hey everybody, getting my thoughts together for the next sailing season, I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but until spring I have time to figure things out and start shopping, now I'm questioning about the galley, should I keep the OLD propane 2 burner stove, which needs new hoses, regulator... I have no idea what else I will need to get it working and safe, or should I go with a simple 2 burner gimballed alcool stove ? no hose to route, no need for a gas detector... they are expensive though. what do you guys use and why?
I will be using a propane outboard and will likely add a Bbq as well, so how should I connect that if I go with a propane stove?
The first question to ask yourself is, "what type of cooking do I intend to do?"
Then, ask how much time, effort, and money do I want to spend?
And then, how do I intend to use the boat?
A propane system done properly is both safe and expensive to set up. It will provide a cooking experience similar to one at home. Done incorrectly, there is a good chance the boat will end up on the bottom.
An alcohol stove, like the Origios, are safe is used properly and easy to install and maintain. The downside is they are a little slower to boil a pot of water. Boiling a pint of water to make some tea or coffee only takes a couple of minutes longer with alcohol than it does with propane. If you are boiling a pot of water to feed pasta to a small army, you'll find an alcohol stove not to your liking.
If you intend to use the boat as a live aboard or do extensive cruising, then it may be worthwhile to spend the time and money for a proper propane set up. If the use is short cruises, weekends, in the short Great Lakes season, then the alcohol stove will be more than adequate.