Is The Coleman 502 A Good Overland Stove?

It is time we talk about the Coleman 502 and if it is indeed as good as the forums say it is. We will also discuss if the stove is any good for overlanding and if we will be using it in the future as our primary stove.

[@jeffhowland867]

Nice vid man. Try Opening the wheel valve all the way after the stove warms up. That allows straight fuel to enter the generator. At 1/4 turn, the fuel/air tube in the fount allows air to be drawn in from the top of the fount. This helps it light and warm fast. At full open valve, a spring loaded rod/plug is allowed to move upward in the tube, unplugging the bottom oriface, and letting the stove draw just liquid gas. Fully opened, and with a good 30 extra pumps after the stove warms, mine turns the burner and grate cherry red, rolling boil 1liter of cold water in 6 min. Happy trails!

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Great info, I’ll have to give that a shot. Thank you!

[@dbroenen]

@Jeffhowland867, you are spot on with your explanation around the operation and technical aspects of the 502's design. The 502 does boil water well. Perhaps not as fast as the military-grade 530 from 1946/1947 (it's like a blast furnace), but the 502 is an all-around outstanding portable, single-burner stove. I love it. Cheers!

[@twocrazyhens]

These are great stoves. Robust and simple. I have deep fried catfish in a 10'' dutch oven on one of these and it rocks!

[@free2chasehappy]

That stove is a beauty! I am in love with coleman's vintage stoves and lanterns, they have the timeless design that makes them so great.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

I totally agree!

[@ronaldtowery2996]

I have a 502, I have been told it has an 8500 btu burner. My 502 is 44 years old. It still works as well as it did when I bought it. ( $20.00 ) way back when. Great stove.

[@semperfi-1918]

Nice bought mine at a garage sale dirty but holds well and just tested it... and well it works.

[@jerryprice5484]

I bought mine back in 1970, still going strong.

[@jerryprice5484]

Another thing I like about this stove is that it makes pretty decent toast. Turn burner on low, lay a piece of bread on the grate and just keep turning until you like what you see.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Now that is a big brain move.... I've never thought about doing that. Now i'm going to have to pull the stove out just try this. Thank you!

[@jerryprice5484]

Just got back from a western US camping trip where I was cooking strictly with my stove. This time I was toasting English muffins. which produced a decent result. I found I had to turn more often.@@EmbarkWithMark

[@kfl611]

buying stoves can be so addictive - you can somehow never seem to have enough ! Great video. Here's a hint - turn off the lights to show the flame better in the dark! I love stoves made to last a few lifetimes. I had a very simple gravity fed alcohol stove from the 1920's. Just the other day, for who knows what reason the power went off for 5 hours - I pulled out the one burner stove, and heated us dinner. Yes it was slow, yes it took awhile, but it didn't take the 5 hours it took for the power to come back on. In an emergency - in your house - if there is no power - you can have coffee..........and breakfast if needed....... Oh and your eye color is the coolest !

[@Andy-xq4pz]

I bought my 502 at a garage sale for $2. It didn't work so i sent it in to Coleman with a check for $55 and they completely refurbed it. They installed a new stove, generator, fuel tube, check valve, pump cup, packing and a filler cap.This thing looks new.With all the parts labor and shipping they did I think it was a good deal.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Wow, Nice find!

[@Sjackson2369]

I’ve gotten into collecting these Coleman’s, and really enjoy the lanterns and stuff. I bought my first single burner stove just recently and lit it for the first time today. It ran really well.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

It’s addictive! Both the lanterns and stoves are alluring. There’s something about the way they work that’s both nostalgic and downright Intriguing. What model single burner do you have?

[@Sjackson2369]

@@EmbarkWithMark the single burner is a model 508, not sure on the year. But my two burner stove is what I’m really happy with. It’s a model 3H from ‘36. I got it from an old scoutmaster.

[@daleley7645]

Same here, picked up my 1st 502 today, got it home and fired right up. Looks like hell though.

[@davidbarts6144]

I note that the fuel cap is not original and has been replaced (the original had a different, three-piece design). ONE SHOULD ALWAYS DO THIS! The old three-piece caps can fail and cause a huge fireball! Old Coleman stoves in good condition with modern caps (replacement caps are easy to find) are safe to use.

[@danburch9989]

I bought a 533 off the clearance rack in my local Wal-Mart for $29. Had no immedicate need for one but I bought it just in case for future use. I bought a 3-burner 426D about 50 years ago. I did have to use it 2x during a power outage. I wouldn't trade them for a propane stove for any amount of money.

[@jimmyvalhalla1939]

I’ve been using that stove for years. My lantern is a Colman from 1956. Great stuff!

[@crabtrap]

i suggest you disasemble and soak the reflector bowl in vinagar or CLR and also wire brush the gen. the reflector bowl was designed to send radient heat back on to gen and pot bottom. the vinagar will bring back much of the shine and desolve the rust (24hr soak should do it). -Coleman collector/user 30yrs

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Thank you for the advice. One thing I am struggling with is the removal of the reflector bowl. I’ve tried soaking it with vinegar, which did not loosing the threads. I’ve also tried rust penetration fluid. I’ve not been successful in removing the reflector bowl. If you have any tips for this let me know! I’d love to be able to do a full tear down and cleaning of this stove.

[@crabtrap]

@@EmbarkWithMark utube search 'old town coleman' channel. He has a complete teardown of 502 stove tutorial. Using vingar for thread soak is bad idea as it will flash rust and make harder to lossen. I start by heavy spraydown with SeaFoam/deepcreep spray (walmart). Let sit for a few days. Then start disassy. U wont break anything.

[@crabtrap]

@@EmbarkWithMark PS, your 502 is in better shape then it looks. i have a few that looked like rotted brake calipers when i started. they look great and used often now. your stove will last several life times

[@EmbarkWithMark]

@@crabtrap I’ve watched a ton of his videos. Good stuff! I may just have to let some penetrating oil sit longer then a day. I’ll see what happens. Yea the stove is in nice shape. I’d just like to be able to remove the bowl and real shine it up.

[@kfl611]

Maybe you could use disposable house stove aluminum foil burner spill guards - the small 'trays' you put under your house burner to catch drips. Most supermarkets sell them and they are thin enough I am sure you could cut one to size and bent it to fit and stay in place.

[@jerryprice5484]

I own three of them great stove. The one I use the most I bought way back in 1970 along with the pot carrying case. I also fabricated a canvas carying case that protects the pot.

[@martinmiller7623]

Lucky he shared it.❤

[@daniellarson3068]

I bought one in 1980. I never used it much. After your great video, it will be used more. An accessory was a little can thing to turn it into a heater for ice fishing shack or whatever.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

They are awesome stoves, thanks for sharing! I wish I had that little heater attachment.

[@BRP42]

You got to love these older stoves! I looked on eBay and the prices vary a lot (of course), but at least you can find them. The simmer looks great, which is more than I can say for my MSR Whisperlite--it doesn't like to simmer. On the other hand, it will boil water pretty quickly. Just goes to show you... they don't make them like the used to!

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Very true!

[@the_peefster]

Just found one that I restored at a garage sale a month ago and just this weekend found a boxed "heat drum" that clips onto it turning into heater at the thrift i love it

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Very cool! and hard to get a hold of, nice find!

[@the_peefster]

Made in 1968 and still running perfectly coleman sure knows how to make a stove

[@drscopeify]

Great video! I never owned at 502 so good to know about it. You can check a Coleman 508, it is very similar to the 533, the only single burner fuel stove Coleman makes today, but the 508 has 2 controls, one is on/off the other is a proper flame control that can go from simmer to full blast with a very strong flame and runs on gasoline without breaking a sweat. They can be found on offer up and fb marketplace for pretty cheap I got mine on offer up for $ 40 here in Seattle and it even came with a nice 2 piece metal case that you can use as a cooking pot.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Thank you! I have a 508 and it's currently our main stove. Thank you for watching, glad you liked the video!

[@trevormillard1339]

Yep great stove. I think there are two versions of the 508. The last version doesn’t have the flame control lever. The early one is the one to have although the lever assembly is difficult to find if you need to repair. I think the 508 was the best they ever made

[@ValMRogers]

I picked up a 508A for a good price but it doesn’t have the flame control. Might switch it out for the earlier 508 or maybe a 502. I like the burner & pot support design on the 502 better.

[@bbjagaa]

I’ve got 508, the only thing I liked about 502 is the top part, sturdy and level. Id switch that part on my 508. Otherwise 508 or 533 all the way! I had exponent(copper looking) and it wasn’t powerful enough for me, plastic legs, and got rid of it. Great video, thank you!

[@EmbarkWithMark]

I do love how the 502 looks and works, it's just not hot enough for us. Now that is an idea! 502 grate on a 508 stove! thank you for the info on the exponent stove, ill be sure to stay way from those. Im not really interested in the newer plastic stuff lol. Glad you liked the video!

[@ValMRogers]

Id love to see that switch - 502 grate on a 508 base!

[@paulhare662]

Cleaning out the garage this morning, I found a 502 aluminum box and all. Forgot I had it. It lit right up & worked fine. Watching it burn, I thought it looked rather weak heat wise and I planned on selling it. Having watched your video, I'm going to keep it, try some crock pot kind of dishes on it or make it my dedicated coffee maker. Should look sweet with a vintage Revereware percolator on it. Has anyone seen my rubbing compound?

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Very nice. I love when I discover my treasures again. The 502 is perfect for that. Glad you got something out of the video. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@OutnBacker]

I don't have a 502, but I do have a 533 and a 442, both of which use the same burners. I won't be without one or both when I head out.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

I'd love to get my hands on a 442 one day. You won't catch us running around without one either. Thank you for watching!

[@semperfi-1918]

I have one i picked up 2 years ago for 5 bucks... finally figured how it works... and well it lit up despite being dirty... havent cooked with it yet.. but well.. ill do a review on it later. Not sure the year but came with a box.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Nice find! If you look on the bottom you should see a date stamped in the metal.

[@alanshaw6161]

I think that 502 needs rebuilt if the heat is that low. My grandfather’s 502 got low so I did a full rebuild and now it’s more than adequate. I have never tried to boil a 10 wide and deep pan of water but I have 2 and 3 burners for that.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

It's been rebuilt, its not that the heat is low. Its just a really really large bot for this stove haha.

[@TrustIsKey]

Let's all lift a glass & toast to your father-in-laws decision to get a 302! Great little emergency cooking little dude to heat up canned spaghetti o's!

[@EmbarkWithMark]

You got that right!

[@user-vt9wy1zb7z]

Hello, which one is suitable for this type of gasoline stove No. 92 or 95?

[@marcoshernandez1427]

Hello, I'm new to the Channel. How sturdy is the aluminum case/cooking set?

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Very sturdy. We pack the stove around in its case a lot and the case shows very little wear.

[@rickholmwood2000]

Have you had it out on the highway yet? How fast will she go??

[@BFD378]

If it's not putting out enough BTU's, have you considered cleaning the generator? You might be getting too little fuel flow. There are plenty of tutorials around here on that, if you want to try it.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Yea, I’ve check the generator. It is clean. The stove runs well. These 502 stoves historically have a low BTU output, it is just part of their design.

[@janetc5932]

The shut off valve on mine won’t turn. Is there anything I can do? I’ve never used it and it’s in great condition found it at a second hand store.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Oh definitely. You can take it apart and clean it. That’s most likely your problem. They are very easy to take apart. The other thing you can do is send it in to Coleman. I believe its 55 bucks and they will repair the whole thing. And there are a lot of videos showing you how to do it.

[@johnsebastian5131]

How long will a 502 stay on? And how should I store away my stoves?

[@EmbarkWithMark]

There is no information on how long it will burn. Most stoves like this can burn for 2 - 2.5 hours on high before needing to be refilled. However. I can say I have had this stove last an entire weekend long camp trip without needing refueling. That and the 502 has an amazing simmer ability which will burn for hours at a time. To store them, I just get the fuel out of them and light the stove till it runs out of fuel. but we use ours a lot. There are directions online for long term storage.

[@trevormillard1339]

Quarter turn is only to light. After a minute open the tap all the way

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Hmm, everything I've read about the stove says otherwise. But I';; give this a shot and see if I notice anything different.

[@trevormillard1339]

Can only try it. Quarter turn open gives you fuel and a fair amount of air that gives a nice blue lighting flame as long as your needle and fuel tube assembly is not gummed up which they often are. Once the generator heats up you can open the tap all the way, the air will shut off and pure fuel under pressure will be introduced. The heat will rise and you shouldn’t have to pump so often

[@EmbarkWithMark]

@@trevormillard1339 Thank you for the info. I’ll give this a shot!

[@crabtrap]

@@EmbarkWithMark trevor is correct. the 1/4 turn is only for a lean mix to light/heat up. after that full open the knob, which allow full mix that is then vaporized. this is why you though it wasn't that 'high output'. at full burn a 502 is like a chinese kitchen. please read the manual availble online.

[@lucus4485]

Absolutely right. Been using coleman stoves like these for 50 plus years. 1/4 turn to light and after it warms up open all the way . The 502 stove burns just as hot as the 533 stove. How do I know ? Because I use both .

[@lumpylumpy3931]

Work good for a cast iron skillet?

[@EmbarkWithMark]

It does! We have a small Cast iron skill we use on a fairly regular basis.

[@jimmyvalhalla1939]

What’s the date code on the bottom? Should have month and year

[@EmbarkWithMark]

It does, I just didn’t show it in the video. 1965 is the date on jt.

[@davyfella]

Try to get your hands on and test a British Army "Number 1 burner"

[@EmbarkWithMark]

I’d love to!

[@travisjohnston2369]

This dude looks high as shit 🤙🏻

[@EmbarkWithMark]

Never been, never will. Just tired. lol.

[@travisjohnston2369]

@@EmbarkWithMark never say never

[@rainbowboa100]

i had a 508 stove, cooks just like full size coleman!

[@msach4277]

Reconsider, 2 cups of water @ 57F, 4 min to steam/boil. cooking grate metal was red see here- kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnLbl3yNfq6tacU at the end of the video.

[@EmbarkWithMark]

I hate no doubt the stove would boil 2 cups of water just fine. My point was to see if it can cook how we normally like to cook. Still a great stove though!

[@IAMGWH1]

Why a 502 & not the 400, (a), 442??

[@EmbarkWithMark]

400 and the 442 are a lot smaller and carry less fuel. 502 is just about the perfect stove for overlanding/camping.

[@IAMGWH1]

@@EmbarkWithMark Ok I own those and like them alot for personnel small/ medium use but I rely on alky & Coghlan fuel for my basic needs, maybe I'll look into those 502's if more than myself & larger cooking is needed? Thanks!

[@vovapantera1646]

You are right, this oven has a completely low power, its dimensions do not allow you to take hiking on light. I had the opportunity to use this oven. and my conclusion is this: there is little suitable option for tourism. its place is on the shelf of collectors or to make coffee in your yard. On the practical side, again, it loses to many modern furnaces. Only fans of this primus, closing their eyes to its shortcomings, will continue to use and claim that this is the best primus.In fact, it is only a collector's item, rather than a means for cooking on a hike. By far the weakest model in terms of power among all primuses. She has only one advantage this is a fine adjustment of the flame and that's the end of the advantages

[@trevormillard1339]

You have to admit though, it’s beautiful , in a steam punk sort of way

[@trevormillard1339]

Yes but you have to admit it’s beautiful in a Steam Punk sort of way