Coleman 5431A700 One-burner Propane Stove is a small, user friendly, portable gas stove that is ideal for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Compact, but packed with cooking power of 10 000 BTU, it makes cooking fast and efficient. Besides outdoor use, it is an ideal backup to have at home in emergency situations.
About The Product
The Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove is easy to use and it is suitable for a wide variety of outdoor usages. It is light weight (1Lb. without the propane canister) with dimensions of 7.8 x 7.8 x 6.6 inches. It operates with one 16.4-ounce cylinder of Coleman propane (not included).
The burner has a heat output of 10 000 BTU. BTU is an acronym for British Thermal Unit and is a unit used to measure thermal or heat energy. Basically, 1 BTU it is the amount of energy you need to raise one pound of water with one Fahrenheit (at sea level). This little guy can heat up a quart of water in approximately four minutes.
An added benefit in terms of heat output is the PerfectFlo ™ technology from Coleman which produces a steady fuel stream that makes cooking performance more consistent, without the flame flaring or flickering. This is a great benefit since it works even when your propane fuel is running low, in cold weather or in high altitude areas. It also reduces fuel consumption.
The burner is adjustable and gives you control over the temperature or speed you need for cooking. On the high setting the propane fuel will last for 2.2 hours and on low up to 9 hours. The stove is equipped with wind baffles that help shield your flame in windy conditions and ensures that your burner provide maximum heat.
The unit is user friendly in the sense that the burner and base easily separates from the propane canister which makes packing easier and less bulky. The cooking surface is sturdy and fits an 8-in. pan. The large base provides support and makes stirring easy.
The Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove comes with a three-year limited warranty, which gives added peace of mind.
What We Like
Firstly, we like that it is compact and an easy travel companion. It’s 1000 BTU heat output makes outdoor cooking so much easier and pleasurable. The type of fuel used, propane, is also an advantage since propane is known for its low boiling temperature (-42°C) compared to say butane (-0.4°C).
This lower boiling temperature means that propane will continue to vaporize from liquid to gas in extremely harsh climates, whereas other fuels such as butane would not be able to do that. Propane’s other advantage is that it is colorless and odorless.
Another benefit of this stove is that it is easy to assemble. The base, which helps to create a sturdier working surface, contains the propane tank (that forms the body) and the burner attaches on top of that.
The Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove is easy on the budget and Coleman is a trusted, well-known brand. Coleman was one of the leaders in the history of the development of the camping stove.
In 1943, mid World War II, they responded to an urgent request of the US Army to supply a portable stove for battlefield cooking and since then they are known for their high-quality equipment.
What We Don’t Like
Some users complain about the fact that the heat dial is a fixed setting and not a fully adjustable temperature control.
Apparently, the low setting does not go low enough for simmering purposes (e.g. for cooking rice) and you have a risk of burning your food in such situations. Thus, if you want to cook food over low temperatures for a long time this might be a problem.
A few users are also of the opinion that the height of the propane canister together with the height and weight of your cookware makes the unit quite high and it can be dangerous to use if there are small children around who might knock it over by bumping against the table, etc.
Keep in mind though that all cooking equipment must be used carefully, since accidents can happen anywhere. Even though the stove is small, it is not ideal for a long backpacking trips in terms of weight, since ultralight is what you have to go for then.
The reason being that you would have to pack not only the stoves but also enough canisters to last you for the duration of the trip and that might add up in weight and bulk. Having said if you use this for mainly for camping or short trips this is not an issue.
Source: coleman.com
Large pots or pans will not work for this stove, but once again in most cases your cookware would anyhow not be large when you want to travel lightly.
Important to highlight is also that the stove is sold without the propane cylinder. Some users have not noted that on the description when buying the product online, even though it is mentioned, and it has caused disappointment.
Buying Advice
The Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove is affordable and sells for less than 40 USD online. It is best to use a reputable online store like Amazon, where you have the assurance of professional customer care and secure payment options.
Final Thoughts
Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove is compact, affordable and easy to use and will offer you a pleasurable cooking solution on your next outdoor experience.
Our Rating