User Review: Coleman Exponent Apex II

This could be a 4.5 star stove except for the fuel hose. Coleman has given me four pump/hose assemblies for free and now I have decided to give up on this stove. Leaks develop where the stainless steel hose enters the brass crimped fitting, and have happened on both ends of the hose. Gas then drips out and forms a nice puddle when you least expect it.

The first time it happened I was sure it was a random manufacturing flaw, but now I see it is a design error. Too bad, because the stove works great, lights easily, makes good heat and simmers perfectly. And stranger yet, the hose cannot be replaced but the entire pump must be changed.

Update: May 21, 2008

I previously wrote how the fuel hose would unexpectedly develop leaks, and that Coleman gave me four pump-hose assemblies free. Today I got curious and using a razor knife and other tools I disassembled the hose and found this nicely designed unit has a brittle and stiff inner rubber hose that had two splits in the first sample. I carefully removed the two end pieces and used 11" of automotive gas hose to replace the original part.

After I put it back together it fired right up and I patted myself on the back. I made a big pot of curried chicken and noodles to test things and it seems perfect. This hose is available at any auto parts store and you could replace it in the field using your pocket tool and a little spit to aid in forcing the ends on.

Coleman tells me they are not making this stove anymore but if you find one for sale this is the way to fix it.