A recent addition to my stable is this Optimus 81 Tracker - purchased because of some interesting posts on here again! Needs a new safe-fill (or whatever it's called)but hoping our sponsors can help with that. Nevertheless - and regardless of the fact it was raining - one just had to give it a try-out. After doing the normal filling and boiling of a litre or so of water in its normal containers, I found out that a large whistling kettle I had in the garage fitted absolutely perfectly on top, so gave that a go as well. Again, boiled a full kettle pretty quickly, and generated a lovely plume of steam and impressive whistle. What was really interesting though was that the simmer control was incredibly effective, and you could play a tune on the whistle A couple of pics. First is a pic showing the basic burner, second shows the kettle on full-power, third shows it with simmer control fully on.
HI, Andy BB, As you may know, the Optimus Trapper 81 is one of my most favorite Meths stoves!! I can't tell from the photos, but is yours the early version without the weep hole/screw in the fuel tank, or the one with that feature? I like both, but prefer the later model, as it's far more easy to fill without over-filling. In any case, the simmering ability of this stove is very good, especially when compared to most other such stoves out there. Looks like your using a Meths that makes a good bit of soot, however. What Meths fuel are you burning in it? I use the clean stuff, which I buy by the gallon at home improvement stores. Doing so will eventually add a nice hard, somewhat brown, patina to the bottoms of your pots, but that does not rub off, and will make your stove perform even better than it already does!! Congrats on getting your own Trapper 81, and have fun with it! Ours have keep us warm, well fed, and safe in many nasty environments, for many years, without fail!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. Without the Safe-fill, you have a very real danger of over-filling your 81, though. It's made so that no fuel flows out the bottom, and onto things that might catch fire accidentally. I'd caution you about using this stove until you get the Safe-fill in it's proper place. Then, make sure you lube the two very thin o-rings, with lip balm, grease, or even spit, every time you install it. That keeps the o-rings from tearing. Also, get some spare o-rings, too, "just in case". Been there, done that.... 8-[
Brilliant stove! When my oven packed up recently we did all our kitchen cooking on a trapper. Will try a kettle on mine... Dan
Hi Doc - yes, it's all your fault I got one of these! You're right, its the early version without the "overfill" hole. I was aware of the danger of leakage - which did happen in fact - but placed it on a safe surface to avoid immolation! And of course I couldn't wait until I got the replacement to try it out! I'll certainly be taking note of your advice to lube the o-rings on the new safe-fill when I get one. The sooting around the inside top of the pan support I believe was caused by the kettle being used - the meths I use didn't cause any sooting when used with the normal pans. The kettle was an absolutely perfect fit - virtually airtight - so maybe that had something to do with it. Although I do like "playing" with pressure burners, I have a soft-spot for meths/alcohol cookers because of their simplicity. Their weakness of course is their limited ability to simmer, the limited burn-time and their susceptibility to wind. The Trapper pretty much eliminates those faults. Looking forward to seeing how it copes in sub-zero temperatures now!
Morning, Andy BB, OK, I proudly stand, "guilty, as charged"!! 8) We have used our Trapper 81 stoves in many environments, and they have never given us much trouble, at all. I do remember accidentally setting the grass on fire, when we got our older version, and I wasn't careful about filling it up!! That's why I suggest not messing about with it "too much" until you get your Safe-fill and learn how to use it. Other than some broken o-rings, which taught me to lube them, and to carry spares, we've had no trouble, at all. In fact, up in Alaska, where we had to fire one Trapper 81 up often, after many icy river crossings, and other times when we were wet and cold, the Trapper so impressed our Police Officer friend that he grew very disenchanted with his MSR Whisperlite Internationale!! Ooops, sorry about that!!! 8) We always refill our stove immediately after using it, and before stowing it away in my pack. That way, when we needed it, we simply assembled it, fired up the 81, and soon had hot water for tea, or for instant mashed potatoes, which we ate to warm up, and as part of our lunches, back then!! We were enjoying a hot beverage long before our friend could assemble, prime, and get his Internationale going and boiling!! So, even though "on paper", the Trapper 81 might be slower to boil than the MSR, in actual usage, at least in our case, it was much faster to actually accomplish the mission at hand!! Also, when simmering, be sure to stir your food fairly often. The combination of the simmering lever, and stirring your food, is the secret to having the Trapper simmer like a champ!! We've made stews, soups, and many other things in our Trapper 81 stoves, and as I said, they have never failed us!! We used to use our Trapper in deep Winter, when we camped on 12 feet of snow, up at around 10,000 feet in elevation, and it performed perfectly up there, too. No hassles, no problems, nothing but fine service! Now, having said all that, the Trangia stoves, just like the Trapper, work best when the wind is at it's worst!! I've learned to love them, too, and feel very comfortable taking any of mine out in the bush. However, I've used the Trapper 81 so many years, that doing so is second nature to me, now. So, if I HAD to choose between the Trapper and the Trangia, I'd have to go with my long-time and trusted friend, the Optimus Trapper 81!!! Again, have fun with yours, and here's to many great years of service from it!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc has said it all really, a cracking setup and a pleasure to use. The only real advantage the Trangia has is you can stow a kettle too.
Thanks for the advice folks. Am really enjoying my 81 - now all I have to do is look out for a later model with the overflow hole to complete the collection. Anyone got a spare they're looking to dispose of?
Hi, Andy BB, Good luck in seeking out a later model Trapper 81! Yes, there ARE out there, and if you look long and hard enough, one will come to hand. I used to have four Trapper 81 stoves, but now can only find three of them, one original model, and two late models. I "think" that I gave away one of the original four that I had, but cannot remember to whom. In any case, Sweet Bride and I love that stove so much, that if I ever find another late model one, I will most certainly buy it! I like the idea of having four of those neat stoves, and one day, will, once again. Keep your eyes peeled for a later model, Andy BB, and you WILL find one, as will I. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. do a search for posts on the Trapper 81, and you will find one that I posted quite a few years ago, with detailed photos on how to use that weep hole when filling the later model stoves.
Already read it Doc - as I said, it's all your fault I got hooked on these in the first place! However, time to put it away until I get the replacement part and put the Turm on for a cuppa.
They were great stoves - I had one back in about 1981 or so. Far better than the Trangia. I would love to get my hands on a working example now
Hey, Guys, Many thanks for the kind words! In truth, I once thought that the Trangia was not worth beans. But, I've since learned that, with proper use, and good fuel, those Trangia stoves are outstanding performers!! Yes, I like the Optimus Trapper 81 better, but not by too much!! In point of fact, I now own FIVE Trangia stoves, and one Trangia clone!! If all I had was a good Trangia, I would do just fine, and be quite content. But, having said that, and after so many years of faithful service, much as the Trangia Lads say about their choice, I always love using my Trapper 81 stoves, and as mentioned, am in the market for just one more!! Got a backpacking trip upcoming soon, at altitude, and I'll pack along quite a few stoves, just for fun. I'll have to pick a Trangia to go along, of course, but will most certainly take one of our beloved Trapper 81 stoves, too!! Take care, Lads, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
