Coleman stove cold starting

[MoGas]

Our camping stove is a 1973 Coleman 426D 3 burner that uses Coleman fuel.

Before I went hunting last month, I did a normal test run prior to packing up. I got to camp and used in that night to cook my supper. In the morning, it was a real bear to start. It was 27*F and the yellow flame lasted for 20 minutes before it settled down to blue. Is that normal for these stoves? I know they rely on the temp of the generator to work properly, but, is there anything to shorten the warm up time? Maybe pre heat the generator tube with a MAPP torch?

It works great other than those mornings during my hunt. I just got up a half hour earlier to start my stove. My whole family wouldn't be too interested in camping in sub freezing temperatures, so it is just more of a convenience for me.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[IH8RDS]

Dave, I have found that usually when I have the yellow flame, it is an air problem. Check the seal on the gas lid. Maybe the cold temps shinked the seal in the lid. I always carry extra screw on lids now.

 

[MoGas]

I think the seal is good. the tank was definitely pressurized. It worked fine after ~ 20 minutes of warm-up. I am going to conduct some testing at home over the next few mornings by pre heating the tube with a MAPP torch to see if that shortens the warm up time. A MAPP torch is in my camping gear anyhow for difficult fire starting when the wood is wet.


Dave

 

[TheRoadie]

I have the identical stove, and seem to need a new generator about every ten years. Have you ever replaced yours?

 

[MoGas]

I have the identical stove, and seem to need a new generator about every ten years. Have you ever replaced yours?

Not since we have had it. It was my father in law's stove from when my wife was a kid.

Generators are cheap enough. Maybe I'll just get a couple.

 

[Curmudgeon]

X2 on generator replacement. If the generator is full of carbon, it will take longer to heat up.

JP

 

[762X39]

We used Coleman stoves on our winter warfare course (and everywhere else) and the problem is preheating. Oftentimes if you started it up and the flame was yellow, simply shutting it off and restarting it gave you a nice hot blue flame.Good advice about replacing or cleaning the generator tube though.