Optimus Hiker Plus Stove - Thoughts

[ryantmalone]

After seeing that the Optimus Hiker Plus stove was on eBay for 99$ (from this thread - viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11943), I ended up grabbing myself one, both for nostalgic reasons, and for the fact that since using Strive Foods dehydro meals, I require the ability to simmer (which my Whisperlite does not do very easily).

Ended up taking mine with me to Lerderderg this weekend, I'm confident enough to share some words about the stove for others who might be thinking of checking one out themselves.



First thing - first attempt using the stove resulted in a blockage that took some time to clear out. Turns out that these stoves, in the fuel tank, there may be some remnants from the manufacturing process left behind. If you run this stove without thoroughly washing it out, this can result in a blockage. I unblocked mine by flushing it out, and manually cleaning the jet. Worked a charm since then.

As for fuels, I used Shellite to start with, which strangely enough, was not capable of boiling a litre of water in under ten minutes. I could boil less, but a litre just did not want to boil.

Using Kerosene, it boiled a litre of water within about 5 minutes (well over the 3.5 minutes that Optimus quote).

The only problem with using Kerosene is that priming is messy business, and can be dangerous, so I'd recommend carrying some spirits to prime the stove.

The stove is far from perfect, however it was reliable, and that is why I got mine. Having used the older Optimus stoves back in the 80's and early 90's, these things, permitting they are maintained well, are bomb proof.

The main concern that I have is that they are a menace when there is even so much as a little wind. Even so much as a breeze will send the flame away from the pot, push your boil times through the roof, and even worse, set fire to any loose leaf litter or grass nearby.

With that said, it would be common sense to be careful as to where to use one of these.

As for burn time, I cooked multiple coffees, dinner (25 minutes cooking time), soup, breakfast, and boiled a few litres of water for drinking. At the end of the trip, I had at least half a tank left, which was full to 3/4. Its pretty efficient, at least, more so than my Whisperlite.

The stove itself is pretty heavy, with a full tank, its just under 2kg, so definitely not for those who are trying to carry less. That said, carrying this and everything else this weekend (including water) my pack weight was well under 15 kg, so its not that bad.

End of the day, pretty happy with it. It is what it is. I'd probably want to get a service kit for it, just in case of more blockages, and I'd be keen to see how other fuels work with it, and how they affect boil times.

If there's anything that anyone else wants to know, feel free to ask.

[Jack o]

Hi
I’ve owned an Optimus hiker 111 (Kerosene burner model) for 40 years and over this time, it’s proved itself to be very reliable, robust and an excellent cooking stove. It has been extensively used for general camping, hiking, kayaking and ski touring.

If you are having issues with the jet getting blocked with impurities, then the fuel tank may just need a quick blast out with compressed air to remove any dust or grit particles which maybe lying at the bottom of the tank. As you are probably aware, cleanliness is very important when refueling the tank to ensure that dust and grit from the environment do not find their way into the fuel.

[Moondog55]

-Optimus were well aware of the wind problem years ago. When I had mine an optional extra was a slotted small brass windscreen that fitted around the base of the stove, funny I only just remembered that, a bit of aluminium won't work there as it gets too hot

[Jack o]

-Optimus were well aware of the wind problem years ago. When I had mine an optional extra was a slotted small brass windscreen that fitted around the base of the stove, funny I only just remembered that, a bit of aluminium won't work there as it gets too hot

My Optimus 111 is equipped with the small brass windshield and as far as I can recall it was sold with the unit.

[Moondog55]

I had the 111B and the windshield wasn't included but could be bought as an extra, I don't remember ever having any real problems but perhaps that is because I mainly cooked in the tents vestibule

[Jack o]

I had the 111B and the windshield wasn't included but could be bought as an extra, I don't remember ever having any real problems but perhaps that is because I mainly cooked in the tents vestibule

Perhaps the windshield was optional for the Shellite burning 111b as the more volatile fuel was easier to prime in windy conditions than kerosene.

[Jack o]

Just as a further testament to the quality of the Optimus 111, this stove has been successfully used for years on field trips in Antarctica with the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE).

[ryantmalone]

Just as a further testament to the quality of the Optimus 111, this stove has been successfully used for years on field trips in Antarctica with the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE).

Pretty sure the new one was used in the Antarctic, plus at high altitude on Everest.

Will literally run anywhere.

[Jack o]

The Optimus 111 is not only bullet proof, but importantly it's easy to repair and maintain, parts are freely available and many of the rubber seals can even be fabricated using a hole punch and some nitrile rubber sheeting of the appropriate thickness.

In fact for snow camping in the alps this stove nicely complements the Macpac/Fairydown Plateau tent which is also bullet proof.

[ryantmalone]

The Optimus 111 is not only bullet proof, but importantly it's easy to repair and maintain, parts are freely available and many of the rubber seals can even be fabricated using a hole punch and some nitrile rubber sheeting of the appropriate thickness.

Funny you say that. I was originally going to look at a Jetboil Sol, but decided not to because of the lack of field serviceability.

I find that to be one of the most important offerings of a stove.

[Onestepmore]

It's a heavy little beastie.....

[ryantmalone]

It's a heavy little beastie.....

That it is. Ideally, it would be great for someone who walks into a remote area, and hikes out from that one camp to do multiple day trips.

Its not that bad to carry though, then again, I don't count grams as much as some.

[Jack o]

It's a heavy little beastie.....

That it is. Ideally, it would be great for someone who walks into a remote area, and hikes out from that one camp to do multiple day trips.

Its not that bad to carry though, then again, I don't count grams as much as some.

Our multiple day ski touring trips often involve skiing out to relatively remote areas of the Bogong High Plains or the Main Range, setting up a base camp and taking ski day trips out from there. The base camp may then be shifted every second day or so. In these circumstances, pack weight is of a secondary consideration compared to having sufficiently heavy duty gear which is fully capable of withstanding the unpredictable and worst weather which mother-nature has to throw up in the Alps. This often includes heavy snowfall, freezing rain, hurricane force winds at sub zero temperatures and blizzards. In these circumstances, the Macpac Plateau is an ideal tent within which to comfortably ride out the wildest of storms and the Optimus 111 makes an excellent base camp stove, where for example during the storm, you may need to cook for a number of people, or large amounts of snow may need to be melted for water inside the tent. I particularly like the kerosene burning model for this application, because even though kerosene is heavier to carry per unit of heat than Shellite, kerosene is far less volatile and therefore much safer to cook with in a confined space. For example, there have been instances in the past where a perished rubber safety valve seal on a Shellite pressure stove have blown unexpectedly and released a cloud of vapourised petrol which then exploded into a huge fireball. In similar circumstances, a burst seal on a kerosene pressure stove is only likely to release a strong odour of kerosene into the tent.

[ryantmalone]

I particularly like the kerosene burning model for this application, because even though kerosene is heavier to carry per unit of heat than Shellite, kerosene is far less volatile and therefore much safer to cook with in a confined space.

That's a good point, although when priming this model, you have to be careful how much kerosene you use to prime with, even though it is less volatile, it will burn bigger for longer.

A good alternative would be to use spirits to prime. Burns cleaner, not as volatile as Shellite, and burns shorter than Kerosene.

[Jack o]

I particularly like the kerosene burning model for this application, because even though kerosene is heavier to carry per unit of heat than Shellite, kerosene is far less volatile and therefore much safer to cook with in a confined space.

That's a good point, although when priming this model, you have to be careful how much kerosene you use to prime with, even though it is less volatile, it will burn bigger for longer.

A good alternative would be to use spirits to prime. Burns cleaner, not as volatile as Shellite, and burns shorter than Kerosene.

I always use a small amount of metholated spirits to prime my kerosene and Shellite stoves. It's clean, efficient and the priming flame should be small and not rising above the burner.

[Aidan]

The only problem with using Kerosene is that priming is messy business, and can be dangerous, so I'd recommend carrying some spirits to prime the stove.
If there's anything that anyone else wants to know, feel free to ask.

Priming with metho is really the best way to go and I"m surprised anyone is trying different.
I suspect you still have a blockage issue if the shellite/whitespirits is taking so long to boil a litre of water.
Kero does burn hotter IMHO but that wait time sounds extreme and I think my non pressurised Trangia would take less the the time your getting.
I'm a huge fan of the 111's but have to acknowledge that for my weight conscious cycle touring my trangia is superior due to its light weight and no need for maintenance nor priming fuel.
On an extended trip, for me, these are deal breakers.
I mentioned it in another thread but will repeat here:
Do not attempt to take your Optimus on a plane as it will likely be confiscated at the airport (mine was).
Instead post it to your destination or take a Trangia.
Mine had its tank filled with water but they still wouldn't allow it on the plane and the questionnaires you must now fill in are legal documents and you are asked if your carrying camping equipment and in particular stoves.
This was a shock to me last year at Qantas checkout in Sydney flying interstate.
And no it wasnt in my carry on luggage.

Oh and as I dont want to be shrink-wrapped I try to avoid cooking in tents period.