What's the best, most conveniently designed stove?

Dear Friends,

As I sit here, pondering today's miracle change in the weather, I have also been thinking about what stove is the most conveniently designed for use and carry. By that, I mean, which stove is the most convenient to actually use, and to get into use? I rule out any butane, or propane stove, because, as we all know, these really AREN'T stoves, at all, but some form of occasionally interesting mutant!!

Some might say the SVEA 123. But, though I dearly love that stove, you still have to fiddle with it, in order to get it ready to use. Others might mention various MSR stoves. But, to me, even my cherished X-GK's are fiddly. Though each of us may have our own favorites, as far as convenient designs go, I'll tell you what mine is.








Wait for it......






The venerable Optimus 8R!!!!! Yes, this little stove, though not as powerful, nor as versatile as some other stoves, is the absolute most convenient stove to use, period! You could make a case for any of it's bigger Brothers, the 111 series stoves. But, they are not convenient to carry in your pack, while the 8R is!!!

Get to camp, slip the 8R out of it's place, open the case, use an eyedropper, or mini-pump to prime it, and VOILA, your stove is ready to go!!! No assembly, no muss, no fuss, just an easy stove to use, period! No other stove, of which I can think, is that easy to use, and also that easy to carry!!

Though it's, truthfully, not the stove I would usually reach for, when ready to load my pack. I really don't own any other stoves that are as convenient as is the 8R!!

What are your most convenient stoves, and why? I say the 8R beats all the rest, as far as convenient use and carry. What do YOU say? Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

 

I'm inclined to follow your thinking, Doc, tho I'm going to add my Campingo to the list because it has a handy second burner and the only difference between starting that and the 8R is 6 jiggles of the pump. I suppose that could be said for most (properly fettled) stoves Ok, not a pack stove even at a stretch, but an instand family kitchen for as long it takes. Honestly, whats the difference between that and the very cool 22? I like the 8R, I really do, it reminds me of my Lada, basic, no nonsense and with just the smallest consideration will always deliver the goods. Pity it looks like it was designed by Russians as well. Not nearly as bomb proof in terms of direct abuse, ie dropped, kicked etc is the 123 even tho it's a timelessly beautiful design and noticably hotter than the 8R. The 8R is probably the best place to start for the trainee petrol stove user, but the jump to a 123 wont be far away.

 

Hey Doc,

I agree with you.
And also how about enders baby stove? It already has a built-in pump.
I like it very much.

Regards,
Sefa

 

Hi Doc

I'd go with either the 8R or the 123, but the 8R is a bit weighty for backpacking.

I can't see why the 123 is more fiddly than the 8R to use

Turn a 123 on its side, stretch the tube, turn it through 90 degrees, put it in a tin and you have an 8R ! ( don't do this at home ! )

Surely the lighting routines involve the same amount of fiddling

 

What a very silly question.

There is no best - you need them all.

Seriously, for a weekend's backpacking, then you really struggle to beat a 96 tucked inside a pair of brit mess tins.

Stove, fuel, two pots / plates and change from a kilo in a low-bulk package.

I've seen one with the "00" burner - and that really is the mutts nuts.

The coleman 442 runs it close but its a thirsty wee tyke and bulky.

 

70

 

I must respectfully disagree with you, Doc. The 8r is a sweet little unit, but for sheer ease of use, the 123 has it beat. Combine it with the Sigg cooker and it is still as good or better than any "modern" stove I've yet seen. Add a Liter flask of coleman fuel and you're good for weeks.

Of course, I'm prejudiced. I grew up hiking and camping in the Washington Cascades from the age of about 11and was over 21 before I owned a stove with moving parts. I did my cooking on a campfire. In situations where a fire was impossible, I used the good ol' wadded cardboard and candle wax "Buddy Burner" in a Sterno stove.

For use below timberline and in decent weather, the good old GAZ Bleuet is also a favorite. I carried and used both a Bleuet C200 and a 123 for many years, only caving in to the Whislperlite late in my hiking career. I used one for about five years, then returned to the 123 and C200 as they were easier to use and more reliable.

Creaky, Curmedgeonly ol'

Gerry

 

Trangia 25 or 26 without doubt, its making a brew while you put up your tent

 

Coleman Single Burner. Many variations. Take out of pack. Pump and lite. No priming etc.

Iain

My Spirit respectfully disagrees with your Spirit.

 

Doc, I've neither an 8R nor a 123 and consequently, it's difficult to comment...

So if you would kindly send me one of each from your collection (you've so many stoves, you surely won't even notice a couple of itty-bitty little ones are missing!), I'll subject them to long-term testing and let you know the outcome in due course. Can't say fairer than that, surely... |imgRemoved|

 

Doc, I have to agree with you, the 8R is probably the fastest stove to set burning. And it is the most compact of the Optimus drop-fronts.

But I don't own an 8R yet (I will cave in someday), because it is too heavy for it's heat output. I remember freezing waiting for dinner on a school tramp (Port Craig in winter), waiting for the Pommie teacher to cook on his 8r. I eventually lit a fire out of damp wood, caught, cleaned, cooked and ate a nice sized paua before his freeze dried "stew" was ready for the four of us! And my billy of mussels was ready about 30s after his stew. Never trusted an 8R since. Too heavy for a solo stove, too gutless for a group.

Pommies and Yanks will have to look up Pommie and Paua perhaps........

My backpacking vote would be for the 199. Weighs about the same as an 8r, but has the heat output of a 111. Sure, you have to mount the pot stands, but the lid is your pot, so it evens out. I reckon the 199 would win the instant noodle test against any other backpacking stove.

But overall, I'd call the 22 the most convenient. Smaller and hotter (I think it's hotter.......)than a Coleman two burner, windproof even when priming, as self contained as the other Optimus dropfronts, and it actually starts to cook, cleanly, while you prime it with meths. Can't do that on anything else except of course the 111. My pots go on my 22 as soon as a match is put to it. Even the priming hole in the burner is easier and simpler than any other system. Yes, the 111 comes second, but not close, 'cos it's only half the stove

Cheers, Tom

 

Hello all,

Don't own an 8r .. but I've just won a 99 on ebay.de so can't comment there!
Have had no play time with the 123 so can't comment there!
The 111, great stove, but too big for back packing.
The Primus / Optimus brass stoves require some sort of assembly with a spanner, so I guess they are ruled out!

Ian might be right about a n. 70 .. dunno, don't have one either !

So, I am almost in agreement with Rik on this one. Almost, because I don't have aTrangia either.
What I do have, however, is an Optimus 91, Purple Flame or Tor or whatever it is you call them, and I think it is just too feckin' handy by half !
2 pots with a lid that becomes a fry pan, and super light to carry.
Meths, match, flame !!! What could be more convenient ?

Any one know if a Trangia simmer ring will fit the Optimus 91 burner ?

I guess Doc's point is that the 8r doesn't need any assembly, whereas even a Trangia has to be assembled .. but still, the fact that you have your pots and plate included with the stove, means the 91 is a winner for me !

Enjoy the Flame ... from whichever stove you chose

Spudz

 

Spudz

The whole Trangia burner fits perfectly, and is a lot lighter . . . . if you have to cook on priming fluid

 

Morning, Lads,

Great posts, all!!! You've all chosen some outstanding stoves, though a FEW of you violated the rules!!! Your choices should have been made on overall convenience, to include carrying abillity! And, some of you mentioned the "B" and "P" words. Das is verboten!!!!

Still, I can't fault you your choices, overall.

A few comments, if I may:

Gerry: I had forgotten about using the SVEA 123 with the Sigg cookset! That would rival an 8R for convenient carry and use, and would best it in actual power and cooking ability. (I now must worry about the soon-to-come knock on my front door, where Rik will be standing, to deliver the good, swift, kick to the bollocks that I deserve for forgetting this marvelous combination!)

Keith: Using the SVEA 123, by itself, without the Sigg kit, is not near as convenient as the 8R, however, because you have to remove the top part of the Svea, prime, then replace the top part, before cooking. Too fiddly....but that won't keep me from LOVING the SVEA 123!!!

Don Tom: Your Pommie teacher didn't know his bollocks from dried dung!! An 8R is a powerful little stove, when used properly, and though it does not put out as many BTUs as some other stoves, again properly used, it will do a very decent job of cooking for two. It's really not setup to cook for four, however, which just proves that your teacher should have been cleanings toilets instead of teaching young skulls filled with mush!!! Of course, I agree with you that the 199 is a much more versatile and better performing stove. But, it is quite a bit heavier than the 8R, by about 11 ounces, and is somewhat fiddly. Still, given the choice, one over the other, I'd join you in picking the 199! 8)

David: Stop wasting your time messing with those damned lamps!! Go out and buy yourself a good little SVEA 123, a SVEA 123R, and also a Optimus 8R!!!! NOW, there are some fun stoves, into which you can sink your teeth!!! Have I sufficiently stirred the proverbial pot??? GOOD!!! 8)

Iain and Rik: Both good choices, Lads!! Go to the head of the class, and while you're there, please rustle up a nice curry for the rest of us, won't you? There are a pair of good Lads!! Iain, the Coleman stoves are a top choice for convenience, and though maybe a "tad" heavy, their simplicity and versatility far outweighs the few more ounces they present. Rik, I only have my Trangia 25, which is too big and heavy for backpacking. One day, I shall find just the right Trangia 27, and then I'll be right there with you! Yeah, the Trangias ARE, probably, the most convenient stoves of all. The Trangias, and of course the Optimus Trapper 81, which is MY most favorite Meths stove!! 8) High marks to the both of you!!

Ian: Top marks, fine choice!

Doug: Good choices, but no paraffin burning stove could really be called "convenient". Plus, there is the assembly of the 96, 00, or any such stove. So, wonderful as they are, I don't consider them "convenient", though I dearly love them all!! For real convenience, however, Coleman fuel, and Meths have it all over paraffin.

Sefa: The Enders might be a fine choice, in all regards. Though I have several of them, I must admit that I've never given any of them serious field trials, and so cannot honestly comment on their capabillities, nor their reliability. Still, I very much like their overall design, and that in itself should put them into the running for this thread. Good choices!

In the end, I must say I'm proud to be associated with such a merry band of stove brigands, and that all of you have made some outstanding defenses of your own most convenient stoves!! I guess it all comes down to what stove YOU feel is most convenient, most versatile, and most enjoyable!! In that regard, they all make the grade!! My one wish is that we could, someday, have a world-wide Stove Gathering, where every single member of the CCS forums could attend, camp, bring their favorite stoves, and have some fun, getting to know one another!!!! I know, in my heart, that this will never happen. And that, having the CCS forums, themselves, is really our way of "Gathering" everyday, for stove fun and games, and Brotherhood!!! Huzzah to Ross and the Mods, for keeping this a place where we can ask questions such as we've done here, and discuss the choices made, in a friendly and open manner!! Good on ya', Lads, for jumping in on this one!! Thanks, very much, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

 

Doc, sorry for the late post. If you are looking for ease of use, sans hiking, I would have to go with the Coleman 502 and its ilk. It requires no assembly. You don't even have to open a lid!! It needs no priming, just keep it on low setting for a bit, and it is strong enough to handle a real pot or fry pan. If you throw backpacking into the hopper then I think the Borde with its "V" shield/pot support has the 8r and 123 beat hands down, both in weight (I think) and certainly in simplicity. If you toss in the little Swiss Army cook set, with is incorporated water bottle and cup, how could you go wrong? Gordon

 

And just about finished by the time you come to take it down

 

It does, but not brilliantly as the 91 burner is taller than the Trangia. I'm sure it would still do the same job though.

 

Coleman, any kind of. No priming, and lots of heat. I have to try my 508 as a tent heater this winter.
If the weather not is getting bether soon, ( It has rained since we came from sweden) I might have to try it as a tent dryer.
There are some throuth I know about who just want to end in my frying pan. Throut up to 5Kg.

 

i'm with Iain and Rune in this one--Coleman single burner--"pump and go"

 

There is a lot to be considered based around how important bulk or weight is, but as a grab it & go stove I usually think of the Coleman 400A, as others have said - NO priming, & not too bulky, considering the heat output, but of course, if you haven't the time to prime - you may have got your priorities wrong.