View Full Version : SVEA day over with?!?
Chaplain
10-14-2009, 21:03
RE SVEA stove. So does any one use the SVEA stove still? On a thru hike? Or long distance hiking? Reliable it is. And are there places (like along CDT) where white gas is easier to find then the proper alcohol? ARE ALL THE SVEA STOVES RETIRED??!?!?!??????? :sun :-?
RE SVEA stove. So does any one use the SVEA stove still? On a thru hike? Or long distance hiking? Reliable it is. And are there places (like along CDT) where white gas is easier to find then the proper alcohol? ARE ALL THE SVEA STOVES RETIRED??!?!?!??????? :sun :-?
I still use my 123,quite alot really. I love that old relic,never fails me.
Mine isn't retired and won't be for a long time. I switch between a pepsi can alcohol stove and my old SVEA depending on the mood strikes me when I am loading up my pack. Usually I will tke the SVEA when I will be cooking for two and the alcohol when going solo.
Tuckahoe64
10-14-2009, 22:15
Bought my Svea 1970s Svea used and have used it on many camping trips over the years. When I hit the trail again in a couple weeks I will certainly be carrying the Svea.
There are those that will say its too heavy, too much hassel, blah blah blah... But I am happy with mine and see no reason to change.
take-a-knee
10-14-2009, 23:18
I'm alcohol all the way when it's warm, white gas below freezing. I have an MSR Simmerlite but I still take out the SVEA I've had since 1975. It is my go-to stove for paddling.
rambunny
10-14-2009, 23:37
I carried one till Fontana the 1st thru-hike and on many section hikes. Donated it to a Boy Scout Troop,still miss it. But for the weight-my coke can stove for long distance.....
Wise Old Owl
10-14-2009, 23:49
I used one for twenty years until the rubber parts rotted out. Because it was my dad's I replaced it and gave it as a christmas present. It is a clear high altitude winner even today if you are climbing Everst. Most Brits still swear by it. But for the AT - it's too heavy and surpassed by many different models . It's the Black & White TV in a digital world.
earlyriser26
10-15-2009, 00:04
Of all the stoves I have ever had, none will replace the Optimus 8R. Way ahead of its time.
Snowleopard
10-15-2009, 10:42
If I can find mine ... I'd use it for colder weather (25*F) trips short enough that I can manage with just the fuel the stove holds. If I have to carry a fuel bottle, I'd probably carry my Optimus Nova (multifuel) stove; definitely the optimus for really cold weather. The Svea would work in the cold, just put a small piece of plywood underneath it to insulate it from the ground.
In warmer weather, I'd probably carry a canister stove.
Dicentra
10-15-2009, 11:45
A friend of mine (he hiked the PCT in '77 with his Svea) made us lunch last weekend on his little Svea stove. So yeah. They are still around. :)
Chaplain
10-15-2009, 14:49
How about for a thru hike on CDT? Does anyone have advice to offer on this. What I mean is I would like to take my trangia but wonder about the mtns and higher altitude. Thinking that SVEA would be better. Am planning on hiking North, so could start out with alcohol and switch to SVEA when I hit the mtns, etc. What do you think? Thanks.
Feral Bill
10-15-2009, 16:21
I have used my SVEA for 40+ years. No need to change. In fact I got my daughter a used one (non self cleaning) just this summer.
I bought my SVEA 123 in 1983 and used it for a long time. Although I've changed stoves (often) since then, I still take it out and polish it. It looks that good, and is a real classic.
Snowleopard
10-15-2009, 19:29
You can still buy new ones for $90:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/CAMOmnifindQueryCmd?langId=-1&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&searchCategory=&ip_state=&ip_constrain=&ip_navtype=search&pageSize=24¤tPage=&ip_sortBy=&searchKeywords=svea
Used ones are on ebay for considerably less, and they do last forever.
One good thing about a Svea is that if you get lost all you need do is light the thing up and rescuers will hear you from miles away.
Another thing that is really cool is priming it the classic way. You douse the thing and then light up a fireball.
Sets the mood so long as no nylon is nearby.
MintakaCat
10-15-2009, 20:46
One good thing about a Svea is that if you get lost all you need do is light the thing up and rescuers will hear you from miles away.
That sound is still music to my ears. It's as if an old friend is saying "relax while I heat this meal for you.....all is well with the world." :)
It's hard to describe just how, but many a time when I was cold and wet on a trip, the SVEA just took the edge off.
That sound is still music to my ears. It's as if an old friend is saying "relax while I heat this meal for you.....all is well with the world." :)
It's hard to describe just how, but many a time when I was cold and wet on a trip, the SVEA just took the edge off.
Very well said,I can relate to what you are saying. Many a fond memory of my 123.
Well, somebody has to have a contrarian view... when I read the journal my dad kept of our LT hikes from 69-73, there are plenty of entries reading "stove wouldn't light - cold dinner"
I'm a canister convert - never had an issue yet (though I'm sure my day will come). I do make a point of keeping the threads, etc. clean.
For ultimate reliability, alcohol.
when I read the journal my dad kept of our LT hikes from 69-73, there are plenty of entries reading "stove wouldn't light - cold dinner"
I'm a canister convert - never had an issue yet (though I'm sure my day will come). I do make a point of keeping the threads, etc. clean.
For ultimate reliability, alcohol.
Well, somebody has to have a contrarian view... Nah, stove wouldn't light means nothing without some background info. :rolleyes:
Chaplain
10-16-2009, 01:51
Well, I guess I would have to say that I am really interested in white gas stoves for CDT and the cooler temps and higher elevations. I DO have my MSR whisperlite. I may as well check out its weight compared to other white gas stoves such as SVEA. But it DOES look like this "Classic" is retired!
That sound is still music to my ears. It's as if an old friend is saying "relax while I heat this meal for you.....all is well with the world." :)
It's hard to describe just how, but many a time when I was cold and wet on a trip, the SVEA just took the edge off.
Winter is blowing in. We're going to have ours with us this weekend.:D
Chaplain
10-16-2009, 12:36
I checked out the Optimus 8R. Ha, ha, no way I'll carry that thing. I'd carry the SVEA before the Optimus 8R.
take-a-knee
10-16-2009, 12:45
I checked out the Optimus 8R. Ha, ha, no way I'll carry that thing. I'd carry the SVEA before the Optimus 8R.
Loved by those who cook for groups in remote places, IE, high mountain base camps, canoe camps etc.
Chaplain
10-16-2009, 13:01
Take-A-Knee: OK, answer me this question. (I have a alcohol stove.) Would the elevations and cooler temps of the CDT rule out taking this? I would like to take one stove and not switch unless I have too. I thought about using it in the Southern part and then switching to SVEA or MSR, etc. By the way, thanks for the reply about the Optimus 8R.
Chaplain
10-16-2009, 14:02
OK, it looks like that there Caldera Cone would beat the cool temps. Are the elevations on CDT high enough to affect an alcohol stove? (I don't think so). Anyone with experience? Thanks. The Cone would be lots lighter then the SVEA. I a m not stuck on the SVEA!!!!!!!!!!
max patch
10-16-2009, 14:04
I checked out the Optimus 8R. Ha, ha, no way I'll carry that thing. I'd carry the SVEA before the Optimus 8R.
The Optimus is basically a modified SVEA in its own protective case.
take-a-knee
10-16-2009, 14:37
OK, it looks like that there Caldera Cone would beat the cool temps. Are the elevations on CDT high enough to affect an alcohol stove? (I don't think so). Anyone with experience? Thanks. The Cone would be lots lighter then the SVEA. I a m not stuck on the SVEA!!!!!!!!!!
I've never hiked above 9,000 ft so I can't answer from my experience. Any alcohol stove will weigh a lot less than a SVEA, that is with a 4-5 day resupply interval, with 10+ days between resupply, cold weather increased use etc the weight of the alcohol itself becomes prohibitive. Some alcohol stove suck in the cold, the Caldera cone has a good rep, though I haven't used mine much below freezing yet. I like the Cone and that's what I mostly use now in the Southeast. If you had to melt snow, the SVEA would be the way to go.
The Optimus is basically a modified SVEA in its own protective case.
You are correct,pretty much the same stove...in a different layout. I actually prefer the 8R,not sure why though. It seems to be more user friendly,not like either are not user friendly though.:-?
Great vintage gear.
Dicentra
10-17-2009, 11:56
Got stoves? My friend's collection. :)
http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/43645/2480645500054357660S425x425Q85.jpg
Feral Bill
10-17-2009, 12:07
You are correct,pretty much the same stove...in a different layout. I actually prefer the 8R,not sure why though. It seems to be more user friendly,not like either are not user friendly though.:-?
Great vintage gear.
Anyone else out there remember fierce arguments about the merits of these two stove (and the Primus 71l). It got crazy sometimes. Only the SVEA remains in the market.
Anyone else out there remember fierce arguments about the merits of these two stove (and the Primus 71l). It got crazy sometimes. Only the SVEA remains in the market.
As a die-hard SVEA fan and owner for over 30 years, I will give the 8R kudos for being more stable. But that's it! No other compliments!!!!
Ok, maybe just one more. Lots of folks like 'em. :D
MintakaCat
10-17-2009, 12:21
I have the Optimus 88 setup. You just don't see that much on the trail these days, or even back 30 years ago.
Chaplain
10-17-2009, 20:10
OK, back to the drawing boards. Looking for the good whitegas stove to hike CDT. Figuring on more then 5 days between resupply. Figuring on cold and some snow. So I guess that rules out Alcohol. I have had experience with Whitegas only in long distance hiking (that and wood fires). I have a Trangia and my only bet is going to keep reading and when it gets nice a cold out take it out and try it with Caledera cone. Any advice? I won't rule out SVEA. But I wonder about weight between it and MSR Whisperlight. I would ahve to decide what size gas bottle to take.
generoll
10-17-2009, 22:11
For whatever it's worth, if you're looking for a white gas stove I don't think you can beat the Svea 123. Just remember to have something to insulate the fuel tank from the ground or snow or ice or whatever you are sitting the stove on.
LIhikers
10-17-2009, 22:58
My wife and i use an MSR Simmerlite stove year round with good succes.
It's one of the lighter white gas stoves and is very adjustable from a simmer, as the name implies, to a flame that would launch the space shuttle, your choice with the turn of a valve. We've had it for years and it's been trouble free. Once a year I take the stove completely apart and give it a good cleaning and replace a couple of o-rings in the pump. I feel comfortable recommending it because of the years of trouble free operation it's given us.
shelterbuilder
10-18-2009, 13:27
I have a 123 (along with "a few" other stoves), but I think that over the years, I've used my Optimus 99 more than any other stove. Aside from the fact that the aluminum body was lighter, and the fact that the removable lid doubled as a small pot, the roar of the burner always seemed comforting somehow. (Yes, some of the same attributes as a 123, but in a square form instead of a round one.)
"Failed to light"??? Note for next trip: check fuel tank for fuel!:D
One of my camping buddies has a Whisperlite. Took it up on McKinley 30 years ago so there will NEVER be another stove as good according to him. He takes a field maintenance kit because it can be finicky. Last time out (cold @ 9000') he had to field strip it and give it a cleaning. Said that the last person to turn it off probably just turned the fuel off at the source and did not extinguish the flame on the stove - and while it burned out left a carbon deposit. You will also need to carry a windscreen of some type as the burner has no protection. The newer SVEA's have a pin to clean a clogged burner. I have a SVEA purchased 35 years ago myself that has always fired up after years of inactivity.
daibutsu
10-18-2009, 14:44
I collect Svea 123's and really all those older model brass stoves. Got some Russian versions. lot's of German types, the Nepal type (huge), even the one used by Thor Heyerdale on the Kontiki, it got water logged, watch the documentary. I love 'em and still use 'em. Want to get rid of yours to a good home? Contact me!!! I might put together a video of them all burning at the same time; sounds like a flight deck...
I used my Svea 123 on my '06 AT thru-hike, till Pinkham Notch where I sent stove, fuel bottle, & cookkit home to save weight and went cold the rest of the way. I'm planning to use a Pepsi alcohol stove on the PCT next year, but my heart will be with the Svea. However, you do need earplugs when it gets going.
Got stoves? My friend's collection. :)
http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/43645/2480645500054357660S425x425Q85.jpg
Great pic,makes me long for my Optimus 111. I gave it to the scouts a few years back,it will surely feed a troop.
Chaplain
10-18-2009, 18:57
Well, I already have the MSR Whisperlight. So size of the bottle will be a thing to consider. I guess I'll use that and the alcohol stove. Siwtich off and on from one to the other. I hate to do that though. I really just want to get the equipment together and not switch out and all and just go do the hike and have fun.
Feral Bill
10-18-2009, 20:51
OK, back to the drawing boards. Looking for the good whitegas stove to hike CDT. Figuring on more then 5 days between resupply. Figuring on cold and some snow. So I guess that rules out Alcohol. I have had experience with Whitegas only in long distance hiking (that and wood fires). I have a Trangia and my only bet is going to keep reading and when it gets nice a cold out take it out and try it with Caledera cone. Any advice? I won't rule out SVEA. But I wonder about weight between it and MSR Whisperlight. I would ahve to decide what size gas bottle to take.
A couple of ounces extra with the SVEA buys you near absolute reliability. (Give any stove a good tryout period before leaving). A one liter bottle will last a long time with the SVEA, AND you can fill it right to the top, unlike when using it with an MSR. Of course most of us SVEA owners are seriously in love with our stoves.
shelterbuilder
10-18-2009, 22:29
...and here's a neat trick for lighting them that reduces the "fireball effect": take a medicine dropper (plastic or glass) and cut it in half. After you fill the stove's tank, suck out as much fuel as the dropper will hold with one squeeze. Close the tank, and then put the dropper-full of fuel in the indentation at the top of the tank. (With an Optimus, put it in the priming cup under the generator.) Light and wait for the stove to pressurize, then light the stove.
Of course, for those of you who love the smell of napalm in the morning, the "fireball effect" may be desirable!;)
sliderule
10-18-2009, 22:43
Well, somebody has to have a contrarian view... Nah, stove wouldn't light means nothing without some background info. :rolleyes:
I suspect most of those cold dinners resulted from an incomplete understanding of the physics associated with the stove's operation. Like failing to vent the tank before lighting; using some of the fuel in the tank leaves a vacuum for the next use.
In the hands of a "qualified operator," I would submit the the Svea is the most reliable stove ever to take a hike. There I have been many occasions where I have loaned mine to a fellow hiker who broke his plastic MSR "Whispernot."
sliderule
10-18-2009, 22:46
One of my camping buddies has a Whisperlite. Took it up on McKinley 30 years ago so there will NEVER be another stove as good according to him. He takes a field maintenance kit because it can be finicky.
If the MSR was so good, it wouldn't need a field maintenance kit!!!
MintakaCat
10-18-2009, 22:50
I suspect most of those cold dinners resulted from an incomplete understanding of the physics associated with the stove's operation. Like failing to vent the tank before lighting; using some of the fuel in the tank leaves a vacuum for the next use.
In the hands of a "qualified operator," I would submit the the Svea is the most reliable stove ever to take a hike. There I have been many occasions where I have loaned mine to a fellow hiker who broke his plastic MSR "Whispernot."
Plus, using old fuel that has not been stored correctly. A few times over the years hikers who had problems with their SVEAs would borrow some of my fuel, only to find their stove problems would disappear...go figure. :rolleyes:
Chaplain
10-18-2009, 22:58
I did break a plastic pump on my Whisperlite and had to replace it. But it has shaker jets and so have had no problems maintaining it. This thread has been good and it has been good of you all to contribute. Thanks. I like the idea of the SVEA for reliabilty. The MSR was always a tangle with the brass hose and all and getting the stove to sit down and all. Very minor, but there. When I see the SVEA I think-"no more wrestling with the hose! OK, I am going to buy one just to have it and try it out. I am torn between it and an alcohol with Caldera Cone. This is for hiking CDT.
Feral Bill
10-19-2009, 00:25
I did break a plastic pump on my Whisperlite and had to replace it. But it has shaker jets and so have had no problems maintaining it. This thread has been good and it has been good of you all to contribute. Thanks. I like the idea of the SVEA for reliabilty. The MSR was always a tangle with the brass hose and all and getting the stove to sit down and all. Very minor, but there. When I see the SVEA I think-"no more wrestling with the hose! OK, I am going to buy one just to have it and try it out. I am torn between it and an alcohol with Caldera Cone. This is for hiking CDT.
You might consider an older, pre-self cleaning one. They have a downward tilt to the valve stem. EBAY is your friend. Clean with the supplied cleaner, some fine speaker wire, or a stray feather from your sleeping bag. Start off with a fresh valve cover gasket and you're good for years.
Snowleopard
10-19-2009, 18:37
... I like the idea of the SVEA for reliabilty. The MSR was always a tangle with the brass hose and all and getting the stove to sit down and all. Very minor, but there. When I see the SVEA I think-"no more wrestling with the hose! OK, I am going to buy one just to have it and try it out. I am torn between it and an alcohol with Caldera Cone. This is for hiking CDT.
For any particular trail, your choice should probably be based on fuel availability and your cooking needs. The Svea is reliable, but short of blowing away it's hard to imagine the Caldera cone failing. If you ever do real cooking with simmering, the Svea is better than most alcohol stoves.
Shelterbuilder: Of course, for those of you who love the smell of napalm in the morning, the "fireball effect" may be desirable!
I was scared of my Svea until I discovered firestarter paste; you can also use a little bit of alcohol to preheat it. Measuring a small amount of gas is also a good idea. There used to be pour spouts for the gas bottles that made it easier to refill the stove.
Now, where is my Svea?????
Has anybody ever bought one of these things new? Everybody I knew with a Svea bought it used then used it for 20+ years.
Chaplain
10-19-2009, 20:02
Wooooo boy . . . . . Alcohol looses its efficiency if and when you go longer then 5 days resupply? So that rules it out. I continue to think of whitegas stoves. Defintely a SVEA is on the calender to purchase and try out. Sooner the better. Then I will have to decide between it and others. Funny thing, never had heard of an MSR camper who loves or is in love with his MSR. Lots of SVEA owners are though! Must e a pretty classy little stove. Too bad they dont do titanium.
Chaplain
10-19-2009, 20:05
One other thought, I guess now with White Gas stove I will have to make "sacrifices" in other areas of my system. (e.g., there go the binocs). A lighter pack will have to be one of them now. I had thought of using my 8.5 lb Kelty, but won't now (If I use my MSR or a SVEA, etc.). I also see myself doing more then just boiling water and definitely like coffee and tea.
Feral Bill
10-19-2009, 22:53
For any particular trail, your choice should probably be based on fuel availability and your cooking needs. The Svea is reliable, but short of blowing away it's hard to imagine the Caldera cone failing. If you ever do real cooking with simmering, the Svea is better than most alcohol stoves.
I was scared of my Svea until I discovered firestarter paste; you can also use a little bit of alcohol to preheat it. Measuring a small amount of gas is also a good idea. There used to be pour spouts for the gas bottles that made it easier to refill the stove.
Now, where is my Svea?????
Has anybody ever bought one of these things new? Everybody I knew with a Svea bought it used then used it for 20+ years.
I am now back to using a tiny funnel. Works great. I prime with gas using a plastic eyedropper. Not scary at all.
I bought mine brand new in 1969.
take-a-knee
10-19-2009, 23:25
For any particular trail, your choice should probably be based on fuel availability and your cooking needs. The Svea is reliable, but short of blowing away it's hard to imagine the Caldera cone failing. If you ever do real cooking with simmering, the Svea is better than most alcohol stoves.
I was scared of my Svea until I discovered firestarter paste; you can also use a little bit of alcohol to preheat it. Measuring a small amount of gas is also a good idea. There used to be pour spouts for the gas bottles that made it easier to refill the stove.
Now, where is my Svea?????
Has anybody ever bought one of these things new? Everybody I knew with a Svea bought it used then used it for 20+ years.
I bought mine new in 1976 IIRC. Sigg bottles used to have opposinng vent holes in the side of the threads. They made a little ring with a spout hole that lined up with the vent hole. The spout could be dummy corded to the bottle cap. To pour, you installed the spout between the cap and the bottle and lined the holes up. The spout had a vent hole you could place your finger over the would all but eliminate any fuel coming out of the spout. With a bit of practice I could fuel up that SVEA and not spill a drop.
As for priming, I still have a plastic eyedropper made by Nalgene. You can just fill that little resevoir at the top of the tank with fuel, light it, and at the right time, open the valve and hear the roar.
Chaplain
10-23-2009, 03:16
OK. I have decided . . . . I think! Pocket Rocket!!!!!!!!!!!! (Nu muss, no fuss, no eyedroper, priming, pouring, etc., etc., etc. Just turn it on, light the bugger and cook. Reliable and hot. I thnk it will work. Best of all . . . LIGHT! Granted, not as light as an alcohol stove but lighter then SVEA. Hot for the cold and altitude. Thanks one and all. It was real "nostalgic" reading your comments about the SVEA. But, brass?? Carry BRASS??!?!? Oh man, I need a light pack!!!!!!
Wise Old Owl
10-23-2009, 03:26
A couple of ounces extra with the SVEA buys you near absolute reliability. (Give any stove a good tryout period before leaving). A one liter bottle will last a long time with the SVEA, AND you can fill it right to the top, unlike when using it with an MSR. Of course most of us SVEA owners are seriously in love with our stoves.
This might sound a little out of place but a couple of extra ounces on the wife also buys absolute reliability...:rolleyes:
don't be a hater.....25 years of relative fun in marriage!
Us older guys are seriously in love with women and warm feet......:eek::bananayippie!
Please do not pm me on that... I apologise......oh boy here we go....
JoshStover
10-23-2009, 03:37
I just found this really cool looking Sigg container that turns into 1 bowl, 1 frying pan and 1 pot and it had a MINT SVEA inside. The whole setup is HUGE but I thought it was a really cool setup. This thing was in a box in my buddys dad garage and he said that it had been there and not used since the early 80s.
I just found this really cool looking Sigg container that turns into 1 bowl, 1 frying pan and 1 pot and it had a MINT SVEA inside. The whole setup is HUGE but I thought it was a really cool setup. This thing was in a box in my buddys dad garage and he said that it had been there and not used since the early 80s.
Sounds like you might have found a Sigg Tourister cook set (maybe just part of one). Should have a base and wind screen/pot support too. if you place the small pot on the stove, the large pot can act as a lid, then the "fry pan" as a lid for that. Made it possible to cook two courses and keep them both warm.
I used one of these for many years. They are a bit of overkill now, but I cooked some great meals in them, including boiled dinners complete with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, corned beef. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Only took two fillings of the stove.
Still use my 30+ year old SVEA for winter trips.
Feral Bill
10-23-2009, 20:46
This might sound a little out of place but a couple of extra ounces on the wife also buys absolute reliability...:rolleyes:
don't be a hater.....25 years of relative fun in marriage!
Please do not pm me on that... I apologise......oh boy here we go....
Us older guys are seriously in love with women and warm feet......:eek::bananayippie!
I'm 25 years into my marriage. Not trading her in on some newfangled new one either.
Chaplain
10-23-2009, 22:21
I ain't married to her (SVEA), or living with her, or common law with her, nothing. So the "parting" is easy for the good looking light and easy Pocket Rocket. (Smile). I still might pick one up someday to add to my little "collection" of stoves. (Ephasis on "little". All I have is MSR Whisperlite, Trailstove, Triangia, Coleman camp stove).
Feral Bill
10-24-2009, 02:22
I hope you are as happy with your stove as I am with mine. Enjoy your great adventure.
Chaplain
10-24-2009, 19:07
Thanks Feral Bill, but its not for a while yet. Meanwhile I accumulate stuff. I expect next week I'll have a PR or something equivalent (Jet boil, Coleman F!, Snow Peak Giga, Vargo Jet-Ti, etc.)
Chaplain
10-25-2009, 17:34
Well, thanks for all the advice and all. I did go back and forth there a lot. Thanks for the patience. The "paste" finally helped me to understand what a committment to the SVEA it would take to make it work. Well, I wanted less hassle. SO . . . I did purchase a Pocket Rocket today with an 8 oz. MSR fuel cannister. Impressive. Works good. It certainly IS lightweight. I don't think you can step on this thing. Anyway, I am still looking for an SVEA to just have. Maybe use it sometime. Won't know 'til I purchase one. But I feel I am set for a thru hike of CDT, as far as stoves go. Thanks again, one and all.
charlie2008
10-25-2009, 23:51
I gotta stay off this thread.
Ordered one today, just because.....well, :-? because.
-
http://www.moontrail.com/optimus-svea.php
$79.00 new.
-
Ya never know when they will just vanish one day.
Have fun learning how to use it and the addiction that follows.
I ordered a BD Beta Mid and Beta Bug from these guys earlier this year - from San Antomio even. There is not a mountain for a million miles from SA. Service was great, though.
The Svea 123 is a piece of history. The flare-ups are spectacular.
It will convince you not to use a stove in a tent, in a vestibule, or under a "food preparation tarp".
The Svea 123 is strictly for crouching to cook, out in the open air.
I have really great memories of this stove: hot meals in the cold and wet!
The Svea 123 is a piece of history. The flare-ups are spectacular.
It will convince you not to use a stove in a tent, in a vestibule, or under a "food preparation tarp".
While not cooking inside a tent is good advice for any stove, the SVEA is not really much more dangerous than any other once you learn to use it effectively.
Many an icy winter morning, I've lit the SVEA while in my bag and reaching outside the tent, once it was warmed up and settled down, I could make my morning coffee with it under the vestibule. When the coffee was done, bring the stove into the tent for a minute or two (giving it 100% of your attention). That's all the time it took to have a nice 70 degree tent to get dressed in. Made winter mornings relatively luxurious.
The SVEA is well behaved once it is warm and chugging along. Just give it respect while it settles in, and don't overheat it. Not all that hard to do.
Disclaimer: This is not recommended, but I have done it in an older, flame-resistant tent. Silnylon tents are much more flammable and I would not do this in one of them - with ANY stove. Period. My intent was to counter the notion that a SVEA is poorly behaved.
Feral Bill
10-26-2009, 18:29
I've started and cooked with a SVEA inside a tent. Not the most brilliant thing I've ever done. Sadly, its not the stupidest either. Definitely not recomended.
I am now back to using a tiny funnel. Works great. I prime with gas using a plastic eyedropper. Not scary at all.
I bought mine brand new in 1969.
For me its a hard plastic "straw" rather than an eye dropper. I keep it tied to my fuel bottle cap along with a funnel.
I dip the straw in the fuel bottle, then place my finger over the end. From there I transfer exactly the amount of fuel I want to the top of the stove to prime.
Of course I some times want more fuel than I need!
mark schofield
10-27-2009, 10:01
there's a little mini-pump made by SVEA. Comes with a special filler cap. You can pressurize the stove, turn it on for a second to give the nozzle a squirt, then light off the bit of fuel that has run down into the priming collar. Works well. I think I'll go down to the basement, get my old SVEA, go sit in the old VW camper, and make some coffee. Mark S.
soulrebel
10-27-2009, 10:24
I watched someone fiddle with one of those for about 30 minutes by the light of a campfire, bragging about how great, reliable, and nostalgic it was to have a 40 year old stove, before they finally set their cup on the campfire. To each his own-but if i need something to play with...
shelterbuilder
10-27-2009, 21:50
there's a little mini-pump made by SVEA. Comes with a special filler cap. You can pressurize the stove, turn it on for a second to give the nozzle a squirt, then light off the bit of fuel that has run down into the priming collar. Works well. I think I'll go down to the basement, get my old SVEA, go sit in the old VW camper, and make some coffee. Mark S.
I have this pump on my Optimus 99 - works like a charm!
Ah, cooking in a nylon tent - boy, THAT brings back some memories. I was always careful and VERY ATTENTIVE and never had any disasters (and always left the front and back flaps open a bit for ventilation), but the stove ALWAYS got lit outside and sat there until it "settled in". No, I wouldn't recommend this practice to anyone else with any type of tent because I wouldn't want to feel responsible for a disaster, but it can be done safely if you are totally focused on the task at hand.
bascomgrillmaster
10-27-2009, 22:23
The stove is GREAT.I have had one for 30 years.You can put it away for 10 years pull it out and it will fire up no problem.Uesd it on my 97 hike,would use it again.
Tim
atraildreamer
10-28-2009, 19:53
there's a little mini-pump made by SVEA. Comes with a special filler cap. You can pressurize the stove, turn it on for a second to give the nozzle a squirt, then light off the bit of fuel that has run down into the priming collar. Works well. I think I'll go down to the basement, get my old SVEA, go sit in the old VW camper, and make some coffee. Mark S.
I bought one of those mini-pumps for my Optimus 8R Hunter stove. Pumped it up the recommended number of times and lit it up. The resulting roar and flame pattern reminded me of the gantry shots of the Saturn rockets taking off for the Moon! :eek: I went back to using an eyedropper to put a little fuel in the priming dish.
Heavy...but reliable.
Chaplain
10-28-2009, 20:07
I like the comment by the hiker who described using a plastic straw to get some fuel out of the tank. Sure cheaper and easier to find and replace a plastic straw. Meanwhile, I am looking . . . .
oldnewfie
05-01-2011, 17:40
Does anyone know where I can find a plastic medicine dropper to replace the one I lost a couple of moves ago? I'm thinking of taking my Svea for the cold section of a NOBO 2012. Thanks!
Snowleopard
05-01-2011, 18:03
Does anyone know where I can find a plastic medicine dropper to replace the one I lost a couple of moves ago?
At a drugstore: http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=728130&productId=728130&navAction=jump&navCount=3#Prodtabdetail
Using your finger over a straw as already mentioned should work; just make sure it doesn't dissolve in gas.
You can get these eyedroppers at rei sometimes: http://www.scoutgear.com/pom198.html
But just empty a visine bottle or similar and fill it at home. The last thing you want when it is cold is to drip fuel on your bare skin.
You can get these eyedroppers at rei sometimes: http://www.scoutgear.com/pom198.html
But just empty a visine bottle or similar and fill it at home. The last thing you want when it is cold is to drip fuel on your bare skin.
I have an old optimus 80 which is essentially a clone of the early svea- with external cleaning tool. if you're planning to use the advice above about a separate primer bottle with dropper consider alcohol for the primer..much cleaner than white gas and less noxious if it leaks
earlyriser26
05-01-2011, 21:30
I checked out the Optimus 8R. Ha, ha, no way I'll carry that thing. I'd carry the SVEA before the Optimus 8R.
The 8R was the best stove at the time. It really wasn't that heavy. I used it from 1968 until 1980. I use a pocket rocket now. Simple, light, and easy to use, but the love is gone....
Tipi Walter
05-01-2011, 21:46
One good thing about a Svea is that if you get lost all you need do is light the thing up and rescuers will hear you from miles away.
Another thing that is really cool is priming it the classic way. You douse the thing and then light up a fireball.
Sets the mood so long as no nylon is nearby.
You hit the important points of the Svea 123.
For whatever it's worth, if you're looking for a white gas stove I don't think you can beat the Svea 123. Just remember to have something to insulate the fuel tank from the ground or snow or ice or whatever you are sitting the stove on.
I did break a plastic pump on my Whisperlite and had to replace it. But it has shaker jets and so have had no problems maintaining it. This thread has been good and it has been good of you all to contribute. Thanks. I like the idea of the SVEA for reliabilty. The MSR was always a tangle with the brass hose and all and getting the stove to sit down and all. Very minor, but there. When I see the SVEA I think-"no more wrestling with the hose! OK, I am going to buy one just to have it and try it out. I am torn between it and an alcohol with Caldera Cone. This is for hiking CDT.
Anyone who has used the Svea for 20-odd years knows what a tangled mess it can become when the chained-key gets tangled in the brass housing, or when the brass housing gets slightly bent (which it will) and hard to remove or connect. Oh, and then the little three support prongs get lost one by one and you replace them with bent nails, which invariably fall off and get lost in the dirt.
Then there's the wonderful feature of running out of fuel midway thru cooking a pot of food---something an MSR rarely does. Why? Because the Svea fuel tank is TINY. And when you refill the still hot stove, you get a tremendous fireball. Or do you wait 30 minutes to start cooking again?? No way. And then there's the fun aspect of wasting precious white gas when you either fill the tiny hole on the gas tank or splash fuel into the priming trough. I used to carry an eye dropper and a funnel but who can bother with such minutiae? I upgraded to a MSR Simmerlite ten years ago and never looked back at the brass paper weight.
Stoves I have owned and used:
Svea - thru-hike AT, 1985
Coleman Camping Stove - not really a good stove at all (didn't own it, just had one)
MSR Whisperlight, several long sections, climbing trips, etc.
MSR Whisperlight XKG - Mountaineering
MSR Dragonfly - sort of a wonky stove
SIG - too stoned to remember it - sort of a flip out can version of a whisperlight -90s?
JetBoil - sort of a fun toy - not really that useful to me
Alcohol stove(s) made from Old El Paso Chili cans - one still used on occasion
MSR Pocket Rocket - End to End Long Trail 2010 and 70 mile section hike (CT) 2011
300winmag
06-03-2011, 20:50
So the next question is does anyone except me still have their SIGG Tourist cook kit? It was made for the SVEA 123 (W/O its brass windscreen).
I usually took only one pot unless cooking for a group.
Feral Bill
06-04-2011, 02:39
So the next question is does anyone except me still have their SIGG Tourist cook kit? It was made for the SVEA 123 (W/O its brass windscreen).
I usually took only one pot unless cooking for a group.
You can get them on Ebay, for a price. I found them hard to clean, and moved on long ago. They are a nice unit if you are a better houskeeper than me, which would be almost anyone.
So the next question is does anyone except me still have their SIGG Tourist cook kit? It was made for the SVEA 123 (W/O its brass windscreen).
I usually took only one pot unless cooking for a group.
Great cooking set to put in your disaster preparedness kit (DPK). I keep an Optimus 99 in mine. I bought it 40 years ago for backpacking. Now I pull it out when restocking my DPK, and joyfully remember days and trips gone by.
Great cooking set to put in your disaster preparedness kit (DPK). I keep an Optimus 99 in mine. I bought it 40 years ago for backpacking. Now I pull it out when restocking my DPK, and joyfully remember days and trips gone by.
I miss my optimus 99. Not the weight. Just the stove :)
MSR?? Hah!! Our Scout troop uses those for backpacking, and the plastic pumps can't even survive the parents, much less the boys. My SVEA is older than I am (it dates to the early '60's) and works a good deal better. Slightly heavier than an MSR for a long trip (for a weekend, it works out even -- I don't need a fuel bottle with the SVEA), but so much more reliable and durable (pretty much Scout-proof. I make them use the burn paste to light, because I'm concerned about the kids, not the stove).
Great in combination with a cheap Coleman cookset (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Anodized-Cookset/8223670). Leave the inner 2 pots at home, put the SVEA 123 inside, and go. I boil in the big pot and use the lid/small-pot for my coffee mug.
My grandchildren will be using this thing, provided they have the brains to replace the rubber gasket once a decade.