Epigas Alpine

Justifiable as a ‘classic’ in my view (I think @Simes may agree), cloned by Coleman as their 3093 HPX, but this is the original and it hasn’t been improved upon.














Well, it can be improved actually, taking advantage of better modern isobutane fuels.




... by drilling out the jet orifice from around 0.3mm to 0.45mm and increasing the diameter of the air inlet holes in the burner riser by a millimetre-and-a-half. No calculations, just incremental trial and error.





Simmer maintained ...




... and a powerful flame that doesn’t diminish thanks to the reduction in evaporative cooling of the modern gas mixtures.










And if evaporative cooling of the gas and low ambient temperatures conspire to drop performance the Alpine has its party-trick up its sleeve of a pre-heater loop and an easily inverted gas cartridge to provide a liquefied gas feed.

John

 

@presscall Nice of you to remember my fondness for the original. Adapted by a few members here for use in Trangia sets as well.

Mine bought in the early 90's if memory serves for my early cycling forays and has done sterling work since. In well earned retirement and looking less pristine than your example. The 'windshield' very prone to rust once the plating has gone.

I unsure if I've come across a more elegant and simple design as the Epigas, poweful and controllable to simmer.

 

I have one in Trangia format, it looks to have been a well-made proprietary piece of kit!

Alec.

 

Always think of them as the Goldilocks of the stove world of the time. Just right.

 

@Simes @Rangie
I’ve been enjoying using the Alpine for its ‘back to basics’ qualities - compared with the sophistication of such modern gassies as a Soto Windmaster.

 

John, I have to admit I assumed you already had one.

I struggle to think of a current equivalent for simplicity, but that is fashion I think rather than practicality. Coleman quickly butchered the concept within about 5 years after the Epigas acquisition.

Sadly I didn't capture the slow demise of the name in the ensuing years.

I was just fortunate being in the market for one when they were about, should have bought another for the shelf really.....

@presscall

 

Hi, I have an old Alpine stove and want to replace the hose. Does anyone know where I can buy the smaller 5mm ID hose and clips?

 

I was one of the many that converted the Epigas Alpine for use with my Trangia. Sadly during many house moves the Epigas got lost but I still have my late seventies Trangia complete with the hole I crudely fashioned.

 

That box brings back fond memories of Christmas 1978.

 

@Spiritburner I was trying to remember when I bought it and had got to 1979 so that concurs with your 78 Christmas.

 

I haven't a clue what I had for Christmas in 78.

 

I can remember very few Christmas presents. Except perhaps my first bike as a four year old in 1967.

And socks..... but that doesn’t count cos it’s every year for the last 30 or more.
Regards
John

 

Christmas '78 I received a wooly hat & scarf, some modest stationery and a bag of sweets courtesy of the Twin Ports Mission to Seamen in Duluth, Minnesota, who put a Christmas box on board for every crew member. The ship I was on, m.v. Rubens, had loaded a full cargo of sunflower seeds for Mexico and was the last but one ship out of the Great Lakes before they closed for the winter. it was a bit nippy as I recall.

 

Not going to forget the year you get a Trangia for Christmas. The following year I got an all wool Moac hiking shirt. Also memorable as my Dad went to the shops to get them. A rare happening.

 

Some memorable Christmas eve hockey club pub crawls during that era.

Christmas day was recovery before boxing day games.

It takes a little longer to 'recover' nowadays.

 

Is this any use as replacement hose?

Orange High Pressure Hose - 4.8mm Bore, 3m Coil

 

@TRA_A
Without digging the Alpine out to confirm, I’d say that’s likely to be a fit.

 

Hi all, I'm brand new here and stumbled in whilst researching getting my old Epigas functional. I recall the Alpine and couldn't afford it so went for the cheaper pocket one which I don't have the name of (perhaps you can help?). Anyway, I may have committed a stove crime with a quick mod, the pocket version had a limitation of no windshield so is vulnerable to useless outside of a tent - so I made one from a tuna can. I can't even slightly blow it out now. Et voila, thoughts? (I have since drilled 8 holes in the bottom to enable it to breath and perform)

 

@Spindle Welcome. Not a stove crime at all! A clever and effective improvement.

 

Thank you. Can't wait to field test it. Tbh I don't know what this stove was called but it's not the Alpine so not sure if it should be in this thread anyway.

The O ring seal is fine after 31 years, but the other rubber washer is split, though it's not required for a seal, perhaps it's a safety second seal I don't know. Any idea where I could get a replacement part? I confess I've not looked yet....