EtaExpress CO Levels?

Hi Eric

Yes, we have a good full technical review of the stove at BPL for Members. I wrote it.

But, just in case: it was the most dangerous stove we ever tested, with CO levels at an extreme high. It would be OK to use outside if you stay upwind, but do NOT use it inside any enclosure.

Cheers

What!?!?! That does sound pretty dangerous. So If using it outside in an open forest/campsite, I should make sure to stay upwind of it?

Maybe I should consider returning it.

Roger, other than the Eta Express Primus also do a more ordinary Express stove for top of the cannister use. Is that equally dangerous? I ask because they have now just launched a version of that stove that takes both Lindal valve and Camping Gaz click cannisters. That, of course, is something very nice to have for someone who likes to travel to France, but not just France. But I would hate to be poisoned for the convenience.

Hi Eric

Well, you would be a whole lot safer NOT using it. Personally, I would return it and buy something else. We have reviewed a number of other Primus models at BPL, as well as many other brands. If you subscribe you can read all our reviews of small canister stoves and find out which ones are safe.

Cheers

Hi Willem

I don't think I have tested an upright (on top of canister) 'Express' stove yet, and certainly not one which takes both screw-thread and Campingaz. Coming soon, I hope.

Btw: they both use a Lindal valve: Lindal make many different configurations of that valve unit for the world.

Cheers

Roger, do you know if Primus has updated this model yet? I was informed that the stove you used in your study was the previous model of the stove that had not been released yet to the public…

Hi Eric

> do you know if Primus has updated this model yet?
The EtaExpress?
I believe they did fix some of the problems I identified before I wrote the review, and our review allowed for those updates. These were mainly small things.

However, I am not aware of any changes to the design which would have altered the CO emission levels. If there have been changes in this area, I would be interested to see the revised unit.

Cheers

Is it just me, or does it seem like every pot manufacturer in the world needs to raise their pot supports?

Hi Joe

You are right.

The problem seems to be that they have focused only on getting the pot as close to the burner as possible, to get the maximum heating rate and to minimise any wind effects. They have not checked to see what effect being too close has on the CO emission. Big mistake imho.

It would be nice to think that all our articles on CO levels might have had some influence on the designers, but since a lot of the design/manufacturing is done in China for ALL the major brands these days, that may not happen for some time yet.

Cheers

It seems like complete combustion would give the most heat, rather than proximity to the pot. Although it's been a long time since I took Thermo, and I promised myself to forget every bit of it.