I prime with alcohol. Don't use kerosene for priming, it creates nasty ill-smelling smoke and lots of soot, which will cause your stove to need more maintenance (cleaning) than otherwise.

Kerosene (a.k.a. paraffin) burns nice and clean when burned in a stove designed for it and well maintained. I've never had issues with sooth on pots or bad smell.

Beware that kerosene comes in different flavors. Most of the stuff designed for lamps has additives to prevent soothing when burned in a kerosene lamp. These additives creates loads of problems when burned in a stove (a kerosene lamp and a pressurized kerosene stove is designed totally different). Avoid, avoid, avoid.


I have an optimus 00 that is pretty much bomb proof (in my hands, at least). I have also experience with the hiker 111 series. Kerosene all the way - among my friends, "white gas" is considered too dangerous for stove use. I know that isn't necessary true, but I've learned to do kerosene stoves and I think I'll stick with it (unless I come across an offer I cannot refuse on a Svea 123 or Coleman stove .... )