I saw this stove on FB Marketplace and fell in love with the colours and overall aesthetic. It is made by AFC, which is a name that Ash Flash Corporation used for some of their products in Canada. I have seen quite a few of the propane version of this stove for sale as well. There doesn't seem to be any definitive information on the manufacturing date of this stove online or on the stove itself. From what I found, it was likely made in mid 70s - early 80s. Its has a handle on the short side, luggage-style rather than suitcase-style. There is no latch to keep it folded shut, just a couple bumps that ineffectively hold the folding legs in place over the cover. The legs fold out to keep the bottom raised off the surface The cover folds out completely, a nice option if you're cooking where there is absolutely no wind. The stove open with the wind shields in place There are two hinge clips that reposition the grate by about an inch. Forward for operation, back for storage. Honestly, it would work just fine back in the storage postion. The flame openings still aren't centered over the burners when in the forward position. Seems like it may have been an afterthought solution to a design flaw. Back position Forward position The generator, valve, and instant lever. Leaks a bit. The valve key for the auxiliary burner has a knob that is pushed in for storage and telescopes out for use. I am not sure if this stove was damaged or poorly built, but the valve key and the hole do not line up and the key has to be bent up and back a bit to fit through. Fully assembled Side view Main burner lit Auxiliary burner lit While using this stove for the first time, I was constantly comparing it to my Coleman 425, which is my only other 2-burner and one of my most used stoves. Here are a few observations: Side by side while folded up, they are similar in width and length, but the Coleman is significantly greater in height. The Coleman is also lighter than the Ranger. I realized after weighing them that I didn't make sure the amount of fuel in each stove was the same. I checked after putting the scale away and both fuel tanks were "mostly" full. Take this comparison with a grain of salt. This is entirely unscientific, but the Coleman "feels" more durable. I would not worry about the 425 if it were dropped, but I assume something on the Ranger would be damaged by any amount of abuse. I prefer the Ranger's round knob on the auxiliary burner to the flat paddle on the Coleman. However the Coleman has far superior flame control on the main burner. With the Ranger, the burner is basically on full or off. The only way to reduce the flame is by lighting the second burner. Overall, I still really love this stove for the same reason I bought it. It is beautiful. I may never take it camping or use it when I need to cook anything more complex than boiling water, but I am still glad it is in my collection. -Anders
If I would have seen that closed up sitting on a thrift store shelf, I would have thought it propane and not given it a second look. Now I will. It is a purty thing.
Was this Ash Flash made in Canada or Hong Kong? I remember Ash Flash flashlights being made in Hong Kong. A five cell was only a dollar. My brother and I used to give each other one at Christmas. They were very bright. One time he sat in a swivel chair -- in the dark -- and played that he was a Top Turret Gunner in a B-25, dual wielding a pair of 5-cell Ash Flashes, while I spun him around -- chasing imaginary FWs. Cheap fun.
