5 Single Burner COLEMAN Stoves - my thoughts and experiences with them 

I have owned the Feather 400, 502, and now the 533 in my life time and love them all. In the Marine Corps, I worked as an Arctic instructor and made 4 training trips to Greenland. We carried the 533 between 2 Marines and it worked flawlessly. We used it in our 2 man tents to boil ice and snow for water to rehydrate rations and hot drinks, plus dry out our gear and keep us warm. I can't say enough good things about Coleman stoves. Thanks for this video. You make me want to dig mine out and cook something!

I have the 533 and the 424 dual burner. For some reason, the 424 just feels safer than the 533. That 533 has a really finicky level control. Maybe mine just needs to be cleaned. UPDATE: After watching this video, broke out my 533 and just cooked my lunch on it. I fell in love with it again. 👍🏻 It’s an outstanding gasoline stove.

Oh man, I had the feather 400 when I was young!!! It fell off a 50' cliff, went down, got it, and it worked fine, had it for YEARS!!!

I found a 550 exponent in a pawn shop new in box for $15 with both generators, have used white gas only and it has performed great so far.

You can tell by the flame alone that they 508 is a great stove...burns well, followed by the 502. I did not know of this. Thanks for the video and the demonstration!!

Great video! Love all the Coleman stoves!! Classics that last a lifetime

I've contemplated buying these in the past... 508 looks impressive... thank you so much for putting this vid together!!

Just recently picked up a 502 and it's a really neat stove! It was all gummed up with varnished fuel but I took it all apart and cleaned it up and now it works well. Can't wait to take it camping and actually cook on it.

Ive got several 502s and love them. One has the heater attachment which is like a tin can that mounts on top the stove, I keep it in the boat for cooking and hand warming during the winter

I have a Coleman 502 with the pot/storage case and love it. It sits prominantly with my beloved Coleman 3-burner.

three years later, had to come back to this video! Thanks!

Nice video. I have one or more of all these stoves. Two of their great features are adjustability an low noise level when running. The 502 is a classic. Built like a tank, extremely reliable, very adjustable, and easy to work on with it's straight generator. An old clapped out 502 can be made to run like new in just a few minutes provided the pump and tank are ok. You won't be deep frying any turkeys with it at 5k BTUs but this stove was a 1950s design that I think came out in the early 60s. The only drawback to the larger stoves here is....well.... they're larger and heavier. The 550 was a workhorse for me during my 21 years in the Army. It was dropped bent smashed and should have been a gonner many times. Straightened out the parts with a pair of pliers and fire it up. Brewed literally thousands of pots of coffee, heated as many meals, and heated whore bath water more times than than I can count too. The weird generators actually work really well. MUST BE PREHEATED to use kerosene or JP-8 with the kero generator installed. For maintenance sake, I recommend burning white gas in them, but if you are a tinkerer, they'll run fine on pump gas for a while. The 400, 508, and 533 put out mega amounts of heat. I always kept a spare generator on hand in the field just in case. They can be changed in about 2 minutes if it takes you a minute to get your tools. The bad generators can usually be cleaned out and like new again once you get back to civilization. Most folks that don't like these stoves simply don't follow the instructions or know their principles of operation. If you get 3 foot bright flames, I'm talking to you. haha! Follow the instructions carefully and you won't have that problem, or your pickup tube needs work. Tank pressure in your friend with these stoves. Give them plenty of pumps.

I have a 502 my dad bought new when they first came out. It still works perfectly.

Great layout and demonstration. Flame on! 🔥

Great video! That unique intro was awesome!! Your editing skills are on another lvl now.

Make up your mind man, your like them all! Joking, I have the 533 and love it. Thanks for the video. These things last forever.

J-2K, thanks for the video. I also have a soft spot for the Coleman single burners. I currently have a Peak 1 model 400, a Dual Fuel model 533 and what is labeled as model 3024 "Mountaineer Series". The latter looks very familiar to the Feather 400. All great little stoves.

You need the 400A. That stove is amazing to simmer. Has a lever in back of it to adjust flame! Another good one is the Coleman apex! My favorite of your bunch is the 550b

I have the 533, works great, definitely like it better than my finicky dual burner. Just ordered a whisper lite!

I carried the Feather 400 thru the Rockies for years and prior to that I had an older green one, no legs, two levers and a tank shaped like the 400 but a little taller. 😊

Nice review. It's exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

Feather 400 is my goto stove for the past +30 years ... As a Guide, I had to keep cost down so always used white gas, ... my "big kitchen" rig is the standard Coleman 2 burner 3000000789 (with the improved reservoir). Both have serve me well and will for many years to come:) Since I always have access to naphtha, no need for the dual or multi fuel versions for me.

I was worry about what I ordered (533), but that presentation relief me.

great vid - love coleman gear

I am a fan of these stoves. I am partial to the 533 - I have 3 of these. I am a fan of you since the reloading days. Thank you.

REVISIT: Don't know why I didn't comment on this last time, but that 400 looks like it simply didn't have enough pressure. When you get really low tank pressure, there isn't enough gas velocity to pull enough air. Or, little spiders have taken up residence in the mixing chamber/burner box. Haha! I still have em all and love em all. Some more than others. I'm not a fan of the single valve control on THAT 400 model. I have a couple of them the 400s with dual control identical to the 508(same generator on both models). I'm not gonna ranks them but my least favorites are still the newer single valve control models. They still work, but flame control is finicky. Some tune up work on the cleaning needle, the L hook and eccentric block will do wonders. Basically deburring, polishing, and straightening. Thanks for this video. It popped up in my recommendations again. Glad it did. Keep up the good work.

thanks for the great demo

I have the 533 but haven't used it yet. I'm using my alcohol stove. Thanks for the comparison / review! 👏🏻

Thank you for making this. I know what I'm buying now

Great collection!

Multi fuel is a bonus But also a good demo of why you need to Maintain & clean gear. Appreciate it not being a "perfect" run thanks 👍

Thanks for the vid. I was about to order a 502 but now ill definitely be going with a 508 for maximum btus.

Thanks for the comparison. God bless and stay safe.

533 is a stunner

Great information

Thanks for this! I have been wanting one of those 533's for a while. might just pull the trigger

Show us how to maintenance that single burner 208. I have one that could use a good going over and your instructional videos are great. I got a 416, 425d, 425e, 220f dual and a 208a going all based on your videos. Great stoves...great lanterns.

Beautiful stoves and useful

I had a 505B, amd it worked at -30C as well as hot summer. It had a leveling ring at the bottom, quite useful.

Great video and explanation!! 👍

Check the ring seals in the control knob(remove knob, then remove black bracket. Pull out brass control rod. Replace small rubber rings.). It has two and they wear out quick. Maybe from lack of use. It will catch fire from there eventually. Also look for stress cracks inside fuel cap. I wish they made the 550 exponent in a 275 size. For my small coffee , mocha pot, Stanley cook kit, and Kleen canteen; it’s what I would love to have. But my exponent runs fantastic on gasoline , and alcohol. I can get it low and slow for my percolator. Below a simmer. Almost a plasma glow rather than flame.I switch out the generator and it burns lamp oil and diesel really well too.But it has to be flame primed with something for a few minutes first. I use Vaseline.

What?.... Are you trying to hurt my feelings? Just kidding! I'm very jealous of your collection. I have a 1969 Coleman 502 that's in beautiful condition, but the others are still on my wishlist. Awesome video, thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!!

Loved this video !!!!

I have a Peak 1 400A...similar to the Feather 400, but it has the same controls as the 508. Works like a champ on Coleman fuel...not meant to run on unleaded. Unleaded fouls up the generator and the ethanol introduces water into the fuel, which will do a number on the tank if you don't drain it between uses.

I've got a 500 and 505... the 505 is definitely my favourite.

Cool video comparison. For me its the 533 all day every day. That and a Svea 123 are the only stoves I own and use.

Great review

I would watch a video of you cleaning the generator on the feather 400. I have 2 of them and could use a tutorial from someone who has done it before. Thanks and fun video to watch!

I've got recently 533 , amazing stove !!!!!

Great video,thanks! Looks like on the featherweight the pump is not pushed in. That might allow pressure to escape.

I have owned my Coleman 533 since 1997 only use Coleman white fuel. It's been used cooking on my truck tail gate, power outages, etc. I wish Coleman made a trivet so I can cook with cast iron.

Very similar to the 530 love those stoves

Thanks. Great video. Love my 508

Thank you for the most helpful review (for a visual learner) of those stoves! #coleman

I have a 502. It was my first Coleman stove. Coleman used founts already marked for the 501 train wreck. The worst issue I had with the 502 was bugs getting into the mixer tube during the winter! It sits inside two bags now. I have had a mongrel 533/442 for a few years. It became a 442 as the fount of the 533 had a bad NRV that just would not come out. I do have the appropriate 'key' for the task. I just happily spent $160 on a new 533. U get the carry case & funnel. I use white gas only. If the 508 was still a current model I would have bought that in a heartbeat.

The only problem I have had with my 508 is the pump cup, especially in cold weather and if I don’t add oil. I got a Coleman folding windscreen for it that also fits the 400 (same burner) but I had to order it from Japan.

The motto of the story if you want to rwduce maintenance requirements and improve reliability and lerformance is use white gas (Coleman fuel) or K-1 Kerosene in the 550 with its Kerosene generator installed. I bought a new 550 many years ago and it has worked great in all conditions. In cold weather on full throttle for an extended period of time you may have to pump it occasionally to get the best results.

Very cool video and nice collection. Be cool to see you do one on the WWII Pocket Stove.

Thank you - I stumbled upon the 502 for $15 and the 1946 530 - I want one for my van for Overlanding and know I'll be in other countries running gasoline - I'm going to find a 508, now....

Love the 400. I have the brown version of it.

Excellent

Great overview ❤

Great video thank you

Would love to see a video comparing these to a propane stove

Really nice video

I have the the 400 and I love it I have only ran white gas in mine

Subscribed just because of the NAME❤

It is best to keep the gasoline out of them for maximum generator life. Some Coleman generators are now discontinued as spare parts, white gas is best. Its a shame you don't have a 500 Speedmaster or a 530 GI stove (Carried by US troops in WW2). I feel like you would LOVE a 530 given the content of your channel. I have one I am going to tune it up this winter. I love my 500 though although large it is just simply awesome. I love these videos, your comparisons are next level. What do you think of your best running Coleman vs your best running MSR stove? It would be great to hear your thoughts on that. Keep up the awesome content!

very good video awesome I got 1952 stove 🛠️🇨🇦🛠️🇨🇦👍👍

I had a Featherweight, killer output. Drawback was with the 2 piece Aluminum storage/cook pot with a full fuel tank weighed in at 3 pounds. Gave it away to new backpacker. White gas is best. Discontinued.

I've actually just found this video after using husqvarna power 4 fuel in my 533 (over 10 years old and with leather pump cup mod),try it,it burns hot,flame control is far better. Its as good as aspen 4t but cheaper. 5litres for 18quid.

Very good info, you’ve saved me money….

I am newbie with gasoline stoves. I bought 533 and I ordered 550B from army surplus store, because it is multifuel. sort of. Weight is not big issue to me. I have it too much by myself anyway. When counting percentages, it weigh in reality.

I would like to see a comparison between liquid fuel vs isobutane vs propane as far as fuel cost, efficiency, etc. You know the normal 2 cups of water boil test since that seems to be fairly standard. I have been thinking of getting a stove like this as gasoline or white fuel is easier to get ahold of in a pinch than the small propane or isobutane canisters. Looking for something to add to the emergency supply home kit.

Thank you... JIUJITSU2000 for the comparative Coleman, single burner, stove review. I was curious to know if you found out why the Exponent Stove was losing Pressure? Was it the Valve assembly, the fuel cap, or the pump and check valve assembly allowing pressure to escape from the stove? Inquiring minds would like to know the problem, and more importantly how it was corrected in your diagnosis. Thank you in advance for your response to my inquiry.

I love all my children equally (buys 508 a richly ornamented cloak) 😀 Seriously, though, thanks for the video! Great information! I love my Feather 400, but it looks like I need a 508 too. And a 533. And I should fix my 502 someone gave me.

How long do you think the 508 would run when full? Great review👍

Not sure if anbody else commented but once the 502 is lit you can turn the knob all the way on instead of leaving it at a quarter turn to produce more input.

I would have like to see the WW2 GI Coleman Stove demonstrated and compared.

Okay 👌 got it.

Running a 508 generator on my feather 400B. No issues. I think the 533 would work too

Put a little bit of sea foam into the stove when they don't run good cleans it up

Great demo. Thank you

Just scored a 500A/700c " Canadian version " only has the 1 lever on/off hi/low. Does'nt have second lever like yours. It says 8500 btu, and seems to work good tho so im happy.

Jesus! You've got a lot of flashlights too, man!

Coleman made one similar to that model of the feather for the military still have it .

I would like to see how you're going to take care of the generators so that to get a super clean burn.

I have seen the caps develop cracks maybe from over tightening. The outside may look fine but look inside the cap. at the center part inside of the gasket.

I have a 508. Used it for the first time, heats up fast. Question, how long can this stove run? The tank does heat up a bit. Is that normal? Also, where do you find generators for this stove? Awesome video! Thanks!

Nice! I don't have any single burners.

You need the original 400 with the flame control. Best one of all and a beloved classic.

Tack ❤

Hello Jiujitsu, I have a question on stove I bought...picked up nice coleman 508b. Now I cant find to much o. It so I dont know if it can use duel fuel....it looks just like the 533 and the pump piece at the top has a hard plastic top like the 533 here in your video. Also any defects or problems with it do you know on the 508b. Thanks very much. Also thank you for your nipce work. 🙂👍🏻

Ive 3 heat drums that fit the 502 stoves . Great for big tent heaters

Hello there my friend. Had a quick question for you. Out of the Coleman 533 and the Coleman 400 b, overall, which one would you recommend? I have the 533 now and I do like it but I was thinking about getting the 400b just at the back up or am I take over and be my main stove. And also, in your opinion which you have a lot of experience so that's why I'm asking you these questions. I live up in the Northeast in the mountains and I do a lot of very cold hot tenting. Which one would you recommend out of the two for the cold weather? Let me know when you get this look forward to your response buddy take care and be safe

I bought a 503 for $55 after buying a different brand that had a generator but no blue flame holder . It has a different blowtorch type flame pointing up through a metal funnel shape flame director . It makes itself get dirty sooty in only a few minutes and is disturbingly missing the blue flame star oatterns of all the other stoves on the market .

Love my 533 :)

Hi. I just commented on your other video wherein you reviewed 13 stoves which were mostly MSR's and I gave you great praise in doing such a wonderful job. I also mentioned I was a Coleman guy and then I saw this video so I jumped in right. I didn't watch the whole thing yet because I wanted to share a little info with you. 4 of the 5 Coleman stoves you tested were not great stoves. The exception was the 508. The Feather 400 (Model 400B) is downright mediocre in my estimate. But the 2 stoves prior to the 400B it were the 400 and 400A (that you didn't have there) and they were the TOP OF THE HEAP! The quickest way to tell all these single burner stoves apart is to look for 2 (TWO) valves: the red knob lever AND the black knob lever!!! The design of that particular burner was the best of them all!!! It was the top of the evolution of all the various coleman stoves from the previous decades. They were old style steel beasts that performed well but they were never intended to be back-packing stoves!!! The Model 400 brown model with 2 levers was the zenith of these stoves! I absolutely love the Peak I model 400 as the best, hottest, lightest, toughest, most stable and most indestructible and longest lasting and cleanest burning fantastic flame control and low noise immune to blow out from wind and least finicky stove all rolled into one ever made! But its not a purist's backpacking stove!!!! They slimmed it down and made it as light as they could for what it was into a single burner in Canada in the Model 576 and invented the best Coleman stove burner ever!!! That was the true beginning. And the Model 400 made it smaller and lighter but still keeping the 2 valve burner! Ever other stove Coleman came along with was an attempt to be smaller and lighter to stay in the competitive stove market of the 1980's and 1990's and they kept making inferior products that were lighter but suffered performance losses. That's what you were testing with the exception of the 508. The 508 was the same 2 lever burner of the 400 but they made fatter and heavier! That's why you liked the performance of that one! It easily beat all the others because the other's were crap! The notable exception was the APEX stove that used the fuel bottle as its gas tank. It was the 1st Coleman stove to do that! It was a very light and very good stove that could simmer extremely well. NOT AS HOT as the 400 but still very good. A definitely light enough model for true back-packing!!! Most MSR's are probably lighter I bet! BUT there is NEVER the need to do field maintenance on an APEX stove or almost any Coleman stove. They never get dirty and they never screw up. Of course, being a purist I must tell you, that using Naphtha aka white gas aka Coleman Fuel is the only way to go to get beautiful performance with zero maintenance and ultra longevity out of generators. And, no, cleaning generators is not easy and really is not very effective. There comes a day when the baked on internal residue wins. Despite deep soaking in carb cleaner, Sea Foam, vinegar, oven baking and all the rest, etc, etc the generator must be replaced. I know its a different mindset these days since White Gas has gotten so expensive and everyone wants to be able to use unleaded fuel because of price and convenience but its simply not a BEST PRACTICE! I'm not trying to be a MEANIE, its simply a fact. BTW, I have used a lot of unleaded fuel in a lot of stoves back in the day, but I finally "got religion" as they used to say! And you were right when you mentioned in the other video that the low octane fuel is the BEST and ONLY way to go for the exact reasons you mentioned. Then of course, came the Apollo, Fyrestorm and Denali. Whole different category! I would love if you compared the 508 to the TRUE 400 or even the 400A. They are extremely similar to the Feather 400 (400B) in appearance but they have a totally different, hotter burner! Because, I am a Coleman purist I hate the Feather 400 (400B). I mean its still a good stove but the performance of its 2 predecessors is flawless. That can't be said of the 400B! I gotta go back to your video. Which I will hate. Not because of you. You're great! But because I don't approve of those stoves. All the dual fuel products are not as good as the original 400. Big physics discussion here. Also, the 550 sucks. It was the evolution of the apex. The same burner as the Apex but modified in a bad way. They're all OK stoves, but not great. All the others I don't bother with! Not the 508 either. It has the excellent burner but its a tank!!! My order of precedence is only for what they call their "backpacking" stoves: 400 -> 400A -> starting to get ultralight at this point -> Apex -> Denali -> Apollo -> Fyrestorm.

Would be nice if we could see all your stoves and lanterns all together

I'm waiting for the tune up