 When are they going to make that 123R run on petrol? They'd sell millions!
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 I think it would be pretty difficult. The problem with petrol is that it's packed full of nasty additives that don't burn off at stove temperatures, upper cylinder lubricants and the like. You can just about get away with it using a full-on multi-fuel stove where everything's easily cleaned and serviced, but the 123R was never really designed to do that, I think.
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uesd mine with petrol for about 5 years no problems-------yet
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 We do not recommend the the use of Petrol in any of our stoves. You can of course actually burn petrol in them pending the usage of the correct model, but modern petrols contain many additives that lubricate engines & maximise fuel efficency, these when burn't through a stove contain many harmful emmisions that I am sure you & I would not like to inhale, even at a distance. Thus petrol usage should be reserved for emergency only usage or if it is (on expedition or in foreign locations) the only fuel source available. Iain - Optimus UK
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 Can anyone tell the difference between the Optimus Terra Weekend and the Primus Litech Trek Kettle (the one with the pan for a lid)? I'm blowed if I can...
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hi ian--i bought the svea to replace a 1955 optimus 80 which i ran on petrol--i tried the svea once with panel wipe which i believe is naptha/white gas and it seemed to run"cooler"-- so i would need a lot of convincing that your noxious fumes argument is not just scaremongering to force us to use your no doubt mega expensive own brand white gas---regards lr
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 I always thought the argument against burning unleaded petrol was that the automotive petrol additives don't burn off properly at the lower stove combustion temperatures which leads to the build up of nasty deposits in the fuel line and burner which clog your stove. At best this requires far more regular cleaning to maintain performance and at worst it destroys it!
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I only use liquid fuel stoves for overseas trips - which is 90% of my outdoor activity anyway (I use meths or butane in the British Isles, both are far cleaner than other fuels) - which means that on a long bike tour, I've not much choice but to burn petrol for months of cooking meals, or take my chances with local kero. That's why I'd jump at the chance of having a simple and classic design like the Svea to take on foreign trips, especially one that doesn't need a pump.
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 Back in the 1980s I used the Svea on a couple of 6 month walks, mostly using leaded petrol, and it worked okay if a little smokily, especially during priming. It is much cleaner with refined stove fuel (which is much cheaper than the UK in many countries, particularly the USA). The Svea does require a little practice with priming as there's no pump and the small tank means you need to top it up frequently. But there's little to go wrong. Just point the release valve away from yourself, your tent and anything flammable! (Mine never blew but I have seen one go and the jet of flame is impressive). I think it's one of the most aesthetically pleasing stoves - mine sits on a bookshelf in my study, the only stove I've put on display.
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 are the pans on the Optimus Terra Weekend 0.95L Cook Set non stick???
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anyone know  ?
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Hi Chris, No they are not non stick however they are hard anodised aluminium. If you want non stick from ourselves then you would need to look at our Terra potset. www.optimus.se Best Regards, Iain - Optimus UK
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 Cheers there, Iain. I was interested in that too.
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 I know this is an old thread but I understood that the 123R never really went away but would only be produced if there was a big enough order? Is it generally available again? There will be many that would welcome the return of the 123R - sales of old stock & second hand ones have been fetching good prices on ebay. It's been a classic now for over 50 years (not a 100 as much of the blurb used to say)
I've found they will clog up eventually on gasoline but run well & cleanly on Coleman fuel (if you can afford it) - Aspen 4T or Panel Wipe. There's no scaremongering around the noxious fumes from petrol but that's up to the individual to ignore or not.
What would be even better would be if they reintroduced the 124 windshield/cookset or the No:88 varient (a 123R with 124). This was a great outfit in old fashioned incredibly lightweight aluminium with a lightweight pot grip that puts those on the market today to shame. These outfits & the bigger brother made for the 123 by Sigg (the Tourist) still fetch a premium on ebay.
link to pics of 123 with windshield/cookset
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| Edited: 20/11/08 20:09 |
Hi Spiritburner, Loving the old memorabilia shots there ! The 123 Climber is still available in full brass & is now sold as the SVEA. Mainly available online as it is such a collectors piece now, but Climbers Shop Ambleside or Alpenstock Stockport I know both currently hold stock. SVEA 123 Best Regards, Iain - Optimus UK
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From the Climbers Shop link... "The Svea stove from Optimus is a timeless classic. A testament to its quality engineering and reliability. Not as light as some modern stove designs, but it is simple and efficient, and will last a lifetime." So I must have died in 1989!!  Shame, that was my first petrol stove and I did really like it. Still, apart from the nostalgia, I can't really see reasons to choose one today - we didn't have the brilliant Optimus Nova available back then.
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You didn't die Matt - you just need your stove fixing!  All the parts are still available at Basecamp in Littlehampton - the wicks & filler cap seals I make myself. link Iain - good to see the Svea name being kept, historically a quality range of domestic & camp stoves older than Optimus of which the 123 is the only survivor.
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No problems spiritburner, forgot to mention we also have another semi classic alive which is the Hunter box stove now know as the Hiker + too: Optimus Hiker + If we get customer enquiries for spares, I have noted your input of filler cap seals & wicks & will pass to you with your kind permission. Iain - Optimus UK
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We may have a crossed wire there Iain - Basecamp sell the spares - including the wicks & cap seals. I just make my own as it's a lot cheaper - quality mop cotton & jewelers copper wire for the wicks & punched out nitrile for the washers. I'm familier with the Nova based Hiker +. A good idea. I'd imagine there are still plenty customers for it. The Australian Antarctic Survey used it's predessors. I run an annual event that for fun includes setting a record for the most Optimus 111's (the old Hiker) lit at once. We allow 22's (the 2 burner version & counts as 2) but the new Hiker + is banned as too modern. So far we have the UK, Sweden, USA & Taiwan taking part. In May the UK had the record at 48 but that fell to to the USA & then Taiwan although I don't have the total yet. The noise is incredible! video link
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| Edited: 21/11/08 18:09 |
Spiritburner, understood . Is this a record that can be Guiness book recorded or just for fun ? Iain
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