SotM (Stove of the Month) August 2026

Post your nomination as a reply to this post.

The theme for August is 'Primus 96L, Optimus 96L, Radius 20L'. The L denotes that it's to be the version in a tin. I'll allow Primus 'Sport' models under this definition but not home-made or non-original tins.

The rules.
Maximum of 2 pictures in the entry - one of which will be used for the vote. If your stove is listed in the Stove Reference Gallery a link can be added with your entry (not compulsory). Only one stove to be shown in the pictures.
Stove must be presently owned by the member.
One entry per member.
Stoves that have won previously are excluded.

This nominations post will be open until 31st August 2026. The post will be closed & the qualifying stoves placed in a blind poll for members to vote for. The poll will remain open for 10 days. Most votes is the winner.

The winner will get a SotM Winner notation on their posts & profile & a £10 voucher code from The Fettlebox.

 

Primus No.96 (1923) - ‘The Pocket Primus Outfit’ fitted with the Primus No.4200 Patent Sökt silent cap.

Posted in the SRG here and here.




Pharael.

 

Optimus 96L from 1930’s (pump knob different from that of later Optimus 96 stoves), features in the SRG HERE and HERE.





John

 

Here is my entry for this months stove of the month and is in the reference gallery here Radius 20 | Classic Camp Stoves






Brian many thanks for viewing

 

Here is my nickel plated Radius 20L that I acquired earlier this year.



Best regards, Vidar

 

My 1912 Primus 96 L

 

The meth-can in my post above is not worn even though it looks like it, it due to the fact it still has its protective wrapping covering it.

 

My Optimus 96 stove I think from the 50’s.

The tin is original and good for its age showing only minor use and scuff marks.
It may have been dropped only once.

It needed a new lipstick that I made out of s/s using the original nut and replaceable nipples.
It only required a new burner head I modified from China.
Then there was the legs of appropriate length need to be made.
A new pip and soft nrv spring with a soft pump cup made from a gardening glove and that’s about it.
Ohh it also wanted a spirit up and windshield that can be moved with the wind.
The spare nipples and bits of pricker wire are kept in the lipstick between some bronze wool and the original mesh packing.
Time will tell if it works out to be a good Idea.
A flame plate was made but is not needed.
Burns well and clean on our high sulphur kerosene with a tight 9 thou nipple.
Here you can see it fired up on metho.

It’s been used in the past and now
put back into service.
The cap doesn’t fall off so the burner assembly can be kept as one unit.
Burns water and food as well as others of this size,maybe slightly wider spread of flames on the pot.
Here are some photos.
Hope you see something worth using.
Did I mention it is quiet.
Hope Ross doesn’t have a hissy fit.
Bruce

 

1952 Primus No 96L





Thanks for your consideration!

Anders

 

Optimus 96L with upright tin in Primus Colours.

Description in the Stove Gallery:
Optimus 96L with upright tin

 

Introducing a 1952 Primus 96 sport (AR). Repainted and gasketed.

 

Primus 96 by Høvik Verk - 1954 (AT)

I choose til present my Primus 96L, produced (or rather sold) by Høvik Verk. It is in very nice, unfettled condition. Marked AT at underside, so it should be from 1954.

The tin says it is produced under licence from Primus, as several other stoves, pressure lamps and blow torches were at the time. But there is no indication or marking on the stove to differenciate it from stoves produced by the Primus factory.
Only the tin and user instruction sheet are in Norwegian.