- Joined
- Oct 6, 1998
- Messages
- 957
Hi guys & girls,
In the age of titanium multi-fuel stoves, Busse Bolo's or mapping GPS units I can still experience extreme happiness from simple things like finding an "oldtimer" Optimus modell 99 petrol stove in almost mint condition.
I found it at our annual village "open" market in the section with "old junk".
I saw a nice about 4" x 4" x 2.5" high aluminum "box" and taking the lid that also doubles as cooking vessel off I saw an almost new Optimus 99 stove. It still has been constructed from Brass and is simplicity by itself.
At home I checked it, filled the approx. 5 ounce tank with Coleman fuel and preheated the "burner" this took a little time using an small Esbit fuell tablet but after a minute or two when I carefully opened the valve with the original steel key anex tool it started to burn, first not to hot then when the heat put pressure on the petrol in the small tank it started burning faster and hotter with a nice subdued roaring sound.
Nice details that I didn't know existed in such a "primitive" stove is the "self" cleaning "nozzle", when you turn the valve all the way open an small needle appears through the nozzle cleaning it from impurities, perfect solution as one doesn't need a separate "cleaning" needle that always seems to get lost.
Finding the small stove, cleaning it up and seeing hearing it work is what gives me pleasure and happiness also and to me its more gratifying then buying the latest model titanium multi-fuel extreme lightweight expedition proven super stove.
I just can't believe that I'll see these super machines around in 25 years while my little optimus probably still will be.
Being Dutch, I left the best part for the last line, the stove cost me exactly $1
and that makes my Dutch genes even go euphoric
Best scouting wishes from Holland from an extremely happy Scoutmaster,
Bagheera
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In the age of titanium multi-fuel stoves, Busse Bolo's or mapping GPS units I can still experience extreme happiness from simple things like finding an "oldtimer" Optimus modell 99 petrol stove in almost mint condition.
I found it at our annual village "open" market in the section with "old junk".
I saw a nice about 4" x 4" x 2.5" high aluminum "box" and taking the lid that also doubles as cooking vessel off I saw an almost new Optimus 99 stove. It still has been constructed from Brass and is simplicity by itself.
At home I checked it, filled the approx. 5 ounce tank with Coleman fuel and preheated the "burner" this took a little time using an small Esbit fuell tablet but after a minute or two when I carefully opened the valve with the original steel key anex tool it started to burn, first not to hot then when the heat put pressure on the petrol in the small tank it started burning faster and hotter with a nice subdued roaring sound.
Nice details that I didn't know existed in such a "primitive" stove is the "self" cleaning "nozzle", when you turn the valve all the way open an small needle appears through the nozzle cleaning it from impurities, perfect solution as one doesn't need a separate "cleaning" needle that always seems to get lost.
Finding the small stove, cleaning it up and seeing hearing it work is what gives me pleasure and happiness also and to me its more gratifying then buying the latest model titanium multi-fuel extreme lightweight expedition proven super stove.
I just can't believe that I'll see these super machines around in 25 years while my little optimus probably still will be.
Being Dutch, I left the best part for the last line, the stove cost me exactly $1
Best scouting wishes from Holland from an extremely happy Scoutmaster,
Bagheera
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