Unfired Optimus 11 Explorer Stove Vintage Camp Camping 11 No. Rare
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:662092 | Brand: Optimus |
Hi folks!Here's a rare Optimus 11 Explorer. This stove is unfired, and has never been used.These are unusual stoves, because they utilize a full size burner as seen in a traditional box stove, but use a remote fuel pump and bottle. They were produced when the market was transitioning to remote fuel bottle stoves, and were not in production very long, as they were soon replaced by the Optimus Nova. They are very sought after as a result. They use the same fuel line and pump as an Optimu...s Nova, with the excellent bayonet fuel fitting.These stoves use the powerful Cobra burner found in the Optimus 111C, 111D, and Ranger 10. These are excellent burners, but have a spotty reputation because the quality control on the brazing wasn't great. When you get a good one they work great, and the brazing on this Explorer looks very good to me. I do not see any gaps in the brazing around the burner tube or anywhere else. This stove is unfired, so I am not going to test it, but I think it would perform well if you decide to do so. I suggest preheating Cobra burners twice, as they have a lot of mass. They vaporize fuels very well when fully preheated, and are great burners. Some of my best burning stoves have had Cobra burners.These have a unique stainless steel housing and pot stand, and if you use a Trangia or Optimus adapter, you can also fit them into a Trangia to make a powerful and more compact KAP Arctic style stove. You will need to drill a hole in the Trangia's lower windscreen for the fuel line though, as it has a different orientation than a Nova. I highly recommend trying this though, as they're excellent stoves in a Trangia.I believe this particular example is an earlier model, because it has the black knob on the fuel pump. It also has the short multitool, which were only used on some Explorers and the Ranger 10.It will be packaged carefully in a strong box with plenty of bubble wrap, and I always ship quickly. Please do not ask me to end the auction early. Thanks for looking!
