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