Alcohol Fuel

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Russr

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May 22, 2009
3
Oday O'day 31 Plattsburgh, NY
Hi,
We have used an Origo 3000 alcohol stove for 3 yrs and loved it. Last season we had problems with the bottom of our pots getting very black and it was a real nuisance. This was a new problem and very troubling. I also noticed that the flame was always orange instead of blue. Do you think we got bad fuel? We bought a gallon of it at our marina at the start of the season. I just bought a new gal. of Origo alcohol fuel to try next season.
We were wondering if it could be the wooly material in the fuel cannisters? Can they go bad or be a source of the problem or is it likely to be the alcohol we used
 

Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
Sounds like you may have gotten the wrong, old or impure alcohol fuel. The Origos use denatured alcohol and you may use Origo fuel or a good quality hardware store denatured alcohol. The cannisters are unlikely the cause of your problems as they will work quite well for many years. Make sure the mesh is not clogged with soot and impurities and fill with your Origo fuel and try out.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
The yellow or orange flame may be sodium orange from a little salt on your burner. The black is probably carbon soot from incomplete combustion. Sometimes they denature alcohol with aviation gas, too much could result in a slightly smokey flame.
 
Aug 16, 2006
281
Ericson 32 Oregon coast
The openings that let in air in you burners

are probably clogged and you are not getting enough air in the fuel/air mix for clean combustion. A flame that is getting plenty of air into the mix burns blue. A mix that is too rich in fuel and not enough air will be yellow and thend to produce more smoke.
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
My Guess...

...is fuel also. I used one for nine years without the smoke you describe. I'd let the fuel burn off then let the canisters open to evaporate what's less and switch to another (fresh) fuel. Good luck. Let us know the result.
 
Aug 30, 2007
63
- - Anacortes, Wa
Interesting. I thought those Origo stoves always turned the pans black. My only experience with them was with a new one using West Marine brand alcohol stove fuel. It blackened the pans and I would never have anything to do with one of those stoves again. Maybe it was just the fuel.
 
Jul 8, 2004
155
Hunter 33.5 Portsmouth VA
Yes, it's definitely the fuel. The canister Origo stoves work great. I got some off brand named fuel from a local marine supply while cruising. I loaded one of the canisters and we started using it. The fuel burned orange and sooted up the pots real bad. Next stop I found an Ace Hardware and bought what I normally use. I loaded another canister and we were back to operating normally with a amost invisible blue flame and sootless operation. We took the canister ashore and burned out the bad fuel. It took a couple of reloads with good fuel before that canister was working normal again. I used the bad stuff for cleaner/solvent until I exhausted it.
 
Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
Alcohol making soot??? We have never had soot with our alcohol stove. That is the beauty of alcohol it burns clean. Usually the alcohol is denatured with methanol (1C) or isopropyl (3C) alcohols. Longer chain alcohols such as butanol might be more prone to smoke.
 
Apr 12, 2007
46
Sirius 21 Barrie ON
Another source of fuel, that I happen to use is methyl hydrate. Could be the same stuff others have suggested, just by another name. You can get it at any neighbourhood hardware or paint store. Says right on the label for use in alcohol stoves. Way, way cheaper than alcohol from chandleries! Burns clean!
 

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
the problem is with the adjustment of the burner. not the fuel.
 
Last edited:
Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
The problem with methyl hydrate(commonly called methanol) is that it has fewer calories per gallon than ethanol which has fewer calories than propanol. Also methanol is a better solvent for metals so is more easily contaminated. Marine stoves were designed for ethanol but the government is afraid that you might drink the stuff so they require that poison be added to make it undrinkable or at least undrinkable if you want to live. Better dead than drunk??? A government must have it's priorities but there seems to be little future in poisoning the citizens.
 
K

Koichi

the fuel

Just went through this problem last weekend. Couldn't find my regular origo soot free fuel that I have used consistantly for years. The store clerk suggested denatured alcohol from the paint section - "all the boaters buy this one, its a lot cheaper too!". BIG mistake! Now my pot has black bottom and I have one gallon of unwanted alcohol on board!
 

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
I've always used Kleen-Strip brand and Ace Hardware brand for our Origo stove and haven't had the soot problem. It states right on the front that it's good for marine stoves. The only reason I use these products is because that is what is stocked at the hardware stores near my home and marina.
 

Gail R

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Apr 22, 2009
261
Pearson 34 Freeport, ME
Am I the only one who is not bothered by blackened pots and pans? We use denatured alcohol from the store (Home Depot probably) and the flame burns orange, pot bottom turns black. No big deal to me. I consider it a badge of honor, kind of like the scar from my knee surgery that followed my skiing accident.
 
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