Hi all, I like to show you what I restored recently. This little stove I received from France. It is called „Rechaud Simplex“, made by „Flamme Bleue Society, Paris“. They started producing in 1899. complete except filler cap surface rosty wickwheel moveable wick still good enough for test burning The reservoir is made of brass, some screws aswell. The upper grill is made of cast iron, the rest made of tin. Mica size: 7 x 8,5 cm Wick is 120 mm First I did a complete dismanteling. All parts were boiled in citric acid for ½ hour. The rest was made by hand: degreasing, new heat resistant paint and polishing the brass parts. After final assemblens it looks much better now.The old wick and mica is still working – although the flame is not pure blue yet. The heat of this stove is not overwhelming. 1 Liter of cold water needs about 12 minutes for boiling. But the name says: Rechaud – and that is what is does, once boiling it keeps the temperature without a cover.The „Rechaud Simplex“ was sold in 2 versions; mine is „model A“ and the little more expensive „model B“ came with enamelled chimney. Reservoir volume is 1.2 Ltr., that will last for 10 hours cooking. Weight is 1.8 kg. Size is 29cm hight, 24 cm x 15 cm reservoir.
Good to see that arrive here on CCS and a great job you've made on restoring it. I nearly punched the 'buy-it-now' button myself but being overrun with wickies called Beatrice ... ... thought I'd best not. The Simplex is on page 9 of this catalogue, courtesy of the Ultimheat online resource:- Flamme Bleue catalogue John
Thank you for your comments. Now, there is a mystery that I havend`t solved yet. The wheel for turning the wick on my stove is about in the center line. All pictures shown in old catalogs show it much further off the center line!?! Any ideas? - maybe they changed that later - past 1930?.
Thanx John for the ultimheat web link - I have used their site so often, it is of great value for all of us. A nice stove you got as well and beautiful kettle. Peter
I see what you mean about the wick control. That must make the gripper sprockets of smaller diameter on your Simplex than on those illustrated. Makes for better control (finer adjustment possible) with yours, so maybe a later improvement as you say, Peter. John
