533 & 400A owner here, both good stoves, IMO. The 442 is also calling me in the near but distant future.
Love my 400a. Great flame adjustability, small package and comes with its own case/cookset (the square aluminum one.) Good luck.
Ivan, You're using Optimus 45 / 48, with 1/2 ? the heat output. You do not have even one 1 burner Coleman... I suggest: acquire a working 502. If the 502 puts out ample heat for your needs, you're done for now. 502 clean/fix is as easy as it gets. You have experience with the main burner of a Coleman suitcase. That is "the hot set up" and holds plenty fuel. 502 puts out significantly less heat than the suitcase. The 533 (1 lever burner) is mentioned, it's plus factor is max heat output, comparable to suitcase heat. I post to mention Witchita's brown 400 (a Toronto designed hot 2 lever burner). Adding to montanafan comment: the 400A has same performance, same burner / gen as brown 400. That 2 lever burner is the hot setup for 1 burner Colemans. It generates the same heat output as a 533 but it's 2 lever burner gives it excellent simmer control similar to the 502. Still w/me... the 508 !!!! (not 508A) uses the same hot 2 lever burner as brown 400 but on larger tank (so more fuel, more stable and much more durable base than the lunar-lander feet of brown 400. So if you want more heat than a 502 I suggest 508. Important caveat: a clogged curved gen (curved gens on all newer Coleman 1 burners) are a PITA vs the easy-clean straight gens of earlier models. This is true with the 2 lever burner (on a 508 /400/400A) gen, it is not an easy clean. So with the max heat of 2 lever 508 comes less easy maintenance and btw gens are now obsolete iirc, and will be harder to acquire replacement as each month passes. I "suppose" I should add, if you have a perfect running 2 lever burner (508 / 400 / 400A), a clogged gen may not happen in your lifetime. I find, if using only fresh CF, typically they're very reliable, providing many years of excellent performance (arguably the best performer, bar none). thx omc
Hi, If I could have but one single burner, and it was to be a Coleman, I'd keep one of my 502s. I haven't done much backpacking in quite a while, so my Svea 123 and Coleman 442, both rather compact and lightweight in comparison to the 502, don't get the use they did years ago. My 502s are both mid-'60s vintage, and one of them goes on most of our car camping trips in addition to a 2-burner suitcase. I'm not sure which of the newer models most closely duplicates them. Just guessing, probably the 533. My 442 and the newer 533 are advertised as "dual fuel" meaning Coleman/camp fuel, and unleaded auto gasoline. Even disregarding what all the nasties in auto fuel might do to the human body, it tends to clog generators readily, especially if you don't run the burner full blast all the time. When Coleman says unleaded gasoline, I think they're remembering a day when we could get real "white gas" at some of the service stations--which I remember as being a somewhat hotter fuel than the naptha based Coleman/camp fuel today. But that day's at least 50 years ago in my area. So just stick to camp fuel for best results. One to avoid, the Coleman 501. I have one, but don't use it. After firing it up a couple of times before I read warnings here not to do so, it wasn't hard to figure why Coleman tried to recall them and replace them with 502s. The 501s are potentially very dangerous stoves. Fortunately, I don't think there are that many running about out there today. I bought the only one I've ever seen. Rick C
When I go into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Coleman single burner I’m most apt to carry along, is either a 533, or a 550b. Both will simmer, both will quickly boil water for tea or drinking. The nostalgia in me vastly prefers the Coleman 502, but it’s heavier, and doesn’t boil water as quickly,,, also more “knobs to dial” to get it set. There is a windscreen made for a Sigg Tourist, for the Coleman 400, but it fits the 533 perfectly. It’s difficult not to like the 533 in day to day usage
For looks and wow factor the 530 certainly takes the cake but it is excessively tall, simmers poorly and is loud. The 500 is a great all around choice but I worry about the exposed fuel line between the tank and the valve. Also the small fill cap is awkward but apart from those gripes I love to cook on the 500, it’s stable, reasonably powerful, doesn’t scorch food, simmers well and has a nice big tank. 502 lacks only power, it’s great at everything else. The later, smaller stoves are in my experience fussy to light, require lots of pumping and stink when turned off. I have a 400, it’s hotter than a jalapeño’s armpit and it simmers well but takes too much pumping and fooling around for my taste. The 502 is probably the best compromise they ever hit, but the Europeans and MSR frankly do single burners better all around. Coleman’s forte is suitcase stoves and white gas lanterns, they still haven’t properly figured out single burners stoves IMO.
If you are backpacking and carrying backpack sized pots, the high output stoves are overkill, in my opinion. On the 550B, 400, and 400A I usually turn them down to avoid flames up the side of the pot. I don’t have a 533 or a remote tank stove, but I would guess those also should be turned down with smaller pots. The 502 seems powered about right for many uses. But it is a bit heavy for solo use. Should be perfect in a canoe. And relatively quiet. Almost good enough to leave the Trangia behind. Brad
