Alcohol Stoves

[Guest]

Newbie question here. Which is the best type of alcohol to use in these stoves? Ethynol, methynol, is there a stove fuel specifically for these stoves? I just read and downloaded the instructions for lighting the alcy stove but now I need fuel to test it out. The stove hadn't been used much in it's 30 years so I am going through it so it doesn't light my boat on fire! Thanks for the info.

[706jim]

pugetsounder wrote:
Newbie question here. Which is the best type of alcohol to use in these stoves? Ethynol, methynol, is there a stove fuel specifically for these stoves? I just read and downloaded the instructions for lighting the alcy stove but now I need fuel to test it out. The stove hadn't been used much in it's 30 years so I am going through it so it doesn't light my boat on fire! Thanks for the info.

Methanol aka methyl alcohol.

Ethanol will work, but will not generate the same heat output. From what I've heard, alcohol stoves need all the help they can get in this regard.

You probably know that any alcohol tends to absorb water from the air. When it does, the diluted mixture will still burn, but with reduced heat.

[Guest]

I'd recommend ditching the alcohol stove.

[Guest]

706jim wrote:
Methanol aka methyl alcohol.

Ethanol will work, but will not generate the same heat output. From what I've heard, alcohol stoves need all the help they can get in this regard.

You probably know that any alcohol tends to absorb water from the air. When it does, the diluted mixture will still burn, but with reduced heat.

Thanks that is exactly the info i was looking for.

[Guest]

Alcohol stoves are great, dont let anyone tell you otherwise.

[joe440]

X2 on Denatured alcohol only

here is a link to the Origo stove.

http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/73/8...N%20070122.pdf

[Guest]

90% of the problems reported comes when fuel sits around in the tins and absorbs water. It will light, but will burn orange. Better to dry out the fuel tins and refill with fresh fuel. The flame should burn clear to blue.

Some people have the pressure stoves with a pump. These may need work done on the pumps or valves. I prefer the Origo stoves with the cotton filled tins.

[Guest]

junk ..go to propane,,,

[Guest]

His stove is 30 yrs old - Do those screens on top ever need replacing?

Got to say that I don't mind my stove altho it's kinda slow,,,propane would be nice too tho.

Good Luck & serve up some scrumptious vittles on that little baby!

Sarah

[Four_Pyrates]

The alcohol stove is the safest stove you can get on a boat for two reasons. 1. The heat levels are lower and removes much of the flash point danger such as catching the curtains on fire, etc. 2. Alcohol can be put out with water.

It is a little slower to cook with, but you are on a boat and being in a hurry is not part of the panorama of sitting on the water watching the beauty of nature and relaxing. A stainless perking coffee pot on an alcohol stove makes for a delightful, long lasting perk fit for a king or queen. Enjoy the time and don't rush one of the best times of life.

[MidnightSun]

I got rid of the alcohol stove several years back but did use Methyl Hydrate for fuel. Here in Canada or at least in Quebec you cannot find denatured alcohol. I use MH in my ethanol fireplace and for fondue fuel at home. When I first got the ethanol fireplace I did as the book instructed and went with ethanol however there was this faint door in the house that really bothered me. Did some research and went with MD, no more door and 1/4 the cost. Available at large surface hardware stores or Canadian tire usually about $7 a gallon.

[yachtman]

X3 on the denatured alcohol only. Hardware store west marine sells it also under stove fuel but its the same thing as denatured alcohol but at a premium price.

[Guest]

Thanks for the tip on ther denatured alcy I can buy that pretty cheap at my local hardware store. The stove is a pressure pump style and on the outside looks very clean and unused. I will go through it first to clean the orifices and check the seals.

As far as slow burn time I used to backpack at 9000' +, talk about taking time to bring water to a boil. I am used to that. For boiling crabs I have a 2 burner LP camp stove I keep on board.

[Guest]

pugetsounder wrote:
Thanks for the tip on ther denatured alcy I can buy that pretty cheap at my local hardware store. The stove is a pressure pump style and on the outside looks very clean and unused. I will go through it first to clean the orifices and check the seals.

As far as slow burn time I used to backpack at 9000' +, talk about taking time to bring water to a boil. I am used to that. For boiling crabs I have a 2 burner LP camp stove I keep on board.

I have a presurized pump style also, looked pretty much unused. I took a stab at it a few times last year but coundlt figure the dang things out. Finally read the manual, got an AHHHhhhhh moment. Now I cant wait to cook damn food without having to fire up the genny

[yachtman]

I loved my alcohol stove. It was a pressurized kenton stove. As long as the little bowl was heated up first they work great.

If you have never started one you need to read the directions. If if properly they work great