Old petrol / meths stoves - worth anything

[slarge]

I was in a local antique shop the other day and there were a couple of old brass stoves in tins. No obvious maker, but similar to old primus pressurised stoves. They looked complete, and in reasonable condition (and were probably suitable for display only), but are they worth paying anything for as a "vintage camping experience"? I think they were about £30 each, and I wouldn't pay that, but are they actually any use, or is there a reason we now use meths or gas stoves?

[RIP]

The Optimus ones? We had a chat about those a while back I remember. Like little bombs waiting to go off at any moment. Had one for a while but always felt a bit apprehensive using it. Meths pre-warmed burner sat right next to a petrol tank, what could possibly go wrong. Actually, I found that out when a flame shot out of the safety valve on the filler cap.... I ran a mile but no explosion....

Couple of quid for the brass content?

[slarge]

The Optimus ones? We had a chat about those a while back I remember. Like little bombs waiting to go off at any moment. Had one for a while but always felt a bit apprehensive using it. Meths pre-warmed burner sat right next to a petrol tank, what could possibly go wrong. Actually, I found that out when a flame shot out of the safety valve on the filler cap.... I ran a mile but no explosion....

Couple of quid for the brass content?

They may have been Reg - sounds like I need to forget about them. They'd just take my eyebrows off....

[fatbikephil]

Optimus paraffin stoves were ace - lots of faffing but lots of flame and low fuel usage. I carried one on my first bikepacking trip in 1987. They weigh around 2kgs..... Primus ones in the separate tins were more lethal as they didn't have a pressure release valve (Optimus did) My dad managed to blow one up on the summit of Ben Nevis in about 1981.

[Hamish]

Couple of quid for the brass content?

Nooooooo. They may be classics. Besides, there is a whole stove subculture.

https://classiccampstoves.com/forums/stove-forum.286/

[ledburner]

Optimus paraffin stoves were ace - lots of faffing but lots of flame and low fuel usage. I carried one on my first bikepacking trip in 1987. They weigh around 2kgs..... Primus ones in the separate tins were more lethal as they didn't have a pressure release valve (Optimus did) My dad managed to blow one up on the summit of Ben Nevis in about 1981.

That explains why the cairn & observatory are just ruins!
Psst i'll keep stum...

[TheBrownDog]

I spent a few quid restoring an Optimus paraffin stove a few years ago following advice from the forum on Classic Camp Stoves. It was very impressive when I finally got it up and running, and I learned why they are affectionately know as "roarers". One burn and I decided we would all be happier if it just sat on a shelf for display.

https://classiccampstoves.com/

EDIT: dammit, now I'm back down this rabbit hole.

[firestarter]

The svea ones seem to be worth a few quid on ebay

[Bearbonesnorm]

I read that as 'old petrol in a meths stove' and whilst I was going to offer sensible advice about not doing, there was a part of me that wanted to say "yeah, try it but make sure you film it"

[slarge]

I think I might get one from the shop - only at a knock down price though. Feels like it might be an interesting experience to get it fired up and working. I'll make sure I film it as well!!

[The Cumbrian]

I think I might get one from the shop - only at a knock down price though. Feels like it might be an interesting experience to get it fired up and working. I'll make sure I film it as well!!

Have you seen those charity boxes where you slide a coin into a funnel and the coin runs round and round until it disappears into the abyss? You're about to be that coin. If you continue down this road you won't be seen for a while, but will re-emerge in a few months time covered in cobwebs with singed eyebrows and a very heavy stove that works some of the time. Have fun.

[Richpips]

A Svea 123 was the first stove I bought.

Getting the thing primed properly was an art I didn't possess. It's a miracle I didn't burn down a tent.

[slarge]

I think I might get one from the shop - only at a knock down price though. Feels like it might be an interesting experience to get it fired up and working. I'll make sure I film it as well!!

Have you seen those charity boxes where you slide a coin into a funnel and the coin runs round and round until it disappears into the abyss? You're about to be that coin. If you continue down this road you won't be seen for a while, but will re-emerge in a few months time covered in cobwebs with singed eyebrows and a very heavy stove that works some of the time. Have fun.

You see - that makes it even more tempting.....

[ledburner]

I think I might get one from the shop - only at a knock down price though. Feels like it might be an interesting experience to get it fired up and working. I'll make sure I film it as well!!

Have you seen those charity boxes where you slide a coin into a funnel and the coin runs round and round until it disappears into the abyss? You're about to be that coin. If you continue down this road you won't be seen for a while, but will re-emerge in a few months time covered in cobwebs with singed eyebrows and a very heavy stove that works some of the time. Have fun.

You see - that makes it even more tempting.....

I had a 'primus' o, but probably Optimus, 96.. I used meths and a Tilley lamp clip-on primer. the jlprimimg gell was expensive and disappointing. if you kept your jets clean no problems. once on a Scout District adventure challenge trolley, An overnight wide game we had to clip & melt' lead 'coins then cast another. (I hope they were a similar. soft less toxic alloy but it was 1982). the theme was the Crag Vale coiner."King" David Hartley was hanged at Tyburn York for killing the Dighton one of the local authorities . The local valley was Once lawless and similar activities evading Customs & Excuse as the costal smugglers. Apparently it soon to be made into a TV drama.. for more info Read the Wiki page....

edit added a link to the stove
Optimus 96 stove...

[ScotRoutes]

My memories of Primus stoves are of heavy, cumbersome beasts that never worked. This was while in the Scouts and I suspect it was a combination of no servicing and lack of technique.

I did have an Optimus 8R (copy) for years though. Ideal when touring on the motorbike as it could be topped up easily from the fuel tank. Great wee stove and much more compact too.

[psling]

I grew up in a hardware store / ironmongers and can (just about) remember the various leather washers and seals we sold along with stoves, lanterns, etc.. Gas mantles, lamp glasses, asbestos rope ( ).

Still can't walk past an 'old style' hardware store without spending 20 minutes or so wandering around inside (Rhayader anyone?!)

[TheBrownDog]

If anyone is interested in antique stoves with a less explosive attitude, then alcohol stoves from the early-mid 1900s are lovely things and do a very good job of it all, and very pleasing aesthetically too. I have far too many of them, and there's a selection in the pic. I love these things.

[RIP]

Love your stove collection Timbo. You should charge an entrance fee. If Llandod Bike Museum can do it for looking at a load of old bikes so can you with stoves

[ledburner]

If anyone is interested in antique stoves with a less explosive attitude, then alcohol stoves from the early-mid 1900s are lovely things and do a very good job of it all, and very pleasing aesthetically too. I have far too many of them, and there's a selection in the pic. I love these things.

love the heat and flame proof display case soot & brasso!

[slarge]

I grew up in a hardware store / ironmongers and can (just about) remember the various leather washers and seals we sold along with stoves, lanterns, etc.. Gas mantles, lamp glasses, asbestos rope ( ).

Still can't walk past an 'old style' hardware store without spending 20 minutes or so wandering around inside (Rhayader anyone?!)

My father in law had one of those shops - it was fantastic- proper Arkwrights. It had been in the family 3 generations and was well known everywhere. "Chattaways" it was called. His old delivery van from 1962 still exists....

[Bearbonesnorm]

Still can't walk past an 'old style' hardware store without spending 20 minutes or so wandering around inside (Rhayader anyone?!)

Try the one in Montgomery Peter. You'll lose yourself for hours.

[Mart]

A Svea 123 was the first stove I bought.

Getting the thing primed properly was an art I didn't possess. It's a miracle I didn't burn down a tent.

Same here - cracking little things they are. Still got mine
Must dig it out and have a play. Great for when it gets colder

[AndreR]

Coming from darkest Africa Primus paraffin stoves were everywhere! If you had the knack they were brilliant, if heavy. Used them car camping for years. My first "proper" light weight stove was an Optimus 8r I bought in the early 80's. Cracking stove and I still have it, used it hitchhiking around Europe and the UK and never blew up anything or burned a tent down with it. Still tempted to buy a SVEA as they are such great stoves. The reason the heating is close to the fuel tanking is so you don't have to pressurise it!! Heat the fuel in the tank and it self pressurerises!!! Simples!! Love the sound of a roarer burner at the end of a cold day!