a stove that runs on bike fuel?
 

I'm looking for a stove that is small, stable, and simple, (preferably cheap, too, of course!) that runs on unleaded fuel just like our bikes, along the lines of what Chris Scott recommended in the Adv. Mc Handbook. Any suggestions?

I'm in South Africa, but might be able to get something brought from the US. (Hey, can you check this sort of thing in your baggage anymore, if the petrol is drained out???)

Adam

Coleman Sportster 535. Around £30 in UK money if you shop around. All the attributes you ask, although not the smallest lightest stove in the world, not bad. They also do a smaller lighter version. IMHO much better than the 'red bottle' MSR multifuels. Much less fiddly, more reliable, although possibly less efficient.

I've got one, as do many of the people on here. I've been using it on unleaded since I bought it with no problems. Runs well. Coleman are a big company selling all over europe and in the US, so you might get one in S.A.

Matt :)

i've had one for about 10 years, still works like new...

WhisperLite Internationale™

The WhisperLite Internationale combines the reliability and durability of the WhisperLite with multi-fuel burning capabilities, making it the ideal stove for globetrotting backpackers.

• Burns white gas, kerosene and unleaded auto fuel
• Made with an extra-durable fuel line, including Shaker Jet technology
• Folds and packs into MSR cookset

Minimum Weight: 11.5 oz. (330 g)
Packaged Weight: 15.5 oz. (460 g)
11780 - WhisperLite Internationale - $79.95
(fuel bottle sold separately)

Agreed - The Coleman it is.

I've had a regular whisperlite for over 10yrs now and its still going strong. The actual stove packs down to next to nothing but the red fuel bottle is a bit more bulky.
In remote areas I've tended to run it on normal petrol and use the 1L the bottle holds as a reserve for the bike (good for 10 miles!) but it does run better on Coleman fuel and need far less cleaning

dragonfly - MSR
 

My husband and I have been on the road for 4 years and have usthe MSR dragonfly for this entire time. We always use whatever fuel we have in the bikes - which has ranged from good high-end 97 to whatever the local guy in Mauritainia gave us - which really didn't look like fuel - more like goat pee! But, hey, it still worked in the stove fine!

No problems with you being in South Africa - just go to Capestorm. Capestorm - Welcome -they have outlets in and around both Cape Town (where their head office is) and Jo'burg. they have lots of MSR stoves.

cheers

Coleman
 

Hello Matt,
there is one here:eBay.co.uk: Coleman Sporster duel fuel camping stove colman 533 (item 290134417061 end time 10-Jul-07 10:59:31 BST)
do you think it will be any good?
It's not the 535 as you suggested, it is the 533, any difference?

Hi,

That looks exactly the Sportster I have. I'm just trying to remember if the number is 535 or 533! Perhaps it's a slightly older version. They are excellent stoves though, just keep going and are very solidly made.

Matt :)

once again
 

Matt, once again thank you.
Will buy it :-)

Stoves
 

We used a Primus Omni fuel for 2 years without any problems running it om petrol. However running through some coleman fuel occassionally is the best way to keep it in good condition.
Did try the dragonfly - but found it kept blocking unless you cleaned it everytime

A tip that came up at a recent weekend ride was to use fuel injection cleaner to keep the flame burning brightly. A little in the Coleman tank and the rest in the bike fuel tank. I also keep a small syringe with an extension to syphon fuel out of the tank to use in the stove.

Works for me!

Have you ever tried the Omni on gas cylinders instead of liquid fuel? Is it really easy to change between them? I've not seen anything about the device that details just how you switch.

Have a look at the Primus web site Primus AB to see short instructional videos for all the different stoves they currently produce. I am using a Trangia meths stove at present but was looking at the Primus web site as there is a conversion kit available for the Trangia (using the Primus omnifuel type burner). To convert from the fuel bottle to propane cylinders it is as simple as unscrewing and changing the jet (jet and tool supplied with the stove) then attaching the fuel cartridge. The Primus uses threaded cartridges that may not be available everywhere.

I'm using a Coleman 422 .. I also have a MSR red bottle thingy .. GTK if memory serves..
The MSR will not reliably simmer .. but it boils water fast. The Coleman is good at simering .. a little slower on boiling. The coleman is MUCH better at starting .. almost no flare up.

At the UK HU meeting it was said that Pakistan fuel will play up with these stoves.. no personal experience there .. but I know someone who used a 422 across russia ..no problems .. and that fuel is not good !!!

------------------- As far as transportation by air -
Drain the fuel.
Allow it to air for at least 6 hours
Wrap with some fuel absorbent material (old newspaper in my case)
Wrap in plastic and seal the plastic
Put in checked luggage

Those are the regualtions .. but the final word is up to the airline. I aired mine for a week or two and it still smelt of petrol .. so I filled it with shellite (coleman fuel) and burnt some of that off .. drianed that .. and it was a bit better ..

Another vote for the MSR International
 

I've had mine for about 15 years and with regular maintenance have had no problems with it. It's run on petrol, white gas, kerosene, diesel (with different jet) and stoddard solvent, although I don't recommend the latter. Most effecient flame with white gas.