Filling a dual fuel stove

[Boris]

I have a Coleman 442 feather stove and the instructions for fuelling it are to place on a level surface and fill.

Now if I do that it takes fuel till the tank airlocks due to the filler neck in the tank and then overflows, which is to be expected, and you would assume that is the correct level. However when I light it I get a lovely flare up and a foot long yellow flame till the generator heats up and the stove starts working the way it should. I assume the level is too high and instead of the air form the tank being mixed in when cold more fuel is being added.

However if I only fill to the bottom of the filler neck inside the filler neck (so about 15mm lower) the stove lights cleanly first time every time.

Crappy drawing time
The black rectangle is an out of perspective viwe of the filler neck.
The Blue line is the fuel level where everything works
The Red line is the fuel level when in flame thrower mode.

Am I alone in my experience?

[davsato]

mine always worked best only filled 50%, that leaves more airgap and a more consistant pressure drop as fuel is used. i reckon.
have you ever used one of those supersoaker water pistols? if you fill it with water and pump it up it runs out of steam quickly, but if you only fill it halfway and then pump it up it goes till the end of the tank.

[DaveS]

I always overfill mine. It has to be done.
I find it best to cover your hands in petrol and then try to light the stove.

[davsato]

lol, been there, at least you can see what your doing!

burnt hair stinks, doesnt it. and the tent stinks of it forever after too.

[steveR]

lol, been there, at least you can see what your doing!

burnt hair stinks, doesnt it. and the tent stinks of it forever after too.

fx...... Chortle... LOL

We have all been there, I even managed to catch my thumb on the generator tube, now that hurt! Darwin Awards material... almost!