Are NEW Coleman Stoves BETTER Than OLD Coleman Stoves? 

Not many people know this but in order to simmer with the 533 you just need to turn the valve all the way to off and then slowly open it. It will controll just like the peak. The reason for this is the curved generator, holds the needle open until the internal spring snaps it near closed. Turning it to the off position first unloads it. Don’t worry it won’t go out when you turn it to off

My Coleman 400 stove is 39 years old (1983) and I bought it after basic training when I arrived in Alaska. I served me well, especially in the winter, and survived 37 parachute jumps. I purchased a second one in 1985 and still have them both.

About 20 years ago I had to relocate for a new job. To avoid boredom I started going to antique and garage sales primarily buying pre WWII kerosene lanterns but because Coleman lanterns and stoves of all sizes were so common and inexpensive I started purchasing them as well. I almost never paid more than $10 for any stove or lantern. The key to getting a good price is to be polite but walk away if the price is too high. Then return right before the end of the sale and often the seller will drop the price rather than take their stove or lantern home. I now have almost 300 kerosene lanterns and about 80 Coleman stoves and lanterns, many in pristine condition. In my opinion all of my vintage stoves and lanterns are better than the new lanterns. Sadly very few people are interested in the lanterns or stoves so they sit on shelves in my warehouse and I suspect they will eventually become landfill.

With the 533 you can use a plastic Folgers can as a case.

In the Australian Army back in the 70s and 80s we had the Stove, pressure M1950 which ran on kerosene or methylated spirits. You had to pump to build up the pressure and it made that 'chuffa' noise. Hearing your old Coleman chuff away took me back to some great memories getting the 'chuffa going' to put a brew on. We only used these when we were vehicle based.

I’ve had my Peak 1 for 42 years, and when I was younger, and equipment weight was not an issue, it was my “go to” backpacking stove. That stove, and a Sigg bottle with white gas would last a long time! I concur with you on legs, they are much more stable, and protect the bottom of the tank from moisture and getting scratched and dented during use. As a side note, I always carried trioxane tabs and mini stove, as well, because anything with moving parts can(and sometimes will) malfunction at the most in opportune times!

I bought a Colman 400 back in the early 1980's as a young Marine to use in the field in my artillery unit. I loved that stove and owned it for many years. Through many household moves and a divorce, it disapeared on me. So, I bought a new 533, and have had it for several years now. It did not come with a case so I tried to order one for $75. I finally got tired of waiting on it and instead bought a Zebra 6" in diameter pot with a lid. It fits perfectly! It protects the stove even better and is handy to use when camping. Win, win. I also used a stove very similar to the 533, when I was an Arctic instructor. We used that type of stove for many trips to Greenland, Norway and other very cold places around the U.S. It never let us down. One stove per 2 men. It heated our chow and dried out our clothing over and over again. Great review! I am glad someone else appreciates these stoves like I do. I remember hunkering down in our tent in Greenland while the weather raged around us thinking, thank God for this thing as it melted snow and ice for water and dried our drinched gear. I look forward to your next videos.

Good to have you back Dr. Ernie; I had the larger version of this Coleman stove about 25 years ago and used it in my canoe trips. It was a great stove. I got rid of it and the canoe when I moved into a small travel trailer. Thanks for the comparison video.

I'm old and I like old stuff 🤓

We have(my husband's) early series PEAK 1 stove that we used for several years as we traveled(car camping) to visit friends & family out of state. There were no problems encountered, whether it was on "full blast", to make expresso, or "down low", to gently heat the pan for an omlette. It always worked as intended without anything beyond basic maintenance. Wish we had collected several to use in a "simple" outdoor kitchen. Your genuine presentation is appreciated. Thank you.

I love vintage Coleman white gas stoves. Virtually unchanged over the decades and pretty easy to maintain and keep running at peak level.

I'd vote for the Peak1 Stove. I like the flame control as well. Nice video, thanks.

I have the Peak 1 stove with a date of 10-80. I recently fired it up after 20 to 25 years and it worked great. It has many miles on it and is still my favorite.

I have both. My 533 does not simmer regardless of pressure or other variables. "Old Brown" simmers beautifully. Just love the chug, chug of the stove firing away. I learned that if you simmer for awhile, when you've finished and removed your pot, put it back on high for a short bit before turning off in order to burn off excess carbon build up from simmer mode. Thanks for the review!

We used Peak 1's in the Gulf War (personal purchase) and they performed superbly in very trying conditions (they were run with Aircraft fuel, JP5, which is what we had readily available) Dunno if they were rated for that but they worked well, fed us warm meals and hot coffee...can't say enough good things about their ruggedness and dependability. Thank you for the review and the comparison.

I have a Peak 1, that I bought in Jasper, while camping up there, in the early eighties. I did change the leather pump gasket on it, about twenty years ago, & it needs changing again. Still works fine! I keep it in an old coffee can, with a pot holder stuffed in as well! Can’t imagine folks backpacking with these stoves anymore. It’s still great for car camping! Keep your smiles on!

Good to see you back. I love my classic Coleman stoves.

Love my 533. By far, not my only stove nor the most used. But it IS my favorite!

Nice comparison, thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts on the 2 stoves.

That stove was made 7 months before I was born, wow I'm getting old! Good to see a video from you! Good weather in Louisiana lately, I've been loving it!

Well put together very informative keep up the good work 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I was raised in the fifties on Coleman two burner stoves and single as well as double mantle gas lanterns. Still have them today. The single burner I bought in the later sixties as I recall and it is much simpler to start and run. Never even think about preheat and there is no fuel line across the flame. In those days of leaded gas we used to buy five gallon tins (two to a wood box) of white gas. Later they came out with Coleman fuel but we never used that. In the mid seventies they came out with the duel fuel that ran on leaded as well. I actually ran leaded gas in the white gas models and never had any real problems. Worked well but did require replacement of generators a bit more often which happened very rarely with white gas stoves and more frequently with the lanterns. If you live in cold country there was and is no substitute for gas appliances. You will come home with most of your propane still in the bottle when temps are in the teens and less. We used them mostly in boats and camps rather than back packing. Also used a lot when power went out (which it did frequently) back in those days. Wintertime Alaska is unforgiving with the weather on cooking and lighting appliances when in the bush. Coleman was the standard as well as a few kerosene lanterns around then.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Ernie! I also have a 533 dual fuel stove, and like you said, the flame control is really lacking. Mine likes to go all the way out when I try to turn the flame down at all. I have to turn it all the way off and then quickly turn it back on low in order to get it to stay on. And then I can very carefully adjust the flame up to a medium position from there. I think they were trying to make it simpler to use, but in the process, they made it more difficult to use, by going to a single lever system.

If you wish to simmer with the 533, don’t put as much pressure in the tank. Remember that you can always add more pressure as needed.

I’m really glad to see you! Do you really feel a difference in your mind? You are organized and to the point. That is nice! Ringo to ya!

I like to use these burners in the winter to melt snow. I think this is where they shine. Mine are both older models and have decent flame control.

Thanks for teaching me how to light my parents old stove!!! I still need to try it though to see if it works.

Good stuff. Thanks.

I recently inherited a 400 and the matching lantern. As well as, one of the newer stoves. I have yet to use them since I have not used a white gas product in years and was not sure if I remembered how to light them! After watching this, I want to go dig them out! Thanks for the great video!

Thank you Ernie... Like you, I lean towards the older model. The flame control is a BIG plus!! I also have the dual version as well, but always gravitate towards the 400. White Gas stoves are a favorite for me in general. Good Luck on broadening your collection!

I still have my 1-79 Peak 400 and the 2 piece metal cover/cooker. I fired it up a year ago & it worked perfectly. I used to carry it on all my camping trips. I eventually switched to an MSR stove, and now I used a Trangia alcohol stove most of the time. The flame control on these Peaks are great. Before the Peak I used a Svea 123r. The Peak is much quieter than the buzz bomb Svea.

First of all, I’d like to welcome you back to RU-vid, we missed you. I have always been a stove geek and a camping gear geek as well. Back when I got started in the 60s white gas stoves were king. They would work in sub zero temperatures and we didn’t have the modern canister stoves back then and propane stoves were too heavy. I had a Colman stove back in the day that I kept as back up and my Primus was my go to. The Coleman was a bit on the heavy side. I am now sporting a Firefly or a Whisperlight but for shear convenience and lightweight in above freezing temperatures I have a nice Soto Windmaster. I do intend to buy a little titanium wood burning stove, you know the one, but for now I have an Irish chimney style wood burner that never fails to impress, even in inclement weather. I’m sort of a gram weenie but I do put comfort quite high on my priority list. It’s good to have you back and please keep up the good work.😊

had mine over 40 yrs two burner since 1964 still work great

Fantastic presentation and very timely, given the discontinuation but remaining availability

great video thanks.

Not surprised. So many people say the new Coleman stoves are not built the same. Been paying attention to reviews like yours because I inherited a couple Coleman stoves and pondering what to do with them as I am in need to replace one of my camp stoves. I like the idea of white gas vs propane for a few reasons. And the trend of info is saying the new Coleman stoves are not as good quality. Sooo, will see if I can restore the vintage. Thank you for your thorough review!

Could be a market for fitting a 508 style control valve to the 533. I like the 533, it's easy to start and I've never had the shut down issue. My 533 also seems to have more flame control. The large diameter tank means it sits solidly on the ground. I love all my Colemans and they're my go to stoves for car camping. I take at least three. Thanks for putting up this vid.

I agree Ernie. Flame control is the way to go!

Thank you!

I really liked this comparison and agree that they made it better in 1982. I like the “old” two burner Coleman camp stoves better than the single burner stoves. The suitcase design also is good for wind protection and reminds me of good times with family and friends.

Great vid. I had the Peak 1 multi fuel, my brother has the feather 400. White gas is so much less hassle than paraffin. Since then I've moved to a Dragonfly and Trangia

I have a 533 you just had wet fuel on the plate from not letting it burn the two minutes Colman says to pre heat . Love the videos have fun stay safe.

Fired up my Pike1, 4/82, after not using for 35 years with the same fuel in it. Worked great, so purchased more fuel. 😃

I used to do a lot of canoe camping and carried 2 Peak1’s paired with an aluminum cast griddle also by Coleman, allowed for some serious frying!

Couldn't agree more Ernie. I have a Peak 1 400 and simply love it. On top of all your reasons I would add that the 400 stoves (well, all their pre-1983 stuff really) is built to last centuries. While their basic operation is unchanged, the old stuff is made of all brass parts. For instance, the fuel pickup tube is brass instead of plastic. And the leather pump cap will last a long time too - way more than the newer neoprene ones. They just need some oil (neatsfoot works the best) every now and then. Keep up the excellent videos.

Very helpful video 👍

I still have my Peak 1 442 circa 1989. Just a great stove all the way around.

I have the new one and the flame adjuster seems to work fine on mine? It did the same as yours the first couple of times same as yours did but been fine since. Great to see you back.

I use unleaded in my Sportster 533. I live in Ireland and Coleman Fuel is not stocked widely and very expensive. It’s between €10-14 per litre. Even with today’s fuel prices it’s 6-8x the price of unleaded. But the scarcity is a bigger issue. My local camping supplier doesn’t even stock it. It’s available online but the nearest place to walk in and buy it is 2hrs away. Butane/propane gas is far and away the biggest fuel used here with alcohol/meths probably a distant second. I use both. Coleman stoves are definitely more niche. So I really only bought the Coleman as a car camping/power cut emergency stove. I suppose I like the idea of siphoning the lawnmower for fuel as a last resort 😄 It’s used so rarely that it’s never gunned up on me. It it needs cleaning or a new generator pipe eventually, I still think the convenience of using unleaded it it’s best feature for me. I know people suggest panel wipe and Aspen fuel but again, the sheer convenience of unleaded was what attracted me to the thing in the first place.

I bought a 502 way back in 1970 along with the aluminium storage pot and a heat pail the stove is still going strong . a few years ago I bought anotherone again with a storage pot. It too still works great.

There are several RU-vid videos that show that the older Coleman stoves work just as well on unleaded gasoline as on white gas. They may need cleaning more often, but that seems to be the only difference. This makes the "it's better because it's dual-fuel" claim a moot point. (For the record, I own both of these stoves, and have never run unleaded in either.)

Love my 502 stoves!

Mom and Dad had a 4-burner Coleman stove. Can't find these nowadays. Wish I had inherited it but it went to my brother. Life is good. Thanks for an interesting comparison!

Yeah, Coleman lanterns and stoves have gone downhill over the years. Although I have a Dual Fuel Lantern and stove, I NEVER run unleaded gasoline in either one. ONLY in an emergency situation would I even consider doing that and with proper planning I never have had to. I have the Coleman two burner propane camp stove and it does a good job without any problems. I have several Coleman Lanterns and the oldest is one my father bought back when I was a young kid. I am seventy-one years old currently. It is the Coleman model 237 kerosene lantern, which is about as bright as a 100-watt light bulb. My most prized lantern. Thanks for all of your great videos. They are certainly a joy to watch.

I also had a 400. Which I bought new in 1985. It finally wore out. Everything was thin and corroded. I replaced it with a 533. The 400 was a bit more compact, but functionally pretty similar. Mine did not have the flame control. It was actually some number higher than 400, like maybe 420? They both were/are really usable stoves. Both are/were fine with 87 unleaded.

This video made me dig out my 1980 Coleman 502 single burner stove. Oddly enough it is similar to the newer stove built for export. However, it has a third burner control rather than just relying on the burner lever. They also sold a sort of a can that you could place on top of the stove so that you could use it as a heater. The can covered the burner. This stove was lower priced than the "Peak" equipment.

I feel like I've been waiting for this specific comparison for a long time

Yep my Peak one is 40 years old and going strong...!!

I had a Peak 1 multi-fuel for at least 20 years. Trusty damn stove it never let me down, but I did find that keeping the jet clean was a must. The only draw back has been the weight. I finally switched to MSR whisperlite multifuel for the last 17 years. 5:45 man that brings back memories of rhe post lighting pumps to get the flame smoothed out.

I would go for the Peak One, as well. The feet and the flame control do it for me.

I still have the 65 and 69 502 from when I was a kid and went camping with my Dad.....I still use them..Never had a problem with them..

My first white gas stove was a Apex back packing stove, I bought in the early 90's. I love the blue hiss. I got plugged up and I didn't know how to clean it. I lived in a tent for 3 months in the summer on friend's land on the Mendo Coast. It worked all summer and I never finished my can of white gas. More recently I ground scored (curbside freebie) a Coleman Dual Fuel 533. Back in the early nineties Coleman white gas was the same price as car gasoline and the can was free. It was awesome. Now auto gasoline is over $5/gallon and Coleman fuel is $18.99/gallon can at Ace Hardware and maybe $14.99/gallon can at Walmart. A little goes a long way. Probably still worth it to buy white gas in the can.

Thanks I have a 533 as well and had to make a case for it. Prefer the single burner for backpacking and kayaking then those canister things.

I have both as well … thanks

Thanks for the video, vintage 400 catches my eyes.

thanks for video

I used my Peak 1 for many years making coffee while in the Army, still use it 25 years later.

I like the Coleman flashback reviews.

...baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Coleman stoves. yep, it's a must have

I have a 400 series one probably the 442 that I was given for my 17th birthday. I haven't used it that recently, but do like it for the reasons you say. The feet probably also reduce the chance of scorching underlying ground too

I also have a peak 1 400, great sttove. Would have loved the storage case which acts as a mini cook kit. But found a nice bag on ebay to carry it.

I have a 442 dual fuel that I got used earlier this year for an amazing price

Hey Ernie, my 533 does the same thing yours did, if you shut it down too fast it seems there is still fuel in the generator and it spills out the bottom. Although mine has somewhat better flame control and flames out within about 5 seconds. Great video, stay safe.

Just dug out my old Colman single burner to check. It's Model 502-700. The only thing on it that looks like a date is "66" on the bottom. Sounds about right. It belonged to a friend. We went hunting once and he realized he had forgotten it, so we stopped in a hardware store and bought a new one. On returning home he gave me the old one. I used it for years, until it quit working and I went to a dual burner Coleman. I still have the original box, warranty and instruction leaflet. Maybe I'll try to fix it and the old dual burner too. I'm now using a Coleman dual burner propane, not sure the age, but at least 15-20 years old.

Good vid!

I’ve got a kinda hybrid of these two which is 508, and absolutely love it. I picked it up for $20 new out of box from a Facebook seller. It has a flame regulator of a peak 1 and a larger tank of a 533. I just don’t understand how it’s never been used since it was manufactured in 1987. Some people just keep it home safe I guess

I had a Peak 1 back in the early 90’s. I found it difficult to adjust the heat level. It seemed to have two heat settings, scorched, and incinerated. My favorite single burner white gas stove is the old school Svea 123. It has only one moving part, and the flame is easy to adjust.

I have a 1980 vintage Peak 1. Great stove! Just started using mine again. Have you tried dual fuel with the vintage stove? The gas in my stove was probably 40 years old and it started and burnt well.

April 1982 is when I started Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego... Ooh Rah!

Dr. Ernie, I to have been using 2 Coleman 400 Featherlight (s) (Black) & 1 Coleman Feather 442 Duel Fuel (Silver) for many years, the only change I've made to them is I replaced the 'Junk' plastic pump diaphragms to Leather which I usually remove to re-oil with olive oil once each year, I've had a couple of the duel control models but find the single control model to be much easier to light and keep going, I swear by Coleman brand 400 Featherlight (Black) and enjoy them all when I use them 'in the house' close by my feet in the cold winters here in SE Idaho, I also keep a half dozen gallons of Colman White Gas in the back bedroom year round as well.

I'll stick with my peak one 400. I've used it for 40 years and it's never let me down. Coleman has been cutting corners for years. Their portable propane grills are garbage, at least the one I bought is. It has 3 settings: Burn your food to a crisp (that's low), incinerate your food (that's medium) , and center of the sun.

I've got the 442 which is a cross between them both. That flame control seems like something I could miss. This is a well timed video as I've just got mine out of the shed. I love the power of these. If you can't get the white gas because of cost you can do a 50/50 mix. I've ran unleaded in mine years ago and I need to perform a strip!

Greetings, I have own and used four Coleman 400A stoves for many decades, and think they are among the finest of the stoves in their class, period! If I may, I will suggest that you go back and read the lighting instructions for this wonderful stove. You are leaving out some important steps, and because of that, the stove is not working as designed. You might want to do the same for your 533, too, as mine simmers very well, though not quite as well as the M400A. If you don’t have the instructions, please send me a message, and I’ll send a copy to you. As much as you love this stove, once you follow the lighting instructions as written, you will love the stove ever MORE! Take care, and God Bless! - Doc Mark

Ernie, I have an old Coleman single burner Peak 1 model 576 manufactured February 1978 with dual controls. I also have the newer 533 dual fuel and I can say, without reservation, that the older 576 is far better stove in my opinion. This stove had been gifted to me many years ago by a friend that was moving and had been sitting outside for many years in the weather here in New England. One day, two winters ago, I saw the stove and it's state of neglect and took it apart, cleaned up the pieces as best I could, bought a kit to replace the plunger seal, reassembled it, topped it off with fuel that I've had laying about for close to 40 years and fired it up! While I have not done a comparison boil test between the new and the old, it matters little to me which is quicker. I just need the stove to work when it needs to and heat things or bring things to boil. As camp stoves goes, personally, I think these stoves are about as bullet proof as they get. Just not the sort of stove I'd want to go backpacking any distance with, but if using a conveyance?

Glad you are back, Thank You. Question, what would your opinion be using adapters and MAPP gas? Specifically winter and altitude. Would not think the cost would be worth it otherwise?

I have used Coleman stoves for decades, presently have an Exponent and a 533. Exponent is dated 06 01 and replaced an and earlier Coleman of similar design. The 533 I purchased about 2010. The Exponent I have used on many backpacking trips both summer and winter and it has always served me well. It is heavier than propane stoves, but the weight does include fuel storage capacity and it works much better than propane at cold temperatures. The 533 I use for car camping and fishing trips. A few years ago, I decided to modernize and purchased a Jet Boil Stash mainly because I had some stimulus money. I got about 2.5 years out of it then it stopped working. I seems to be plugged above the valve but I cannot see how to clean it. I contacted Jet Boil and got zero help all they wanted to do was sell me a new stove. For the price I paid I was very disappointed. Going back to my heavy Exponent for backpacking and 533 for car camping. Thank you for the video.

The oldest sove i have is a campinggaz bluet c200. It does still work from time to time. Its 60 years old i got this from my father when i was 8

I have a 400 series Peak One and two gallons of fuel from the early 80's and they still work fine.

Very cool! I have one that was my dad's, can't remember the model, but it's totally adjustable, also have the dual fuel. Unfortunately my dad's needs to be rebuilt, All it does is try to catch on fire 🤣

had the dual burner version from the 1960s liked it

I also have the 533 and it dose flame out like you’re sometimes but good stove 👍

I have both an old green Peak One and the newer Dual Fuel. I have never had problems with them but I don't use them except for car camping. Very heavy.

Hello Ernie... Good demo on the two stove selections. Without question the older model is the better of the two. I'll also relate the the Coleman 533 Dual-Fuel single burner is not a very good stove. Especially if you consider professional use... outfitting, guiding, rental programs, etc. You just discovered (& exhibited for all to see) one of the biggest reasons why I have tossed several of the stoves over the years out of the camp kitchen and pretty much chucked 'em into the rivers to extinguish. The shut-off is unreliable... yet more importantly, the flare-ups under the burner (ie. between tank and burner assembly) is all too commonplace. Those flare-ups get more common and more potentially uncontrollably volatile with these stoves having extended runtime usage and timeline over the years. The other 'part' that is just junk is the pot-stand design. It shares this same 'part' with other models and is highly prone to weakening failures with on all of 'em. A 502 model for example would never have this type of part failure issue. I have had over a dozen of the 533 Dual-Fuel stoves outfitting and guiding. Still keep several some working others needing maintenance on the parts rack. I do not 'rent' these stoves out!!! All have the same scenarios folks should be aware of to mitigate accidents. Even with plenty of fire extinguisher on hand at the ready... I'd very much caution you using these indoors in the case of an uncontrollable flare up!!!

I think of the larger Sportster as more of a car camping stove. I had one in the past. I also have both brown Peak 1 as well as the version in black paint. In the past I had the 550 multi-fuel version. As I am normally just boiling water, the lack of the more precise flame control on the later Peak 1 does not bother me. It is a bit lighter due to lack of the second control, a few holes in the fold-out legs, etc. I really enjoy the various single burner Coleman stoves.

Thanks Doc, great video. I agree with you, the 400 is better.

I’ve had my Peak 1 for 40 years and it is the best and most robust stove I have owned. Like you I use white gas that I’ve had kicking around for years with no problems.

just ordered my 533 today.

I LOVE my Peak 400. Still use it. I bought the newer version. But I love my Peak 400 more. More compact for hiking. And better control.

I have a vintage peak 1 Apex 2 stove. The burner is basically the same as the 400 but it is a dual fuel and has a detached separate fuel bottle. It's been super reliable and I've never had the first problem. I've also got a MSR Whisperlite International dual fuel that also has a detached separate fuel bottle. It has to be primed by releasing a small amount of fuel into a tray beneath the burner. You light it from there to preheat the generator. Sounds complicated but it's very simple.