I am looking for information on the Optimus 199 Ranger stove: 1. Quality, 2. Fuels one may use 3. Technical data & information 4. Anything else Many thanks Jozua
Here you go. Hope it answers some of your questions. Regarding quality ... well, it's an Optimus ! Seriously though, I'll let someone with direct experience of the stove comment on quality.
Spudz, thank you for the info. Do you know when this stove was in production and if one can compare it to other Optimus stoves. Jozua
Hello, Jozua, I have two of the Optimus 199 stoves and like them, very much. Here's a photo which I posted here, just the other day, which shows the regular 199, alongside an Optimus Ranger #10. The Ranger is intended for kerosene, only, or diesel use, if a last resort. The 199 is a triple-fuel stove, which Spudz let you know. I love the 199, and have found it a wonderful, versatile, and fine stove! I keep one of mine setup for Meths use, and one for kerosene. Note that the original 199, which was first offered back in the mid-1980's, actually had pot supports, and was a much better stove than the one pictured in the diagram that Spudz sent. The one in the diagram was the last version that Optimus made, right before they discontinued this fine little stove. The "X" pot supports weren't worth spit, in my opinion, and if you want a 199, try to get one with the regular pot supports. There are no other older Optimus stoves which compare to the 199, in being small and so fuel versatile, until you get into more modern stoves, like the Optimus Nova. The Nova is an outstanding stove, in all regards, and is much lighter than the 199. Hope that helps you. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I think the 199 is a great stove as well. My only negative observation is that the burner is a bit overpowering for the size of the stove itself. The stove size is such that it will hold smaller pans, but the burner has power for much larger pans. Using larger pans runs the risk of overheating the tank. The 199 seems to be a 111T burner inside a 99 case; a bit overkill. All that said, I do enjoy using the 199, so get one if you can.
Doc, my stove looks exactly like the one on your photo. I also agree that cooking in big pots can heat up the fuel tank. I would like to know more about the fuels one can use in the 199. In South Africa, kerosene is paraffin, I guess alcohol means Methylated Spirits, but what is white gasoline? What is the difference in terms of heating between these fuels? I also used Benzine once. Thanks Jozua
Hi Have just bought one of these, on first look seems pretty good, I am keen on using alcohol in it and see that Doc does the same, can anyone tell me if the alcohol jet significantly improves performance, and should it have come with the aluminium windshield, some pic show it with but it says nothing about it being included on the box Thanks Gary T
Hello, Gary, Congrats on getting a fine little stove!! The 199 is versatile, and well worth using. I keep one of mine setup for Meths and like it quite a bit. With that fuel, you will not get as much heat as you will from kerosene, nor Coleman fuel. But, I still like it, and it works well with Meths. Yes, you do need to have the proper Meths jet, and doing so will greatly improve the stove's efficiency in burning Meths. Even with the proper jet, it still won't be as hot as kero and Coleman will be, but that's not a problem for me, and might not be for you, either. You do need to make sure to use the proper air restrictor, too, when burning Meths. Do a "search" here on CCS, and check back for my long post on this topic. You will find measurements for the different types of restrictors I've seen over the years. Your 199 should have come with a restrictor, and the proper Meths jet, too. iI not, then you can order them from A&H, here in the US, or Basecamp, in the UK. I think you will love your little 199, and have fun getting to know it! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc Thanks for that, once again I knew that I would be able to reply on you and the others on the site to sort me out. I already love the stove and the alcohol option for me in the UK where coleman fuel is so expensive is great. Take care and thanks again Gary
