This is a review of the original SVEA 123, which some prefer to the 123R. The original has no self-cleaning needle but does come with a little pricker tool to clear a blocked jet. It is reputed to simmer better. The stove is beautifully made (mine is Swedish, I understand they are Chinese now - boo!).

Priming the stove is fairly easy with a squirt of meths onto the priming recess. You may need to do this twice in cold conditions, or use fire paste. Carex hand sanitising gel is very good as a fire paste, incidentally, and also useful for its intended purpose when camping.

Just before the priming flame has gone out, you use the key to turn on the fuel supply. This may not always work first time, meaning you need to re-prime. There is minimal pressure in the tank at this point and it takes a while to build - having a pot on the stove helps as it reflects heat onto the tank. In cold weather it can take an age for pressure to really build up, so you may want to keep the stove under clothing or at the front of a rucksack where it can get some body heat.

Best fuels are Optimus's own Power Fuel, Coleman fuel or Aspen 4. Don't even think about using pump petrol.

The stove has a reputation as the "Swedish hand grenade" because it can fail in one of two alarming ways if the tank becomes over-pressured; either the safety valve opens, releasing hot fuel vapour which ignites into a large fireball, or the valve fails to open and the brass tank explodes (worse). You don't want either, so avoid extended cooking runs with large pots, especially in hot weather. The stove was designed for the little pot it is supplied with.

Overall, a pump-up Coleman stove like a 442 Feather, 533 or (my favourite) 550B is a lot less hassle, but this SVEA a bit smaller and is really quite fun to use.

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

Coleman 442 Feather, 533 and 550B (the latter on white gas and kerosene). Coleman 422 suitcase stove.

excellent stove. The best way to prime: soak a cotton ball with alchol and put it where you would normally eye drop. Lots of flame and it doesn't run off everywhere. Cotton ball burns away. If it is really cold, put the stove on sticks and put a flaming c.b. under it too.

I have used this unit very lightly but I have had it since the late 70s when I use to sell them while employed at an outfitter. I sold quite a few Optimus and other brands but I chose the Svea123 for it's simplicity.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

none other

Having researched extensively on the net I ended up buying 2 stoves, the SVEA 123R and the Primus Omnifuel……and I love them both. I do however love one more than the other and that’s the 123. I’m often asked why and for me, it’s all about reliability. The 123 is a very simple and very dependable stove and when you’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s nice to know you have it as you know it will work.
I’ve also read where people say they are less efficient that modern stoves, however all the testing I’ve done indicates this is generally not the case at all. I use on average 15-17ml of shellite (Coleman fuel) to boil 1 litre of water compared with 16-20ml with more modern stoves, particularly the Omnifuel. I will admit however the pump pressurised stoves are quicker to boil by around 1-2 minutes for 1 litre.

Weight is also mentioned and yes, it’s about 100g heavier than the Omni (remembering the pump) which for me at least, is easily offset by the ease and dependability of use.

Not sure if it’s just because I hold my mouth right, but I’ve never had a problem priming the 123. It’s not as easy as the pump units, but equally I don’t have to pump and continue to pump the 123 to keep it going.

I don’t normally write reviews, but this little gem deserves one. Sometimes simple can be the best. And I'm staggered why these are so hard to find in Aus!

Customer Service

Difficult at first in Australia, but slowly finding places that can assist with spares.

Similar Products Used:

Omnifuel, Dragonfly (and other MSR's), Trangia

This is a rock solid reliable classic petrol burner. 19oz of classic brass simple and reliable. A bit heavier than some of the newer Ti white gas, iso or alky stoves, but my favorite. I pack it in a 1l Al coffee perk (Open Country), add an MSR 11oz fuel bottle and I am set for a long weekend. Never has let me down.

RTFM (Read the Fabulous Manual) and the stove will serve you well. The key to this stove is to learn to prime properly. Always open the fuel tank before you start (equalize tank and outside pressure) and never fill more than 2/3rds full. Next presurize the tank by applying heat (body heat or by priming). Lastly preheat (prime) the burner with a splash of petrol. Turn the fuel valve on just before the prime burns out and you are cooking with gas.

I add an eyedropper to the stove (for priming) and a pour spout to the MSR fuel bottle (eliminate the need for a funnel) to round out the package. I don't use the Al pot(cup/handle) that came with the stove and add my own plastic bowl and cup.

Boil 1l of water twice a day; half goes into the coffee(AM)/Tea(PM) and the other half into the meal.

Customer Service

Simple, reliable, never broke, easy to fix, parts still available, valve key is a multi wrench. Buy the field service kit (won't need it).

Similar Products Used:

Optimus 96, 8R; Coleman 400, 442, 445, 533, 550, Apollo, Fyrestorm; MSR Wisperlite, Simmerlite, Dragonfly, Reactor(iso), Rapidfire(iso); Snowpeak GS100 (iso), Bushbuddy(wood), Spenton(wood), Caldera(Alky) and various others.

I have used my 123 since the mid 70's and must say it has never failed to light. I have a Nova I purchased a few years ago and started to use the Nova. Low and behold one day it would not work I was lucky I had my trusty 123 in my camp box. This little unit is the very best you can buy. You can spend more money and maybe cook a little faster but if you want to be sure your meal will be hot tonight you need a 123 avilable. Buy a 123 and you will not need another stove.

Customer Service

I have never used customer service for my 123 but I have for a brunton lantern and they were quick and knowlageable.

Similar Products Used:

nova, have not needed anything else

Absolutely dynamite piece of equipment that has NEVER EVER failed to light. I've had my stove (actually it's an earlier 123) for over 20 years and it's still going strong. I have never had to do any field maintenance and just ordered, for the first time ever, a maintenance kit just because I saw a little flameout near the valve, a simple replacement of an O ring should make it good as new. We also have MSR, Coleman (yechch) and have had a variety of cartridge stoves. This one gets my vote for best ever.

All I can say is that this stove is incrediable has never let me down and always delivers. I collect and use many stoves for outdoor use and this is my all time favorite. If you are looking for the best look no further. My svea 123 rocks !!!!!

Bought this new in April 2007. Always fun! to light. It doesn't boil as fast as a modern liquid fueled stove, but is small and easily stored inside a Vango Titanium mug, (a little bit of the stove can be seen).
It isn't the lightest, 550g fully fuelled, but in sub-zero and in warm weather, (it's never hot in the uk!!)it works really well.
I like the style of this stove - looks, sound and performance. A genuine classic.

Similar Products Used:

Primus omnifuel, optimus crux.

This stove is a collector's item for sure and (like your '69 corvette or wooden-shaft ice axe) would be best left in the garage. The technology behind its legendary reliability has evolved into modern stoves that are just as reliable but weigh less, burn hotter and (most importantly) more efficiently. Additionally, the contemporary offspring of this stove use remote fuel canisters that do not share the SVEA's propensity to explo- I mean "overheat."

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

MSR: XGK, Dragonfly, whisperlight, whisperlight inter'l, simmerlight