Graham's British Military #12 had me in the reference section looking at those big machines,...and others. The #12 looks to be a great base camp stove. so,.....Have a favorite design or model? For those of you who own them, is there a benefit to a 'military version'? Any significant designs that are unique to military applications?(oustanding quality or usefulness not originally sold to the public)
Hi have to say the no12 stove for me - has inbuilt windshield and when used with the standard issue square cookpan set that fits in to the stove with little gap around the edge works as a superb cooking implement with a fast boil time. It all packs down into its own case (a bit like an optimus 111 but much more robust -and bigger!) and is ideal for car 'camping'. It's built like a battleship, burns most things (I use kerosene for mine) but does weigh a ton - so is definately not a backpacking stove! Try one - they work a treat !
Hi, I also like the Heinze/Geniol German and Dutch Military stoves (the German version has a separate pressure safety valve, the Dutch doesn't). These are again "self contained", silent, have a massive tank, and also have a "rapid starter" that means you can use kero to prime. The rapid starter also appears on some models of the Petromax lanterns if you're familiar with them. It burns cleanly and means you don't have to carry separate fuel for priming. They claim to run on Diesel, but I've never tried it and have no wish to - works just fine on kero for me. The Geniol/Heinze stove (if you are lucky enough to get one fully loaded) also comes with a complete tool kit and a secure compartment for spare parts. Again this stove is pretty powerful and also does a nice line in simmer. However, it doesn't have the same built-in windshields (which would be of benefit given it's a silent). Similar to the No. 12, many burner parts are common with the 111. Again, not a backpacking stove, but a great base camp work horse. Even heftier than the No. 12, and if you needed to I reckon if you lobbed one at a bear, the bear would come off worse! Of course, a marauding badger is about the worst I could come across in the UK, so I expect to keep my version intact The Enders 9061 is also a good white gas stove, possibly over complex, and spares are hard to come by so gets marked down on that (just my opinion). However, a great user stove for me until it requires a part I either can't find or cobble up myself. Smaller than the others mentioned - similar in profile to a 111, but not unfortuately sharing any commonality of parts. Here's a link to a previous post of mine (my first!) showing both the stoves in question: https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/83472
There was a sale bout....2? 3 years ago, help me lads. these( Brit tanker(?) #12s) were going cheap, and fast, I had a bloke over yonder lookin to grab one for me till we found out the shipping on that beast was gonna be close to $200. I been hearin great tales tho....
erm....toyota...hyunai? well, not that bad, 1/2 the prob is the shipping costs from Eu/UK to here; I shipped a 210 to Cardif w/ tin, spanner etc., $16.85, my freind in Q sent me another one w/out tin, 16.90 GBPs! we paid for 3 stoves shipping, but only 2 saw any airtime.
I bought one (#12) about a year ago from a seller in the UK. Got it for a pretty good price, but the shipping was about $75 to get it to me in NE Ohio. The stove came used and I figured that I would clean up the stainless, which cleaned up very nicely. For some stupid reason I then decided to strip the burner down and in the process I broke the spindle in half. I ended up replacing the spindle with a optimus 111 spindle and it worked like a charm. I must agree that it is a heavy stove, but it is bombproof. Probably one of my favorite stoves in my small collection. Burns super hot with kerosene. If you get one you will probably not be dissappointed.
Great stove, I have a couple, and they really only work with kerosene or diesel (one of the few that will work with diesel in an OK manner). The 12 is idea as a car/canoe/base cooker. My all time favourite military stove is the little No.7 which uses the Optimus 80
While we're on the subject of Military stoves... I'm cobbling up a Mil # 7, and I'm trying to remember... 81 tank and 123 Burner ? Is it a 123 or a 123R? Do I just swap the burner bell, or the entire stem with valve... Heeeelp !
Steve, mine is a standard Opti 80, but this will take a 123 burner bell. The big advantage of this setup is the sturdy construction of the case, much stronger than a 123 or 71 setup
Hi all, I have a no 12 and also a Dutch army Geniol. The no 12 is superb construction 99% stainless steel, including case, with the rest of the construction brass fitting. As mentioned before, heavy to backpack, but fits nicely in a motorcycle pannier. I have run mine on diesel & paraffin, no appreciable difference between either. Very efficient integral wind shield that clips easily into place and folds up into the lid for storage. The Geniol is bigger, brass tank with a steel case and super "bunsen burner" ignition system. Much better at simmering. My preference in the no 12, hot, efficient and so far very reliable, plus I like the ROAR. I did see a no 12 on Fleabay a few months ago fitted with a silent burner, but it went for silly money. My favourite army cooker though is an East German VEB Warmegeratewerk Dresden Kleikuche KK 15/72. this is certainly not for backpacking as is approx 24"x18"x12". I got it from an army re-enactor and it was NOS unissued from 1978. It came complete with 2 pressure cookers & instructions, spare jets & washers. This is the LOUDEST stove I have got and will eventually post some pictures. Needs a bit of fine tuning, as burns a bit yellow, but an AWESOME bit of kit. Currently running on paraffin, but need to try it on diesel. Kind regards ChrisQ
absolutely, I love the heinze/geniol stove. It is stable for heavy cookware, easy to light, and contains enough fuel for hours. It is a bit heavy though. And British military no3 stove has proven its usefulness many times for me. These military stoves seem to withstand user abuse much better than the consumer ones (heinze vs optimus 111), and they come with easy replaceable parts. (removable pump assy or easy removable nrv etc.) The only thing is... the military don't seem to care much about packing weight
