Coleman Peak1 400 of Coleman Feather 400b. I know they about the same, but which would you keep if keeping one?
Keeping one for decoration or use? Concerned about generator replacement or not? Does your 400a simmer? Does that matter to you?
The trouble with most Coleman single burners is the generator, which was generally designed to be replaced in entirety rather than cleaned. Sometimes the newer stoves don't so readily simmer, due to their all-in-one cleaner and fuel control. Yet many do simmer well. On the other hand, if you always run at full power it doesn't matter. If "emergency" means "when power is turned off for 3 months", I'd get something more field repairable. If it means "to use occasionally for heating water during a 3 day blackout" then IMHO either would do fine. Which doesn't help, does it?
I’d keep both,,, at least until I could, as @Scrambler mentioned above, “get something more field repairable”… Most of my Coleman single burners are long gone now, or in my “to trade” pile… Finding replacement parts is generally problematic, and Coleman single burners were designed with a dependency on factory replacement parts, of which the factory has stopped producing…
My money would be on the 400. I have a 508, with the same lever(with the black handle) and they simmer very well! The 400b, not so much. If the 400 runs well, then I'd keep that one and only use Aspen/panel wipe/Coleman fuel in it so your generator will probably outlast us all.. Not that the 400b is a bad stove, I have a 440 which I use often. I think the 400 would be a better stove, IF the 400 runs good. If it needs a new generator, I'd go for the b... But that's just my €0,02...
If you ever needed a generator for that Peak 1, it would likely be a lot cheaper to buy a whole stove just to get its generator than to buy just a generator. That is, if you could even find one. That being stated, unless you need the cash, I too suggest keeping them both. They don't take up much room.
Keep both, the cash will be gone with trip to store or gas station. Tough call, both are very good stoves and both are in excellent condition. Both should simmer very well. The one with clean/light leaver makes it very easy to adjust flame. Basically all parts for many stoves are NLA.
Thank you. I have an increasing amount of stoves and I am trying to thin the heard. I don't like that the parts are NLA.
I've been trying to down-size my 'collection' for 10 years now... At least my wife has stopped complaining about it Although I did sell 3 of my 5 111's and I still have a couple of brassies for sale
For the last few years I have been putting some stoves into boxes to sell/give. The stack of boxes has gotten larger. I did give a friend in CCF a bunch of odd stuff last year. One item of note was an incomplete Campingo 1.
@Gun papa I always assume when a person asks a specific question that they are actually looking for an answer. So here goes mine. You are on the cusp of a decision and are looking to co-opt other's brains to aid in your decision. Congrats! Both your 400(Brown) and the 400B(Black) are very clean, beautiful examples. The ONE STOVE to keep is a no brainer! KEEP THE 400 and ditch the 400B! The 400 is original and superior stove by far! Most of what I will say has already been said above. Rubber actually means NBR or Viton, etc. (NOT Silicone!) Rubber gets old and cracks, etc. 400 Pros: 100% metal w/ no plastic / Super running performance / Hotter-8500 BTUs - Blowtorch / plus Excellent simmer and everything in-between/ ----------- Better Quality Paint and Decals / Stronger legs / Graphite valve seals / Better jet pricker / Only 1 rubber part / 400 Cons: Harder to start - especially in the cold / Generator is virtually impossible to replace for under $150 - and precious few of those! / Heavier! 400B Pros: Almost foolproof startup - less so in cold / Generator $30 - $50 - and relatively easy to find / Very calm, well-mannered running / Less weight 400B Cons: Less Hot-7500 BTUs / Inferior Paint / Pathetic Decals / No simmer! / 1 plastic part / Plus 4 rubber parts / Cheaper grate / Slightly less fuel Your main #1 overriding concern is the 400 generator. It is the best but difficult to find and ridiculously expensive. So if yours is BAD, then I reverse myself and I say keep your 400B and ditch the 400. But if they both function perfectly now and the generators are clean and had a lifetime of Coleman Fuel exclusively then the generator should be fine. In that case KEEP THE 400!!! GOOD LUCK! All The Best! Ron
I agree with Ron. I'd keep the 400. I have a special reason for that: I can rebuild the 400 or 400A's generators. The vaporising tube is very straigtforward to manufacture. 400B's generator, although I can build a new one without hassle, it is more complicated with capillary tube and prickier wire inside. For 400 stove, even if your generator is clogged you can well try to clean it by removing the jet and flush it with carburator cleaner or carbon remover. In worst case I can dissolder the top tube and manufacture a new one and reattach it.
