Customer Reviews

Optimus Nova Stove

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been using the Brunton marketed version of this stove for around 7 years. I have not had any problems with clogging, starting or function of this wonderful piece of equipment. I have run mostly coleman fuel in it but I have also used kerosene and unleaded fuel with no problems. It packs down small, sets up quick, and heats fast. This is the only multifuel stove I have ever owned and probably ever will. It will go from boil to simmer in a heartbeat. One of the features I like about this stove is the fact that when you are about done cooking, just turn the fuel bottle over to the off position and the remaining fuel in the line will be used up and thus prevent you from dribbling unused fuel everywhere and wasting it. I have heard bad things about the newer ones and that is a shame. Katadyn purchased Optimus in 2007 and in an attempt to cut production costs, quality suffered. As one reviewer of backpacking stoves said " I attempting to milk the Optimus Nova cash cow, they may have just strangled her." One of the ways you can tell a good Nova from a bad Nova is by means of the pump. A good Nova has a connector made by AB CEJN of Sweden. The red cover for the connector should say CEJN on it. If it doesn't say CEJN on it, that's a bad sign. Likewise the male connector on the fuel hose should say CEJN. Similarly, the female connector on the pump should say CEJN. If you can find one of the pre Katadyn Nova stoves, jump on it. They are reliable, versatile, dependable, and durable. I have seen some web sites selling the pre katadyn version for 110.00 online. I paid 139.00 for mine several years ago and this would be a good bargain for a very, very good stove.

I specifically ordered the Optimus Nova as opposed to the Nova Plus version. Several reviews by amateurs as well as professional outdoor gear reviewers complained about the Nova Plus fuel control valve that required rotation of the fuel line (between the tank/pump and the stove). Apparently the stiffness of the fuel line and the requirement that it be kept as flat and straight as possible made adjustment of the flame difficult. One of the primary reasons that I bought this stove is the excellent control of the flame. Flamethrower to pan warmer is easily achieved on the Nova with its large and convenient burner control. It is easily the most adjustable stove on the market.(A pan of water can actually be kept below simmer....just enough to keep a liquid hot).

The pump is all metal and unlikely to break. Other manufacturer's plastic offerings look frail by comparison. I believe that the construction of the pump and the stove exceed the quality and durability of any other brand that I have looked at or used.

There have been negative reviews, especially in the 2009-2010 period where a factory recall was initiated for metal burrs inside the quick connect fuel line fitting which caused failure of the sealing o-ring. As far as I can tell, the company repaired all the stoves, and has since solved the problem. Certainly, my stove's fuel line connector has no issues. The connector is high quality, and looks to have an "aerospace grade" machined finish. The o-ring issue is taken care of, but there are some precautions. (More on that later).

The few other negative reviews that I have read generally appear to be the result of the operator not reading the manual, or not following the instructions contained in that manual. Even if you are an old hand at liquid fuel stoves, you should invest the time to read the manual thoroughly BEFORE firing up the stove. This is not rocket science, but there are certain things that the operator must do in a specific order. After a few times, the procedure will become second nature. Do yourself a favor and try this stove in your back yard several times before you head for the woods.

The quick connect fitting and o-ring do require some attention. First, use the included caps on both ends of the connector while disconnected. This precision fitting will react badly to dirt, leaves etc. Second, lubricate the little o-ring each time that you cycle the connector. This is especially important with white gas/Coleman fuel because it dissolves any grease on the o-ring. The resulting "dry-fitting" of the connector makes it harder to put together and is hard on the o-ring. One reviewer wipes a tiny amount of saliva on the o-rind before assembly. While this is handy, so is the tube of lubricant, (and extra o-rings), supplied with the stove.

The unit as supplied included the stove, carrying bag, windscreen, repair and magnetic cleaning combination tool, and the metal pump assembly. It does not include a fuel bottle, but common fuel bottles, such as those produced by M.S.R. work just fine.

It is not cheap, is is not the absolute lightest, but it is the best stove that I have used in my 40+ years of backpacking.

This is a great stove, very compact for the features you get. Very durable with metal parts on pump and repair kit included is pervect, if you need it. Self cleaner is very simple.