Well bugger! I've been messing with stoves for 10 years or so, but classic 3 legger kero burners are somewhat new for me. I've had a 210 for some years, but recently picked up an Aida 100 1.75 pint stove, with a roarer burner. I fettled both stoves with washer kits from The Fettle Box, and revelled in the stoves' wonderousness for a week or so. After getting to know them quite well, I tried a boil test with each stove. To my surprise, the 210 was the faster stove, by a minute or so. I noticed something else during the test as well: The Aida burner runs much hotter than the Primus. The burner head cross-casting glows dull red at full bore. The U-tube leading to the jet glows very dully too. The 2 up-pipes from the bottom of the burner do not glow, the base nut doesn't either, being cooled by the parafin flow, I guess. Suspect the difference between the Aida and Primus burner temps is due to the closer fitting Aida flame ring. After the boil test, I shut down both stoves, and that was that. Next day, I relit the Aida. Shortly after coming up to temp, and getting on song, the burner made a Whoomp, and an orange flame formed on the burner gasket joint, above the primer cup. Vapours were visible wafting from beneath the cup. Snugging the joint didn't improve things. Shutdown. INspecting the burner, the previously orange gaskets are somewhat shrunken in appearance compared to those on the 210. They'd become brittle and broke when I attempted to re-seat things. What'd I do wrong? Is the burner running too hot? Did I screw up the initial gasket install? I think I probably over-torqued the joint, having read here that they need only be snugged... Fairly certain the error lies with me, not with the gaskets.... Do I just order another washer set and try again? *sigh* J
I am not expert, and without more information, I would first say the gaskets were not heat resistant, like the ones I get from Kerophile. But, wait to see what someone else more knowledgeable than I. Ken in NC
Nah, pretty sure the gaskets were good, Ross sells good stuff. Either the stove's not right, or (most probably) I screwed up, I think... My best guess is I over-torqued and thus caused the failure. Same gaskets are working fine on the 210. I have one original gasket for the Aida, it's black, seems to be probably asbestos filled something or other. Quite thin, hard, almost looks like graphite. I've tried the stove with that one on top, and the most useable of the 2 new gaskets under the priming cup, but still get leaks at high power. Considering looking at the local Napa for exhaust gasket material or similar... I dunno. Don't wanna wait 2 weeks for more parts... Any suggestions on materials to substitute that might be avialable locally and inexpensively? I read of one fellow on here using aluminum washers for the purpose.... Sometimes the simple things ain't. J
My 210 started in last weekend doing that. I would have thought it was due to not being tightened enough. Tightening did no good. Something to do Saturday AM between working in the garden and maybe cutting firewood with a neighbor. Duane
When you installed the gaskets, did you lube them? By lube, I mean wet them with either Kero or water. You probably need new ones, if they're distorted. Snug is good, more is not needed.
I've tried manifold gasket material from Napa, worked for a bit, the hardest thing for me is the cutting of the material. I used punches, but it seems to crack fairly easily. I tried it above and below the the spirit cup and only lastd a short time before flames started coming out of the joints. The best are Kero's and Ross's.
I didn't lube them, they "threaded" on relatively easily, a good fit. Suspect I simply crushed'em too vigourously. Best, I think, that I order some more. J
