Optimus SVEA 123R Stove | Review

[@knatelyx5647]

SAFE START OF THE SVEA 123R: Add just enough priming fuel to fill the priming cup. Then light it with the key turned fully clockwise (OFF). Let the priming fuel completely burn off. Then, you should be able to just open the key, and light the burner, (it will be pressurized) getting a good, controlled flame. Happy cooking!

[@rv6amark]

My Svea 123 is 50 years old, but was stored away for almost 45 of those years. This morning I fired it up, and it worked perfectly! What wonderful memories that sound brought back!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It’s a great sound! Reminds me of tinned new potatoes and spam!

[@nathanferrey4486]

My dad has had his since the 70s and it's still doing great. He got me one as a gift and I'm excited to keep using the model backpacking! Thanks for the video

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks for watching. I’m interested in how I can only use the little cup it comes with.

[@jasongarland4830]

Great video, i have one of these great stoves which is older than me and still going strong, there almost maintenance free and won't let you down even at altitude or freezing temperatures.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Jason Garland I really should use mine more. When I’m going on mini trips out I pack it and always wish I’d done it more often.

[@chrisneedham5803]

I love mine, super compact, beautiful, stylish, and sounds like a ww2 V1 Doodle Bug

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Chris Needham and that naphtha smell is divine!

[@jefftuttle7890]

Love mine as well.

[@4StonesHandcraft]

There is no need for the giant blast of flame when relighting/repressurizing. Open the valve slightly, let a bit of fuel trickle into the pan, close the valve, light the priming fuel, wait a few seconds and open the valve slowly.

[@spacesaverbob]

I've had two of these stoves since the 70s. Didn't NEED the second one, but there was a sale, and I had a weak moment. Briefly, about a decade ago, I had a foolish moment and thought about selling them, but then decided to take them to tailgate at football games instead. I no longer hike, so tailgating tends to be the only time they get any use. The SVEA is a very cool stove, but not for the faint of heart when it comes to lighting. I didn't realise they could still be purchased. Thanks for the video. Cheers.

[@dontmesswiththeman]

They’re only slightly scarier than any other gasoline stove. Even modern designs like the MSR Whisperlite are pretty sketchy to light due to the nature of gasoline stoves.

[@Braapncamp]

Great to have you back Thom! been longing for your vids and cooking. That's a nice piece of kit and great review. I miss one of these stoves in the collection.

[@Braapncamp]

...and ofc, sometimes we are busy and that is OK. Hope you are well!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Mattias Eriksson I think you would find this stove a lot of fun. I still love the Trangia. It will take a very special stove to move me away from that!

[@henryvanderbeek2973]

I love my titanium canister stove....It's ultralight (25 grams...28 with pouch) and compact. There are no pumps to break...only fold the arms down, turn the valve on and light it....It doesn't waste fuel like this svea does....Way, smaller and way lighter and I overfill my own canisters so there's a little extra fuel and pressure in each one.....And way cheaper too....I wouldn't waste my money on a Svea....

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I can’t deny this is a heavy, dirty relic of the hiking days gone by. It’s from an era when Charlie Chaplin still roamed the earth, the guillotine was still in use and space travel was a distant dream. But it’s full of nostalgia and heats up stuff. Your stove sounds insanely good!

[@alexmacdonald258]

ah, nostalgia! my climbing partner had the 123, and I had the Optimus 8R. So many nights in tents & snow caves, brewing up soup & tea, melting snow & ice. These stoves belong right next to a classic ash-shafted ice axe. We carried these to climbs on 4 continents, including the Himalayas. Yeah, they weigh more than a Jetboil Stash, and priming makes them sooty, they can be fussy, but that purr is only found on these types of stoves, and there's nothing more soothing after a long difficult pitch to the bivouac.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I haven’t had half the experience that you seem to have. But I agree. The purr and the smell and the stories that come with stoves like this are unrivalled. I live my 8r as well! My grandad was a founder member of Oread climbing and a gritstone pioneer and this stove reminds me of him.

[@reidtillery2856]

Thanks. I've had one for years. Will use it this week. You have reintroduced me to it.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Oh you’re in for a treat.

[@SummitOrNothing]

That, as you say, is a beast of a stove. Sounds like a locanotive. Great to see you return Thom. Hope all is well chief!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Summit Or Nothing great to return. All is well enough thanks Trev. I can’t believe how busy I just got!

[@SummitOrNothing]

@@OffTheBeatenPot I bet mate. I bet.

[@wildcamping1502]

Awesome Little Stove reminds me of the old primus stove that was always brought out with us on days out to make a pot of tea for the grown ups when we were kids, Nostalgic sound, Thanks for bringing back a Beautiful memory, ATB, Les.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It is the true nostalgia stove. I wish you could smell the Naptha through the screen!

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

I’ve had one since the late 70’s, excellent stove at high altitudes, low temperatures.

[@jeremyoconnor169]

I watched your video 2 days ago and I now have a cooker, just in time for Father's day

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s a great gift idea. Let me know what you cook on it. I wanted to do a solo camp for Father’s Day but apparently ‘that’s not the point of father’s day’. So instead I’m suffering a family event. Yay

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Very cool demo thanks!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks for watching!

[@rayhutfles3997]

I have to ask if you are certain about the position in the off is when the needle is up? When I had the 8R, the needle came up at full-on and there is an internal seal when the key was turned to the opposite and proper off position. If you left the needle up then gas would leak out around the needle.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Hello. THANK YOU FOR ASKING. it has been pointed out. I should have been clearer. When the needle is up it stops the fuel however it does not turn the stove off. And you’re right this would cause the fuel to leak. I shall look at a way of adding this info into the video as it is an important point. Thank you for your comment.

[@RonMTube]

The stove every stove fan should own even if you can't justify the weight. It's a thing of beauty that you find yourself taking out every now and then just to enjoy.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Ron Mehringer very well said.

[@inHammock1]

Another advantage is that it performs well at high altitude and low temps.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s a fine point!

[@ErikAmerica100]

What kind of fuel was it meant to use originally? ...kerosene?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Ericamerica Americo naphtha. Or white gas

[@MrBluoct]

Does that pot lock down when transporting ??

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

The included lid and the third party one both DON’T lock down. However I use a trangia strap to secure them.

[@billmcyrus]

Excellent review! I remember this stove from my days in the Boy Scouts and now will be getting one to teach my son to hike and camp. Thank you for the refresher on the details.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Bill Cyrus oh that’s great to hear!! Let me know how you get on with yours please!

[@billmcyrus]

@@OffTheBeatenPot To go with it I just ordered a pair of Serbian mess kits which look very functional and should suit the purpose well.

[@billmcyrus]

It just arrived! After a quick cleaning out of the jet and a fill it fired right up no problems. Like you I LOVE the sound of it when it fires up and the beauty of its flame. Thanks again! Paired with the Serbian kit it's perfect.

[@markperry4474]

Back in the 1980s I had a cheap eastern European clone of this stove. It was made of steel but functioned the same. It was brilliant. Loved the noise too. I ran it on gasoline, which meant that you needed to clean the jet with the needle provided on occasion. It did get hot, in fact the splash plate would glow red.

[@timtrampenau3050]

I used my Svea 123 (not the 123R with self cleaning jet) quite a bit back in the day (early 70s) and always wrapped a few strands of thin wire around the key for cleaning out the orifice because it would inevitably get plugged up with soot. It’s a beautiful stove and it just sits on a shelf as it is way too heavy, my basic gear weight is just 1/4 of what I use to carry and thank god because I’m not 20 anymore, cheers and good luck

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It’s a beautiful stove to have on the shelf. Sadly it’s where mine spends most of its time.

[@actionoutdoors3601]

High there, just bought the svea stove but not sure what fuel to use, what do you USE?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Great choice! It takes Coleman fuel (aka Naptha fuel and 'White Gas') Do not use bioethanol or paraffin. It'll burn all wrong and bugger up your wick and burner. I USE Coleman fuel. Which is a brand of Naptha/white gas

[@actionoutdoors3601]

@@OffTheBeatenPot would the primus powerfuel work as well?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@@actionoutdoors3601 It would work, It is technically white gas. I don't use it only because it's not available so freely in my local store. Which is an arse because it's cheaper than Coleman fuel

[@richardalun-jones3319]

Why arrange the key chain the way you do, when you can feed it out through the port at the bottom of the wind shield when you place it on the stove? So much easier! Just a thought.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

richard alun-jones in this instance it was me in a hurry to make a video. A poor effort in my part, I admit. The comments have been very useful to me as to what I need to do in future videos. Equally important for people visiting this video to read the comments and take away even more from it. So thank you for commenting, I appreciate your input. And many thanks for watching.

[@richardalun-jones3319]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Merely observations from my own experience of using the stove for many years, and sometimes, in some 'tricky' mountain situations. The straw method to prime, is a real winner, no risk of any real spillage. Cheers. Richard.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

richard alun-jones the straw method is great. Except when it pings down a crack in the rock.

[@richardalun-jones3319]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Perhaps more than one straw is called for, take five, cut them in half, with nine spares, you shouldn't starve. As for the extra weight.. ;0)

[@colinmclean6584]

Great to have you back young man! 👍👍👍

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thank you Colin, Great to be back. Hopefully it won't be as long until the next video. And HOPEFULLY it'll be recipe that I have lined up! Something for those with a sweet tooth

[@colinmclean6584]

Off The Beaten Pot CHOCOLATE!!!??? 😊😊😊 I'll be waiting in anticipation for the sweet treat video. Keep 'em vids coming when you can and please do have fun and enjoy!!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Colin McLean it is a recipe that can incorporate chocolate. So I’ll try and see if I can get it in the vid.

[@colinmclean6584]

Off The Beaten Pot I must admit I am a chocoholic and I do have a very sweet tooth (the only tooth that is left😁😁) of anything sweet. Whatever you do in the video I am sure to enjoy it lots. 👍👍👌👌

[@rubickon]

Just got it. It's a beauty. Shame using it, it will get dirty. I ctricky says that only white gas should be used. But, as I see, benzine, octane 95 is useble also. No risk with that right? Also, there another priming method. Just warming the body a little bit with a lighter burner

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Ronen Beniaminov oooh you’re going to love using it. I’ve been given some good advice re: priming in the comments below. Apparently just holding it in warm hands for long enough is enough to get a dribble of fuel into the reservoir to prime. As for other fuels, I have been looking at other forums on antique stoves. There are alternatives to use other than naptha, but I wouldn’t wish to tell you what to use if I haven’t tried it myself.

[@bosahvandenberg]

Good thoughtful review! Subscribed.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks so much!

[@jeffreyallen1290]

I've had one for over 40 years. They are beautiful but a bit of a pain to use. I have a pump to pressurize the tank without having to prime with fire. Don't the stove much any more but would still like to get a new one. They are very best looking stoves ever made. That I've seen.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

You have one of those pumps! They’re very rare. And yes they are the nicest looking stove ever made. And nicest sounding!!

[@jeffreyryan4026]

There's nothing like the roar of the Svea. I've had mine for decades and will never give it up, even though it's no longer my "go to".

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I know exactly what you mean. It’s not my go to either. But I like to know it’s there if I want to hear the burner and smell the Naptha.

[@actionoutdoors3601]

Do you know if the primus powerfuel gasoline would work ?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I have never tried it. But after some research I believe it would work as it was designed specifically for a high output for use in pressured liquid stoves

[@bernardrubio8069]

If i use kerosene.it is alright to ise it at this product?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

technically yes

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

To prime you can use alcohol like Heet which produces less carbon, or hand sanitizer. My SVEA instructions say fill tank to 1/3 capacity maximum. I like this and the MSR Whisperlite up here in Alaska for very cold weather when canister type stoves like Jetboil do not work well in the cold.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I’ve not yet seen heet in the uk but I hear a lot about it from across the pond. And the hand sanitizer in the uk is hot and miss as to its flammability. These are great tips thank you. And do give my love to Alaska

[@floydvaughn836]

The Buzz Bomb! Really, the V 1 was based on these stoves...or was it the other way round?

[@GazianoOutdoors]

Looks a cool looking stove mate, nice to see something a bit different, cool video and editing too mate, 🔥👍

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks for the comment. I’ve set myself a challenge to learn a new style of edit or technique on each video. Looking forward to getting some more recipes to you guys!

[@dennisboosey6272]

Whot does it run on? Thanks.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Dennis Boosey Naptha or ‘Coleman’s fuel. There are different names in different parts of the world. Scan some of the comments for more info on the fuel. Thank you for watching

[@dennisboosey6272]

Excelenr.thanks for the info. I enjoyed thr vid , it was bery helpfyl.

[@rigbyUnbound]

oh i loved ours.. my dad had one and the whole ceremony of setting it up.. countdown to blast off haha.. and yeah the smell WOW! awesome fun.. can't wait to see what you cook with it.. omelette challenge?!! cheers

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

rigby Bucolic omelette challenge you say??? You’re on! Lay down some rules and I’m there!!

[@rigbyUnbound]

@@OffTheBeatenPot 3 egg omelette cooked in butter.. no shell or runny bits.. like the saturday kitchen segment anything under 30 secs is acceptable! :) 15 secs is the record.. now THAT is a challenge haha!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Challenge accepted

[@johnwood551]

Those are GREAT little stoves and they last forever. I got mine in 1969 and still use it unless I plan on really high altitude climbing then I use my Optimus 111B. But for everyday hiking this is the stove.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s amazing. I’m really looking forwards to taking this stove out more and seeing what I can do with it.

[@waktosha7378]

Is it really better than the trangia?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

In my opinion… no. I took it out for a three day hike and while it was fun. I really missed my trangia

[@simonsiron887]

Does it burn petrol?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It can but it’s not it’s recommended fuel

[@hoser7706]

Does it get hot?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Yes

[@nealhumphrey8259]

My SVEA 123R is almost 50 years old and still cooking like new.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Good to hear that! Is it your main stove?

[@davidcolin6519]

@@OffTheBeatenPot I bought mine in the early 80s. Never had to fettle it, and I have to remind myself to pack it every time because, although it not my main stove, it is the only one I can be sure will always work. I expect to restart my motorbike camping next year, and I will need to get myself another Svea because my wife and I are both avid cooks, and having 2 of them will be even more useful. I am currently designing a pot holder to work with a 2 Svea set up, and that will need to fold down. I have some ideas of what I want it to do, but I'm finalising the design. For bike camping the Svea has always been my main stove.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

David Colin amazing. Please please PLEASE share your pot design.

[@davidcolin6519]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Will do so when I've got it finalised. I didn't mention that all my camping is warm weather, and mostly mediterranean. That means really, really hard ground, so that levelling off is also potentially a problem, especially with twinned Sveas. Fortunately, I live in a village where I can get stuff CNCed relatively easily, but I'd rather be able to do it all myself.

[@tkarlmann]

Mine too!

[@ChrisAuton]

Wow, it really does sound as good as it looks! An unusual thing for a camping stove to boast :-) Thanks for the insight! Chris.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Haha, indeed. The sound reminds me of waking up in a tent while my dad fired up the stove to cook those beautifully tasteless canned potatoes.

[@ChrisAuton]

I have been reminded of to things by KZbin in the last couple of days. Dark chocolate Bounty Bars (the red ones) and tinned potatoes... I've already had a red Bounty... I don't think I need to rush for the insipid spuds!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Chris Auton top tip. Drown them in mint sauce, butter and black pepper. Bloody lovely (ish)

[@ChrisAuton]

@@OffTheBeatenPot yes, because butter, mint sauce and pepper all have flavour! Not sure I'd need to find the potatoes first. A little lamb maybe? But no need to bust anything out of a potato penitentiary!

[@brucemattes5015]

My SVEA 123 which I purchased in 1971 was the single best, long-term, outdoors oriented piece of equipment that I ever purchased. Some routine maintenance carefully performed on the stem and burner head every 3-4 years was all that was required to keep it running at peak performance. I purchased an aftermarket fuel tank cap manufactured out of brass that had a nipple machined on it that contained a 1-way valve assembly that allowed the user to pressurize the tank by means of a tiny aluminum pump that measured approximately 3" long × 3/4" in diameter. The stove; its aluminum cup/pot/cover; the tiny, L-shaped aluminum pot lifter, the folding aluminum wire needle assembly (think pocketknife) used to clean soot out of the burner head's orifices; and that aftermarket aluminum pump assembly all resided in a small nylon stuff sack with a drawstring cord and cordlock. *I ultimately succumbed to the siren's call of lightweightness, and purchased other, lighter, supposedly better backpacking stoves, but that SVEA 123 stove more often than not found its way into my pack BECAUSE OF ITS SIMPLICITY. LACK OF PROBLEMS, AND UTTER EASE OF USE.*

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Couldn’t agree more. I have since bought the pressurising cap. It’s a great addition. Do you still own your svea?

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Same here. Bought mine mid to late 70’s.

[@chrisgreen8916]

Great video Thom, I now have another item to add to my list of things I never knew I wanted :) What fuel are you running it on, is it Coalman type fuel? Thanks.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Chris Green it is indeed Coleman fuel. And yes it’s an incredible stove for the collection!

[@bautiabaro]

@@OffTheBeatenPot do you think is possible make it work with normal car fuel ? (Petrol) THANKS!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Bautista Abaro it is possible. Though it won’t work with diesel. Petrol is fine but I wouldn’t want to do it all the time.

[@donaldpang]

@@OffTheBeatenPot why not? have you tried using unleaded patrol fuel? I couldnt get white gas or coleman fuel in this part of the world. Thanks

[@gertvanpeet3120]

@@donaldpang in 1983 i bought an 8r optimus. All kinds of gasoline used in it! The svea 's working principle is the same, so ok! E5 is better as E10....

[@bradrupp5589]

I've had my SVEA 123 for 30 yrs or so. It's my favorite stove but the one I'll least likely take backpacking because of it's weight. At 4:33 when you go to relight it you can simply turn the fuel valve on without lighting it and fuel will drip down into the heating tray. When the tray is as full as you need it to be shut down the fuel all the way to the right and light up the tray, not the burner. You'll know what to do from there. I love this stove!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

You described the stove perfectly. The best stove I own that I don’t take hiking. You’re not the first to point out my error. It was a few years ago I made this video. Lessons were learned! BUT thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@KontionJukka]

Is that leakproof, meaning can i put it inside my backpack when there is fuel inside that tank?? Or will my stuff smell like gasoline🤯

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It is leakproof. However I’d keep an eye on the gaskets as over time they can fail. And there’s always a bit of residue with messy fuel so I’d at least pack it in a sock or something.

[@KontionJukka]

@@OffTheBeatenPot thanks. Going to test it this sunday. Icefishing time here at Finland 🐟🐟

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@@KontionJukka oh amazing! It’s a fun stove. Please tell me how it goes and enjoy the fishing!

[@KontionJukka]

@@OffTheBeatenPot I will👋

[@KontionJukka]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Svea worked just as it should work. First time ever, -12 celsius but I got it going. Fish wasn't eating that well. One sbout 30cm perch, three very small ones and one small pike

[@thomasmusso1147]

A great little Burner 👍. I have an Optimus 8R Hunter .. it uses the same burner as the Svea but is housed in a square box configuration. I bought it 40+ years ago and it's still going strong. As reliable as can be .. the only maintenance has been just recently replacing the Control Valve Stuffing Box Carbon Gasket.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thomas Musso they’re great stoves. And what a testament to how it was built. To last!! A rarity these days.

[@thomasmusso1147]

@@OffTheBeatenPot 👍😊

[@thedurhamwoodsman]

Oh wow just stubbled across this channel. Awesome stuff thanks for sharing ATB Jimmy

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks for swinging by!

[@thedurhamwoodsman]

@@OffTheBeatenPot no bother I'll be turning notifications on

[@haveletter]

You were fascinated by this sound.

[@luiswu9892]

Not trying to put you down, but pouring fuel like that to start it up is crazy! Unless it’s really cold, I would turn the fuel valve on and hold the base in my hands tightly. Then a little fuel would trickle out into the cup. Close the valve and light it. The when the flame is almost out, open the valve a tad and if it starts off like a rocket, fine! Otherwise, let out a little more fuel to get it warmer. Also, I used a square yard of linen folded up as a pad for it in the wintertime. Then I wrapped the stove in the linen to keep it quite in my pot when I put it in my pack. I bought mine nearly 50 years ago and it’s still going strong. Plan on buying an extra stove too. My Grandkids love it!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Luis, it’s not a put down. I love that you commented with advice and wisdom. Thank you. You are not the first to mention this and I have since started using this method.

[@furripupau]

If you warm the tank in your hands, you'll expand the air in the tank, and can just open the valve and let fuel dribble out of the burner for priming (obviously, do not keep holding it in your hands while priming). No mess or spilling fuel that way. Won't work if the weather is really cold though. The older model without the self cleaning jet is a little better IMO because the valve has more adjustability.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I love this and can’t wait to try it. Thank you very much.

[@furripupau]

@@OffTheBeatenPot here's how it's done: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioPNZ3yQhrOCntE

[@reedjacksonmaccom]

fussing, but I route the chain through the hole in the wind screen. really fussing. cheers for the video😊

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s not fussing. That’s just the best way to do it! Which I’ve learned since I made this. Fussing has its place. And this is one of them!

[@kenhenley7599]

It's a bit heavy for multiday hiking but I reckon it would be great for "out of the back of the car camping". It's also a bit expensive (between £89 and £123) although I suspect you're paying for quality and nostalgia. Great review. Can't wait to see you actually cooking with it but mind the eyebrows!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It is rather pricey. But imagine that it lasts forever! I shall take it out and do a few recipes on it. That is if you can hear me over the ‘engine’

[@theoldhobbit3640]

I love bushcrafting and have all sorts of different stoves, some homemade and others bought. I have only just discovered this little stove and am really taken by its simplicity and very obvious quality build. I note that you are using colemans liquid fuel, but this can be a little expensive, what other reliable fuels can be used in this? (paraffin or others). Thank you for taking the time to do these video and sharing your experience. New sub......

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

The Old Hobbit thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. The fuel (in the uk) is known as Naptha. There are less expansive alternatives to be found online by searching for this or ‘white gas’. Petrol can be used but I wouldn’t do it often. The best price of Coleman fuel I found was £4.70 for 1 litre. Which for how long it can last is very good.

[@charliemcdowell5231]

awesome look at an awesome stove! I must disagree about the efficiency, however. I have a trangia 27, a svea 123r, and a svea 123. I love all of them, but white gas is simply more energy dense than meths/spirits/denatured alcohol. Usually on backpacking trips I like to cook lots of real food and have lots of hot drinks, and I need to lug considerably more fuel to do the same work with the trangia that I can do with the svea for less. That being said for trips where I'm solo or not having to purify water via pasteurization, the trangia is incredibly versatile and silent, as well as wind resistant. It's cool that you found out the same thing I did about the trangia fuel bottles being perfect for refilling this stove. Another thing that you might like: I used a small strip of carbon felt and a bread bag twist tie that I stripped the plastic off of in order to make a little wick that I snugged up around the stem of the stove in the preheat/priming well like a little scarf. It allows you to not only make less of an accidental mess, but also lets you load more fuel into and around the dish for a stronger and more focused prime that really gets the stove going stronger in below freezing temperatures when your stove and fuel are chilled out. The other thing I did was take a small 4x4 inch square of cardboard and same size square of reflectix sandwich them/encase them together using aluminum foil tape found at the hardware store. This gives you a stable flat base, increases cold weather performance, and keeps dirt and mud off the bottom of your stove. Combine those upgrades with a full height windscreen and a heat exchanger pot and you have a beastly little unit that can handle everything from melting snow to cooking up corned beef hash and eggs. Subscribed!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I am all about this comment! Thanks so much! Since this video i have done the felt and bread tie (though used some metal wire I had lying around). But the cardboard and foil tape! I know what I’m doing this evening! I too love the trangia for its silence. (I love the svea for its noise- and smell). Thank you for taking the time to comment. And subscribing!

[@charliemcdowell5231]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Awesome! I've heard certain canister stands also work to elevate the stove off the ground and add stability while keeping the ground from sucking the heat out, but my jetboil canister stand doesn't fit. Possibly the MSR one does, but that costs 25 bucks and the other material was laying around already haha. I do like my full size accordion windscreen but I need to find an option that's lighter without being as flimsy as the foil kind that comes with msr whisperlites.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

The msr stand doesn’t work. I tried and ruined mine

[@charliemcdowell5231]

@@OffTheBeatenPot oh shoot, well you saved future me $25 bucks, thanks! I guess I'll be sticking with the trusty insulated square.

[@chiron6699]

I remember in the 80s used to be able to buy a burner paste for well

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

You can still get this. I can’t recall the make but it’s in a yellow ‘toothpaste’ tube.

[@swedishhiker]

I love it!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks!

[@tombowers2020]

Don’t turn the pot holders out with the factory cup. Don’t forget, holding the the stove in your warm hands will expel enough fuel to prime the stove. You can also coax some fuel out by heating the bottom of the tank...

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Tom Bowers some sage advice here!

[@m.hernandez1404]

But, does it get hot?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

😂 A smidge warm

[@fonimer]

Also I see this constantly with new owners. The stove is NOT off when you turn the key counter-clockwise. Only when its fully clockwise. Counter clockwise is only for cleaning the orifice. If you leave it in that position you'll leak fuel.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

fonimer thanks for reiterating this. It’s a very important point.

[@fonimer]

DO NOT crack the valve open when you are pressurizing it! Not only are you wasting fuel but it won't pressurize properly and you'll get a sooty orange flame.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

A Truer word never spoken. Thank you. I'm now getting much better at using this stove. I hope to make some food using this stove in a video and combine my learnings and teachings from the comments. Thank you for commenting, it's invaluable and informative.

[@petesheppard1709]

The stove can be primed with the heat of your hands in moderate temperatures. Just cup the fuel tank in your hands, with the valve cracked. It will take a few minutes, but body heat will cause enough expansion to cause fuel to flow out the burner into the primer cup. In cold temps, you need some insulation under the stove to keep the fuel warm enough to expand and flow up to the burner--called a 'roarer' burner for the noise.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks Pete, I’ve tried the hand method. Works a treat and I’m grateful to everyone that has pointed out tips on using this stove.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@OffTheBeatenPot I've never done it myself; I was shown by a vastly experienced friend in the late '70s with his well-used Svea. I did have a copy for a while, and still have an Optimus 99.

[@pmfilmsUK]

Dude... you never mentioned what type of fuel you use in the stove? Diesel, unleaded... what?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

The fuel is Naptha. Depending where in the world you are has many names. It’s also known as Coleman fuel. White gas or Shellite. See pinned comment. And thank you for watching.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Also you CAN use unleaded at a pinch. But the smell is nasty and I wouldn’t use it long term.

[@pmfilmsUK]

Thanks. That helps a lot. Be safe and enjoy the great outdoors.

[@brantcompany]

I have used these stoves for 40 years taken them fully apart for others to repair from their bad work They are amazing ultra dependable once u learn it u do not need to be all fiddly and concerned as he says crack the valve a wee bit just spill some gas light it off some of these people are a bit fragile about things

[@nickyl9040]

The 123 will also burn pump gas Back in the day before inleaded gas became the norm , the Amoco stations were the only stations that had it So you'd take your 1 qt Sigg fuel bottle , give the attendant a quarter and tell him to fill it up

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I love that! I can imagine people on their way to the trail slipping some change into the attendants hand.

[@cabbagemechanic]

I don't suppose you've tried tying some cabon felt with wire above the "well"? I'm hoping that my wife has bought me one of these for my birthday 😉

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I had tried that. I used metal wire and carbon felt that I doused in fuel. It did work well. I also got a pump adapter for the tank. That’s the way forwards for me!

[@cabbagemechanic]

@@OffTheBeatenPot I didn't know they did such a thing... I'll take a look, thanks! I've been experimenting with a "Hawker Classic 2L Pressure Cooker", which are a rather interesting addition to your camping arsenal... thought you might be interested!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

FUEL: Naptha. AKA Coleman’s fuel (Europe) white Gas (USA) Shellite (Australia). Yes you can use petrol but it stinks and is generally only used at a pinch.

[@puuz287]

have you also tried it with alcohol instead of Naphta? Do you think it would work? thanks for showing this beauty

[@christophermckellar1352]

I’ve had mine about 50 years. Tried alcohol when I first brought it. Doesn’t work. I just got a small, thin, flame that wouldn’t heat anything. Then. I had to get it out of the fuel tank!

[@puuz287]

@@christophermckellar1352 thanks for sharing your experiences

[@donaldpang]

I have tried kereosene and it doesnt work too

[@Winnie122459]

Colin Fletcher swore by this stove and he took and used it all over the world! Sounds good enough for me

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Also an incredibly good writer. He could paint a wonderful scene!

[@GordLamb]

Excellent review! That shot of the boiling water was absolutely epic. I already own 13 camp stoves, and don't need another. But, I have always been intrigued by the Svea. :)

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Gordon Lamb you’re a man after my own heart. I have been trying not to get so many but I keep finding ones I convince myself that I need.

[@GordLamb]

@@OffTheBeatenPot They say two is one and one is none. I think that extends to .. 13 is ... enough, but .. less than that is .. leaving coffee to fate? Something like that. :p

[@HikeCamp]

What a fine little stove.... Sounds like a bloody buzz bomb... 😂

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It's definitely not a 'stealth' stove. But the nostalgia!!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks for the pin!!

[@Forrestechs]

Great review. My grandpa has a similar kind of stove, which is called Barthel, Juwel 34. It quite a powerful small device but if the petrol leaks you whole gear smells like a gas station 😆

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Forrestechs I love those stoves! Practically the same as this one except it’s green? And comes with a leather strap to bind it altogether as well as having 2 pots. I’d love to see you use it in one of your videos!

[@Forrestechs]

@@OffTheBeatenPot it is not partically the same one. It is a quite old one from Dresden, Germany. Here you can find some more information (in German) petro.fandom.com/wiki/Juwel_34 I will see what I can do regarding a video, its quite old and would need some love to get it going again.

[@gertvanpeet3120]

We never started with gasoline, used esbit! Or nowadays...alcohol gel. A liter for 2 euro's...( For BBQ lighting) bought an 8r in 1983....

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

It can use a bit of improvement but still a nice rig👍 Stop in sometime!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Stop in where? Would love to!

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

Off The Beaten Pot Sorry, here ya go kzbin.info/door/WGI2MeqmJjefQ3CGUX3z9A Take care Mr🍻

[@rubickon]

Can it run on petrol? Octane 95/98? Thanks

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It can. But I personally wouldn't want to use petrol too often. Mostly because the smell makes me feel ill

[@martinerhard8447]

Only the stove is 470 grams. That is not heavy for a white gas stove. Look a msr whisperlite is 320 grams just for the burner and pump, Then on top comes a bottle 139-207 grams, Then on top comes the windshield and bottom reflector and the mini maintenance kit (which you want to carry since the stove is more complex and has more parts to fail) with another 80-120 grams. And thats the whisper LITE so one of the lightweight models

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s a really good point! Thanks for sharing.

[@martinerhard8447]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Another tipp: if you wrap some carbon felt with some wire around the preheating pan then this will absorb the white gas used for preheating and reduce chance of spillage. It also makes it easier to light alkohol when its very cold. I always take a small plastic pipette to get some fuel from the tank for preheating so I dont need to carry another small fuel bottle And I attached the regulator to the windshield. Kinda easier to use when its there instead of on the stove.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@martinerhard8447 I’ve since got some carbon felt for my stove and I use a cut down metal straw as a pipette. Thanks for the tips. I’m always happy to learn.

[@martinerhard8447]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Ah straw is also a neat idea You can also put canister stove stands on it in case you want to stabilize it. For winter use it can be helpful to get the stove away from the ground at least for preheating.

[@Кукуна-т9ъ]

good

[@bongdudugenio9947]

the old way to start the stove without priming with different oil is just a palm of your hands (rubbing or just hold the tank tight) will do I guess it's more safer.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

As so many people have said. And this is anti bloke the viewer’s participating. I learn so much from you all. I tried the hands trick last week. Cold hands but it got the fire working and then I had a hot brew to warm my hands up with. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it

[@richardalun-jones3319]

Here's where I found the tip!

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

I wondered where that bloody T bag came from. I was minding my own business looking at the boats. When bam 💥 the teabag smacks me on the head. 🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@gryhze]

USD16.00 back in 1971. Fire it up twice a year. Conserve fuel in the warm up phase with an eye-dropper.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I have got myself an eye proper sing I made this video. It’s a game changer

[@gryhze]

@@OffTheBeatenPot Is that a new Svea 123R? If not, how did you clean that brass finish to like new condition?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It is the 123R My dad looks newer than mine and his is the original. Basically cleaned with brasso, elbow grease and patience.

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Wow a camping stove for pyromaniac campers ! 😂. Never a dull flame ! , good though intetesting stove 👍🙂

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

TheRst2001 correction, NOSTALGIC pyromaniac campers. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@jorgeguzman9955]

There you go I love it I had one someone stole it I am going to get me another

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I’m sorry to hear it was stolen. That sucks!!

[@markcash2]

bloody hell turn your music recording volume down to match your regular recording volume.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

My apologies. I’m learning as I go. My latest videos are much better in terms of audio mix. Sorry if that was awful for you to listen to.

[@markcash2]

@@OffTheBeatenPot I loved all of the video except the music part!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@@markcash2 Thank you. I'll be a little more conscious in the future. Thank you for the time you took to watch!

[@markcash2]

@@OffTheBeatenPot You did convince me to buy the stove so your efforts were not wasted. I have a troop of young boy scouts that will be using it.

[@chuggerguy]

I agree. I find music, and pretty much any gimmicky introduction, to be annoying, out of place, and unprofessional. I think a lot of folks do it because they think it's expected, because it can be done (even if it shouldn't) and because... everyone else does it. To me, professional means get to the point. Music, catchy intros, etc. mean, I have this new technology available to me so I simply MUST use it. :) That and some folks make videos mainly to make money. Skip past the look at me attention grabber, the music, etc. and the video was informative and useful. Not a huge deal, I learned long ago to skip the upfront crap. :)

[@richardbaker8928]

As a stove collector I'd say you need to work on your lighting technique mate LOL ;)

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Definitely won’t argue with you on that point! Haha. Luckily this video was filmed some time ago and I have most definitely worked on it.

[@brantcompany]

So u Open your video with a flaring stove in the statement oh that's dangerous and then you're trying to sell us and what a great stove it is why do you do that

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

brantcompany because when I let it flare it was dangerous. And then because it is a great stove. Most people got the humour of the intro. Thanks for watching.

[@boutthere3374]

Oh you bugger! When the wife demands to know why I am buying another stove I am pointing her in your direction.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

That’s absolutely fair enough. If your good lady wife starts yelling. Just turn on the stove.

[@ronkierstead]

I’ve a Svea myself and use it for moto camping. Here are a few mods you might like that I have made on mine. www.ridereports.ca/2016/03/svea123-repairs-and-mods.html

[@potskifilms]

Me too; amazing isn't it that other riders don't...Btw, I use it with petrol from the bike assume you do too. Cheers Wayne

[@railwaystationmaster]

Someone really needs to update this awesome looking stove by fabricating one out of Titanium then it would be carried more widely on day hike bike rides , So PRIMUS, EVERNEW , SNOW PEAK get collaborating and give all the Chinese knock offs something to thing about !

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

It would look pretty slick in Titanium wouldn’t it?!!

[@richardalun-jones3319]

This offers advice on priming without using a fuel bottle in addition to the best way to thread the ke chain. Cheers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqnbppVpip6ardk

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@William The Gadfly Too true. At least you get the heads up. On a trangia it's so easy to check on the food and realise it silently turned off ten minutes ago!!

[@snesleywipessqueegeeservices]

Nope. The second I saw a thumb ring I bailed out and went somewhere else. Simply not having it. Sayonara dude.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Edit* ‘Nope. The second I saw a thumb ring I wrote this comment.

[@SMCleaning]

great video that made me not want to buy this stove :D

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Oh no! Don’t let my inability to use it put you off. After two years with it I really like it. But I do generally teach for the trangia!

[@SMCleaning]

@@OffTheBeatenPot it is not the lac, of your abilities. It is just the fact that the whole thing gets hot and isn't easily packable right after you cooked something which is a big no no for me. I like your video though. thanks for that.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

@@SMCleaning these are the points that make me reach for it less often.

[@SMCleaning]

@@OffTheBeatenPot exactly, that is why I'm rather going for the Coleman Peak 1 stove which is much more portable and reasonably priced. The state of the art is definitely Soto Muka stove which surpasses all the other stoves by lightyears, however the price isn't adequate to what it is providing.

[@JohnDoe-bw7bq]

Lol the comments on this one might have saved some people from getting 3rd degree burns... lol

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

God bless the comments!

[@Константин-в5х6с]

Сделал рассекатель самбреро - отлично работает. Гораздо тише штатного рассекателя как на Свея. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHWWqGqBqZifZ7s Делал нижнюю шайбу плоскую толщина 3 мм. Наружный диаметр 45 мм. (для свеи может отличаться в меньшую сторону). Внутренний диаметр 16 мм. Верхняя шляпка толщиной 3 мм. Диаметр 18 мм Зазор между нижней шайбой и шляпкой 5 мм.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

If the noise bothered me I would. Thanks for the info!

[@FT4Freedom]

No intro, no crazy clown music, just get started.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Touché. I do get (a little) better as my vids go on.

[@markgreer6921]

I found one for 8 bucks at a auction years ago cuz noone knew what it was

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Mark Greer that’s incredible!

[@Motoagnostic]

I love getting dirty looks from the Jetboil wankers at the campground when I fire up my old Svea.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

‘Jetboil wankers’! 😆

[@tkarlmann]

Wow, you're not very good with this stove are you? 1) You can use just the warmth of your hands to get the first fuel out. (You open & close the fuel filler cap to even out pressure first.) 2) When hot, you certainly do not turn it on as you did! 3) a number of times, you had the pot supports turned the wrong way. 4) You had the chain threaded through the stove wrong. 5) You NEVER leave the key in the stove -- only when adjusting!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Thanks for the tips. Everyone else has pointed these out too!! I PROMISE I have got better at this stove and will hope to ‘prove’ this in a future video. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment and educate!

[@victorianohernandez3537]

I 've had this stove since 1979. What this guy doesn't understand is that this stove was designed for high altitude climbers . well at least. It will run on almost any fuel except gas for the dumb. fill it. pack it. bring small amounts of extra and it works great. You can cook anything on it as long as you have your'e kit along which everyone does. In the end this guy just thinks its a relic. It's not a heater for tea. And I'm disgusted as he throws his tea bag over his shoulder. And I mean this guy is a dead Bagger. Guess I made him a couple cents for watching him play with himself.

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

I’m sorry the tea bag throw disgusts you. As most of my subscribers know, I care deeply about waste on the trail and this was done in jest. I was tempted to put the footage of me collecting said offending article into the composting bin. But thought that wasn’t necessary. Wish I had now! I definitely don’t think this is a relic. I was looking at it for most people that may consider buying it today. People such as myself that take a deep interest in these stoves. A relic it is not. But although I could have done better with this ‘review’ I think it was a fair look over the stove for a ‘regular’ non high altitude waddling mass such as myself. I adore this stove and take it out with me on most of my adventures. I’ve gone on to cook somee wonderful things with this stove. And you’ll be very pleased to hear I made no cents from you as my channel is not monetised. Also, may I say it’s incredible you’ve had your stove for that long and that is a credit to both you as an outdoorsman and the stove itself. Thanks for your comment. For every ‘negative’ one I learn and I’m truly grateful for it.