If you could have just one stove, what would it be? With out a doubt, I'd pick my 30-year-old 123. That 123 has been used and abused for 30 years and stil works as good as it did when new. (Doc will testify that the stove looks like it has never been cleaned. It hasn't) The 123 is not "ultra light" by today's standard, but it is light enough for just about any trip I'd go on. And, it's a real stove- capable of cooking for one person or for a small group. It isn't ideal for large groups, but large groups tend to have extra stoves anyway. It may not be as powerful as some stoves, but it primes so quickly that I probably get my coffee sooner that you could on a bigger, more powerful stove. Can anyone thing af another stove that you would want if it had to be your only one? Dwight
I'd have to go with my 123 (Not R) as well. I bought mine in 1968, have used it ever since, and it's never failed. The only upgrade I've ever done is to add the mini-pump when my son and I began snow camping. A friend gave me a Sigg Tourist cookset in the mid 70's. That updated my 123 and ensures it will be used and appreciated well into the 21st century. Nordicthug
yup il agree i have a 123 climber ..given me many years of service ...although my troop used to remind me that it wasnt the most "tatical" of stoves as it sounds like a helicopter coming in !!!!
I hope I don't a bunch of old stove parts thrown at me... I'd go with my NOVA, but if we're talkin' about classic ol'brass stoves I'd go with my Radius No.15.
Only one? How do you manage to live with just one? Ok the it has to be the 111, I dont know if I wold chose the old burner or the 111T. The 111 I have used in military duty, has saved me for freezing to deth, and given me and my soldiers some nice meals. Nothing taste like coffe with a dash of parafin:-) As a second choice, I would think the 502 or my 210 H?vik :-)
Tough one! My Coleman 425E and Optimus 99 have both hung in there forever and never a problem. No plastic parts on either one to break and leave you with cold coffee and vittles. Man, I'd love to get my hands on a 123, though.
Asking this group to pick one might just work as everyone seems to have an opinion. Coleman 505. Almost 30 years and only one generator replacement. Used year round and always worked. It leaked a little fuel around the pump last fall but that may have been because the Scouts were working on their Stove and Lantern Permit. After reading some recent posts about taking a torch to the generator, I'd be interested in seeing if the old generator would still work. It's tucked away somewhere! Now second choice, that 20 year old 123 that lite up first time (I knew how to thanks to you lot) would be tempting. Iain
Immoral question, but ... I would settle for my first stove, Phoebus 625. Big tank, reliable, good cooking, runs on automotive petrol. Plus the emotional factor, mind you. Cheers motorang 8)
This is a hard decision to make. I think I would go for the M-1942 with the Coleman 500 as a back up. Gordon
My first thought was 123. But then I realised that I would always rather have a paraffin stove. For weight and ease of use I'd say 210. But really, deep down, I know that my paraffin 111 with silent burner* is the dog's doodahs. Cheers GC * is it a 111T? I can never remember which model it is.
If I could by a new ewery 10 years, it had to be the Nova. If I have to live together with the same stove for the rest of my life her name is "111". A beauty of a roarer kerosene stove. This would be my choice. Dag S
that has had me baffled for a while too; I know the 111 is a kero stove (w/ silent?) and I have heard that the 111T is a "multi fuel". Are we talking like the 111C? Or some thing else?
The Russian "Primus" -4 is the stove I would NOT have choosen. 111 is my stove. RSP( old Norwegian military food like corned beef) made on the good old 111, I think that is as close I will ever come to heaven.
Evening, Stove Mates, I dearly love questions like this!! If I had to choose to own just one stove, as much as I love the Optimus 00's, SVEA 123's, Primus 71's, 111B's, and many others, I would HAVE to choose a stove that burns multiple fuels. One never knows what is going to be happening when it comes to fuel availability in the future, so, I'd have to pick something that would just about run on sweat, if it had to. Thinking along those lines, I'd also have to pick a light enough stove that I could use it while backpacking, snow-shoeing, or any other form of "have to carry it" camping. That criteria would rule out the heavier multifuel stoves like the Optimus 111T, and 199. So, that leaves me with two stoves that will fill my needs: The Optimus Nova, and the MSR X-GK. I trust the two X-GK stoves I own, completely. Both of them have worked, in all weathers, and in all conditions, period! But, we like to simmer our meals, and have to use simmering plates with the X-GK stoves. That makes the stoves simmer well, but also adds another thing to have to bring along, which means more weight. So, as much as I hate to have to choose one stove, if I did, it would probably be the Optimus Nova, and I would pray, HARD, that it proves to be as reliable as have the X-GK stoves!!! But, I also hope and pray that we never have to choose to keep just one stove, and give all the others the boot! Good question, Dwight! OH, and by the way, Dwight is 100% correct about his favorite SVEA 123 stove: the thing looks like 40 miles of bad road!! But, he gives it a place of honor, near his fireplace, because he puts great stock in it, and it has never let him down! Ain't that what it's all about, in the end?? Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Got to be an optimus 111. I was out playing in the mud in my Land Rover the wekend, i used it to make lots of cuppas. They are so well made and easy to light.
Must I pick one? I'm the campsite sort with a family.... German Military Bund by Petromax/Geniol. Why? Large cooking surface, preheater torch, kerosene burning, adjustable silent burner, and all the tools/parts to service. However, I'm a fan of any military made stove - there built to take abuse!
