Optimus Stella - gas canister stove

Discussion in 'Other Models' started by presscall, Feb 15, 2017.

  1. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Initially I thought I was buying an Optimus Vega and took a second look to see the burner head flipped over for stowage, like an Optimus Crux (at right in the photo). It's no longer in the Optimus product line-up I see.

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    Decent output but no pre-heater vapourising loop like the Vega has, so it won't cope with a liquefied gas feed from an inverted gas canister, a definite strength of the Vega.

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    Control valve has a piezo sparker incorporated, the insulated wire to the electrode on the burner head running down the outside of the gas hose, held in place by a black nylon mesh sleeve slipped over the hose.

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    (The spring in the photo is an electrical ground connection to the valve body)


    Good solid construction of the stove frame in steel with a black finish (chemical blackening rather than paint I'd say) which is pretty tough. Stamped Optimus logo on each pot rest/leg component.

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    Brass shims and a steel dished friction washer make for a smooth pivoting action that stays set at the correct degree of moveability without the adjusing screw loosening in use. Nicely done.

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    Compared to the Optimus Crux, the Stella comes into its own in taking weighty, broad-based pots. Very strong and stable.

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    Not a stove for cold conditions because of the lack of a pre-heater loop, but in warmer weather very functional and one I can visualise using as a proper camp cookery stove and not just a pot-boiler.

    John
     
  2. teckguy_58

    teckguy_58 United States Subscriber

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    Hi John,

    I got one of these Stella stoves and mine isn't in as good of shape as your's, but it does function well. I had to take mine apart because the jet was plugged. I tried it out on butane, butane/propane mix and straight propane with good results. This stove can be used in cold weather if one uses propane which will vaporize at -43°F or -41.6° C. Granted propane isn't available in some places and when it is it is very expensive.

    Cheers,
    Norman