During my time in the army as a light infantryman, I carried a 400A in the field. During the time, I never had any problems with it. And that included using it for myself, and a good share of the time, for my squad and platoon. Very good and durable little stove. Highly recommended.
I am 73 years old and have been using the Svea 123r since the 1960's. I figured out a neat way to start it. Just tear off a small piece of paper towel, toilet paper will not work. Roll it long ways between your fingers. Then open the fuel cap and dip the rolled paper towel into the ful and let it soak up some gas. Put the rolled paper towel in the preheating cup, being careful not to let it get near the fuel cap so you don't burn the o ring. Jut light it and open the vaqlve when it gets hot. That way you don't have fuel running down the outside of the stove.
Have you ever tried the warm it with your hands method? Open and close the fuel cap to equalize the pressure, wrap your hands around the stove or put it under your coat for a few seconds to warm the brass a few degrees, set it down and quickly open the valve. Fuel will dribble from the jet and automatically drain into the priming cup. Close the valve and light at the burner. The priming pan will catch immediately. Works great! Though I still prefer to use alcohol for less sooting.
Wow! I’m inspired! I just took my Coleman stove out for the first time since 1986! A bit of oil on the pump to free it and a waggle of the jammed valves. Low and behold it has petrol in it and after pumping it was hissing at me 😀 it’s 02.15 here in the UK and deadly quiet, so I’ll be testing it tomorrow, brilliant vid, many thanks.
2 great stoves, but you are completely bypassing one of Coleman's best features. The engineering marvel that is instant lighting. If you follow the directions on the stove which are printed on the side, you pump it up, turn it on high and light it and it's ready to cook on in seconds. You are flooding the generator and taking much more time to warm up when you try to baby the flame during start up. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but going on high for lighting passes air down the fuel pickup tube and atomizes the fuel like a carburetor. Going on low just sends liquid into the generator. Once the generator is hot, back pressure stops the atomization process and you give the stove a few pumps to replenish the air expended in the lighting process. I'm no keyboard critic on this subject. I own about 100 single burner stoves including both of these. I did over 21 years in Field Artillery and cooked a LOT of meals and coffee on just about all of them. Give the instructions a try and see what you think. Both stoves are great. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the information . I have been thinking about that Coleman model even though it does weighs more that the Svea 123.. You say you own about 100 single burner stoves .. Are the the same make and model ? I see the excellent Optimus 8R is now hard to find , couple on Ebay.. That model was made with a built in tank pump with slightly larger size tank, don't think it's built anymore as i found nothing about it ...
In the hopes you'll ever read this, which (kerosene, not gas/diesel) stove trumps them all in regards of durability, easy of maintenance, easy finding of spare parts and ease of use in your years of collecting and experience?
Coleman shat on us using plastic for their Peak1 Apex stove pump assembly. (cracked after twenty years, simple as a turkey tail fungi forms) I don't want a MSR nor Optimus. I want my Apex back up, US made. Coleman lantern: who knew the tube going up between the ash lamps was how worked, let alone re-pump after lit? (ten hours after forgetting to shut it down was cwazy of early adjustable) ~~ Ash lamps? Why wouldn't the brass filter/screen that works on my coffee filter as them ash jobs? Melting? 1650° sounds warm. $$$$ ? ~ When back in the seventies ya half ran over your cooler and still using it. Could be a Coleman steel top. Surely I've lost my marbles... for Chinese checkers. ~ Hand on heart Stanley wholly remains US made if so. I've seen Stanley thermoses as yard art. All I gots is a couple old screw drivers.
Super video. I love it. Two classic backpacking stoves side by side for a race to the boil! Who started the water boil races as a way to compare stoves anyway? I know it is ageless, but it doesn't really prove much of importance in my opinion. I have owned and used both stoves for decades. The Coleman is a much more versatile cooking tool because the flame is so perfectly controllable; better than some home ranges. The SVEA is smaller, but the intense focused flame makes it difficult to do anything except boil water, especially if you are using stainless steel or aluminum pots. Also, the pressure pump on the Coleman is so much more reliable and convenient than the fuel dish primer on the SVEA. In cold weather, you have to re-prime the SVEA tank usually by pouring spoonfuls of fuel on the lighted stove creating a fireball If all you plan to do is boil water the SVEA is a nice, compact, reliable stove. With the Coleman, however, you can have every flame range from full throttle to slow simmer and can really do some fine cooking.
These are both good stoves. I favor the Colemans because they are much quieter, and much faster to start... and the commonly-needed parts are readily available if you have a 442 or 533 or 400B.
Very informative. I love these old stoves. If I'm backpacking, the SEVA is by far the better stove. Back in the day, no serious backpacker would consider the coleman, There is no comparison between the two for that purpose. Although I knew people that lugged the coleman around because it was the more affordable by a big difference. And people that say the SVEA is bad in the winter don't know what they are talking about. They were used on summits all over the world. What's funny is that the 123 is still in production at a price point that is still reasonable and the coleman is mostly a high priced "vintage" item on ebay. However, If I'm car camping, then the coleman make more sense because I may want to actually cook something as opposed to doing a freeze dried meal and the burner control is better. Both good stoves though. I was surprised that the SVEA kept up with the much bigger coleman in the boil time. Also, the SVEA does have an optional pump to help with priming.
That model Coleman i do not own but it's a good test and you did well .. My Svea 123 is now 55-56 years old now and i still use it , the hotter the fuel tank gets the higher the pressure in the tank .. The Svea is a good performer and i have compared it along side my Simmerlite , Dragonfly and XGK for measured cold water and same size pots .. Very interesting results .. 55 minutes burn time with a full tank with the Svea even @ 5,000 plus feet of altitude , i have cooked off it for a lot of years now .. It's a bit unstable with it's smaller base on uneven ground so i carry an old lic. plate to give it more surface.. I'm quite sure i will never wear out my Svea 123 , just one fuel cap in those years .. well done..
You point out a good point that I like about the Coleman. The larger heat dispersal area cooks more evenly. With the jet boil type burners, you have to raise the pan higher to get the heat to disperse over the entire bottom of the pan. Boiling water is a good test for heat output, but the real test is in the cooking and how even it cooks. I have a 533 and a 3-burner 426D liquid fuel stoves. I've had the 3-burner since the early 1970s. Works flawlessly.
Testing stoves for "Fasted Boil" Is an old and really pretty useless standard for stoves, IMO. I think a better judge of stoves is flame control. Really, who care if one stove boils water 15 seconds faster than another stove? Lots of stoves can throw big flame, but unless all you do is boil water, some stoves are very difficult to cook good meals with because of the lack of flame control. In this regard, the Coleman Peak or Featherlite is infinitely superior to the 123.
The 123 has far better flame control than the Coleman. I own both stoves and the 123 is far superior because of that, it’s smaller size and weight, and simplicity.
Good points. The 400 I bought in '79 was just too big and heavy to pack. But it does SIMMER and my old Phoebus 725 does not. Another consideration is how much fuel is wasted during start up. The Coleman's waste a lot of fuel just getting to the optimum burn point. If you use a fire ribbon paste for warm up, the Phoebus aces the Coleman. There is a guy that makes a flame head for the Phoebus that lets it simmer. That puts the Phoebus now way over the top of the Coleman.
@@TheReal1953 Good point about the Coleman wasting fuel to get it to burn optimum. Probably, it is hardly enough to measure, but when you are fastidious about weight like most backpackers are, then every gram counts. These days, I do more canoeing and kayaking than backpacking and for these purposes, the size and weight of the Coleman 508 or Featherlight is insignificant. Right you are about using fuel paste "Ribbon" to prime stoves. I do a couple of things for speed and efficiency: First, I use a lighter or piece of pine cone or paper to heat up the generator before I actually light the stove. Then, I put the pot on the stove immediately after lighting. This way, the warming up time is used to put heat to the pot, but ALSO, the pot reflects the heat down onto the stove which speeds up the warm up time. Lots of tricks. If we could get them all together, what a world it would be!
@@explorermike19 Well, then there's the argument about 'dual fuel' stoves in which you can use gasoline and/or white gas. Pump gasoline these days is a really toxic bunch of bad stuff....leaves bad deposits. And if you argue to get the purer caned gasoline....well, you're right at the price threshold of white gas. I prefer to use white gas.YMMV Lots of people carry Mini Bics for lighting stoves/fires etc. I found them to be dismal at high altitude and generally, not the most reliable things in the world. I prefer waterproof matches.
@@TheReal1953 Colemans don't have time to "waste a lot of fuel". If you follow the instructions on the side of the stove, you're cooking at full power or simmer if you like in about 20 seconds. For hot burners without adjustability, I recommend a simmer plate. Just a metal disc. Easy to make if you can't find one. If you punch some dimples in it, you get a high and low with it. Dimples up holds the pot up with very little contact. Flip it over and you get almost full contact. Works really well, though not a very efficient way to cook. They also works well the Sveas to spread the hot spot out more evenly. I highly recommend them.
I’ve had my Peak I- 400 stove since 1979. It has been a very reliable stove in different weather conditions. For a time that stove had been in storage, however it lit the first time when started up again. I have backpacker friends that have used the Svea 123 stove & have been satisfied with the performance. I have also used the Optimus 111 stove prior to when the pump was available. That stove was a workhorse but on the heavy side. The Hank Roberts stove (clam shell- fold up shirt pocket carry) in the 1970s, was the first canister type stove I had used on a backpack trip in NH White Mountains.
I know this is an old video, but figured I'd chime in! lol I believe the Svea was showing signs of a low boil earlier due to the concentration of the "jet" flame vs the Coleman's more spread out bloom. But, the actual heat output seems to be almost equal. That being said, I can't help but notice the larger diameter of the Coleman burner. That would, in my experience, give you the ability to actually cook something besides water! LOL So many burners I have are so concentrated, the hot spot they create makes them near useless for anything except boiling water. Thanks for taking the time to share you're experiment! Both stoves are pretty freggin' cool.
Great comparison, as I've got both, ..... I normally choose the smaller Svea with the Motorbike, and the Coleman with the camper van. I don't know if anyone's mentioned it in the comments, but Svea are ( were) made in Sweden, not Switzerland. It seems a common confusion to those not familiar with Europe. If you ever test chocolate or watches, Switzerland is where it's at!
Have to say from experience I prefer the Swedish cooker, we were issued the Number 8, a military version for Norway [in a Stronger steel box], nice and steady heat after pre heating with a tablet. The Coleman, would often flare up and have to be thrown out of a tent to stop it burning it down. Lots of pumping, and washer problems. I bought one from a P.X. and it's never worked reliably.
Cool video. Coleman is great, but I am biased since I've been using the Svea since the 1980's so that's what I prefer. The Svea is smaller, and does the same job as the Coleman. When space and weight are priorities, guess which one wins. I also use the Primus 8R for a truck stove, makes for a little compact stove for a pot of coffee. Stove basically rides in the truck under seat along with a compact kettle..
The 123 is a time tested beast, sounds like a beast at 7:30 am in the woods... I get the looks from other campers waking up. I remember when Walmart discontinued the 400, i was in the sporting department and they had a shopping basket full of new in the box marked down to $11.00!! If i knew then what i know now.
I have a ORIGINAL 1953 SVEA 123R. The one with the slanted valve adjustment housing. I bought some brasso and polished it up. Took it apart, cleaned it, had to replace a few parts that were easy to find on ebay.....NOTHING COMPARES TO THIS STOVE. I DONT CARE WHAT YOU GOT. NOTHING BEATS THIS STOVE AND THIS ONE, WAS IN THE KOREAN WAR.
@@MARKIEBANUNCE :: That model is the only one I'll buy and keep.. Have like 10 or more. The R model was not that great with all the extra self cleaning brass going on. I'll still buy them to sell.
A solid tie. I would love to find a good Coleman but I have been using a Svea for 35 years so I’m well outfitted. You can use a trivet to get more even heat with the Svea to cook bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Great demonstration, I'm just getting started camping. After a year in the jungles as a grunt in the RVN, and retiring as a 1SGT in armor. My idea of camping has been the Holliday Inn, but I'm thinking about spending some time in the woods again.
swedish, of course... nothing to do with Switzerland (but SIGG and other swiss companies used to make same pot systems that were designed to use the SVEA) Good review, but one issue is not mentioned: maintenance and ease of use, such stoves must not only cook meals but if they are operated in far away places in nature, they also have to be as simple as possible, with so few pieces and parts as possible, and these should also be as "universal" as possible (easy to repair and adapt, the same as good old-school 4x4`s) I have used the SVEA for decades, but because of the reasons mentioned before, nowadays I always also carry my trusted Trangia spirit burner and a Firebox Nano
I got svea 123 at a yard sale a couple days ago for a dollar fifty it was complete in the original box with no accessory pump. I didn't have any naphtha or white gas so I use unleaded and a thing works great when I tested it to boil water.
+JIUJITSU2000 you bet when I saw it I didn't know exactly what kind of stove at was but when I looked it up on my phone I saw what a great little product it is. and yes I find some super duper awesome deals yard sales Rock!
Two great models! I'm many are here thinking about all the adventures they have taken these stoves on LOL. I don't either of them but always wanted one. Bought an XGK first generation when MSR brought them out LOL, 29 years old and still raging. I'm subbing too.
Boy, this makes me feel old. I've got a "first edition" of the Coleman - older and a bit heavier than the Peak 1 Feather 400 - and a 1955 Primus, which internally is similar to a Svea 123, but has a completely different housing (and no pot). Both are unrestored and in original condition, and both have been in service for a long time. The Primus was bought by my dad for his own use, He was a wholesaler who carried the full Optimus/Primus line of equipment, mainly for bush camps and such in northwest Canada. I bought the Coleman when they first came on the market, and although I kept thinking I'd pick up the "lightweight" model when it appeared, I was lazy and just kept on with the original. I think I still lhave the original cardboard box, LOL. When I think that the Primus will be 65 years old in 2020, and the Coleman dates from the late 1970's, _that_ makes me feel the miles. How far they've traveled in a bike pannier or backpack? I couldn't begin to guess. Like the song says, they've been everywhere.
Agree, both great stoves. Love the video. Coleman has feet that extend out (not shown in video) that make it more stable and easier to level. You can also run the Coleman dry without damaging it because it has no wick and it works better in extreme cold thanks to it's pump, or where you need long run times for melting snow, because of it's larger fuel tank. The Svea has almost nothing that can go wrong with it apart from running it dry, or leaving automobile gas in it until it turns to varnish. It's lighter, and needs to be protected from the wind. (The Coleman pot stands offer significant wind protection.) SVEA is prettier, IMO, and has a reassuring sound. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My choice for solo or small group day hikes is an Optimus 8R, which is slower, and heavier, but convenient. Or for large groups, a Coleman 550 which is faster, super stable, and has a wind screen available.
I have a Coleman Sporster 533, slightly larger tank, heavier, but the same burner. My brother has a SVEA 123. Both great stoves! The Coleman is a much more modern design and lights instantly (blmeflmm66 describes it exactly right). The SVEA's design is derived from the classic Primus paraffin (kerosene) stoves from the end of the 19th century and is practically bombproof! The burner is of the aptly named "roarer" type and has to be preheated to light. I would thoroughly recommend either.
I might point out that if you're going to do a time comparison, you should start from when you unpack and start both, because the start and "warm-up time" is a significant part of the time before you get your boiling water (it was 5 Min+ before you even put the pots on)...also, a little correction: The SVEA is made in Sweden...I agree, both are great and absolutely reliable...I give the SVEA a slight edge...its a little lower, so the pot on top is slightly more stable and less vulnerable...they do roar like an F16 on full afterburner, but I don't mind (this keeps bears away!), but if that bothers you, there are little castings available that replace the burner head and completely silence them...plus, I love the GOLD look of the brass (isn't dat viert!?)...good comparo vid...! Cheers
You think the Svea is more stable than the 400? You do realize he didn't unfold the legs right? Those tripod legs are very stable and much easier to level than the Svea. I have them both and think they're both great, but stability is hands down in the Coleman column here. And if started correctly, the Coleman is running clean at full power in 10-15 seconds after lighting. Add 30 pumps at 3 per sec and you're still under 30 sec to full power and cooking. When I use the Svea, I bring a little 6x6inch square of 1/4 in plywood base for a more stable cook. There are more things that CAN go wrong on the Coleman, but they are damn reliable stoves. If you don't mind waiting for the Svea to warm up, they're hard to beat. But if you want to actually cook food, the simmer and wider heat pattern of the Coleman is a great bonus.
The 123 takes way longer to pre heat! Now take them outside and try lighting then in the cold ( I have both ) the Coleman will light way Easyer than the svea you need to practise practise to be able to light the svea in the cold they can be a real dog if it's very cold but it's good once going
Nice test! The Feather 400 Peak1 stoves are my favorite historically but I've started to really like the SVEA 123 stoves as well, so great to see this vid.
I've done this ,too. It does help to keep the generator clean. BTW if you use coleman fuel, or any other of that type , put 1/2 cup of gumout in the container and mix with fuel. It helps to keep your stove burning clean.
Both have pros and cons. Both great stoves. The older Coleman 400 that has a lever to simmer is a way better stove for simmering but the generators are no longer made. The svea has fewer things that can go wrong. No pump and checkvalve to worry about. The vaporizer is easy to clean. It’s almost all brass except for the key and pot supports. I have some old 1950’s svea 123 that still are running like new! I have lots of Coleman 400 series and they are a lot quieter. Wider flame and good for real cooking. I can cook pancakes on my svea no problem. Same with the Coleman. Personal preference is svea. I sold all my svea 123r and only have about a dozen of the older svea. Don’t get me wrong. Coleman makes excellent stuff. Their checkvalve is hands down the best out there. But for simplicity the svea is my choice!
They make a quiet burner for the svea. I bought one about 4 years ago on ebay. They may be hard to find now, but its worth it. My svea is whisper quiet now.
I bought quiet burner three years also but I've never used it because I can't find it. Lo and behold I was rummaging through some boxes today and found it. Will do a test drive with it soon. First used a SVEA in the early '70's on a backpacking trip up around Aspen with my brother-in-law. Haven't seen one since until about 10 years ago and ordered one. Love it and the memories it brought back. Now it's in my smaller backpack for day camping.
Really interesting video. I liked seeing the Svea compared to something very familiar. Both in size and performance. The Svea has a much smaller burner, and would be better for hiker type food. Like boiling water for dehydrated food, in the traditional fairly tall, narrow pots, but the Coleman, with the wider burner is way better for frying pans. One thing about Coleman’s though, and I grew up with them, is that I still use an old double burner with the copper tank from the 1960's, and the ones I had from like 2000 failed after a short time. I don’t think the quality is the same as it was.
I own a lot of Coleman stuff. To me Coleman, was the Browning of Heat and Light. I constantly marvel at the simple, effective and inexpensive solutions Coleman devised. Nothing extraneous, no frills, but at the same time, built like a tank.
Ok I have a question... so they seemed to finish about same time... but how long did it take to get the 123 up to full pressure? In practice it would be a waste of heavy fuel to let the stove ramp up all the way like that before cooking. I bet the 400 would've hotter faster if that makes sense. Don't get me wrong, I have a bunch of the 123s and I love them!
I agree and I own and love both of these stoves. But if you light the Coleman per the instructions that are printed on the side of the stove, even if you include the pumping, you should be cooking in under 30 seconds at full power. With a quick 2 cup boil you'd be done on the Coleman before the Svea got to full power. I love the Svea. It's just not fast. But how cool is the self pressurizing design? Very cool, is the correct answer. Haha!
Great test. However starting up time seemed to be different. The 123 was sold as a mountaineering stove with a pot, not great!, Whereas the Coleman is a low level stove. Both are good at what they do. I have both but have only got the Coleman recently so I haven't fired it up yet.
I have the Coleman which has been a great stove for motorcycle adventure camping, however, if only some one would make a cup and pot set that would fit over the Coleman would make it much better, I believe the Svea is smaller and you can get off the shelf hiking pot and cup sets that fit over the stove. Best thing about petrol stoves are so cheap to run and fuel is available anywhere....fill the motorcycle and fill your 500mil fuel container at the same time. They are also great around the camp on a cold day with it running between your legs....nice and warm.
Hello I had a question for you. First of all, love the comparison video enjoyed it very very much. basically my question is, do you know what the difference between the Coleman 533 dual fuel single burner stove is compared to the feather 400 Coleman peak 1? I have the 533 dual fuel and have been looking at the feather 400 and was just wondering what the difference is if there is any at all? Thank you very much and get back to you when you get this keep up the great videos and thanks again
The major difference is in the diameter of the fount (tank) and in the weight. The burners are almost identical. The 533 is about a half-pound heavier than the 400B/442 stoves, but the fount holds about 50% more fuel. IMO the 533 makes a great car- or motorcycle camping stove, and a great emergency stove for when you lose power, but I'd go with a 442 or 550B (the lightest modern integral Coleman single burner stove). The 550B is the lightest but is not as rugged/bump resistant. The 400B/442 is IMO the best combination... it is my moto camping and day hiking stove, with a 550B when I want to travel as light as I can.
@@johnclifford1911 thank you very much for the reply. I really appreciate it so basically in your opinion if I had to have a single burner stove the most rugged and reliable not worrying about weight would be the five three three? Let me know when you get this thanks for everything
@@lessstuffmorefreedom-livin6886 I think the 400-series as well as the 533 (which is really the 400-series burner with the larger fount/tank) are equally rugged, and any of these would be fine. You can buy brand-new 533s from Amazon for $70... that's hard to beat. Really, the only Coleman stoves I've seen that are beaten up look like they were tossed in the back of a pickup truck and bounced around the bed for a while when driven over a bumpy road... and they still work, the aluminum windshield for the burner just gets beat to crap. Take care of any of these and they will likely outlast you.
I like my Coleman 502 stove, what a classic. I took it on my first backpacking trip, then I bought the 400 stove for my next trip. I have the Svea too because it's a visual wonder, but it's best for just boiling, but more reliable than just about any other small white gas stove. I never use auto gas in anything, even mil-spec lanterns.
You're welcome. For the record, those stoves were new when I bought them, early 1980's. For some reason, I love liquid fuel lanterns and stoves, I have a large hoard of them. Most from the 1920's through 1960's. I have some late model ones though.
I cooked a chicken in base camp on MT St Helens in 1974. Yes it took time but it happened. I also make huckleberry muffins on the same stove for the same meal.
While I prefer my 123 this wasn't an accurate comparison in my opinion. The Coleman was just loafing here! Notice the red lever on the coleman pointing down at the beginning of the video, in this position "light" it depletes the internal tank pressure. Pump the Coleman back up again after moving the red lever to horizontal "Run"; It is important to replace the air pressure that was used during preheat. I think the Coleman is rated at 8500 BTU, the Svea is not quite 5000 BTU, should be no comparison, if boiling water fast is the only concern.
The Coleman's are more efficient and cook faster has a larger and wider burner spread. But the SVEA is an easy stove to work on and hardly gives you a problem that you cant solve. They can take some abuse as well.. As long as you don't let the gas run out while it's fired up the inner wick will stay clean, Turn it off before you run out of gas.
I loved my svea stove... I used it about forty years... keeping the orfice in the correct size, and clean is important. Especially after using any off type fuel... but that is the neat thing it burnes just about anything.
Have you had any issues running the Svea off regular unleaded petrol? Was looking at one for motorbike travels because you have an endless supply of petrol, especially for when you are in extreme remote areas. The Svea manual says 'unleaded gasoline but not Car petrol', now I think that's because these things were made decades ago when petrol was much dirtier, Ive emailed Optimus and asked them to clarify but haven't had a reply. So just wondered what your longterm experience is with regular vehicle unleaded petrol. Thanks I have bought a Soto Muka to use for now, but would love to get a little Svea, think there's not much to wrong with them. I had a Peak multi fuel years ago in the early 90s, they were very popular in the British Army, better and quicker than using the issued Hexamaine fuel tablets, but it's just that warming up phase which seems to take forever, the Svea, out of these 2 is clearly way quicker overall to get a boil going. Many thanks from a very cold England!
I would have bet money that the Coleman would have performed better...but I was routing for the Svea and lo and behold, the old school kept right up and that is very impressive...you just can't improve old school that works like the wheel. I'm saving up for a Svea 123r that I hope will cook me a lot of meals...but not quietly...lol
Again great job on repair, I see you have folded the feet under to keep the stove level. If you ever get a hold of Biolite wood burning stove please post video on that. My kids were wanted to get me one but I thought the price was too high at the time.
Hey bro. You gotra do the new Stanley pressure cooker. I saw it at Walmart today. Also saw a new 2-pot cook set. They are both Adventure series products
Viewed from USA, they are the same 😊, but you're right, for sure... This said, Primus is actually owned by a swiss company (Katadyn), and the SVEA 123R are made in a Far East country, today, not any more in Sweden :-(
@@dphillips4351 Mine is 2 years old and has "SWEDEN" engraved on it, the old fashion. But I cannot find any origin indication on it nor on its package. It's known that there are actually made in a Far East country.
@@idahosixgun5601 OK for the quality, but it is almost impossible to find an old one :-) I bought mine (new) 3 years ago, and it says "SWEDEN" on the tank. Not "made in Sweden", only "Sweden". Hence it can be confusing. Mine is Taiwan made, of course. The main and obvious difference between Sweden and Taiwan made is the valve angle with the jet body: older ones had a slight slope downwards, as the modern ones have a 90° angle.
Apples and oranges. The svea especially with the nested stainless cook set has a built in wind screen and is very rugged and not too heavy. I’ve used it with Coleman white gas and back packed and self contained kayaked all over with it. The Coleman stove is more suited to car camping. I wouldn’t want to drag it around.
On the Coleman stove you forgot to unfold the legs, and you should use a preheating jell to preheat your fuel. Also the Coleman is a what I like to call a real "chef's" stove due to how easy it is to adjust the flame, and how stable it is, when you have the legs unfolded.
+James Hart I didn't forget to unfold the legs, just chose not to. Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by and showing your support. Have a beautiful evening!
The pre-heating gel is used for kerosene fuel and maybe in extremely cold conditions for propane fuels. I've never had trouble with my liquid fuel stove.
No preheat necessary with white gas on the Coleman if you light it like the instructions on the side of the stove tell you to. Everybody seems to think they're smarter than the Coleman engineers or they're just scared of the stoves. If you pump it up, light your match/lighter, hold it to the burner, and open the valve to the LIGHT position and leave it there, you're cooking in 10 to 15 seconds. As soon as it lights, you should add more pumps. All that is printed clearly on the side of the stove. But nobody reads anymore.
I find your videos informative. . thank you! I noticed your skull lid. ..if I may, which TEAM? and more thank you's than one could offer! In which state are you located?
Al Pell Thank you for the kind words and support you give my channel. I'm happy to see that my videos were helpful. I was not a team guy. Some of my friends are or were. I live in AZ. Thank you for stopping by! Have a beautiful day!
oh okay so there's not a huge difference is between the two at all? I know they look fairly different one looks higher than the other I just didn't know if they performed that much different in your opinion
ive used my 400A at -30. Takes a little bit longer to heat the generator but after that its like using it at 70 deg. I pour a little Gas on top of the Stove and light it, just to get the generator warm, before i pressurize the tank. Its saved my ass a number of times in the Northern Boreal.
@@jiujitsu2000 I'm a stovie and probably own 20 different models, BUT I'm a bit ashamed to say that I don't own a Svea. I have to admit they kind of scare me a bit! I wonder how often these things have gone off with a bang? Thank you!
@@kenneth6731 Not at all. The fuel cap has a safety valve in it to vent if the pressure gets too high. As long as you don't use too big of a pot and/or use a separate poorly positioned wind screen that reflects too much heat back on the stove you're fine. Keep in mind that the whole stove gets way too hot to touch after several minutes of running on high.
Just to show the size, let me put a glass of Bacardi 151 near the flame...just busting balls - I have both stoves, and this is a great shoot out! Personally I think the Svea is hotter and easier, and the Coleman is more stable with big pots due to the folding legs.
Great stoves, but my soto windmaster Gas stove is much much quicker and much less faff. But for reliability, adaptability (travelling in 3rd world countries) and just watching it .... its a talking point!! The Svea 123r wins for me, it's beautiful, got personality, and I'm gonna get one.
i have used a can lid as a simmer ring on the SVEA...works good to cook eggs, which is next to impossible without one. A Forever stove. I switched to a Peak1 576 because of the noise.
The SVEA123 really should have the accessory mini-pump and special cap. On a cold day they are a PIA to get going unless you have some fibre glass wick wrapped around the valve stem to soak with alcohol. Using gasoline to prime with is a filthy business. I use white gas only, to much c**p in pump gasoline. Stability can be an issue, as the SVEA really is very small. OIt was meant to be used with it's own tiny pan. The SVEA looks like a descendant of a German Jewel 33 from WW2 era.
NJPurling Use a straw or plastic tube to fill the cup with naphtha from the tank. Replace the cap and set it on fire. I find this works much better than alcohol or fire paste. I leave the pump at home now.
I carry an old nasal spray bottle that holds maybe 2oz with the dip tube removed to squirt alcohol into the burner bell. It will automatically drain into the priming pan. I've used it like that for decades in all kinds of weather and never had any issues getting them fired up. They DO take time to get up to speed in the cold though. I got impatient one time and doused it in alcohol when it was close to zero F. Worked great....haha. Not recommending that method, but it worked. It helps to shield as much wind as possible and not set it on wet or frozen ground that acts as a heat sink.
Hi my friend. Just to knowledge. That kind of test will not be fair if the two of stoves can't deliver the same amount of "calories" (I'd prefer energy) to the same amount of water, at a given time... Cheers.
Coleman to me has been tried and true I was lucky to get one at the garage sale with a zip case (400b) And the guy threw in i aluminum bottle with fuel And the square box of fuel $10 He had a few other really good deals on camping stuff One was a HD canvas tent for 5 with a flap for a wood stove I want to say min army grade but better $100 I did not have the money But i knew it would be sold by the time i did lol
During my time in the army as a light infantryman, I carried a 400A in the field. During the time, I never had any problems with it. And that included using it for myself, and a good share of the time, for my squad and platoon. Very good and durable little stove. Highly recommended.
I am 73 years old and have been using the Svea 123r since the 1960's. I
figured out a neat way to start it. Just tear off a small piece of paper
towel, toilet paper will not work. Roll it long ways between your
fingers. Then open the fuel cap and dip the rolled paper towel into the
ful and let it soak up some gas. Put the rolled paper towel in the
preheating cup, being careful not to let it get near the fuel cap so you
don't burn the o ring. Jut light it and open the vaqlve when it gets
hot. That way you don't have fuel running down the outside of the stove.
Excellent idea, I'm going to try it!
Have you ever tried the warm it with your hands method? Open and close the fuel cap to equalize the pressure, wrap your hands around the stove or put it under your coat for a few seconds to warm the brass a few degrees, set it down and quickly open the valve. Fuel will dribble from the jet and automatically drain into the priming cup. Close the valve and light at the burner. The priming pan will catch immediately. Works great! Though I still prefer to use alcohol for less sooting.
Wow! I’m inspired! I just took my Coleman stove out for the first time since 1986! A bit of oil on the pump to free it and a waggle of the jammed valves. Low and behold it has petrol in it and after pumping it was hissing at me 😀 it’s 02.15 here in the UK and deadly quiet, so I’ll be testing it tomorrow, brilliant vid, many thanks.
2 great stoves, but you are completely bypassing one of Coleman's best features. The engineering marvel that is instant lighting. If you follow the directions on the stove which are printed on the side, you pump it up, turn it on high and light it and it's ready to cook on in seconds. You are flooding the generator and taking much more time to warm up when you try to baby the flame during start up. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but going on high for lighting passes air down the fuel pickup tube and atomizes the fuel like a carburetor. Going on low just sends liquid into the generator. Once the generator is hot, back pressure stops the atomization process and you give the stove a few pumps to replenish the air expended in the lighting process. I'm no keyboard critic on this subject. I own about 100 single burner stoves including both of these. I did over 21 years in Field Artillery and cooked a LOT of meals and coffee on just about all of them. Give the instructions a try and see what you think. Both stoves are great. Thanks for the video.
I have the Feather 400B. Got it in the late 70's. Still runs great after sitting for 20 years in the garage.
Thanks for the information . I have been thinking about that Coleman model even though it does weighs more that the Svea 123.. You say you own about 100 single burner stoves .. Are the the same make and model ? I see the excellent Optimus 8R is now hard to find , couple on Ebay.. That model was made with a built in tank pump with slightly larger size tank, don't think it's built anymore as i found nothing about it ...
In the hopes you'll ever read this, which (kerosene, not gas/diesel) stove trumps them all in regards of durability, easy of maintenance, easy finding of spare parts and ease of use in your years of collecting and experience?
Coleman shat on us using plastic for their Peak1 Apex stove pump assembly. (cracked after twenty years, simple as a turkey tail fungi forms)
I don't want a MSR nor Optimus. I want my Apex back up, US made.
Coleman lantern: who knew the tube going up between the ash lamps was how worked, let alone re-pump after lit? (ten hours after forgetting to shut it down was cwazy of early adjustable)
~~ Ash lamps? Why wouldn't the brass filter/screen that works on my coffee filter as them ash jobs? Melting? 1650° sounds warm. $$$$ ?
~ When back in the seventies ya half ran over your cooler and still using it. Could be a Coleman steel top.
Surely I've lost my marbles... for Chinese checkers.
~ Hand on heart Stanley wholly remains US made if so. I've seen Stanley thermoses as yard art.
All I gots is a couple old screw drivers.
Never mind. Ima eight years behind the times of >
Super video. I love it. Two classic backpacking stoves side by side for a race to the boil! Who started the water boil races as a way to compare stoves anyway? I know it is ageless, but it doesn't really prove much of importance in my opinion. I have owned and used both stoves for decades. The Coleman is a much more versatile cooking tool because the flame is so perfectly controllable; better than some home ranges. The SVEA is smaller, but the intense focused flame makes it difficult to do anything except boil water, especially if you are using stainless steel or aluminum pots. Also, the pressure pump on the Coleman is so much more reliable and convenient than the fuel dish primer on the SVEA. In cold weather, you have to re-prime the SVEA tank usually by pouring spoonfuls of fuel on the lighted stove creating a fireball If all you plan to do is boil water the SVEA is a nice, compact, reliable stove. With the Coleman, however, you can have every flame range from full throttle to slow simmer and can really do some fine cooking.
Seems like a common trend among stoves. To get the 'stats' to sell they go away from what you'd actually use the stove for
These are both good stoves. I favor the Colemans because they are much quieter, and much faster to start... and the commonly-needed parts are readily available if you have a 442 or 533 or 400B.
The Svea 123 is Swedish and not Swiss..
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svea_123
@wyomarine sveedun?
Very informative. I love these old stoves.
If I'm backpacking, the SEVA is by far the better stove. Back in the day, no serious backpacker would consider the coleman, There is no comparison between the two for that purpose. Although I knew people that lugged the coleman around because it was the more affordable by a big difference. And people that say the SVEA is bad in the winter don't know what they are talking about. They were used on summits all over the world. What's funny is that the 123 is still in production at a price point that is still reasonable and the coleman is mostly a high priced "vintage" item on ebay.
However, If I'm car camping, then the coleman make more sense because I may want to actually cook something as opposed to doing a freeze dried meal and the burner control is better. Both good stoves though.
I was surprised that the SVEA kept up with the much bigger coleman in the boil time. Also, the SVEA does have an optional pump to help with priming.
I always enjoy your presentations. Thank you for keeping it civil, polite, and clear!
That model Coleman i do not own but it's a good test and you did well .. My Svea 123 is now 55-56 years old now and i still use it , the hotter the fuel tank gets the higher the pressure in the tank .. The Svea is a good performer and i have compared it along side my Simmerlite , Dragonfly and XGK for measured cold water and same size pots .. Very interesting results .. 55 minutes burn time with a full tank with the Svea even @ 5,000 plus feet of altitude , i have cooked off it for a lot of years now .. It's a bit unstable with it's smaller base on uneven ground so i carry an old lic. plate to give it more surface.. I'm quite sure i will never wear out my Svea 123 , just one fuel cap in those years .. well done..
I think comparing weight, size and amount of fuel usage would also play a part in my preference for carrying either around.
You point out a good point that I like about the Coleman. The larger heat dispersal area cooks more evenly. With the jet boil type burners, you have to raise the pan higher to get the heat to disperse over the entire bottom of the pan. Boiling water is a good test for heat output, but the real test is in the cooking and how even it cooks. I have a 533 and a 3-burner 426D liquid fuel stoves. I've had the 3-burner since the early 1970s. Works flawlessly.
Testing stoves for "Fasted Boil" Is an old and really pretty useless standard for stoves, IMO. I think a better judge of stoves is flame control. Really, who care if one stove boils water 15 seconds faster than another stove? Lots of stoves can throw big flame, but unless all you do is boil water, some stoves are very difficult to cook good meals with because of the lack of flame control. In this regard, the Coleman Peak or Featherlite is infinitely superior to the 123.
The 123 has far better flame control than the Coleman. I own both stoves and the 123 is far superior because of that, it’s smaller size and weight, and simplicity.
Good points. The 400 I bought in '79 was just too big and heavy to pack. But it does SIMMER and my old Phoebus 725 does not. Another consideration is how much fuel is wasted during start up. The Coleman's waste a lot of fuel just getting to the optimum burn point. If you use a fire ribbon paste for warm up, the Phoebus aces the Coleman. There is a guy that makes a flame head for the Phoebus that lets it simmer. That puts the Phoebus now way over the top of the Coleman.
@@TheReal1953 Good point about the Coleman wasting fuel to get it to burn optimum. Probably, it is hardly enough to measure, but when you are fastidious about weight like most backpackers are, then every gram counts. These days, I do more canoeing and kayaking than backpacking and for these purposes, the size and weight of the Coleman 508 or Featherlight is insignificant. Right you are about using fuel paste "Ribbon" to prime stoves. I do a couple of things for speed and efficiency: First, I use a lighter or piece of pine cone or paper to heat up the generator before I actually light the stove. Then, I put the pot on the stove immediately after lighting. This way, the warming up time is used to put heat to the pot, but ALSO, the pot reflects the heat down onto the stove which speeds up the warm up time. Lots of tricks. If we could get them all together, what a world it would be!
@@explorermike19 Well, then there's the argument about 'dual fuel' stoves in which you can use gasoline and/or white gas. Pump gasoline these days is a really toxic bunch of bad stuff....leaves bad deposits. And if you argue to get the purer caned gasoline....well, you're right at the price threshold of white gas. I prefer to use white gas.YMMV Lots of people carry Mini Bics for lighting stoves/fires etc. I found them to be dismal at high altitude and generally, not the most reliable things in the world. I prefer waterproof matches.
@@TheReal1953 Colemans don't have time to "waste a lot of fuel". If you follow the instructions on the side of the stove, you're cooking at full power or simmer if you like in about 20 seconds. For hot burners without adjustability, I recommend a simmer plate. Just a metal disc. Easy to make if you can't find one. If you punch some dimples in it, you get a high and low with it. Dimples up holds the pot up with very little contact. Flip it over and you get almost full contact. Works really well, though not a very efficient way to cook. They also works well the Sveas to spread the hot spot out more evenly. I highly recommend them.
I’ve had my Peak I- 400 stove since 1979. It has been a very reliable stove in different weather conditions.
For a time that stove had been in storage, however it lit the first time when started up again. I have backpacker friends that have used the Svea 123 stove & have been satisfied with the performance.
I have also used the Optimus 111 stove prior to when the pump was available. That stove was a workhorse but on the heavy side.
The Hank Roberts stove (clam shell- fold up shirt pocket carry) in the 1970s, was the first canister type stove I had used on a backpack trip in NH White Mountains.
I know this is an old video, but figured I'd chime in! lol I believe the Svea was showing signs of a low boil earlier due to the concentration of the "jet" flame vs the Coleman's more spread out bloom. But, the actual heat output seems to be almost equal. That being said, I can't help but notice the larger diameter of the Coleman burner. That would, in my experience, give you the ability to actually cook something besides water! LOL So many burners I have are so concentrated, the hot spot they create makes them near useless for anything except boiling water. Thanks for taking the time to share you're experiment! Both stoves are pretty freggin' cool.
Great comparison, as I've got both, ..... I normally choose the smaller Svea with the Motorbike, and the Coleman with the camper van. I don't know if anyone's mentioned it in the comments, but Svea are ( were) made in Sweden, not Switzerland. It seems a common confusion to those not familiar with Europe. If you ever test chocolate or watches, Switzerland is where it's at!
Have to say from experience I prefer the Swedish cooker, we were issued the Number 8, a military version for Norway [in a Stronger steel box], nice and steady heat after pre heating with a tablet. The Coleman, would often flare up and have to be thrown out of a tent to stop it burning it down. Lots of pumping, and washer problems. I bought one from a P.X. and it's never worked reliably.
Cool video. Coleman is great, but I am biased since I've been using the Svea since the 1980's so that's what I prefer. The Svea is smaller, and does the same job as the Coleman. When space and weight are priorities, guess which one wins. I also use the Primus 8R for a truck stove, makes for a little compact stove for a pot of coffee. Stove basically rides in the truck under seat along with a compact kettle..
The 123 is a time tested beast, sounds like a beast at 7:30 am in the woods...
I get the looks from other campers waking up.
I remember when Walmart discontinued the 400, i was in the sporting department and they had a shopping basket full of new in the box marked down to $11.00!!
If i knew then what i know now.
I have a ORIGINAL 1953 SVEA 123R. The one with the slanted valve adjustment housing. I bought some brasso and polished it up. Took it apart, cleaned it, had to replace a few parts that were easy to find on ebay.....NOTHING COMPARES TO THIS STOVE. I DONT CARE WHAT YOU GOT. NOTHING BEATS THIS STOVE AND THIS ONE, WAS IN THE KOREAN WAR.
@@MARKIEBANUNCE :: That model is the only one I'll buy and keep.. Have like 10 or more. The R model was not that great with all the extra self cleaning brass going on. I'll still buy them to sell.
A solid tie. I would love to find a good Coleman but I have been using a Svea for 35 years so I’m well outfitted. You can use a trivet to get more even heat with the Svea to cook bacon and eggs for breakfast.
I've had a Coleman 400A since the '80s, and have used it for casting bullets quite a few times.
Great demonstration, I'm just getting started camping. After a year in the jungles as a grunt in the RVN, and retiring as a 1SGT in armor. My idea of camping has been the Holliday Inn, but I'm thinking about spending some time in the woods again.
+Joseph G Krestan Thank you!
Thanks mate, got my Colman dual faul stove 533 second hand for low price £19.50 in good condition 😀
swedish, of course... nothing to do with Switzerland (but SIGG and other swiss companies used to make same pot systems that were designed to use the SVEA) Good review, but one issue is not mentioned: maintenance and ease of use, such stoves must not only cook meals but if they are operated in far away places in nature, they also have to be as simple as possible, with so few pieces and parts as possible, and these should also be as "universal" as possible (easy to repair and adapt, the same as good old-school 4x4`s) I have used the SVEA for decades, but because of the reasons mentioned before, nowadays I always also carry my trusted Trangia spirit burner and a Firebox Nano
I got svea 123 at a yard sale a couple days ago for a dollar fifty it was complete in the original box with no accessory pump. I didn't have any naphtha or white gas so I use unleaded and a thing works great when I tested it to boil water.
john ostendorf I'll give you $2.00 for it. LOL... Just kidding. Brotha, that's a great deal. These are awesome stoves!! Score
+JIUJITSU2000 you bet when I saw it I didn't know exactly what kind of stove at was but when I looked it up on my phone I saw what a great little product it is. and yes I find some super duper awesome deals yard sales Rock!
john ostendorf: Unleaded may work but it will choke this stove faster than anything. White gas is what it was built for.
Two great models! I'm many are here thinking about all the adventures they have taken these stoves on LOL. I don't either of them but always wanted one. Bought an XGK first generation when MSR brought them out LOL, 29 years old and still raging. I'm subbing too.
Nice comparison and information. Video could’ve been 5 minutes shorter. I’ll be getting the Svea.
In my experience jet stoves are usually a tad faster at boiling water but they also have less adjustability and will crack cast iron in half.
Boy, this makes me feel old. I've got a "first edition" of the Coleman - older and a bit heavier than the Peak 1 Feather 400 - and a 1955 Primus, which internally is similar to a Svea 123, but has a completely different housing (and no pot). Both are unrestored and in original condition, and both have been in service for a long time. The Primus was bought by my dad for his own use, He was a wholesaler who carried the full Optimus/Primus line of equipment, mainly for bush camps and such in northwest Canada. I bought the Coleman when they first came on the market, and although I kept thinking I'd pick up the "lightweight" model when it appeared, I was lazy and just kept on with the original. I think I still lhave the original cardboard box, LOL. When I think that the Primus will be 65 years old in 2020, and the Coleman dates from the late 1970's, _that_ makes me feel the miles. How far they've traveled in a bike pannier or backpack? I couldn't begin to guess. Like the song says, they've been everywhere.
Agree, both great stoves. Love the video.
Coleman has feet that extend out (not shown in video) that make it more stable and easier to level. You can also run the Coleman dry without damaging it because it has no wick and it works better in extreme cold thanks to it's pump, or where you need long run times for melting snow, because of it's larger fuel tank.
The Svea has almost nothing that can go wrong with it apart from running it dry, or leaving automobile gas in it until it turns to varnish. It's lighter, and needs to be protected from the wind. (The Coleman pot stands offer significant wind protection.)
SVEA is prettier, IMO, and has a reassuring sound. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
My choice for solo or small group day hikes is an Optimus 8R, which is slower, and heavier, but convenient. Or for large groups, a Coleman 550 which is faster, super stable, and has a wind screen available.
I've never seen the 400b yet, nice little stove. Just got the 123r for Christmas, works like a charm. Good video!
I have a Coleman Sporster 533, slightly larger tank, heavier, but the same burner. My brother has a SVEA 123. Both great stoves! The Coleman is a much more modern design and lights instantly (blmeflmm66 describes it exactly right). The SVEA's design is derived from the classic Primus paraffin (kerosene) stoves from the end of the 19th century and is practically bombproof! The burner is of the aptly named "roarer" type and has to be preheated to light. I would thoroughly recommend either.
I might point out that if you're going to do a time comparison, you should start from when you unpack and start both, because the start and "warm-up time" is a significant part of the time before you get your boiling water (it was 5 Min+ before you even put the pots on)...also, a little correction: The SVEA is made in Sweden...I agree, both are great and absolutely reliable...I give the SVEA a slight edge...its a little lower, so the pot on top is slightly more stable and less vulnerable...they do roar like an F16 on full afterburner, but I don't mind (this keeps bears away!), but if that bothers you, there are little castings available that replace the burner head and completely silence them...plus, I love the GOLD look of the brass (isn't dat viert!?)...good comparo vid...! Cheers
You think the Svea is more stable than the 400? You do realize he didn't unfold the legs right? Those tripod legs are very stable and much easier to level than the Svea. I have them both and think they're both great, but stability is hands down in the Coleman column here. And if started correctly, the Coleman is running clean at full power in 10-15 seconds after lighting. Add 30 pumps at 3 per sec and you're still under 30 sec to full power and cooking. When I use the Svea, I bring a little 6x6inch square of 1/4 in plywood base for a more stable cook. There are more things that CAN go wrong on the Coleman, but they are damn reliable stoves. If you don't mind waiting for the Svea to warm up, they're hard to beat. But if you want to actually cook food, the simmer and wider heat pattern of the Coleman is a great bonus.
Both great stoves. I own both and many many other stoves just like you and each has its pros and cons.
You mentioned these are good back packing stoves.
How are they for spilling fuel during transport in a backpack or other bag if they aren't upright?
Could not find source for the Svea so I bought the Coleman after seeing you. Thank you.
The 123 takes way longer to pre heat! Now take them outside and try lighting then in the cold ( I have both ) the Coleman will light way Easyer than the svea you need to practise practise to be able to light the svea in the cold they can be a real dog if it's very cold but it's good once going
Nice test! The Feather 400 Peak1 stoves are my favorite historically but I've started to really like the SVEA 123 stoves as well, so great to see this vid.
Hello.
How many cc of fuel do you put in the svea 123 ?
Thanks for the video
sometimes is good to fill the coleman stove with valve cleaning liquid used by diesel cars
I've done this ,too. It does help to keep the generator clean. BTW if you use coleman fuel, or any other of that type , put 1/2 cup of gumout in the container and mix with fuel. It helps to keep your stove burning clean.
Both have pros and cons. Both great stoves. The older Coleman 400 that has a lever to simmer is a way better stove for simmering but the generators are no longer made. The svea has fewer things that can go wrong. No pump and checkvalve to worry about. The vaporizer is easy to clean. It’s almost all brass except for the key and pot supports. I have some old 1950’s svea 123 that still are running like new! I have lots of Coleman 400 series and they are a lot quieter. Wider flame and good for real cooking. I can cook pancakes on my svea no problem. Same with the Coleman. Personal preference is svea. I sold all my svea 123r and only have about a dozen of the older svea. Don’t get me wrong. Coleman makes excellent stuff. Their checkvalve is hands down the best out there. But for simplicity the svea is my choice!
They make a quiet burner for the svea. I bought one about 4 years ago on ebay. They may be hard to find now, but its worth it. My svea is whisper quiet now.
I have one and it works great, you're right,,, difficult to find and very quiet! Blessings!!
I bought quiet burner three years also but I've never used it because I can't find it. Lo and behold I was rummaging through some boxes today and found it. Will do a test drive with it soon. First used a SVEA in the early '70's on a backpacking trip up around Aspen with my brother-in-law. Haven't seen one since until about 10 years ago and ordered one. Love it and the memories it brought back. Now it's in my smaller backpack for day camping.
I just watched this video. Thinking of picking up the Svea and Optimus Polaris, thanks to your videos. Great content. Great reviews.
Really interesting video. I liked seeing the Svea compared to something very familiar. Both in size and performance.
The Svea has a much smaller burner, and would be better for hiker type food. Like boiling water for dehydrated food, in the traditional fairly tall, narrow pots, but the Coleman, with the wider burner is way better for frying pans.
One thing about Coleman’s though, and I grew up with them, is that I still use an old double burner with the copper tank from the 1960's, and the ones I had from like 2000 failed after a short time. I don’t think the quality is the same as it was.
I own a lot of Coleman stuff. To me Coleman, was the Browning of Heat and Light. I constantly marvel at the simple, effective and inexpensive solutions Coleman devised. Nothing extraneous, no frills, but at the same time, built like a tank.
Ok I have a question... so they seemed to finish about same time... but how long did it take to get the 123 up to full pressure? In practice it would be a waste of heavy fuel to let the stove ramp up all the way like that before cooking. I bet the 400 would've hotter faster if that makes sense. Don't get me wrong, I have a bunch of the 123s and I love them!
I agree and I own and love both of these stoves. But if you light the Coleman per the instructions that are printed on the side of the stove, even if you include the pumping, you should be cooking in under 30 seconds at full power. With a quick 2 cup boil you'd be done on the Coleman before the Svea got to full power. I love the Svea. It's just not fast. But how cool is the self pressurizing design? Very cool, is the correct answer. Haha!
Great test. However starting up time seemed to be different. The 123 was sold as a mountaineering stove with a pot, not great!, Whereas the Coleman is a low level stove. Both are good at what they do. I have both but have only got the Coleman recently so I haven't fired it up yet.
Brilliant video
I have the Coleman which has been a great stove for motorcycle adventure camping, however, if only some one would make a cup and pot set that would fit over the Coleman would make it much better, I believe the Svea is smaller and you can get off the shelf hiking pot and cup sets that fit over the stove. Best thing about petrol stoves are so cheap to run and fuel is available anywhere....fill the motorcycle and fill your 500mil fuel container at the same time. They are also great around the camp on a cold day with it running between your legs....nice and warm.
The Svea actually comes with its own pan these days.
Hello I had a question for you. First of all, love the comparison video enjoyed it very very much. basically my question is, do you know what the difference between the Coleman 533 dual fuel single burner stove is compared to the feather 400 Coleman peak 1? I have the 533 dual fuel and have been looking at the feather 400 and was just wondering what the difference is if there is any at all? Thank you very much and get back to you when you get this keep up the great videos and thanks again
Thank you for the kind words and support you give my channel... the main difference that I noticed is size and weight. they both performed very well
the newer 533 dual fuel is rated at 9500 BTU and the old Peak 1 is rated at 10,000 BTU. The Peak1 also uses gasoline and is 1/3 smaller than the 533.
The major difference is in the diameter of the fount (tank) and in the weight. The burners are almost identical. The 533 is about a half-pound heavier than the 400B/442 stoves, but the fount holds about 50% more fuel. IMO the 533 makes a great car- or motorcycle camping stove, and a great emergency stove for when you lose power, but I'd go with a 442 or 550B (the lightest modern integral Coleman single burner stove). The 550B is the lightest but is not as rugged/bump resistant. The 400B/442 is IMO the best combination... it is my moto camping and day hiking stove, with a 550B when I want to travel as light as I can.
@@johnclifford1911 thank you very much for the reply. I really appreciate it so basically in your opinion if I had to have a single burner stove the most rugged and reliable not worrying about weight would be the five three three? Let me know when you get this thanks for everything
@@lessstuffmorefreedom-livin6886 I think the 400-series as well as the 533 (which is really the 400-series burner with the larger fount/tank) are equally rugged, and any of these would be fine. You can buy brand-new 533s from Amazon for $70... that's hard to beat. Really, the only Coleman stoves I've seen that are beaten up look like they were tossed in the back of a pickup truck and bounced around the bed for a while when driven over a bumpy road... and they still work, the aluminum windshield for the burner just gets beat to crap. Take care of any of these and they will likely outlast you.
I like my Coleman 502 stove, what a classic. I took it on my first backpacking trip, then I bought the 400 stove for my next trip. I have the Svea too because it's a visual wonder, but it's best for just boiling, but more reliable than just about any other small white gas stove. I never use auto gas in anything, even mil-spec lanterns.
+Mark Holbrook Thank you!
You're welcome. For the record, those stoves were new when I bought them, early 1980's. For some reason, I love liquid fuel lanterns and stoves, I have a large hoard of them. Most from the 1920's through 1960's. I have some late model ones though.
I found an old brass Stesco gasoline stove in a small town country antique store back in the 80s. Still works. No moving parts.
I cooked a chicken in base camp on MT St Helens in 1974. Yes it took time but it happened. I also make huckleberry muffins on the same stove for the same meal.
This was with a Svea stove with a Sigg cookset.
Nice work. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Thank-you for a good video.
What a great video. I have both of these stoves.
Burning indoors? Any ventilation ?
Love the SWISS made stove for sure!
While I prefer my 123 this wasn't an accurate comparison in my opinion. The Coleman was just loafing here!
Notice the red lever on the coleman pointing down at the beginning of the video, in this position "light" it depletes the internal tank pressure.
Pump the Coleman back up again after moving the red lever to horizontal "Run"; It is important to replace the air pressure that was used during preheat. I think the Coleman is rated at 8500 BTU, the Svea is not quite 5000 BTU, should be no comparison, if boiling water fast is the only concern.
The Coleman's are more efficient and cook faster has a larger and wider burner spread. But the SVEA is an easy stove to work on and hardly gives you a problem that you cant solve. They can take some abuse as well.. As long as you don't let the gas run out while it's fired up the inner wick will stay clean, Turn it off before you run out of gas.
Yeah I did that once. Stupid mistake, as I had plenty of fuel on hand. Wasn't too bad. Had a cotton mop at the house, so it was and easy fix.
Both are good stoves. I've had both, but only the Svea remains. It is a stove I will never sell.
Great video, what you use as a case for the SVEA ?
I collects dozens of these stoves and the sveas don’t hold a candle to a modern Coleman but they’re cool. You severely underpumped that Coleman.
Svea are a swedish stove though =)
Is it possible to use an alcohol lika a fuel?
I loved my svea stove... I used it about forty years... keeping the orfice in the correct size, and clean is important. Especially after using any off type fuel... but that is the neat thing it burnes just about anything.
I think I'm more interested in which one can make my fuel go farther. Speed is good, but speed don't matter when your out of gas.
the peak1 will get about 4 hours on low. not sure about the other one.
Have you had any issues running the Svea off regular unleaded petrol? Was looking at one for motorbike travels because you have an endless supply of petrol, especially for when you are in extreme remote areas. The Svea manual says 'unleaded gasoline but not Car petrol', now I think that's because these things were made decades ago when petrol was much dirtier, Ive emailed Optimus and asked them to clarify but haven't had a reply. So just wondered what your longterm experience is with regular vehicle unleaded petrol. Thanks I have bought a Soto Muka to use for now, but would love to get a little Svea, think there's not much to wrong with them. I had a Peak multi fuel years ago in the early 90s, they were very popular in the British Army, better and quicker than using the issued Hexamaine fuel tablets, but it's just that warming up phase which seems to take forever, the Svea, out of these 2 is clearly way quicker overall to get a boil going. Many thanks from a very cold England!
No issues at all!
I run my gas through a coffee filter then I put it in stove. These are easy to fix if you run into any issues. Blessings from Arizona!
I would have bet money that the Coleman would have performed better...but I was routing for the Svea and lo and behold, the old school kept right up and that is very impressive...you just can't improve old school that works like the wheel. I'm saving up for a Svea 123r that I hope will cook me a lot of meals...but not quietly...lol
Again great job on repair, I see you have folded the feet under to keep the stove level. If you ever get a hold of Biolite wood burning stove please post video on that. My kids were wanted to get me one but I thought the price was too high at the time.
Biolite was a great concept like the refillable mini lanterns but in the end a POS had both hated them.
Wanted them both for some time but Moreso the Svea, maybe is a nostalgia thing, I like old things
Great video. I have both. They are both great stoves. It just depends what your personal preferences are.
The Swea is made in Sweden not 'Swiss' ie Switzerland. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪.
Exakt❤
Hey bro. You gotra do the new Stanley pressure cooker. I saw it at Walmart today. Also saw a new 2-pot cook set. They are both Adventure series products
What a nice vdeo...you should compare more models
Thank you, these are fun to do!
What's the fuel capacity for them & run time
You should have put the 400 feet out, (three legs) that are under the cannister . I have had one for 30 years
I'm surprised you aren't testing something like the Silverfire Scout. That stove seems more inline with your minimalist style when in the outdoors.
Swiss and Sweden aint the same land... 😊 🇸🇪
Viewed from USA, they are the same 😊, but you're right, for sure...
This said, Primus is actually owned by a swiss company (Katadyn), and the SVEA 123R are made in a Far East country, today, not any more in Sweden :-(
@@merlinch4256 My Svea is new and says made in Sweden.
@@dphillips4351 Mine is 2 years old and has "SWEDEN" engraved on it, the old fashion. But I cannot find any origin indication on it nor on its package. It's known that there are actually made in a Far East country.
"Stove heat drag"......and the winner is?
@@idahosixgun5601 OK for the quality, but it is almost impossible to find an old one :-)
I bought mine (new) 3 years ago, and it says "SWEDEN" on the tank. Not "made in Sweden", only "Sweden". Hence it can be confusing. Mine is Taiwan made, of course.
The main and obvious difference between Sweden and Taiwan made is the valve angle with the jet body: older ones had a slight slope downwards, as the modern ones have a 90° angle.
Great stoves . I have both of them.
From new, what is the price difference?
Apples and oranges. The svea especially with the nested stainless cook set has a built in wind screen and is very rugged and not too heavy. I’ve used it with Coleman white gas and back packed and self contained kayaked all over with it. The Coleman stove is more suited to car camping. I wouldn’t want to drag it around.
I'm looking into getting a SVEA, if size, weight and fuel efficiency are the primary factors, is a simple Trangia alcohol burner the best option?
On the Coleman stove you forgot to unfold the legs, and you should use a preheating jell to preheat your fuel. Also the Coleman is a what I like to call a real "chef's" stove due to how easy it is to adjust the flame, and how stable it is, when you have the legs unfolded.
+James Hart I didn't forget to unfold the legs, just chose not to. Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by and showing your support. Have a beautiful evening!
The pre-heating gel is used for kerosene fuel and maybe in extremely cold conditions for propane fuels. I've never had trouble with my liquid fuel stove.
James Hart at full blast,how long does one full up last?
JIUJITSU2000 at full blast,how long does one full up last?
No preheat necessary with white gas on the Coleman if you light it like the instructions on the side of the stove tell you to. Everybody seems to think they're smarter than the Coleman engineers or they're just scared of the stoves. If you pump it up, light your match/lighter, hold it to the burner, and open the valve to the LIGHT position and leave it there, you're cooking in 10 to 15 seconds. As soon as it lights, you should add more pumps. All that is printed clearly on the side of the stove. But nobody reads anymore.
Hello JJ2000! Like your videos, have you Evert used diselfuel or kerosen as fuel for the Svea? It would be nice to know, in a pinch.
I don't understand why you left out the amount of time it took to bring the water to a boil it seems like that would be a major component of the test
I find your videos informative. . thank you! I noticed your skull lid. ..if I may, which TEAM? and more thank you's than one could offer! In which state are you located?
Al Pell Thank you for the kind words and support you give my channel. I'm happy to see that my videos were helpful. I was not a team guy. Some of my friends are or were. I live in AZ. Thank you for stopping by! Have a beautiful day!
So it was a freaking tie, Jiu! But which stove is the coolest? :)
Nice comparison, personally I would take the 123 for simplicity, easy field maintance and just because I really like roarer stoves...
oh okay so there's not a huge difference is between the two at all? I know they look fairly different one looks higher than the other I just didn't know if they performed that much different in your opinion
how long will these cook for on a tank of fuel
peak1 4 hours on low.
I would like to see this test performed in sub zero temperatures.
I would too! I love in Arizona, possibly this winter
ive used my 400A at -30. Takes a little bit longer to heat the generator but after that its like using it at 70 deg. I pour a little Gas on top of the Stove and light it, just to get the generator warm, before i pressurize the tank. Its saved my ass a number of times in the Northern Boreal.
@@jiujitsu2000 I'm a stovie and probably own 20 different models, BUT I'm a bit ashamed to say that I don't own a Svea. I have to admit they kind of scare me a bit! I wonder how often these things have gone off with a bang? Thank you!
@@kenneth6731 Not at all. The fuel cap has a safety valve in it to vent if the pressure gets too high. As long as you don't use too big of a pot and/or use a separate poorly positioned wind screen that reflects too much heat back on the stove you're fine. Keep in mind that the whole stove gets way too hot to touch after several minutes of running on high.
Just to show the size, let me put a glass of Bacardi 151 near the flame...just busting balls - I have both stoves, and this is a great shoot out! Personally I think the Svea is hotter and easier, and the Coleman is more stable with big pots due to the folding legs.
Waaaait a minute...did I just watch a water boiling competition??
The feet on the Coleman haven’t been opened out, that’s not stable!
Great stoves, but my soto windmaster Gas stove is much much quicker and much less faff.
But for reliability, adaptability (travelling in 3rd world countries) and just watching it .... its a talking point!! The Svea 123r wins for me, it's beautiful, got personality, and I'm gonna get one.
i have used a can lid as a simmer ring on the SVEA...works good to cook eggs, which is next to impossible without one. A Forever stove. I switched to a Peak1 576 because of the noise.
Either buying a silent burner, which will simmer or just making up a plate fora simmer ring.
The SVEA123 really should have the accessory mini-pump and special cap.
On a cold day they are a PIA to get going unless you have some fibre glass wick wrapped around the valve stem to soak with alcohol.
Using gasoline to prime with is a filthy business. I use white gas only, to much c**p in pump gasoline.
Stability can be an issue, as the SVEA really is very small. OIt was meant to be used with it's own tiny pan.
The SVEA looks like a descendant of a German Jewel 33 from WW2 era.
NJPurling Use a straw or plastic tube to fill the cup with naphtha from the tank. Replace the cap and set it on fire. I find this works much better than alcohol or fire paste. I leave the pump at home now.
I carry an old nasal spray bottle that holds maybe 2oz with the dip tube removed to squirt alcohol into the burner bell. It will automatically drain into the priming pan. I've used it like that for decades in all kinds of weather and never had any issues getting them fired up. They DO take time to get up to speed in the cold though. I got impatient one time and doused it in alcohol when it was close to zero F. Worked great....haha. Not recommending that method, but it worked. It helps to shield as much wind as possible and not set it on wet or frozen ground that acts as a heat sink.
Hi my friend. Just to knowledge. That kind of test will not be fair if the two of stoves can't deliver the same amount of "calories" (I'd prefer energy) to the same amount of water, at a given time... Cheers.
Hi how many minutes actuation when filling the tank
How much is the Coleman?
cool!
Also original box and instructions! Also it still has fuel in it!
Coleman to me has been tried and true I was lucky to get one at the garage sale with a zip case (400b) And the guy threw in i aluminum bottle with fuel And the square box of fuel $10 He had a few other really good deals on camping stuff One was a HD canvas tent for 5 with a flap for a wood stove I want to say min army grade but better $100 I did not have the money But i knew it would be sold by the time i did lol