Hello All, I have a nice little collection starting to accumulate with a total of 22 stoves at present . The two best stoves for simmering that I have are the Optimus 111 with silent burner (multifuel? I've only run it with white gas) and the Coleman Peak 1 model 400. Are there other models that are reputed as being as good or better that these two mentioned for not only high power but also combined simmering ability? Thanks Ian
The MSR Dragonfly is a great stove, lots or power and excellent simmering. It is noisy however, think fighterjet flying over at low altitude. I'm planning to upgrade mine, which is about 13 years old with a silent burner.
Other good quality, single burning, camping stoves that have an excellent heat range (lowest simmer to highest output, each at sustainable, consistent levels) and good-sized burner for pot support/large heat radius include: Coleman Exponent 550B-725 on coleman fuel Primus 41 silent burner (kerosene) Optimus Hiker T models (kerosene or coleman fuel) later-version Radius 43 (Kerosene or the 'B' version for coleman fuel) That said, I haven't used any MSR stoves and other similar-styles with the detachable fuel tanks/fuel bottles. None are perfect, each have their own drawbacks, but all good performers. For domestic stoves the list is obviously different.
Optimus 81 trapper: unbeatable simmering. At full blast will boil a quart (I am getting used to the units of the wrong side of the pool) in 6 minutes AND IT'S A METH! And it will simmer in a storm as well. Orsoorso
Coleman 502, high enough output, and perfectly controlable to a excellent low simmer! And this in ANY weather conditions, too! Murph
Dragonfly with original burner will boil a litre of water in an open pot in a little over 3 minutes then turn down till no bubbles form on the bottom. You can leave it like that for 10 minutes or more by which time you can dip your finger in the water but not for long. Turn back up and its soon boiling again. I can't imagine a need for a better simmer and power combo. Can't comment on the BD caps as I've never tried one but I have a silent burner from a Karimore gassy on it now and it still boils as fast but try and simmer below the point where bubbles form on the bottom but don't rise to the surface and it sometimes starts to underburn. Stops as soon as you turn up a fraction.
Got to be the Optimus 111 in my mind. With a roarer burner so you can hear that it's still going when you turn it down low
Optimus 111T on kero of course. Excellent output and candle like simmer. Also the Enders 9061 and the Optimus Hiker+ are great too. I'm sure I can think of a few more in my little modest collection.
A wick kerosene stove like a 'original haller' They are built for dishes that need simmering. You can leave them running unattended until the tank is empty. I don't really know if these are available internationally, over here there are dozens on each swap meet.
I have a Dragonfly, great for simmering but I had no idea it could be converted to silent... Well, other than shutting it down.
Thanks for all the replies folks. I have an MSR International 500 multifuel. And although this is a great little stove that runs well on anything I have tried mainly Kero, white gas, and gasoline it doesn't simmer well. But it's a fast boiler with powerful output. I like the stove cuz it works but it does not appeal anymore to me with all the plastic bits that comprise the pump - therefore I don't want another MSR stove of this style. I like stoves that are metal and contained in one unit. I just got my first Coleman 502 at the recommendations of some on here at CCS. Gonna give it another go today. Last night I put white gas into it to roughly 20% capacity and gave it about 30 pumps, rotated the control valve outward and then cracked the fuel valve open half a turn and gave it a light......she fired up right away. But after what I would consider more than enough time for the stove to be warmed up and running smoothly the flame would rise and fall noticeably from as low as burning only at the burner ring to as high as flames up to the bottom of the pot. After I pumped the stove another 30 or so pumps it seemed to stabilise more but did not seem to have the same output as say my Peak 1 model 400 - 1981 unit. I thought the comparison should be at least close. The 502 does not seem to be throwing out the heat like I feel it should. Could the generator need replacing? Can it be cleaned rather than replaced? I'm pretty good with mechanical stuff. Could the fact that I did not fill the stove with fuel affect the performance? I'm thinking not unless it was running on empty. Thoughts?
Howdy, The MSR Internationale 600 was never meant to be a simmering stove. It's pretty much a boiler, with VERY limited simmering capability. You "can" use it with a good simmering plate, and VOILA, it works very well. But, that's one more thing you have to pack along. Not a big deal to me, but others don't like having to do it that way. The Coleman Model 400 stoves have quite a bit more output rating than the venerable 502, which is a decently powerful stove, and simmers very well, but cannot compete with the power of the Model 400, if both stoves are running to potential. For what it's worth.... Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
