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I have seen so much stove silliness recently, I thought it might be good to introduce some of the youngsters on this forum to some excellent stoves from the past that remains excellent to this day and are thankfully available.
I have seen young fellows bringing canister stoves, alcohol stoves, and more recently, wood fuel cook stoves. These are diversions from the real deal. Most of us have toyed with these gadgets, but when the rain is pouring down and you are shivering for that hot cup of tea or soup and you dont have the time or energy or patience for the persnipity of these finicky contraptions, you reach out for time proven equipment. The MSR whisperlite has been an answer, but there is nothing "whisper" about those noisy devils and all the pieces and foils and doohickies are a nuisance, plus for all that they have poor flame control.
INTRODUCING THE SVEA 123 STOVE.
There is not a seasoned outdoorsman older than 45 years old who does not know of the SVEA 123 stove. This is perhaps the most reliable stove of all time. It was the backpacker's choice since the 1950's until about the 1980s and I am not sure why it lost favor after that. I think we were all just looking for something new.
The only thing really that goes wrong is the cotton wick which lasts about three decads of abuse and which I have seen replaced mountainside with a piece of shoestring.
You prime it either by warming the canister with your hands or with a few drops of fuel. After that, it just roars with heat and you can cook in the cup that doubles as the stove case.
Pros: 18 ounces, liquid fuel white gas or car gas in a pinch. 5" X 4.5", reliable, easily repaired, time tested. Affordable once again; Campor for $89.00 Incredibly efficient.
Cons: priming, poor flame control
INTRODUCING THE PRIMUS STOVE
The Primus is conceptually the same as the SVEA 123; Simple, no pumping, efficient, trustworthy and time proven. The Primus is self contained, uses liquid fuel like white gas, and can use car gas in a pinch.
Pros: All the above; liquid fuel, simple, easy trailside repair, time tested, compact, lighweight. 58 ounces, 7" X 7" X 4.5"
Cons: needs priming, poor flame control, cost @ $200.
I have seen young fellows bringing canister stoves, alcohol stoves, and more recently, wood fuel cook stoves. These are diversions from the real deal. Most of us have toyed with these gadgets, but when the rain is pouring down and you are shivering for that hot cup of tea or soup and you dont have the time or energy or patience for the persnipity of these finicky contraptions, you reach out for time proven equipment. The MSR whisperlite has been an answer, but there is nothing "whisper" about those noisy devils and all the pieces and foils and doohickies are a nuisance, plus for all that they have poor flame control.
INTRODUCING THE SVEA 123 STOVE.
There is not a seasoned outdoorsman older than 45 years old who does not know of the SVEA 123 stove. This is perhaps the most reliable stove of all time. It was the backpacker's choice since the 1950's until about the 1980s and I am not sure why it lost favor after that. I think we were all just looking for something new.
The only thing really that goes wrong is the cotton wick which lasts about three decads of abuse and which I have seen replaced mountainside with a piece of shoestring.
You prime it either by warming the canister with your hands or with a few drops of fuel. After that, it just roars with heat and you can cook in the cup that doubles as the stove case.
Pros: 18 ounces, liquid fuel white gas or car gas in a pinch. 5" X 4.5", reliable, easily repaired, time tested. Affordable once again; Campor for $89.00 Incredibly efficient.
Cons: priming, poor flame control
INTRODUCING THE PRIMUS STOVE
The Primus is conceptually the same as the SVEA 123; Simple, no pumping, efficient, trustworthy and time proven. The Primus is self contained, uses liquid fuel like white gas, and can use car gas in a pinch.
Pros: All the above; liquid fuel, simple, easy trailside repair, time tested, compact, lighweight. 58 ounces, 7" X 7" X 4.5"
Cons: needs priming, poor flame control, cost @ $200.
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