Optimus Polaris Opti-fuel Portable Camp Cook Stove Review

[@NateSail82]

Love mine, run it on bike gas with the quietstove even though they say not to it works just fine. Been Backpacking and camping since the 80's this is the best stove I've ever used and hopefully the last I'll ever buy.

[@impermanenthuman8427]

Are you still liking this stove over all others? Apparently the combination of using the Polaris pump with a Whisperlite universal is actually the best stove of all. Lighter than the Polaris (whisper rather than a blow torch noise), quieter than the Polaris, you get the valve on the pump and on the MSR fuel hose too so you can simmer with liquid, the Polaris pump is the most reliable and durable, the MSR fuel hose has a built in cleaning rod so you can clean out the hose if you need to use unleaded for any length of time (need a new Optimus fuel hose if it clogs up with dirty fuel residue), slightly wider bloom for more dispersed cooking with pans etc…quite a combination. Only issue with the Whisperlite is the pot supports are too wide for some smaller mug size pots

[@aMAYSingLife]

I'm still loving mine but to be fair i'm typically running clean fuel through it over the dirtier options.. Thats an interesting solution to combine the best of both!

[@waterdude21236]

I have been using the nova+ for probley more than 10 years, i have run, white gas, kerosene, and diesel, i love that stove, there is no extended handle on the nova+, i also use a fire box stove awesome set up,

[@aMAYSingLife]

What is the difference between the plus and the regular nova?

[@waterdude21236]

They do burn hot, i use the 1 liter bottles instead of the .5 i can cook all weekend and have left over fuel for meals for my wife and i, i would have a spare rebuild kit just to have one. Thanks for ur vids.

[@waterdude21236]

@@aMAYSingLife the nova+ is identical to the nova minus the long handle, u actually adjust the fuel flow with turning a knob on the fuel line. I used to be a optimus/katadyn deal.

[@waterdude21236]

I have a pic not sure how to send.

[@aMAYSingLife]

@@waterdude21236 would love to have a pic of the nozzle specifically. I didn't get paid for this or anything it just became a curiosity to me because I was shocked there are so few that support the canisters plus the other fuels. My good friends Simon and Lisa Thomas were encouraging me to get the dragonfly but I really didn't want to give up the convenience and simplicity of the canisters. So far this one has been great. perhaps you could find me on FB. I'm pretty easy to find. /jdavidmays

[@bucket1249]

I also have the Polaris. And I have a Trangia 27 set. If you like to cook real food check it out.It is also quiet.

[@aMAYSingLife]

yes, I looked into that stove but my understanding is it is an alcohol stove correct? wont run on auto Gas? That was one of the things I needed because although I fill my bottles with white gas before leaving on a trip I like the option of stealing fuel from my bike tank when needed.

[@bucket1249]

@@aMAYSingLife I think they make the newer ones with the ability to use a gas burner in place of the alcohol one. I use the heet brand yellow bottles, they burn cleaner than alcohol and can get them at any auto parts stores I think a lot of people use the MSR for the retrofit. I don't see why you couldn't modify it for the primus. Glad your GS was ok , I hope mine never ends up like that!

[@aMAYSingLife]

@@bucket1249 Thanks for the further info. Might be useful to many out there. Yeah, I don't recommend this method of checking tire depth.. It can get expensive if your not careful lol.

[@IndianaDiy]

Awesome review in depth is the best.I was considering buying the Polaris or the MSR whisperlite universal. I really like the Polaris and it looks like it can hold some larger heavy pots and pans .

[@aMAYSingLife]

The big choice difference between the whisperlite universal and the Optimus was the ability to simmer for me. The whisper just can't. It's a great product, light weight and quality but the lack of ability to simmer really was a show stopper for me. I agree on the heavy pot capability on the Optimus. It sits very stable. To be fair thought the whisper has a pretty large base as well. I have cooked on it quite a bit since and still believe this was the best choice. And I wasn't paid or got free product for doing the video. It is purely my opinion. Good luck and happy camping!

[@IndianaDiy]

WheelSpin Productions great info, Thanks

[@kc329191]

Great review, I have that stove. It is cool. I have to check to see my exact model can screw on a canister too.

[@aMAYSingLife]

I think the Nova+ looks identical to this stove except for the nozzle. So if it can't use a canister then its likely a Nova. thanks for the complement.

[@_multiverse_]

The brunton vapour AF is a good stove that simmers, runs canisters or liquid and is very durable. Unfortunately the company doesn’t seem to make them anymore.

[@aMAYSingLife]

That’s a shame... competition makes them all better...

[@drcoolit]

I wasn't aware that you didn't have to refrigerate bacon. I have seen some people not refrigerate eggs though. The sound from the running stove is a nice audible cue as to the state of the burner. As you pointed out, you really can't see it under typical backpacking conditions due to the screen in the way and also the angle of view (mostly from the top, not the side).

[@aMAYSingLife]

I wouldn’t say you don’t have to refrigerate but when camping in 0 ish weather it is basically refrigerated. It’s cured too so it can handle more than like a pork chop..

[@drcoolit]

@@aMAYSingLife Good -- thanks. OTOH, I try not to ride my bike in really cold temps but I'll keep your food comments in mind just the same.

[@NihonDream]

Nicely done.

[@Carpediem1312]

Are there any fuel leakage/drops once you disconnect the bottle from the fuel line? Have you any comparison to Primus Omnilite TI in terms of power and fuel drops during disconnecting the fuel bottle?

[@aMAYSingLife]

just flip the bottle over to the off position and it will burn what fuel there is in the line out and depressurization the bottle. if I know I will be using it again then I leave it connected and pressurized for next time. at that point rather than flipping the bottle over I’ll simply close the valve at the bottle and let it die on its own. this will burn out the fuel but not depressurize the bottle. how that helps.

[@OldCootProductReviews]

Are you able to use bio ethanol fuel in the Polaris?

[@aMAYSingLife]

I can't say i have tried.. it will run on gasoline and diesel so I can't imagine it wouldn't.. I mostly run white fuel (camp stove fuel) unless I run out while on the trail then siphon from my gas tank for more. The white runs clean so it doesn't get messy or smell. I haven't run diesel in it but those who do say you do have to clean it some if used often. I would imagine the bio-ethanol should run pretty clean but I don't know.

[@impermanenthuman8427]

So if you had the tools to replace spare leather pump seals the primus optifuel would be the best? particularly if you needed something that was reasonably portable by backpack? Great vid btw, very helpful 👍🏻

[@aMAYSingLife]

I believe the Primus is about the same size packed up as the Optimus when comparing the same multi fuel that also supports simmer. For backpacking unless you have resupply options you will likely be just heating water and using packs of some sort and in that case likely canister only or even like a whisperlite by MSR is your lightest option with fast boil speeds. When looking for what I needed the simmer feature was a critical decision. To answer your question regarding the leather pump I would recommend having a spare kit as you recommend if you decide you would like to go with the primus. I love their gear just was shy on the failures I was seeing in the pump design. Thanks for complement. It’s appreciated. I am thinking about going with primus foe their larger cook stove for the jeep build we are working on now. So no issues with them as a company for sure.

[@impermanenthuman8427]

@@aMAYSingLife I’m thinking to get something like a Soto Windmaster paired with a small canister in my go bag, either a Optimus Polaris or a Primus Optilite Ti in my car for planned camping (and winter backpacking since the Optilite is titanium so a little lighter than the Polaris)with cleaner liquids like inverted canister and/or white gas/kerosene and also short term emergency use of dirty fuels as a last resort but expecting it to need very regular cleaning and trouble shooting (when using petrol), and probably an MSR XGK at home for longer term emergency backup use (eg during war time...read, or listen to audio book ‘the fourth turning’) But if I could only choose one stove it would be the Polaris, but since I can get other stoves to balance out the spectrum I’ll probably go with the Optilite since I’ll have a much more ‘long term’ reliable option like the MSR XGK as a backup anyway, plus since it’s fairly small and light I may find I don’t really need the Soto for canister use🤔 Thanks again for the help 👍🏻

[@lauritsbarfoedbeck5421]

Does the primus omnifuel you thought about buying do simmering as good as the polaris?

[@aMAYSingLife]

My understanding is the Primus is a good stove and has good simmer. The only reason I backed away from it was due to the leather gasket they use in the pump which requires a bit more loving than the rubber one found in the Optimus. It seems to break down and seems to be the only part on the stove that does so. But I decided based on that to invest my money in the other one. There are truly plenty of good reviews on the Primus and they make quality equipment. That’s why I chose them for my cookware. I did watch several as well as read a lot of reviews where several complained about the pump failing. It was enough for me to choose this one. Hope that helps

[@SupRBeeADV]

nice. not sure why i wasnt already subscribed but i am now. 😁🐝☁️☁️

[@aMAYSingLife]

Thank you sir!

[@cubul32]

I hear that it burns more fuel since it's not optimized - any idea how much more fuel you burn vs something like Omnilite or Dragonfly? is it something like 1% 5% 10% ? Does it even matter?

[@aMAYSingLife]

I'm still very pleased with the Optimus. Fuel wise I have to say its very frugal. I can't compare it to the Dragonfly because the only experience I have with it is riding with Simon and Lisa Thomas and Simon always uses auto fuel from the tank so I never was aware when he was filling it up. I tend to use white gas and can say that when cooking a complex meal it only uses about maybe 20% of the bottle (which is the smaller bottle - I think 12oz). Since I can always use fuel from the tank if I need more I just don't worry about it much. If I were backpacking it would likely be a bigger concern but again, it does tend to sip fuel compared to the heat you are generating. The Omnilite is a quality stove and again I made my choice based on reviews I read concerning the leather pump gasket that was prone to failure on the Primus Omnilite so I went with the Optimus especially since I Had had a backpack canister stove from them for years and it still worked great. Either option you are likely good. I have to say mine is quieter than the dragonfly. The dragonfly is like a jet engine running, hard to even talk over.

[@bucket1249]

Simon and Lisa, very cool people met them about 4 years ago.

[@Saltfly]

Sold👍🏻

[@BCVS777]

Great video and music.

[@aMAYSingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@glenns6923]

Thank you very much Sir, that is great info. So where is that campsite? Or would you rather not say lol.

[@aMAYSingLife]

It’s at the Sourwood Campground in the Cherokee national forest... great find and it’s free.. how can you beat it lol

[@amosshih8313]

@@aMAYSingLife Which motorcycle you ride? BMW?

[@aMAYSingLife]

@@amosshih8313 I have a 2018 BMW R1200GSA. love it.

[@gtm559]

I tried it but I like more APG multifuel system from aliexpress. I think it's worth a lot

[@aMAYSingLife]

Haven’t tried that one. Glad you got one that works for you!

[@aMAYSingLife]

Curious, how well does it simmer? That was one of the primary differentiators of the optimus

[@gtm559]

@@aMAYSingLife you are right this is the weekest point of APG. But 37euro with 1lt bottle fuel is fair play.

[@endurence2005]

I thought you needed an adapter if you wanted to use a canister on the optimus?

[@aMAYSingLife]

Beng Beng nope.. not with this one.. one thing I love about this stove.. now I carry my old stove and a mini canister as well as my normal fuel so if I don’t want to bother I could with canister or if it’s a big meal or perhaps breakfast I’ll cook with the white fuel and use my mini stove to make coffee... it’s great!

[@endurence2005]

WheelSpin Productions oh damn nice! I’m looking to add this unit to my camping accessories I love the versatility in fuel type

[@endurence2005]

WheelSpin Productions does it need to be a optimus brand canister or any is fine?

[@Exstaz]

Optimus also use leather in their pump.

[@aMAYSingLife]

It’s true however I don’t hear the same complaints with the Optimus pump as I did the other. Mine is still going strong

[@rdkuless]

to make your Stainless Steel pan non stick, heat it up with a cup of water, then add 1/4 cup Camelina (not terrible gmo canola) and let it come to a boil.. then simmer for half an hour.. Next dump out the water/oil and wipe dry.. Next heat up the pan again. and wipe dry.. It is now non-stick... :)

[@aMAYSingLife]

Yes I do that to mine every now and then. It does work!!