Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel Stove Review

Coleman makes two similar Exponent multi-fuel stoves. The one I purchased is the Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel stove, model # 550B7025. This model is also referred to as a tri-fuel stove because it works with white gas, unleaded gasoline and kerosense. Coleman also sells the Exponent Feather 442 Dual Fuel Stove. The key difference between the two is that the Feather 442 supports two fuels (white gas & unleaded gas) while the 550B705 multi-fuel stove burns the same white gas and unleaded gas and also uses kerosene after a quick change of the generator tube.

At the same time I bought the Exponent, I also purchased an MSR Pocket Rocket. The Pocket Rocket is another single burner stove but its strengths are different than the Coleman Exponent. The MSR stove is a super lightweight stove (good for backpacking) and it is a single fuel source device using the proprietary MSR Iso fuel canisters. I will be putting the MSR pocket Rocket through some testing soon and I will add a review as soon as I can. The Pocket Rocket is comparable to the Coleman Exponent F1 Ultralight stove.

I was looking for a portable, multi-fuel stove that is rugged and reliable. The Exponent stoves have a very good reputation for being well build and reliable. My primary uses are for car camping trips with the family and as an emergency backup. The tri-fuel feature is what sold me on this particular model. The down side for me is that it isn’t a great family stove because it is a single burner stove so its capacity is limited by its size. I also have a dual burner propane camp stove that I expect to get the major of the camping duties as it has in the past.

Features of the Model No. 550B725 camp stove:

Dry weight 21.6 oz
Fuels: Coleman fuel, kerosene, unleaded gasoline
Fuel capacity: 10.3 oz

Camp Stove Fuel Performance

Coleman fuel = Camp fuel = White gas

• 7,500 BTU
• boil time:4 minutes & 25 seconds
• burn time high = 1 hour 20 minutes
• burn time on simmer = 7 hours

Unleaded gasoline (same burn characteristics as white fuel)

• 7,500 BTU
• boil time:4 minutes & 25 seconds
• burn time high = 1 hour 20 minutes
• burn time on simmer = 7 hours

Kerosene

• 5,500 BTU
• boil time:4 minutes & 36 seconds
• burn time high = 2 hour 25 minutes
• burn time on simmer = 9 hours

Why use one stove fuel over another?

It seems to me that it comes down to: 1) price, 2) smell, and 3) availability. If the smell of unleaded gasoline isn’t an issue for you (I haven’t tried it yet but some of the reviews indicate it is an issue), then why wouldn’t you go with the cheapest option that is also the most available? Unleaded has the same heat value as the white gas so there is no down side when it comes to performance.

If the smells of the other fuels are an issue, then the premium white gas option might be right for you.

Kerosene on the other hand requires that you preheat the “generator”, that change the “generator” in the first place (one time deal), has a smell to it and it is in the middle of the road as far as price goes. Unless it is the only fuel available, it seems like the weakest choice to me. It does have the advantage of a longer burn time per volume of fuel.

Other aspects that might affect your fuel choice: safety & shelf life of the fuel itself.

Fuel costs in my area (Summer 2011):

• Coleman Camp Fuel: $10.99 per gallon
• Unleaded Gasoline: $4 per gallon
• Kerosene: $6.25 per gallon
• Propane: $3.50 per gallon

Coleman Exponent Stove PROS:

• Easy to start
• Reliable performance
• Reasonably Compact
• Multiple fuels can be used
• Unleaded gasoline is a great emergency fuel option
• Set up out of the box to burn White Gas and Unleaded Gasoline
• The leveling ring is built in and super easy to use
• Coleman sells repair kits and single parts for the stove

Coleman Exponent Stove CONS:

• It is a little too heavy for backpacking
• Too small for to support cooking for a full family. An option here is to use two Exponent stoves side by side and a fire gate to allow for safe usage of larger pots and skillets.
• Plastic feet instead of metal, although they seem well constructed.
• Doesn’t come with a case or padded stuff sack
• To use Kerosene you have to remove the “gas generator” and replace it with the “kerosene generator” (not that hard to do really, but it requires a wrench)
• Kerosene requires pre-heating
• Unleaded fuel smells bad
• Stability is good, but not great
• Poor temp control, doesn’t allow for a low simmer

Tips I discovered while using the Stove

• When filling the fuel tank solo, I found it easiest to hold the stove in one hand so that the inlet opening (and the funnel resting in the open) are on top level. This one handed fueling position seems to keep things stable enough so that I could poor with the other hand. Any small household funnel that stays balanced will work fine.
• Be careful when filling as it is easy to over-fill the fuel tank
• Expect flare ups when you first light the stove so a long neck lighter is a safer option than matches
• Try to avoid running it on the very highest flame setting as it tends to lose pressure and flame out; back it off slightly and it will keep running on its own.

Buying the Coleman Exponent Multi Fuel Stove

Price range for buying it online: $63-$85 with $65-$70 being the most common price range and $85 being the price at the Coleman site.
One of the best places to buy the Coleman Exponent Tri-fuel stove is at Amazon.com with their good price ($65 when I check summer 2011) and free super saver shipping.

Here is a list of all of the other common Coleman Exponent Stoves that I found:

Exponent Multi-fuel stove	Single burner, dual fuel, camping stove (a little big for backpacking)
Exponent Feather 442 Dual Fuel Stove	Single burner, dual fuel, camping stove (a little big for backpacking)
Exponent F1 Ultralight stove	Small, lightweight, uses Butan/Propane cartridges
Exponent Xpedition Stove 9730-725	Dual burner, high performance backpacking stove