Primus stoves at Recon Company – outdoor cooking solutions for bivouacs, operations and expeditions

For over 130 years,Primus stoves have been synonymous with reliable outdoor cooking. Recon Company stocks the Primus range specifically for anyone who needs a reliable heat source whilst out in the field, on exercises or when bivouacking – from compact gas stoves and cooking systems to water bottles and insulated containers. As a supplier to public authorities with over 30 years’ experience, we know this: anyone standing in the rain after a long day’s march needs a stove that lights on the first try. Not on the third.

Primus – from the first soot-free stove to the present day

Primus was founded in Stockholm in 1892 by Frans Wilhelm Lindqvist and Johan Viktor Svenson. In a small workshop, they built the world’s first portable stove that burned kerosene without producing soot. The name said it all: Primus – Latin for ‘the first’. The invention spread rapidly. Roald Amundsen cooked on a Primus in 1911 on his way to the South Pole, whilst Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay took a Primus with them to the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. In Russia, ‘Primus’ even became a generic term for portable stoves of any make.

Today, Primus is part of the Swedish Fenix Outdoor Group, which also includes Fjällräven and Hanwag. The stoves have been manufactured in Tartu, Estonia, since 1994 – making Primus one of the few stove manufacturers still producing in Europe today. Each stove is individually tested for functionality before dispatch. Slight signs of wear from the factory are not a fault, but proof that it has passed the test.

Gas stoves and cooking systems: from solo bivouacs to group meals

The Primus range at Recon covers a variety of usage scenarios. Choosing the right stove depends on three questions: How many people are you cooking for? How much weight can you carry? And how long do you need to be self-sufficient?

The compact cooking systems in the Lite range are ideal for individuals and small groups. The Primus Lite Plus and the Primus Lite Ultra are all-in-one systems: the burner, pot and windscreen form a single unit that takes up hardly any space in your rucksack. Thanks to an integrated heat exchanger, their efficiency is significantly higher than that of conventional gas stoves – less gas consumption means less weight in your pack. The Lite Ultra weighs just 290 grams in total and brings 500 ml of water to the boil in around two minutes. For solo use whilst bivouacking or on patrol, this is enough to heat up EPA pouches or make a cup of hot tea. The larger version, the Lite Ultra XL, with a 1.2-litre pot capacity, offers enough capacity for up to three people.

The Primus Essential Stove Set, available in 1.3 L and 2.3 L versions, offers more capacity for groups. Anyone travelling with three or four people who wants to do more than just heat water – but actually cook – will need a larger pot and a more powerful burner. For stationary use, we also stock a two-burner camping stove from the Primus range – cook two dishes at once, with a stable base even when using large pots. At base camp or during stationary exercises, this is the solution when a proper meal needs to be served.

The Mimer Stove Kit is ideal for those just starting out or as a backup – compact, straightforward and at a price that won’t cause any arguments, even on a limited kit budget.

Water bottles, flasks and tableware for on the go

As well as stoves, at Recon we also stock the Primus range for hydration and food transport. The Tufa series comprises lightweightstainless-steel water bottles and insulated versions that keep drinks hot or cold for hours. Important for outdoor use: stainless steel is tasteless, robust and can withstand rough handling in a rucksack or vehicle.

The Kvarts Tritan bottles are the lighter alternative made from BPA-free plastic – ideal when every gramme counts and the bottle is only intended to carry water. The Flinta Insulated Lunch Jugs keep stews, soups or porridge at the right temperature for hours – a good option if you prepare food in advance at camp in the morning and want to eat a hot meal out in the field at lunchtime without having to fire up the stove.

When it comes to cutlery, Primus opts for aluminium in its Trek range: the Trek Spork and the Trek Cutlery Set are lightweight, compact and functional. Aluminium saves weight compared to stainless steel – the right compromise for cutlery that’s primarily carried on trips.

Fuel and accessories: gas cartridges for all temperatures

Primus gas cartridges contain a mixture of propane, isobutane and butane and feature a screw-on valve (Lindal valve). The standard cartridge (Power Gas) works reliably at moderate temperatures. However, at temperatures between approximately minus 5 and minus 10 degrees Celsius, the gas pressure in the standard mixture is no longer sufficient to keep the flame stable. For winter use and mountainous areas, Primus offers the special Winter Gas with Vapour Mesh technology – a fleece insert in the cartridge that ensures even vapourisation even at temperatures as low as minus 22 degrees Celsius. Anyone heading out on training exercises during the German winter or cooking in a bivouac on cold nights should be aware of this difference. We also stock spare parts, cleaning needles and piezo igniters for the most common Primus models.

The Primus EasyLight gas lantern rounds off the range – providing light and heat from a single source, powered by the same gas cartridge as the stoves. A useful addition in a bivouac or at base camp when headlamps don’t create the right atmosphere for a briefing or a quiet moment.

You’ll find further equipment for field use in our Cooking and Catering category. For transport, we recommend taking a look at the Rucksacks and Bags category; for nights spent outdoors, check out the Bivouac and Camping section.

• Government discount: Government departments and their staff receive a fixed discount on the entire range at Recon Company – including Primus stoves and accessories.
• Field post: We ship worldwide to emergency services personnel, including to field post addresses for those on overseas deployments.
• Expert advice: Which stove is best for which operational scenario? Our team is on hand to advise you by phone or in person at our shop in Salzgitter.
• ISO 9001: Our quality processes – from procurement to dispatch – are certified to ISO 9001.