Arielle Cruz
The Primus stove was the first pressurized-burner kerosene stove, developed in 1892 by Frans Wilhelm Lindqvist. These stoves were made in several versions, some of which could burn gasoline, kerosene, or alcohol. To light a vintage Primus alcohol stove, put some alcohol into the preheater cup below the burner, light it, and when the flames die down, open the fuel valve and light the burner. A plastic eyedropper can be useful for taking some fuel from the tank for preheating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Frans Wilhelm Lindqvist |
| Year invented | 1892 |
| Place of invention | Stockholm |
| Fuel | Kerosene, gasoline, alcohol, white gas/Coleman fuel, paraffin/diesel |
| Burner type | Pressurized |
| Burner sound | Silent or roaring |
| Maintenance | Regular heavy maintenance required |
| Cleaning | Dismantle and clean with a needle or compressed air |
| Turning off | Turn the fuel bottle so the "OFF" label points upwards |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the stove
Firstly, understand the stove's fuel requirements. The vintage Primus stove can operate with multiple fuels, including kerosene, gasoline, and alcohol. Ensure you have the appropriate fuel available, as well as any necessary priming fluid or alcohol required for the specific model.
Next, check the stove's components for any debris or blockages. This includes inspecting the jet, fuel line, and fuel filter. If there is any debris, carefully clean the affected parts using a cleaning needle or compressed air. Regular maintenance of your stove is essential to ensure optimal performance and prevent clogging, especially when using fuels like kerosene, paraffin, or diesel, which tend to produce more soot.
Now, let's fill the stove with fuel. Open the fuel tank and carefully pour in the chosen fuel. If using alcohol, you can use a plastic eyedropper to transfer it from the bottle to the preheater cup below the burner. Be cautious and avoid overfilling the tank to prevent spillage. Always store the fuel bottle safely and never open the tank of a hot or running stove to prevent flare-ups or explosions.
Before lighting the stove, ensure you have the necessary tools for ignition. This could include matches or a lighter, which you can conveniently store in the metal clamshell case that comes with the stove. Additionally, if no alcohol is available for lighting, you can use a twist of cloth or dry grass as a wick in the spirit cup.
Finally, perform the preheating step, especially if you're using a self-pressurizing stove. Place a small amount of fuel in the preheater cup and light it using your ignition source. Wait until the flames die down, and you hear a hissing sound. This indicates that the stove is ready for the main burner to be lit. In cold weather, you may need to provide additional preheat by warming the stove inside your jacket pocket before preheating.
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Lighting the stove
Lighting a vintage Primus alcohol stove is a straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to safety. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you light your vintage Primus alcohol stove safely and effectively:
Firstly, ensure you have the necessary fuel and equipment. You can use either alcohol or, if alcohol is unavailable, a twist of cloth or dry grass can be used as a wick in the spirit cup with kerosene. You will also need a source of ignition, such as matches or a lighter, and a plastic eyedropper or similar tool for safely handling the fuel.
Now, prepare the stove for lighting. Place either the fuel or the wick and kerosene in the preheater cup below the burner. If using alcohol, carefully pour a small amount into the preheater cup with an eyedropper. If using kerosene, pump the stove once to dispense a small amount into the cup.
Next, ignite the stove. Using your source of ignition, carefully light the fuel or wick in the preheater cup. Allow the flames to burn and die down. If using kerosene and the flame does not ignite the main burner, gently pump again to dispense more kerosene into the spirit cup and relight.
Once the initial flame has died down, you can proceed to light the burner. Open the fuel valve and ignite the burner. If using alcohol, you may need to use an eyedropper to add a small amount of fuel to the burner to aid ignition.
Finally, some additional tips for lighting and using your vintage Primus alcohol stove: In cold weather, you may need to preheat the stove before lighting. This can be done by keeping the stove in an inside jacket pocket before use. In icy conditions, insulate the bottom of the tank from the snow to retain heat. Always be cautious when handling fuel, and never open the tank of a hot or running stove to avoid flare-ups or explosions. Enjoy your vintage Primus stove!
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Using the stove
To light a vintage Primus alcohol stove, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, ensure you have the correct fuel. The stove can run on either white gas/Coleman fuel or alcohol. If you're using alcohol, you'll need to use the priming bottle that came with your stove, along with the jet and air restrictor. These are essential for running the stove on alcohol.
Once you have your fuel, place some in the preheater cup below the burner. If you're using alcohol, you can use a plastic eyedropper to transfer it carefully. You can also use a twist of cloth or dry grass as a wick in the spirit cup if you don't have alcohol. Now, you need to light the fuel in the preheater cup. Be cautious, as white gas can produce flame shots. Let the fuel burn until you hear a hissing sound. With white gas, this will take a maximum of one minute; with kerosene, paraffin, or diesel, it may take slightly longer.
As the flames die down, open the fuel valve and light the burner. With some wind protection, you should be able to boil a pot of water in around five minutes. In cold weather, you may need to preheat the stove before use, and it's a good idea to insulate the bottom of the tank from the snow to retain heat.
To turn off the stove, turn the fuel bottle so that the "OFF" label on the pump points upwards. After a maximum of one minute, only compressed air should be flowing through the system, cleaning out any fuel leftovers. If the stove continues to burn, there may be an issue with the fuel intake pipe or its connection to the pump head.
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Cleaning the stove
Cleaning a vintage Primus alcohol stove is a simple process, but it requires careful attention to ensure the stove functions properly and safely. Here is a detailed guide on how to clean your vintage Primus alcohol stove:
- The first step is to identify any issues with the stove's performance. If the stove is “coughing" or burning unevenly, it is usually due to debris in the jet or fuel line.
- To clean the jet, start by unscrewing it and checking if the hole is clear. If it appears clogged, use a cleaning needle to clear any blockages. Alternatively, you can use compressed air to blow out any debris.
- It is important to ensure you are using the correct jet for your fuel type. Different fuels require specific jet sizes. For example, the Primus OmniFuel stove with cartridge gas uses a 0.45 mm jet, while white gas requires a 0.37 mm jet.
- If the stove continues to work irregularly after cleaning the jet, there may be debris elsewhere in the system. In this case, disassemble the entire stove and clean all components, preferably with compressed air.
- Pay close attention to the non-return valve, as it can become clogged over time. To clean this valve, unscrew the plastic screw at the bottom of the pump and remove the spring and brass cone. Clean the rubber gasket (O-ring) with a cloth, and then refit or replace it as needed.
- Regularly clean the burner, especially if you use kerosene, paraffin, or diesel as fuel. These fuels tend to produce more soot and can lead to clogging. Use a mild solvent, such as rubbing alcohol, for cleaning.
- To clean the inside of the stove, turn the fuel bottle so that the label "OFF" on the pump points upwards. This will allow compressed air to flow through the system, pushing out any fuel leftovers that could cause clogging.
- For stoves with generators (found in some Primus models), be aware that debris may occur during the gasification process. This debris can collect in the generator, a brass tube that leads through the flame.
- If your stove has a regulating burner, cleaning is more straightforward. These burners have built-in cleaning needles, allowing for easy cleaning of clogged jets without disassembly. However, they require regular heavy maintenance, which involves total dismantling and cleaning.
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Storing the stove
When storing your vintage Primus alcohol stove, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure its longevity and maintain its functionality. Here are some detailed instructions for storing your stove:
Firstly, it is important to clean your stove thoroughly before storing it. This includes dismantling the stove and cleaning each component carefully. For example, the burner and fuel tank should be wiped down and dried to prevent any residual fuel or dirt from causing damage during storage. The stove's design allows for compact storage, with the burner and fuel tank neatly packing into a small metal clamshell case, often with additional space for accessories. Ensure all parts are completely dry to avoid rust or corrosion.
If your stove has a regulating burner, regular heavy maintenance is required. This involves dismantling and cleaning the burner to remove any built-up soot or debris. Regulating burners have built-in cleaning needles that make this process easier, but they still require careful attention. You should also ensure that all components are securely stored within the case to avoid losing any small parts.
Store the stove in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. The storage location should be well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of moisture or fuel vapors. Keep the stove off the ground and, if possible, in its original packaging or a protective case to avoid scratches or damage.
Along with the stove, you should also store any necessary accessories, such as the priming bottle, matches or a lighter, a plastic eyedropper for fuel, and any other tools required for its use and maintenance. These accessories can usually be stored within the metal clamshell case, but ensure they are clean and dry as well.
Finally, if your vintage Primus alcohol stove is a rare or older model, consider storing it with extra care. These stoves are valuable pieces of history, and restoring them can be eco-friendly and rewarding. You may want to keep it on a shelf or in a display case when not in use, but ensure it is still stored securely and safely to prevent damage or deterioration.
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Frequently asked questions
Put some alcohol into the preheater cup below the burner, light it, and when the flames die down, open the fuel valve and light the burner.
A twist of cloth or dry grass will form a wick in the spirit cup. Pump once to dispense a small amount of kerosene into the cup, then light it with the wick.
You can use alcohol, kerosene, paraffin, diesel, or white gas/Coleman fuel.
Turn the fuel bottle so that the "OFF" label on the pump points upwards.
This is usually caused by debris in the jet or fuel line. Unscrew the jet and check for debris, cleaning with a needle or compressed air if necessary.
