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Optimus Hiker III Stove
The Stove
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Optimus has a long history of
making stoves. They have been used by military forces and
expeditions in the most adverse conditions and remain a top choice in
liquid fueled portable stoves.
This is the Hiker III
stove. It is a larger stove most suitable to expedition base camps
or when the extra size and weight is not a restriction and is more
suitable when cooking for more than one.
This is a brand new modern
version of a stove that has been in use for decades. They also
make a smaller version and several other classic and modern versions of
camp stoves.
For more info on this and
other stoves visit Optimus
stoves
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The stove set up
ready for use. |
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Ready for use
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Folded for
storage |
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Click an image to see a larger view |
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Selection
| I selected this stove for several reasons. Here is
what I required in a stove.
I wanted a stove capable of burning Alcohol. The dog mushers use
alcohol for their 'dog cookers', (no, not to cook dogs,
rather to melt snow and cook dog food in). For years it has
been the one fuel that musher have trusted in the worst conditions, and
it hasn't failed. It lights easy in sub zero temperatures,
burns hot and fairly clean. Since I will be hauling alcohol
for the Serum Run in support of a dog team, I would rather haul a single
fuel source for all stoves than to carry a special fuel for a camp
stove. I will just carry extra bottles of HEAT (the automotive
fuel additive type, which is alcohol and what mushers use).
Besides alcohol evaporates quickly and cleanly if spilled, and no fuel odors.
I also wanted a stove with minimal parts and/or assembly.
Something I could quickly get up and running even with cold fingers in a
storm. I wanted to be able to quickly be able to lash it to the
sled and not have to worry about something getting lost or broken
bouncing down the trail. Nothing like being cold and hungry only
to find that a stove part has been lost or damaged on the trail, or that
the stove is a pain to put together and deal with in the
cold.
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Pros
| The Hiker III will burn just about any liquid fuel.
Alcohol/spirits require a simple conversion by changing the jets and
adding a restrictor sleeve. |
| The burner and fuel tank are contained in a heavy metal
box case. The top hinges open to act as a wind screen. The tank is
mounted to a hinged front wall that swings out for use. When you swing
the fuel tank out the burner slides to the center of two heavy duty bars
that are the pot holder. When you are done cooking simply swing
the fuel tank back up and close the lid. The control key (which is
also the only tool you need to do any repairs on the stove), is chained
to the stove and stores in the box beside the burn. No
assembly required. It can be set up and operated even with
gloves on. |
| All parts are solid brass or steel, no plastic or light
weight metals. |
| The stove is completely field repairable using the
control key/tool which is chained to the stove. |
| Larger size than compact backpacking stoves making it
nice for cooking larger meals for two or more. |
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Cons
| Optimus says Alcohol is not as efficient as other fuels,
but works well in the cold. |
| Weight & Size: At 1.5 pounds and it's
size, it is not a backpacking
stove. They do make a smaller lighter version of this stove. Visit Optimus
stoves |
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Field Notes:
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The stove survived the shake down run
without a hitch! I loaded it in a Rubber Maid Action Packer and
threw it in the cargo sled for a 40 mile bounce down the trails.
At the end of the day I pulled it out, opened it up, pumped it, primed
it and poof, it was up and running. In the morning I again fired
it up without a problem and made breakfast.
So far the stove has been
taking a pretty good beating on the trail and proved to be compact and
rugged.
I ran the stove on Alcohol in the form of
automotive 'Heat' fuel additive, and it worked fine. (The fuel
tank will hold 1 full bottle of Heat.) It burned clean and
without a noticeable odor. It's worth noting that the self
contained case creates a very stable base for the stove and acts as it's
own spill pan when priming, making it relatively safe for tent
use. Do note that the shaft of the fuel key does get hot
when the stove is running and the key is on the valve stem. So
don't pull the key out and grab the metal shaft if it's been attached to
a hot stove. |
| So far the stove has preformed well! I'm
impressed. |
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Resource
| List price on the The Hiker III is $159. I found it
on sale at Northern
Mountain Supply for $79 plus
shipping. I ordered it via the internet. |
| I found Northern Mountain Supply very easy to deal with,
but they where unable to provide me details like if the stove came with
the alcohol jet or where I could find one if I needed it. When the
stove arrived it did not have a manual, but a simple phone call to them
and it was on the way. |
| For parts or repairs A&H
Enterprises is excellent. They carry all parts and know the
stoves. |
| And of course Optimus has a web site listing stove
details and dealer locations. Optimus
Home Page |
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