what are the differences between optimus 111 stoves

I was warned when I joined this forum in march to leave as stove collecting can become addictive , anyway crazy fool that I was I didnt listen to your wise words and now have about 30 stoves

anyway I have two optimus 8r stoves one with the chrome tank and one with the brass tank ,but I like the look of the optimus 111 .

what are the differences between the different types of 111 the 111b the 111c the 111t and so forth , some seem to be multi-fuel some not how can you tell
what are the different types of burners , is there a favourite 111

anyway best wishes to you all

 

Use the search and look up 111 poll
their is threads somewhere about the different burners too.
The best is the 111T I reckon anyway.
But only have one!!

30 you have got it worse than me!!
I though I was bad with Ummm 11-12 oops 13
better buy a nother one bad luck and all.

 

Evening, Jonny2mad,

As far as I know, here are the different versions of the 111 series stoves:

#11 - an early predecessor of the 111 series stoves, which uses a roarer burner.

#111 - a kerosene burning version, and one of the most popular, for good reason. Also uses a roarer burner.

#111B - the Coleman fuel (white gas) burning twin to the kero-burning 111. This stove is also excellent, and I have several of them, and like the preceeding stoves, it uses a roarer burner.

#111T - This version is the first to use a silent burner, and also allows the use of more than one fuel. Commonly called the Triple Fuel 111 Hiker, this stove burns kerosene, Coleman fuel, or Meths. It needs a different jet, and also the proper air restrictor, when burning Meths. I love this stove, and have several versions of it, too.

#111C - This stove is the most current version of the 111 series of stoves, barring the supposed newer version which uses the Nova roarer burner. This stove is somewhat different than all it's predecessors, in that it features the newer Cobra burner, which supposedly burns hotter. Like the 111T, the 111C burns three fuels, Coleman fuel, kerosene, and Meths. Some say you can burn other fuels, as well, but I have not tried it, and cannot vouch for doing that.

I have versions of all the above-mentioned 111 series stoves, and like them all, very much. Were I to choose one, above all the others, it would probably be the 111T. It is time-proven, works very well, and offers a selection of fuel choices. But, any of the 111 Tribe is well worth owning, and any of them will earn your love and trust in short order. Just my opinion, and worth exactly what you paid to read it!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

 

thank you both for your kind help, seems the 111t has at least two votes

 

I give the 111T my vote too!
I love the Hiker version with the burner adjustment handle that is a tool.
You can change the jets in the field or replace the NRV?/check valve with that tool.

It simmers wonderful, is easy to light, and can can burn coleman fuel, unleaded gasoline with a restrictor, kerosene, and alcohol with a different jet and a restrictor.
I believe it burns hotter than my 111B??? No proof to my belief other than personal observation.

Best of luck,
Andrew

 

jonny2mad,

Hello and welcome to the addiction.

I have a 111T and two 111B stoves. Just to see how they worked with pots and pans I cooked several camping type meals on both in my kitchen at home. The results were that the 111T was a lot more fun to play with but the 111B was a no nonsense cook stove. On camping trips I have other things to play with and would just rather cook meals in the most efficient manner. The 111B does just that.

So the season just started for me this past week and I took the 111B. It worked great. One of the best features is that there is no need to pack a meths bottle. Just prime it with its own petrol.

While cooking with the rorarer burner it is easy to tell how high the flame is without lifting the pot and looking. The sound tells you everything you need to know. The sound is different for full burn, medium, and low simmer.

On the second evening after returning to camp from hunting the other hunter wanted to drive 20 miles to town to eat. I got out the 111B and cooked up some stove top stuffing and foil pouch chicken and a side of Betty Crocker instant potatoes with chives. We were eating a high carb hot meal in less than 15 minutes. He was rather impressed.

The 111B gets my vote for the most useful of the 111 series.

Cheers,
HTG

 

Nice to see support for the 'B' (and for all the right reasons). Got my first at Newark in June and now have 4. Or is it 5? A few anyway.

 

Hi everybody,

Could you please help me to identify this Optimus 111, what fuels it actually burns and what burner does it have (111C Cobra, 111/111B roarer with installed silencer or 111T silent burner)?

On the box and manual, it is clearly printed: "111-HIKER TRIPLE FUEL, KEROSENE-WHITE GASOLINE-ALCOHOL"
On the case: "Optimus 111" only.
If you open the stove it looks like Optimus 111T.
(pictures attached)

 

Hi, fatfrog,

Welcome to CCS! Your stove is the 111T, first generation, which is one of my favorites, and it's a fine stove. The only thing that I don't like is the o-ring on the pump, but I've changed out a few of my 111T's to the leather pump bucket and proper rod, and like it much better that way. Another thing of which to be aware, Optimus changed the Meths restrictors from the ones supplied with your stove, and later versions added another restrictor for Meths, with the former restrictor becoming for Coleman fuel. Confusing, I know. But, that's what happened. I use no restrictor for Coleman fuel or kerosene, and a different one for Meths. Have fun with your stove, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

Amen

 

Thank you Doc Mark for your prompt response and clarification.

Unfortunately, it is not my stove...so far, but I expect to win this one or buy another 111T in close future.

By the way, where could I find 111T in mint or very good condition?

As I understood, the first generation of Optimus 111T was named "111-HIKER TRIPLE FUEL" and there is a sticker "Optimus 111" instead of "Optimus 111T" on the case.

God bless you too!

 

Howdy, fatfog,

You are most welcome. As for finding a mint 111T, I've found several of them over the years. The last one cost me a huge sum of $30, NIB, with all the goodies, and the one before that I got for $60, or so, also NIB with all the goodies!! (These two stoves remain unfired, as I have a few other 111T stoves for using.) The secret of finding such great deals is to get out there and spend hours, days, weeks, or a year, LOOKING for them! The more you look, the better your chances of finding not only the 111T, but most other stoves, too! By the way, I do not believe that the 111T was ever actually marketed by that name. They have all been maked "Optimus 111 Hiker, Triple Fuel", or something similar. The name 111T came from being a "Tripe" fuel, hence "111T), for "triple", and most all Stovies know them as that.

Good luck on your bid, and let us know how you make out. If you strike out on this one, just be patient, and another fine 111T will come along, eventually, and very probably for a good price, too! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

Doc,
$30-$50 for MINT 111T....please show me that heavenly place!
May I add another $100-150 for further negotiations? (P.M.)

I am afraid to lose this current opportunity due to ridiculously high shipping fees - apx. $70 (seller located in Australia).

 

Just found a link with a similar Optimus 111 Hiker:

https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/13881

Could you please clarify why this stove burns 4 fuels: kerosene, white gas, alcohol, diesel; but "my" stove (the same model "Optimus 111 Hiker") accepts only 3: kerosene, white gas, alcohol?
(screenshots of their manuals attached)

 

Hi Fatfog,

basically, kerosene and diesel are one and the same, only diesel has some additives to make it more useable in an engine. It might take a bit more pre-heating in a stove. Alas, all these chemicals they put in diesel make it a bad fuel for stoves because they clog up the generators! (as the gen's are kinda "build-in" the burner of a 111 this causes jets to be clogged etc.). Someone who's native language is English can explain this far better than me, but in general any car fuel in a stove is to be avoided! Only use these in an emergency.
BTW, welcome on board! (where are my good manners... )

Best regards,

Wim

 

Hey, fatfog,

I believe that Optimus "optimistically" added the "diesel" to their stove fuels, but as Wim so rightly said, it should be a fuel of ONLY last resort, in a dire emergency!! It seldom burns cleanly, is hard to prime, and quite often gums up your burner in a short time. Whilst there ARE a few rare stoves that can thrive on diesel, I would never use that fuel in an Optimus stove, 111T, or any other models. From what I can see in the photos, there is NO difference between the stove you want, and the stove you of which you just posted photos. Hope that helps.

As for prices of 111T stoves, you can definitely look online, but your best option for actually FINDING a good 111T for a good price, is to get out and seek out flea markets, garage sales, yard sales, swap meets, Pawn Shops, and Wilderness Outfitters that are dumping their old stoves. That is where I've found, probably, 95% of all the hundreds of stoves I own. Just last weekend, I found an almost mint Enders Benzin Baby #9063 at a swap meet, and bought it. The seller was asking $80, which was, in itself, a fair price, but I offered him $60, and he happily took it. I'll be posting photos of that stove soon. As for selling one of my mint 111T stoves, I'm afraid that's not something I wish to do, just yet. Maybe someday..... Keep looking, and you WILL find what you seek!! Good luck, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

What Doc said, plus Diesel STINKS!

 

Gee Fatfrog, I hope you got the owners permission to reproduce those photos on this forum!!

 

Hi Doc Mark,

Thanks again for clarification.
Obviously, diesel is the worst fuel for any stove. I just consider that option as "the last chance" and would prefer a stove which works on diesel longer even until it's completely clogged.


"Whilst there ARE a few rare stoves that can thrive on diesel"

Which of them?



clancambo:
"I hope you got the owners permission to reproduce those photos on this forum!!"

Did I violate any criminal or moral code?
Did I use these pics for commercial purposes?
Are there any person's faces/bodies, private properties/addresses?
Should I always ask any permission from each CCS member to provide here a link to their posts/pictures?
How about eBay links posted on CCS without any permissions?

If I post the direct links to these pictures (originally openly posted on famous market place) I will be probably convicted in commercial advertisement which is probably prohibited here.

If there is no moral/criminal violation and nobody were suffered (morally or materially) from my activities, why should I worry about that? Just due to illogical administrative/local legislation? In that case, please delete all my posts with such "violent" pics.

 

The Bundeswehr Dieselkocher for instance. Manufactured by Franz Heinze KG in Wuppertahl.

Here's one on the bay currently: #350948897199
Cheers,
/Odd