satisfaction of getting the stove back perhaps to near pristine conditions or just plainly getting it to work). Some perhaps because of it is unique. Others as you will learn do a little more than just fix it up, fabricate perhaps a unique case, or in recent posts change how the stove looks e.g. color, burner caps etc. So it will be up to your taste as to what stoves you would want to collect. Their functionality thought is the same use to cook food or heat a pot of coffee - perhaps the way the stove is operated varies according to manufacturer. Read up on some articles here and you will get an idea of the varied stoves members have collected over the years. Hope this helps.
Nater: You are opening the Coleman collectors can of worms. All have merit to some. It is as you stated above a subjective matter of preference. I like pre 1930. Lots of folks find these stoves heavy,clunky,ugly,hard to find parts/accessories for and difficult for daily use. I find them jewels of history and their eccentrices just endear me more. As Ron said read learn and discover your own preference. The gas tank design was changed simply to ease production and cost. Welcome aboard. Mike,,,
Welcome aboard!! I sure you will get a variety of responses re favorites. I will state that the Coleman 500 and 500a are by far my favorite single burner "using" stoves. I guess the 502 would be next. Though I have a few in my collection I have never been big on multi burners. Good hunting! Gordon
Hey, Nater, Welcome to CCS! If stoves "light your fire", then you have found your home, here!! All of the older Coleman stoves are worth collecting, and most of them will amaze you with how little it takes to get them up and running. Have fun, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
For what it's worth, I've seen a fair few of the red tanks with terminal rust, while the tubular tanks were (I'm told) an alloy of some sort that isnt nearly as prone to this. I've one of the tube types of indeterminate age that is in great shape. Which ever, dont panic, an adult with a full set of info will be along shortly.......welcome aboard, too!
Nater, Welcome aboard- you've done it now , fell down the stove rabbit hole and into the wonderful world of stoveness - there's no escape so enjoy the ride I have done the post WWII Coleman stove route but the pre-WWII cast iron manifold colemans are the best IMHO And then there are the American Gas Machine and Prentiss-Weber flavors and on and on and on.... and if your like me you'll get hooked on the fabulous brassies and it's all over then, make more room in your shop Tom
Hello, I think the difference in the older tanks vs the newer red ones is in the manufacturing. The red ones seem to be crimped and stamped where as the older round ones have been machined and soldered. The 413G is a dependable workhorse. Dragged out of garages and barns all over the US. A fresh tank of fuel and tests for leaks and they are off and running. They are in my opinon for reliability comapreable to the SVEA or Optimus 123. They just plain work. I wouldn't goto a meet without my 413G as I know it will do the job. Chuck PS Welcome ! And no you are not sick, you collect stoves and lanterns. Some people collect cars and wives. I find the later to cost less in the long run !!
Welcome! Speaking as an old user and new collector, my interest is more than passing as I live in an area prone to hurricanes and subsequent power outages. It's quite comforting to know that I'll be able to cook not only for my family, but also our neighbors in case of extended emergencies. (Now where's that 'Classic Generator' forum web site?) p.s. enjoy your Coleman(s)! :-)
No, these people are trying to encourage your addiction..do not listen,immediately send all your stoves and lanterns to me so they can be properly, ahem, stored,,hehheheehe
I have seen nice photo galleries of the stove models on OTY and the Terrence site but have not seen any narratives that describes what market niches the stoves were intended to cover, relative popularity, or functionality. In other words, a history of the stove (or lantern for that matter) models. Seems to me that there is a lot of untapped stovie knowledge out there that someone could use to make such a site.
I just joined the forum and noted with interest this topic regarding which stove is functionally superior. All of those who posted had excellent reasons for or against round versus late model oblong fuel tanks. One good reason for favoring the later style over the older one is the ability to empty the fuel tank when the stove is to be stored when not in use. With the older, round fuel tanks, there is a shroud just inside the fuel fill hole that was installed by the factory to help prevent fuel from spilling back out if the fuel cap was loosened and to help insure sufficient air space after filling so one can be able to pump proper air pressure before use. The main drawback with that shroud is that when you want to empty the fuel tank back into the can, it is virtually impossible unless one shakes the tank up and down with the fuel fill pointed down. Even then, very little will come out. One has to suck it out with a siphon of some sort or else pressurize the tank, crack open the fuel valve and let it squirt directly into a funnel so that it will drain into the fuel can. Depending on how much is left in the tank, that can take an awful long time. I know, I've done it. Or else, remove completely the fuel valve assembly and turn the tank upside down, crack the fuel cap loose so air can get in and it will drain. With the later model oblong fuel tanks, one just has to remove the fuel cap and tip the tank upwards to drain it. Much easier. I am like flivver myself in that I prefer older stoves but the newer ones do have some advantages, especially in ease of use and for proper stowage minus the fuel, which lends itself readily for that. Not to mention parts availability. Just a matter of preference for you.
With Coleman fuel or Aspen 4T I use in England, there's not a lot of point in emptying the tank. Unlike unleaded auto gas these fuels won't degrade with prolonged storage. My favourite's? I've a WW2 brass tanked Coleman 500 I'm enjoying a lot for the aesthetics, quick lighting characteristic and pleasure of cooking on. A Coleman 'suitcase' is good for catering for crowds and a modern Coleman Feather vies with a Svea 123 for portability on trips out. A couple of those, plus a Coleman 520 are in use here https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/118558 Welcome to the forum! John
Hey, Coleman413C, I'll join my friend Presscall, in welcoming you to CCS!! Your comments on Coleman stoves is spot on the money, and if I HAD to limit my collection to only a few specimens, several Coleman stoves would make the cut! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thank you, Doc Mark, for the welcome. We already know each other through Terry Marsh. Remember your Model 7 stove? And you too, Presscall. Thank you for your welcome. Coleman fuel can degrade over time. Chances are small provided that the fuel cap is on tight and that the fuel tank is reasonably full. However, unless I am going to use the stove in short order, whatever time frame that is, I am not a huge fan of keeping a fuel cap screwed on tight whether it has fuel or not. Chances of the gasket going bad by always being tightened year round are increased greatly. Fuel can go bad when the tank is always kept fueled if the stove is in storage. The air that is existing in the tank promotes spoilage. Granted, it does take time and will also depend greatly on the freshness of the fuel. Of course, everyone will have their own opinion(s) or experience(s), good or bad, regarding this. I am saying this because the "bad" has been my experience with dabbling with these stoves since 1973. More often than not, the fuel spoiled and with the older round tank stoves, it was a real hassle emptying them out. And I have had fuel cap gaskets go bad because they were always screwed on tight whether fueled or not. I always leave mine slightly loose and the tank empty when my camping is over with for the season. Same with lanterns. That way, the tank dries out completely, with little or no chance of possible rusting issues from the inside. To me, it is just proper storage procedures which also includes any cleaning necessary of the stove body to rid it of cooking splatters and what not, plus a couple of drops of oil for the pump leather. And the fuel can makes for better storage of fuel than the stove ever could. One tends to store stoves in a less than ideal environment, be it the garage or an outside storage shed while Coleman fuel tends to be stored in a more ideal cooler place of the garage, lets say and tightly capped. The cooler the fuel in the can, the smaller is the chance of spoilage.
413C As you have said each person has had different experinces. In mine i located a QL model made in 1921. It had been stored in a basement of a house near the Mississippi River for over 75 years. The fount was left full ready for use but i'm here to tell you when i got it there was 75 years of dust and dirt collected not to mention the spiders and spider nests inside. I cleand up the lantern added air and mantles. The lantern fired like it and the fuel inside was made yesterday. In my experience it is the moisture in the air which degrades fuel not the storage of the fuel, whither it be in a "gas can" or the fount of your stove or lantern. Likewise i bought a newer lantern (used of coarse) and the fount was all rusted out. Someone had put water (likely a child) into the fount and the thing was so full of the black morass commonly found in a steel encloser where water does not interact with air that i had to throw the whole thing away and call it a lesson in learning. I saved the uppers and got a new fount from Coleman for about what it cost me for the lantern. So i was still money ahead considering the cost of a new one these days. Obviously your milage may differ. lance
