I've got a Coleman 533. Since new I've always had the same issue, it's either full blast or off, it seems impossible to get a low flame. I try to gently turn it down but it just fizzles out. Is that just the way they are?

In reply to Post #1
Ahhh,the good old Coleman..That's just the way they are. Can be a pain alright.I did hear one possible fix was to put two extra wavy rings on the burner,but have never tried it.

In reply to Post #1
My experience too. For boiling water great, for anything else no use.

In reply to Post #1
Having read the two other replies I must be very lucky with mine, I get high and a low flame, its over 20 years old I've replaced a couple of generators but I've always been able to turn it down. I always pump up really high weather that's helping or not I don't know

Me too, had mine since ‘96 & never had any major problems.
It had its first ever service a couple of year's ago with the Tacklebox.
The only thing is, I've only ever run mine on Coleman fuel, I don't know if that has made a difference?

As Innocenti says, 'the good old Coleman'. You can get a really good one or a pup; I had one of each.

The first one no problems, it wore out from regular use. Its direct replacement was terrible, needed more regular replacements and servicing. After an accident that sprayed me with petrol I switched back to gas.

The first one, good pump, light, pump again, it would work at high or low burn no problems. The second you could only get full burn.

I have had the Duel stove, sportster and still own a 442 feather, the duel was a death trap kept flaring up, the sportster the flame would start off well but quickly drop then forever pumping it back up whereas the 442 I've never had issue with it really it does drop loose pressure over a longer period but a more consistent controllable flame.

One thing to do is when you turn them off is to turn it back on and off a few times, that makes the wire inside the generator clean out the gunk and burn it off. I also sometimes tap the genny with a spoon while it's lit and that also helps shift it. If it's an old one you might as well just stick a new genny on it, oh and use Aspen 4 fuel

In reply to Post #8
Hmmmm, wondered if it might be a fuel issue. Only used super unleaded so far.

In reply to Post #9
That's what I use with 5ml of reddex per gallon

In reply to Post #10
Not a fuel issue then because that's exactly what I use.

In reply to Post #11
I use a 50-50 mix of unleaded and panel wipe. Thing with petrol is, it needs to be put through a coffee filter to remove the gunk out before it gets to your Genny.

http://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=219670

Aspen fuel for my Coleman's. Cheaper than gas. £20 for 5 litre can. Available from Garden Machinery shops.

In reply to Post #14
Having recently been a convert to Aspen 4 (thanks Gerry) I can't imagine running it on unleaded ever again, the difference is quite noticeable, not least of all the lack of horrible petrol smell/fumes.

Back to the OP, when trying to get a lower flame turn it down till it starts to go out then open it up a bit and you should find a sweet spot, to be honest you only really have two settings, full blast and slightly less full blast you won't ever get a low flame like you do with a gas stove. I just use the Coleman for boiling water/kettle in colder weather and a small gas stove for more subtle jobs

In reply to Post #5
YES Coleman fuel is in fact Naphtha thats far purer than crappy unleaded that these days has so many additives for the modern car engine that turn to gum in the genny of the Coleman ((it didnt happen with the old leaded petrol ))
not to mention the EXTREMLY toxic carcinogenic fumes given off when burnt in a Coleman

just more reasons to use Aspen T4 petrol that does not have any of the problems that unleaded does and is cheaper than Coleman fuel and of course much cheaper than gas
panel wipe has different prices its based on Naphtha the cheaper versions are cut with other products to reduce the price but the best quality panel wipe is more expensive than Aspen petrol so why buy an inferior product for more money ? I pay £18 for 5 litres for my Aspen from a lawn mower repair shop in Harefield

IMO 99% of problems with Coleman stoves are pilot error caused mostly by LACK of pressure if you have a yellow flame its the stoves way of saying pump me up dummy

Exactly why I stopped using mine. Good for Boiling but everything I cooked ended up burnt. Try Frying an Egg on it. 🤣🤣

Ditched my Coleman's a decade ago and bought gas stove for summer or BBQ and the double stove which has a far greater range from simmer to destroy. The Coleman's oven is good too. Just replace the generator every few years, although I do soak it in coke every couple of years and use a small amount of Redex in 5 litres of petrol.

In reply to Post #16
Should you add Redex to the Aspen Gerry? Harefield is just up from me so will go and get some of this, I was using gas again up until the start of this season but it worked out expensive in comparison and was crap in the colder weather or first thing in the morning.

In reply to Post #19
Noooooo
Aspen 4
is virtually free from harmful substances such as benzene, aromatic hydrocarbons or olefins substances that can cause serious health problems Lasts for years without deterioration Aspen does not contain ethanol and it is Virtually odourless

Name:A & a Sims
Address:Royal Exchange, Old Uxbridge Rd, West Hyde Postcode/City:WD3 9XP Rickmansworth County:Hertfordshire England
its a Bungalow and the works is via his driveway

In reply to Post #20
A lot of chainsaw guys etc use aspen 2 or 4 not only for its long life (5 years is often quoted) but also it's health benefits.
Many were reporting headaches using normal 2 stroke petrol especially in confined spaces such as gardens but with aspen no problems.
As Gerry says available from many garden machinery dealers.

In reply to Post #20
Cheers Gerry, just looked this up and found it too. Will give them a call and check if they have stock. 👌

I used a Coleman about 15yrs ago and cannot remember any problems using it, my new one - struggles to get the balance at low output however using unleaded.

Another vote for aspen. My old stove works great on it

In reply to Post #23
Aspen for me too👍