Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove - One Hot Cooker!
Written: May 08 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Stove is adjustable, versatile, and affordable.
Cons: There is very little I can say against this stove.
The Bottom Line: The Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove is "One Hot Cooker!" because it is affordable, versatile, efficient, and you can adjust the flame.
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| alexmd's Full Review: Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel |
Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove
Introduction:
Unless you are one of the most spartan outdoorsmen (outdoorspersons? outdoorspeople?) there are few things that contribute more to a pleasant hiking experience than a good hot meal at the end of a long day. For this reason, a lightweight, versatile, reliable camp stove is one of your most important investments. There are many stoves that claim to meet these requirements, but I have found that few of them fulfill their promises after rigorous use. The Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove is a shining exception.
As an avid backpacker there are 5 things I look for when choosing a stove:
1) Ease of use: By this I mean, is the stove stable or will it tip over, spilling my precious food on the ground. Does it have a wide range of temperatures to boil my noodles or to simmer a stew?
2) Packability: Light weight speaks for itself! But you also have to consider bulk: is the stove compact enough to make room for other essentials?
3) Efficiency: Is it a gas-guzzler?
4) Reliability: Does it break down? Can you fix it in the back woods?
5) Flexibility: "White Gas" is not readily available overseas. Can this stove burn gasoline (more common) or kerosene (most common)?
The Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove
I bought my Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove to replace a competing brand, the MSR XKG Expedition / XGK II Liquid Fuel Stove. The Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove can be purchased for about US$50-60 at local outfitters or over the web. I got mine at one of my favorite online stores: Campmor.com.
The Apex II consists of 3 main parts:
1) The fuel bottle. Holds 22 ounces of liquid fuel, enough to last several days. The fuel can be either white gas (naptha), unleaded gasoline, or kerosene (with optional burner). A full fuel bottle adds about 1 pound to the total weight of the stove.
2) The pump. This is used to pressurize the fuel bottle and force fuel into the burner. Unlike the MSR XKG Expedition / XGK II Liquid Fuel Stove, the pump on the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove is much less prone to surprise disintegration. It stays together even with rigorous pumping -- this is important since the stove instructions suggest starting with 50 strokes before lighting the stove. The pump can be stowed inside the fuel bottle, but I recommend releasing the pressure before packing it into your bag.
3) The burner unit. Round and squat, the burner unit on the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove is supported by 3 sturdy legs, one of which has a leveling device for added stability and safety. The low center of gravity and stability of the pot support mean that there is less risk of your pot tipping over, and a better chance of your food ending up in your stomach rather than on the ground. The burner is small enough to stow inside a 1 liter pot. It connects to the pump via a flexible line, making positioning and packing easy.
How the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove Measures Up
Ease of Use:
Well, as you might have guessed, I'm real fond of the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove. Unlike the MSR XGK, this stove is easy to light. You turn the burner control to the highest setting, turn on the flow of fuel at the pump and strike a match. Instead of the inferno produced by a carelessly lit XGK, you get a nice gentle yellow flame. There is far less soot too! After the stove is lit, you can adjust the flame from low (actually medium hot) to high (hot hot). This adjustability makes the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove superior to the XGK.
The pump on the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove seems much more sturdy too: unlike the XGK, I haven't had a single episode of pump disintegration.
Packability
Unlike the MSR XGK, the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove has a flexible fuel line that detaches at the stove. This means you can pack your stove in your 1 liter pot to save space. The pump and fuel line can remain in the fuel bottle and hang on the outside of your pack.
Efficiency
With its greater adjustability and built-in wind screen, I find the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove to be even more efficient than the MSR XGK, although I don't think it is as fast at boiling water. That's fine though, I can wait an extra minute.
Reliability
I haven't used this stove long enough to give you a fair assessment of its reliability. Please check back in a few months. I will do an update.
Flexibility
Like the MSR XGK, when properly equipped, the Coleman Peak 1 Apex II Multi-Fuel Stove can burn white gas (naptha), unleaded gasoline, or kerosene.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
alexmd
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Member: Alexander
Location: North Carolina, USA
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Medical Professional in NC, USA.
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