Repurpose a vintage stove or sell it and buy something else?

[zuren]

I was hoping to get some advise on a vintage camp stove that came from my grandfather to keep in my van.

Years ago when my grandfather was still alive, he handed me a Coleman 5404 camp stove. It didn't have any fuel bottles and they are no longer made (technically, outlawed as I understand) so this sat idle in my possession for years unused. I no longer have the space or patience to have junk sitting around that doesn't work and I came across this stove in a box the other night. It either needs to be converted or sold as a collectable.

Here is a link to a stove like mine: http://classiccampstoves.com/thread...e-burner-aluminum-red-diamond-logo-mib.10785/

Rather than a threaded connection, these old stoves had a needle and the associated bottles had a seal that was punctured with an o-ring around it creating a leakproof connection. The needle connection to the fuel bottle is similar to the Gerry Mini Stove. Some people have used an adapter ($30) like this to make the older stoves work again with modern isobutane canisters: http://www.ebay.com/itm/162251276012?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

My grandfather was always a horse-trader and a tinkerer and after talking with my mom, she never remembered seeing it or using it growing up. So other than my memory of my grandfather giving it to me, it has little sentimental value. Now I'm looking at from a design and function angle.

In my van, I already carry a marine alcohol heater/stove (Heatmate). My thought was to keep this camp stove in the van but you can see that it is not small. The adapter and a small isobutane canister might store inside it. This being said, there are screw-on isobutane stoves that cost around the same as the adapter (eg. MSR PocketRocket).

I also own 2 other white gas stoves (Coleman 2 burner suitcase style and Coleman eXponent backpacker style). I don't let them ride in the vehicle full time due to the white gas (risks of leaks or spills).

You feel this is worth keeping around or sell it and put the proceeds toward van parts and upgrades?

Thanks!

 

[AaronK]

You ask a group of enablers whether or not to keep an awesome old stove? Haha!
Convert it I say

Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk.

 

[dwh]

Clearly states on the box that it's for picnics. You picnicing? No?

Sell it. It's in good condition with box and manual. Some Coleman freak will love it.

 

[tarditi]

Worth more to a collector than the intrinsic value as a stove for your needs... especially if you have to put in $30 to convert it - can get a butane 1-burner and extra fuel for that cost.

 

[Junkinduck]

Sell or trade for a good propane of liquid fuel two burner or other gear. I'm sure that a Coleman collector or accumulator would trade for a fine specimen like you appear to have.

 

[joelbert]

While it's cool and all, technology has really come a long way (led vs coleman lantern, etc). Unless you really want to use it, I would sell it and buy something new.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I say go with the Pocket Rocket, have had mine going on 9 years and still works like new.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Oh, and with the vintage gear craze going on that old stove should bring a good price on ebay.

 

[jonnyquest]

Short answer: sell it but don't expect much. It is collectable, but the group is fairly small. Or just set it aside as a shelf display. To use it will require some contortions so it isn't practical.