Coleman, and other users all say its absolutely vital that when the stove is not being used for 2 weeks or more that any fuel left gets emptied out of the tank. If not done, everything inside gets gunky and blocks up.
Having taken this advice on board, we have just been trying to empty the tank. Fruitless task - all we can get are drops out, occasionally, and there is still probably half a tank left. Any suggestions? Its a new stove, so we obviously want to maintain it properly so it will last for many years. Suggestions on how to empty the tank would therefore be much appreciated.
If you are using Coleman fuel (liquid gold ... so expensive) or better still. (IMHO) Aspen 4T, you should not have to drain the tank.
The problem with gunk in the tank is mostly a concern when using auto unleaded. All the additives necessary for a modern petrol engine serve no purpose in a camping stove and as the fuel slowly evaporates, the additives are left behind to gunk up the works.
I have left Coleman fuel and Aspen 4T sitting in stove fuel tanks for more than a year, and know people who have left Coleman fuel in stove tanks for 5+ years without any ill effects.
So the easy way to avoid a gunked up stove is to use a clean fuel. Coleman or Aspen 4T ... perhaps even auto panel wipe.
To remove the fuel already in the stove tank. you could try the simple siphon method.
Length of tube, stove tank on a high table, fuel bottle down low. Don't swallow!
We always leave the unleaded fuel in the tank, never had a problem and have had our coleman for 3 years. Never used coleman fuel or aspen, just good ole unleaded.
I've had mine for about ten years now and used unleaded the first year. then I started to alter with Aspen 4T and these days, I buy one cannister of 4T of 5 litres and work with that through the season. I don't need to drain the tank anymore and can just light it, even after half a year, and it burns immaculate from first ignition.
It is designed for unleaded but with all the additives in there and seeing as how it is meant as an automotive fuel and not a cooking fuel, I'm not keen on using unlead because of all the toxic fumes evaporating while cooking.
Here we go again. It is PERFECTLY safe to leave unleaded fuel in the tank. I find it is VERY WRONG to mislead people on these forums by putting in your personal opinions or preferences. I keep fuel in my tank all the time and HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY BLOCKAGE, GUNK ETC in 10 years of using the thing. I clean the nozzle once a year and that is it. I would advise you to contact Coleman and ask them. I for one would love to see where coleman say this too, as no literature stating this came with my stove.
here is the statement from the OFFICIAL COLEMAN WEBSITE
uality features expected from Coleman stoves have been retained in the Dual Fuel models. Both stoves feature Band-A-Blu burners for even heat distribution, deep flame ports located on the sides for ease of lighting and wind resistance, fully adjustable flame, self-cleaning generator tip, copper-brazed steel fuel tank, equalized burners and a nickel-chrome-plated steel rod grate that lifts out for easy cleaning.
Packed with each stove is a new design-filtering funnel created to improve ease of filling while filtering out water and particulate impurities from unleaded fuel. A fill-stop feature reduces the chance of overfilling and spillage. The funnel filter is washable and replaceable, and the unit stores in its own zippered poly bag to minimize odors.
I would point you in the direction of the filtering funnel and the "self cleaning generator tip".
Facts!
Rant over!!
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
I expressed my opinion based on my experience and that of other stove collectors, with hundreds of years combined experience.
Just because it differs from your experience, which you seem ready and willing to offer as FACT, in no way devalues mine or any one else's opinion.
Quote: Originally posted by spudz on 18/7/2009
I expressed my opinion based on my experience and that of other stove collectors, with hundreds of years combined experience.
Just because it differs from your experience, which you seem ready and willing to offer as FACT, in no way devalues mine or any one else's opinion.
Rant over.
Sorry Spudz, Just quoting FACT from the Coleman website. Not assumptions. Do you own a 424? It gets a bit tedious sometimes.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
Quote: Originally posted by dmsplat on 18/7/2009
I use unleaded and just run it dry at the end of each trip. As to whether or not it matters or not, I can't comment (don't want to get spanked)...
LOL, its just those 3 naughty boys who are in trouble ;)
Ive had my 424 for about 8 years now, always used unleaded, never emptied after a trip and has never caused any problems. Really reliable stoves whatever fuel your using, wouldn't bother spending loads on expensive fuels when it runs just fine on cheap unleaded, whats the point? I know I bought mine for the low running costs. Coleman says to use petrol? so I use petrol! No problems in over 8 years, that tells me a lot for fancy fuels!!!
In response to Dezzie, about leaving fuel in the tank not being a problem, all I can say is we purchased a second hand stove that had had fuel left in the tank and it was so gunked up it was impossible to clean up and parts needing replacing instead. Returned the stove and obtained a full refund. From the state of the residue we saw I guess only unleaded had been used, and possibly without using the filter funnel. We only intend using Coleman occasionally to 'clean out' the system (as recommended) and the bulk of the time use unleaded.
Consequently we intend emptying the tank to prevent this happening to our stove. We have found a perfect and cheap syphon - small length of water irrigation pipe with an ink cartridge refilling syringe-case to start it off. Works a treat.
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Topic: Coleman 424 dual fuel stove - emptying
