260 butane stove

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Tom M.

I'm curious if other owners have seen these problems with their installed butane stoves. On our stove the flame is so-so, if I manually turn the knob all the way on, the flame is bigger and better, but as soon as I let it go the flame drops down to so-so again. Secondly, when the stove is running, if we open one of the lower cabinet doors the stove goes out. Took a while to figure that one out, wondered why we would discover the stove out while trying to cook (the gas continues to run). I am curious and wondering if this is a warranty issue. Thanks all. Tom M.
 
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Michael Stephens

Flame-out

Tom, I have just purchased a new 260 and have had problems with the stove going out if the flame is left on for more than a few minutes. After reading the manuals I have decided the stove is using all the available oxygen from below the cabinet. I find if I leave the door open while cooking the flame is more consistent. This means I will be adding some sort of vent or louvre to the cabinet door below once satisfied that this is the solution. Mike Stephens s/v Pure Heaven
 
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Bill and Nancy Berg

Butane Stove

WE have the same problem with the flame going out when you open the cabinet doors below. Could be VERY DANGEROUS because the gas continues to flow. The compartment that the stove sits in is open to the area below, so the sucking of the air when you open the doors pulls it out. (or blows when you close) BE SURE TO LET THE GAS CLEAR BEFORE RELIGHTING. WE've started just opening the doors slightly when we light the stove and trying to remember to watch carefully. I spoke with Kenyon about this and they said it is an installation issue and Hunter should be notified. ( never did) But our flame stays at the level it is set at. That sounds like a warranty issue or maybe parts or replacement. Ay Chihuahua, H260 Albuquerque, NM
 
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Ralph C. Regar

Butane Stove

Tom, It looks like you/we have two problems. I always get the pots, etc. I need to cook from the cabinet before lighting the stove, so I never noticed the flame-out when opening the cabinet door. Yesterday I visited our H260 and tried the bit with the cabinet door. My stove went out too. I will be checking with Hunter as to their recommendations about this problem. As for the safety issue, I don't think this is as great a problem as one might imagine. The stove is built into an airtight box with a hose that is vented to a thru-hull fitting to drain any unburnt butane overboard. The problem with your flame going out when you release the burner control is either due to a butane canister which is ready to expire or a defect in the stove. If this is happening with a full butane canister, then there is certainly a warranty issue with your stove. If this is the case, let us all know via the Forum how Kenyon does with Customer Service. Companies which produce defective products or do not take care of their customers can no longer keep their behavior a secret, thanks to the Internet! Also: I probably do more cooking when onboard than most people, so it seems that I replace those butane canisters often. If you can find a Kenyon or Glowmate booth at a boat show, they probably can sell you a case of butane canisters at a good saving over buying them individually or ordering them and paying the "hazardous materials" surcharge for shipping. Happy sailing/cooking! Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
 
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Nancy Berg

Butane Stove Canisters

We've found the butane cans at Popular Sporting Goods. about $1.10 oer can.
 
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Tom M.

Replies...

Thankyou to all for your replies. I will be contacting Hunter about the problem too, and see what happens. I'll pass on any solution. Ralph, the problem with the flame level is with a new canister. We have found that a portable Glomate stove has better BTU output than the built in one and no problem getting the flame to stay on 'high', seems backwards though. The cheapest I have found the canisters is $8 for a four pack, again from a local sporting goods store. Sounds like Bill & Nancy found a good deal. Thanks again. Tom M.
 
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Michael Stephens

Venting

As I said earlier, I thought about venting the cabinet but it seems that would defeat the through hull vent that's there to let gas vapors escape. We are very curious what Hunter will offer as a solution to this problem. Keep us informed.
 
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Ralph C. Regar

Hunter Service

I sent an e-mail to Hunter after reading this posting and finding the same thing with the cabinet door on my stove. I got an immediate reply from Greg Emerson at Hunter Customer Service. He told me that they saw the posting and are investigating the problem. Knowing Hunter Service, I expect that we will be getting a solution very soon. Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
 
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Tom M.

Hunter Solution...

I was in contact with Eddie at Hunter today and he told me that they had gone out to the production line to check on the problem of the stove going out when you open the cabinet door(s). Seems that not all boats exibited the problem, probably due to slight variations in the cabinet door tolerances. Hunters' solution is that if yours is a boat that is exibiting this problem, call them at 800-771-5556 and ask for customer service. They will send you a small (~4") vent and instructions on how to install it in the cooler cavity, or you could possibly take it to your dealer and have them install it for you. You might want to have your hull number handy although I don't know if they need that info. Thanks to Hunter for a timely solution! best regards Tom M.
 
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les fontaine

260 butanae stove

Have 1999 260. First canister of butane leaked out into the boat -- the stove's overboard drain hose was not tighened. Took several months to get the gas out of the boat -- smell was overwhelming, not to mention a constant threat/worry. No longer leave canister in stove, in fact remove to the gas well which has lots of ventilation when not in use. Also experience the stove being blown or sucked out when cabinet door is opened. For the money (these stoves have a list of $350) could have equiped the boat with the $30 portable unit and provided free pressure water system (added for about the difference) Appreciate the info on the vent. Will be placing that call tomorrow.
 
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