Optimus 111B conversion to kerosene?

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by olive, Mar 23, 2019.

  1. olive

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    I do not have an Optimus 111 yet, but would like to get one. I missed out on one for $100 at a local Army surplus about 5 years ago before I got into stove tinkering. I was wondering if a person bought the white gas version 111b could they remove that 2 arm burner and replace it with the 4 arm kerosene burner like what the 111T or classic 111 is provided with? I prefer a kerosene model, but cannot find one. Ebay is mostly selling the "b" white gas model. Whenever a "T" or basic 111 shows up on ebay they sell for well over $300. I'd be willing to pay around 200 or so if one popped up as a "buy it now" and not have to deal with the last second snipers. I recall some model, probably the "C" fetched over $500. Anyway, has anyone successfully converted their 111b white gas model to burn kerosene by swapping burners or does that require other special modification? Thank you.
     
  2. 8R Pete United States

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    Where are you located? Yes several stoves lately on E Bay have sold for some big $$.My 111 B is a roarer burner and I also have a 111 T which is a silent burner. Can they be converted to run a different burner and fuel? Perhaps but maybe more experienced experts can chime in. For me both fuels are readily available so I really have no preference, but do like my 111 B more because I like the noise.
     
  3. teckguy_58

    teckguy_58 United States Subscriber

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    To answer your question yes you can replace the 111B burner with the kerosene version. The kerosene burner for the 111 is getting very hard to find.
    If you prefer a silent burner you can find a kerosene burner to do the job and these are much easier to find on the bay of evil.
     
  4. Harder D. Soerensen

    Harder D. Soerensen United States Subscriber

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    Hi Olive

    I tried to send you a PM, but it was rejected - (maybe because youre not a subscriber?)

    Cheers
    Harder
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 26, 2019
  5. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Howdy @olive ,

    Yes, indeed! As has been said, you can easily swap the 111B burner for a 111 keroburner, if you can find the burner. It's easy, and I have done that in the past. It worked perfectly!! Here are some photos of the first test after I removed the burner of a 111B, and installed a 111 kerosene burner.

    First one is the stove burning out the junk, i.e. cleaning residue.

    burning out the crud.jpg

    Getting a bit cleaner.

    getting better.jpg

    And, now burning very nicely. It just got better, with use, too.

    very nice.jpg

    Two notes to add: 1 - Thank you, @Ian for your kindness and generosity in sending me the kerosene 111 burner! Still MUCH appreciated, Ian! and 2 - Olive, DON'T ever test a stove on a redwood deck!! I burned a couple of circles into that wood, that are still there to this very day!! Sweet Bride was not too happy with Ol' Doc that day!!! :oops: :oops: :doh: :doh: :whistle: :whistle: :doh: :doh: I should have left the stove on the brick wall, where the testing began, but..........! I hope this helps, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  6. JP2

    JP2 Subscriber

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    @Doc Mark
    Maybe you could make some circles with a 8r between the ones with a 111, then it may look like as a decoration and she will be happy. Lololo
    20190323_221651.jpg
    Good Luck
     
  7. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: :thumbup::clap::clap::clap: Thanks for the suggestion, @JP2 !! Somehow, I don't think she's going to go for it!!

    Docx
     
  8. HunterStovie United States

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    @Doc Mark

    In your free time just sand the railing and reseal. I have not made that mistake before, but I have made others.

    Mike
     
  9. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hi Doc, like a fine Picasso sketch, just sign the work and watch the visitors roll in.

    Best Regards
    George.
     
  10. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    I like this idea.
    I am not a fan of the 111B, as the NRV & gasoline are not a good mix, so making a working, and safe, kerosene, stove from the guts is a good idea.
    But, I hope the burners are not coming from 111 stoves that could be fettled into function. It, then, does not make any sense at all.

    I am a fan of using the one item in the tool box that is missing with so many of us collectors.... patience. Patience always come through to find a stove as common as the 111 or 111T.

    Ken
     
  11. olive

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    I'm in the US. I have two kerosene burners. One is on a Primus 51 and the other is on a Svea/Max Sievert Simplex 2. They both work great. The Sievert/ Svea has the silencer cap, while the Primus is a flared burner cup. Would either of these burners fit on a Optimus 111b? Will folks in Scandinavian countries ship to the USA usually if I find a 111T for sale on their sites? Thank you. I wish I could read Finnish.
     
  12. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Google Translation
     
  13. Harder D. Soerensen

    Harder D. Soerensen United States Subscriber

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    @olive
    None of your burners would fit an 111.

    We in Scandinavia are mostly good guys - so most likely yes ;-))

    I’ll keep an eye out for a 111T and give you a heads up.
     
  14. olive

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    Thanks Harder. I have 2 of the early Swedish made Brunton/Optimus Nova stoves. Also I forgot I had an Optimus kerosene hand torch. The burner has the 4 arms. Would any of those burners work? Maybe the next time the King and Queen of Norway or Sweden come to visit in my home state of Minnesota they can deliver to me a 111T?
     
  15. Harder D. Soerensen

    Harder D. Soerensen United States Subscriber

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    I know some have experimented with different burners - to me it must depend whether it fits the thread on the tank - or your abilities in tinkering suitable fittings for your chosen burner, since the regular burners for the the-legged stoves get their fuel from the bottom - where the 111’s gets it sidesays via a pipe.
    Others have used the 111 burner and added a hose for a fuel bottle - to use it with a cookset.

    Just talked with the Danish Queen - she said one of the younger monarchies (aka Sweden) would have to bring you a 111T ;-))
     
  16. 8R Pete United States

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    Or maybe become a subscriber so you can receive messages if people want to part with a stove.
     
  17. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    You do not have to be a subscriber to get messages.
    You do need to subscribe to post ads for sale or to trade or buy, in the Trading Post
     
  18. 8R Pete United States

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    Thought you did.