I was curious if my Optimus 99 could get hot enough to melt the pot support rods. They get red/orange hot. I know the flame spreader could be adjusted but the stove is running really good.
Others are much more expert than I. Like knowing the temperatures of the flames .... But I have never thought that the flame of a stove gets that hot. I do believe that a blow torch concentrated flame gets hot enough. I have to bury steel in the coal forge (3000°) to get it hot enough to move with a hammer strike. But, it has to go beyond yellow to melt. (I have done that, too, when not paying attention).
I don’t know if it would be an issue in normal use. Any pan on the pot rests will act as a heat sink. I’m sure that Optimus did not envisage pyromaniacs like ourselves sitting and watching a stove burn for stove burning sake many decades after they were made. Regards John
With experience of the 8R, what happens eventually is that the metal pot supports begin to flake, and become thinner. This is over a period of years of heavy use. Cheers Simon Foxxx
Hi, My experience with an 8R is that there's really no damage to worry about. However, the OP has what looks like a thrift shoppe Coleman suitcase in the background of one of his pictures. I have several of those, in different models, and on a couple of them, I have been able to get the grills hot enough to begin to sag just a bit. It might be more correct if I were to say they got warped. Again, that's not the kind of damage to worry about in my estimation. My most abused Coleman, and probably my 8R, should still be around long after I'm gone. Rick C
That thrift shop Coleman is a fine 413 G made in 1972 and was converted to propane by the previous owner who I know. He bought it in 72 he told me. I happened to see it at a flea market as he was selling it to downsize. The propane conversion actually works well.