3 burner camp stoves. Coleman 426/428 or Camp Chef?
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SmokeEater2
New member
I've been using a Coleman 3 burner 426D for years and haven't had a bit of trouble with it. A couple of years ago I found another one at a garage sale and bought it as a back-up. I've found a few of the large 2 burner 413 models too. They are pretty handy if available space rules out the 3 burner.
I'm convinced that the older Coleman stoves and lanterns can be kept running forever. :wings:
I'm convinced that the older Coleman stoves and lanterns can be kept running forever. :wings:
perkj-you are obviously a Coleman fan but you mis-typed your nomenclature and will send the OP on a goose chase.
There is no 426G. There is 426, 426A through 426D. It's an easy mistake because the 413 equivalent to the 426D is the ubiquitous 413G.
There is a great leg solution for the Coleman stoves and that's the Coleman stove stand. These are super handy, light, and fold up inside the case of the stove. I can't imagine having a 426 without the stand. You want one of the old aluminum ones, not the modern China crap they sell now.
My favorite 426 version is the "C". The reasons:
It's a solid, fully enclosed suitcase (Unlike the "D" of all iterations which is a box with a lid)
It has real hinges, not the pivots of the later stoves
You can fit a stove stand AND a lantern inside the case of the stove (The "D" can hold the stand, not the lantern)
Here is my "C" on it's stand:
Here is a lantern and the stand inside:
Regarding those who can't simmer on a Coleman-I don't know what to say. They simmer beautifully-I've made real Hollandaise sauce and Bearnaise sauce while camping from scratch without a double boiler, so you know they simmer great.
Last thing-Those side table things are pretty cool, but they are not common. I believe they will fit the early models of the 426D, and the early models of the 413G. Get yourself a Coleman white gas stove and prepare to be impressed.
I found a pic of a 426D on a stove stand too from our last Utah trip:
There is no 426G. There is 426, 426A through 426D. It's an easy mistake because the 413 equivalent to the 426D is the ubiquitous 413G.
There is a great leg solution for the Coleman stoves and that's the Coleman stove stand. These are super handy, light, and fold up inside the case of the stove. I can't imagine having a 426 without the stand. You want one of the old aluminum ones, not the modern China crap they sell now.
My favorite 426 version is the "C". The reasons:
It's a solid, fully enclosed suitcase (Unlike the "D" of all iterations which is a box with a lid)
It has real hinges, not the pivots of the later stoves
You can fit a stove stand AND a lantern inside the case of the stove (The "D" can hold the stand, not the lantern)
Here is my "C" on it's stand:
Here is a lantern and the stand inside:
Regarding those who can't simmer on a Coleman-I don't know what to say. They simmer beautifully-I've made real Hollandaise sauce and Bearnaise sauce while camping from scratch without a double boiler, so you know they simmer great.
Last thing-Those side table things are pretty cool, but they are not common. I believe they will fit the early models of the 426D, and the early models of the 413G. Get yourself a Coleman white gas stove and prepare to be impressed.
I found a pic of a 426D on a stove stand too from our last Utah trip:
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SmokeEater2
New member
Good point about the stove stand, I keep one stored in the stove and they beat the heck out of squatting down to cook. The earliest models I'm aware of were green painted steel but I haven't stumbled across one locally.... yet. :drool:
I have one of the old steel green ones, mainly as a conversation piece. They are very heavy and well made but almost too heavy to carry inside the stove case. They even have a lid support which the later ones do not have.
It's funny, but the Coleman stoves particularly, are actually better than modern alternatives in our little niche of off-road travelers. I love the design and function of a Partner Steel stove, but $10 Coleman stove off Craigslist will cook at least as well and still be doing the job well 50 years down the road.
Geez you're right. Complete brain fart. 426d is correct. I'll correct my previous posts so no one else gets sent down the wrong path. Thanks for catching that
Btw the 426C is a great stove as well. A little more stout with the full cased lid and the ability to toss in a 200 series lantern is a great plus. I have a couple Cs as well but I find myself using the D more often because of it ability to accept the side trays.
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One last thing, and that's about the frequently mentioned thinner case metal and flimsier construction of later stove models. This is true sort of, but didn't start until very late in the stove game. Up though the mid 1990s the case metal was still the same as always. The paint if anything, got better and more durable.
The 413G and 426D from the mid to late 60s do have a more desirable case for a different reason. If you look at perkj's excellent pictures with the side trays, the case corners are fully boxed and welded (like the construction going way back), where as some time in the early 70s, they dropped the boxed corners and went to a crimped corner without welds that they still use. All make for fine durable stoves, just something to look at if you are a Coleman fan.
One other nice feature of Coleman stoves is the entry price. For $20, you can find one, try it out and see if it meets your needs. A 50 year old stove though, will often need a servicing-full clean out of the tank, new generator, and good to go for another 50 years.
Here is a 413F (Notice the rust and terrible condition) but the desirable case, pull out legs and tank shape were there. This was a give away at a SFO flea market booth this spring. I really like this particular era of stoves from the early '60s. (413F and 426C)
Here is is after a full take down, electrolysis bath of the components, with a repaint with Rustoleum Hunter Green:
The generator was like new inside and so just went back into service:
The 413G and 426D from the mid to late 60s do have a more desirable case for a different reason. If you look at perkj's excellent pictures with the side trays, the case corners are fully boxed and welded (like the construction going way back), where as some time in the early 70s, they dropped the boxed corners and went to a crimped corner without welds that they still use. All make for fine durable stoves, just something to look at if you are a Coleman fan.
One other nice feature of Coleman stoves is the entry price. For $20, you can find one, try it out and see if it meets your needs. A 50 year old stove though, will often need a servicing-full clean out of the tank, new generator, and good to go for another 50 years.
Here is a 413F (Notice the rust and terrible condition) but the desirable case, pull out legs and tank shape were there. This was a give away at a SFO flea market booth this spring. I really like this particular era of stoves from the early '60s. (413F and 426C)
Here is is after a full take down, electrolysis bath of the components, with a repaint with Rustoleum Hunter Green:
The generator was like new inside and so just went back into service:
Andrew....great job on the restore of that 413F freebie!
Regarding the metal case on the 413Gs and 426Ds, I've found that the early ones with the boxed and metal corners appear to be made of a thicker/stronger gauge steel than those with the crimped corners. If for example with the lid closed and I place something somewhat heavy on top of the lid/stove, the lid on the crimped models will begin to slightly bow down and concave due to the weight. Doing the exact same thing with the same object being placed on earlier models with the welded/boxed corners, the lid is able to hold without any sign of bowing....this tells me the gauge of steel must be thicker. I've confirmed this on many 413Gs of each type.
this whole discussion has me thinking the ultimate 426 or 413 stoves would a 426c or 413f and then modify the side trays and stove to get the side trays to fit on these models. may end up being my next coleman project to tackle
Regarding the metal case on the 413Gs and 426Ds, I've found that the early ones with the boxed and metal corners appear to be made of a thicker/stronger gauge steel than those with the crimped corners. If for example with the lid closed and I place something somewhat heavy on top of the lid/stove, the lid on the crimped models will begin to slightly bow down and concave due to the weight. Doing the exact same thing with the same object being placed on earlier models with the welded/boxed corners, the lid is able to hold without any sign of bowing....this tells me the gauge of steel must be thicker. I've confirmed this on many 413Gs of each type.
this whole discussion has me thinking the ultimate 426 or 413 stoves would a 426c or 413f and then modify the side trays and stove to get the side trays to fit on these models. may end up being my next coleman project to tackle
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I agree. Even a B is good. The Cs were only made a few years, where the D was made for decades and so much easier to find.
I saw this on Craigs. (I see you are in Shingle Springs so this is almost local to you.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/4650039336.html
In my view, this is the best D ever made. It's the early case, the mid year grate with the circular things to better hold a coffee pot, the better upper latch and the fully boxed corners. It's a little expensive, but looks close to new. I would estimate 1967ish. If I didn't have a garage full of 3 burners, I'd go buy it.
And since you're local, if you need a hand getting it going, I'd be happy to go through it with you. Little stuff like a cap gasket and re-habbed pump leather are likely to be needed.
Bamacountryboy
Observer
I picked up a 426D about a year ago and love it ,then I found a 425D and had to have it . Be careful it can be addictive
Few other nices ones. The first is an early model boxed corners 413G that looks to be in exceptional condition but price is a bit steep and may be a bit of a drive:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/spo/4656235999.html
The next three are 426Bs and all look to be in good shape. Two are much closer to you and the other is again a bit of a drive. the 426B is very close to a 426C with the primary difference being how the wind guards stay propped open:
http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/spo/4613789208.html
http://stockton.craigslist.org/for/4630100502.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/spo/4648984760.html
Here is a good site that will help you with the difference between the different years and models: http://tgmarsh.faculty.noctrl.edu/coleusstovemid50present.html