Cooking stoves for Vega ?????

[moondance5003]

Hi to all,
I'm new and have a question about cooking on the Vega. I've seen a
few dicussions on cabin heaters but not so much on stoves. My vessel
has an alcohol stove and I'm considering a change. I'd like to hear
from everyone on the pros and cons of alcohol vs. kero/diesel vs.
propane on issues of safety, effeciency, and ease of usage. (I am
willing to install a new stove in order to keep the first mate happy
and cooking). If you had a choice to install any type you desired,
what would it be and why?

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Robert
SV 2955

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Robert

I personally don't like gas onboard my boat. Would prefer to use an
Origo 3000 alcohol two burner. Uses meths or denatured alcohol. Not
quite as fast cooking but easy to manage and a lot safer.

Kind Regards

Steve Birch Vega "Soutehrn Comfort" V1703

 

[mphalv]

I hate to say it but many fires occur from alcohol. I personally know of one
boat lost to an alcohol fire. I also know of one boat lost to a poorly
maintained propaneI system(they used a camping stove with the tank actually inside
the boat. It was a miracle no one was killed). I do not think one is safer
than the other. We have used propane for many years as live-aboards and have not
blown up yet. We keep the 10 LB squat tanks on the deck behind the cockpit on
small grating. Armored tubing is then led through to the two burner stove.
The burners should have an automatic cut-off if the flame is extinguished. The
seperate on-switch controls an opening valve that is located by the tanks
outside the cockpit. When done with the burners, we switch off this valve and
burn off all propane in the system up to the tank, then turn off the burner
control and the tank valve. That way there is no way the propane is in the boat
unless we are actively cooking. Of course opening and closing the valve means a
trip out to the cockpit but this is a small problem unless raining or up here
in Maine snowing.
We also have a gas sensor set in the bilge.
As part of regular maintenace, I carefully check the system every spring for
leaks.
The ease of propane cannot be beat.

Paul Halvachs
Double Fantasy

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Paul

I agree that the ease of gas cannot be beaten but the maintenance needed
is immense each year. There have been many accounts of boats lost due to
poorly maintained gas installations or just forgetting to turn off. Only
last year an Army yacht was blown up at Poole Quay by gas. On a safety
factor I would always go to meths/alcohol but if I knew I would maintain
the gas perfectly then it would be gas. Ease of installation of the
alcohol also wins as no separate draining locker, armoured tubing,
cut-off valves, gas sensor, leak-proof feed-throughs etc

Each to their own but if I could guarantee that I could always do things
right then it would be gas but I know there would be times that I would
just plain forget..

Kind Regards


Steve Birch Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Alisdair

Have you tried the de-natured alcohol from Holland or France? Cheaper
and absolutely no smell. Available in all supermarkets, camping shops
etc. Each time I or a friend travels to France I ask them to bring some
back. I have a few friends that have houses in France so it helps a
little bit.

Subs are now due for the VAGB so an ideal time to join!

Kind Regards and Happy New Year


Steve Birch

 

[moondance5003]

Thank you all
for the info and advise. I'll take it all, weigh my situation and
decide when the fatefull time comes.

Good sailing,

Robert
SV 2955

 

[mphalv]

Steve,
Good points. Especially the maintenance issue. But the infamous but, the
fires that I have read about for alcohol usually are from the fuel running out
and improper refilling. You cannot beat propane for cooking, hot, fast,
convenient(for cooking) just like at home.
We lived aboard for many years including a trip up and down the Eastern
Seaboard and several Bahama trips making most meals including baking bread in the
pressure cooker.

Still that is what we have here, a forum for sharing ideas about our favorite
boat. And that allows for differences in opinion. I ahve not seen anyone
from the diesel and other types of fuel that require preheating camp.
Another issue to consider is fuel availability for the areas that you sail.
If I were world cruising then I would consider something besides propane.

Have fun.

Paul Halvachs
unfortunatedly living ashore

 

[freeflight7]

We are also using a 2 burner Origo with denatured alchohol.
It works great for us and we have found that a little foam rubber
gasket works great for slowing down evaparation when not in use.

Actually we put a few drops of the denatured alchohol in our kerosene
lamps also, for a less smoky, less smelly brighter burning lamp.

Propane scares me....

Regards
Emile
S/V Aquila Hull#176

 

[vega1860]

I'm with you Steve. I just replaced the old Kenyon pressurized alcohol stove with n Origo. The Kenyon was a little better to cook on but the Origo works just fine. Alcohol is probably the cleanest and safest fuel aboard a small boat and the installation (of the Origo or Kenyon Stoves)is simplicity itself. After living aboard with an alcohol cooker for almost fifteen years I see no reason to change and I would not choose anh other type of cooker if I needed to replace the one I have.

Aloha,

Chuck

"Steve Birch" steve@... wrote:

 

[sailboatshiva]

Have you seen the Wallas kerosene stove? It is amazing--no open flame, it cooks, and
when the lid is lowered acts as a cabin heater with a very small electrical draw. The only
down side??? cost!!! about $1000!!!!!!!

Sheila

 

[rchrdcoe]

For my money, the best stove I ever had was the Seacook gimbaled
stove by Force 10. Of course, I'm no gourmet cook but it did the job
for me. Now $100.00 at West Marine.
Richard,V1812