Hello all, I am new to this hobby and I have a few questions. I recently bought a Primus no 5AA and think this a neat little stove. It needs some polish and TLC but it looks to be in good shape. Is a roaring burner better than a silent burner? Where can I find a roaring burner? The stove has a small ding in the fount. Will this hurt anything? Thanks everyone
Hi and welcome. You stated you are new....and have a few questions. Um.......I have been here awhile..and have more questions now than I did then! Seriously, you will find the knowledge base here amazing, and many are all too eager to help with your questions about stoves...bar value. The ding wont hurt anything unless it caused a crack, or affected the pump tube...so most likely not. As to the burners..if you click on the Fettle Box on the right side of the screen, it appears silent burners are in stock...otherwise auction sites...flea markets...your grandmas attic are all viable places to look. As to which is better?....I will let others step in Dave
The No.5 was marketed with a silent burner. The same tank marked No.1 was the roarer burner version. It doesn't matter which one you use. The roarer is louder, and many most people say it is less vulnerable to the wind, so is 'preferred' for outdoor use. The silent is of course much quieter; but I use silent burners while camping - I just make sure I've got a good windshield arrangement. If your intended use is indoors, go for the silent. Tony
Gentlemen, Thank you for your help. I did not find a roarer burner in the fettle box but I found one in the UK which I promptly purchased. My stove was built in 1936 and plan to use it when I go camping. Do people use these on a regular basis even though they are so old? The Primus stoves seem to be built very well.
At first welcome to CCS! Tony told the basic differences between different burner versions. Once you have tested your roarer burner and heard the sound it keeps you'll know if would prefer silent burner. You can find silent burners easily f.ex. from ebay. (They are still making them in India) Or just buy one more stove with silent burner. One more option would be regulated silent burner. Flame size can be adjusted easily, but it has more parts. Flame size with roarer and normal silent burner is adjusted by changing the pressure in tank. (Pump more pressure to get bigger flame, let air out from the tank to reduce the flame. Simple, isn't it? ) People use these old stoves as hobbyists of old cars/motorcycles/bicycles/etc. use their "equipments": https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/175 Personally I like to use old stoves since they are so simple and there is not too many parts that can break. (Just last weekend I went for a hiking with my 1923 Primus 210 8-[ ) Also spares are easy to get or make. New generation stoves need quite often spares that you can only get from the manufacturer. Before you take your stove into operation check that all seals are ok. Specially the pip of the NRV that is on the bottom of the pump tube.
I use my Radius No 1 (with a Radius special silent burner) regulary with my waffle iron. I prefer to adjust the flame with the pressure, and use it that way even on the stoves that have regulated burners (only stoves for kerosene of course).
Hi Monkey Paws, welcome on board! Sounds like as you doubt a 1930's stove can still be used for camping. This last weekend our troup were on a World War One living history event (Zonnebeke in Belgium), and as your humble servant does the cooking i had a twin burner Primus made in 1938 and my trusty Primus N°5 made before 1911 with me. As long as they work, they can be used! . There was also a Primus N° 96 (late 30's) under my percolator making some great coffee. Best regards, Wim
sounds like you have a very nice stove - pictures are always appreciated - i have a No. 1 Optimus 'roarer,' but would love to have a No. 5 - you are very fortunate! willie on the silent kero burnin' Gulf of Mexico
Good news I cleaned my stove up and filled with fuel. It works great. My wife wants to display it in our family room. To top it off I bought another stove....Isn't it strange how that works
It will be interesting to see how the Mrs feels about them when you surpass 20 of them...... ......dont ask me how I know......
