proper method to store Coleman Dual Fuel stove

[ywen]

I have one of these, purchased new 2-3 years ago.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Burner-Compact-Liquid-Stove/dp/B0009PUPX8"]Amazon.com: Coleman 2 Burner Dual Fuel Compact Liquid Fuel Stove: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

Currently the tank is partially filled with white gas. Would it be okay to store it like this for months-long duration?

I've heard about the seals in the stoves generator deteriorating overtime and I don't want to contribute to it by storing it improperly.

Also - can anyone link a good source where it documents how to check and re-condition the generator? My biggest fear is having some sort of leak during operation and having the stove blowing up on me..

 

[1leglance]

Ha I buy these at garage sales that have sat for YEARS with fuel in them...
take them home, dump the fuel and refill with fresh, pump it up and it works great every time...
Yours is still new really
no worries in any way
empty the fuel is really the most I would do, maybe once a year lube the pump seal if anything to make you feel better

 

[kjp1969]

I just rehab'ed mine that sat for around 8 years with fuel in it. I replaced the pump gasket, but buggered up the generator while trying to clean it. A new gasket, new generator, and it was like new again.

I would go ahead and store it with fuel, but pull it out and run it once in a while to keep everything moving and to burn off the old fuel. Refill, and store it again. Also, plan on a new pump gasket as PM from time to time, they're cheap.

 

[dwh]

http://coleman.custhelp.com/

 

[gonejeeping15]

Dual fuel stove

Use it up! don't store it and you'll be a happy camper!

w6jds

 

[wagoneercraig]

I'm just happy you have one . They are so much cheaper to operate than propane . I had one for close to ten years and never gave it a thought . Then i bought the new and improved fangeled propane piece of . Kicking myself ever since

 

[kjp1969]

I just rehab'ed mine that sat for around 8 years with fuel in it. I replaced the pump gasket, but buggered up the generator while trying to clean it. A new gasket, new generator, and it was like new again.

I would go ahead and store it with fuel, but pull it out and run it once in a while to keep everything moving and to burn off the old fuel. Refill, and store it again. Also, plan on a new pump gasket as PM from time to time, they're cheap.

I stand corrected- Coleman says to drain it. That makes sense, now that I think about it.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

These little stoves are awesome. Found one for $10 on craigslist, works great. Had a little rust so I cleaned it up...couldn't find hi-temp paint in coleman green, so I figured why not try something unique? It's now a special edition... Dual Fuel Toyota stove with matching paint job.

I went from propane stoves my whole life to only liquid fuel and I don't regret it. There's something classy about it...

If you ever need info or parts, check out old coleman parts . Very useful

 

[Scoutn79]

Coleman does say to drain it to prevent varnish build up in the tank.
However, I have had the same Coleman white gas stove for going on 30 years and NEVER drained the fuel out of it and it works perfectly...
Darrell

 

[Ludedude]

Coleman does say to drain it to prevent varnish build up in the tank.
However, I have had the same Coleman white gas stove for going on 30 years and NEVER drained the fuel out of it and it works perfectly...
Darrell

Ours is over 10 years old, same deal.

 

[Toyotero]

Ours is over 10 years old, same deal.

I've had the opposite experience with a couple that I picked up at thriftstores that were stored with fuel in the tanks.

After X years, the light hydrocarbons evaporate off and leave the heavy ones, which is the varnish you see. The amount of varnish deposit you get is a result of the amount of air in the tank, amount of fuel, time, etc. I've got one stove that was black inside and the check valve in the pump was stuck open (after you pump air in, it escapes back out the pump shaft... with fuel vapor. Potentially dangerous if someone were to pump it while the burner is lit).

I'd recommend draining and burning out what you can. They are best stored dry.

 

[sxharr05]

I too picked one up off of CL for ten smackers. OOOOLD one with original box and paperwork. Replaced the gasket on the filler cap, filled and pumped it up and it works like a champ. Like it so much I picked up a "matching" catalytic heater.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've had the opposite experience with a couple that I picked up at thriftstores that were stored with fuel in the tanks.

After X years, the light hydrocarbons evaporate off and leave the heavy ones, which is the varnish you see. The amount of varnish deposit you get is a result of the amount of air in the tank, amount of fuel, time, etc. I've got one stove that was black inside and the check valve in the pump was stuck open (after you pump air in, it escapes back out the pump shaft... with fuel vapor. Potentially dangerous if someone were to pump it while the burner is lit).

I'd recommend draining and burning out what you can. They are best stored dry.

I've run into that on a couple of the older Colemans I've picked up. Fwiw a gentleman at our local Coleman spare parts outlet told me to drain the fuel and spray a couple shots of WD40 or similar into the tank. Close the lid, pump it up as you would regularly and then open the regulator and let it basically 'fog' the insides of the fuel system. When your ready to use it again add fresh fuel, pump it up and use as normal, the remnants of the WD40 will easily be absorbed into the fuel. I suppose the fuel will go bad and varnish but leaving it empty might promote corrosion? I figured the Coleman fuel was 'oily' enough but he seemed to think otherwise?

 

[Ludedude]

I've had the opposite experience with a couple that I picked up at thriftstores that were stored with fuel in the tanks.

After X years, the light hydrocarbons evaporate off and leave the heavy ones, which is the varnish you see. The amount of varnish deposit you get is a result of the amount of air in the tank, amount of fuel, time, etc. I've got one stove that was black inside and the check valve in the pump was stuck open (after you pump air in, it escapes back out the pump shaft... with fuel vapor. Potentially dangerous if someone were to pump it while the burner is lit).

I'd recommend draining and burning out what you can. They are best stored dry.

I suppose if they sit unused for years that's a hazard. Ours gets used pretty regularly though so there's usually a "fresh" supply of fuel sitting in it.

 

[old_town_yucca]

Indeed you should drain the fuel from the tank. You can use a few feet of small plastic tubing, such as that used in a fish tank, to siphon it all out. Keep the filler cap off for a day or two to allow to dry. The re-install the cap, pressurize the tank and turn the valve open to push the fuel out of the valve assembly.

As far as cleaning the generator you can visit www.oldtowncoleman.com for rebuilding instructions.