I think I solved the propane vs alcohol stove debate

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RECESS

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
Over the weekend we bought an Origo 4000 alcohol stove. Our Pearson 323 is outfitted with a propane 3 burner Hillerange stove and oven. About 8 years ago I was taken to the emergency room after a large cooking griddle exploded in a kitchen because the valve had a slow leak. When I turned on one of the burners under the griddle it ignited all the propane and a large fire ball came out. I was burned on the face and arms but made a full recovery.

I do not use my propane oven inside the boat. A little spooked about what happens when propane collects in a confined area. I have no problems using the propane with our Magma 17" grill on the rail. Any chance of a leak and it will be blown away.

I was very pleased with the performance of the alcohol stove. I had heard that they are not as hot as propane, but it boiled water about as fast and when we made mashed potatoes, it worked fine.

So the solution for me is alcohol in the boat and propane on the rail.
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
glad to hear you found YOUR solution.


if cruising, there is still the problem of availability in other countries where alcohol is not sold, as in mexico--no kerosene no alcohol for stoves--everyone uses propane here.

even our local fire eater is having problems finding kerosene for his shows...:eek:

congrats on your decision and happy sails!!!!:)
 
RECESS

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
I think the solution will be different for everyone. Many people do not see the propane on board as much of a threat. Even with just using it topside, you have to have a good storage area. My Pearson has two three pound tanks that are built into propane lockers at the rear of the seats in the cockpit. If a boat has no storage for propane, Good Old Boat had a great step by step DIY propane locker on the rail in issue May/June of 2011.

The picture of the finished DIY locker can be seen in this PDF from Good Old Boat in the chapter index.

http://www.goodoldboat.com/promo_pdfs/May11_Promo.pdf
 
j_schoenfeld

j_schoenfeld

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Oct 4, 2007
81
Oday 28 Great Salt Lake Marina
When did they outlaw alcohol in mexico? Perhaps you can't find Denatured alcohol in mexico, but a cheap bottle of rum or vodka burns really well in an alcohol stove. We were out for the night, my wife wanted some coffee, the tank was dry but I had a bottle of Vodka, poured it in and we were boiling water in minutes. I agree that Alcohol is the way to go IF you don't want to retrofit your boat to use propane safely. The boat mechanic I use here had a motorhome as a mobile shop, and a propane leak ruined his morning smoke and his business in a matter of seconds......
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

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Apr 8, 2010
2,238
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
Steve Dion said:
I would guess that Home Depot/Sam Club etc in Mexico has alcohol too.
Click to expand
I have heard about the supposed scarcity of alcohol there, also. Puzzling.
I have been buying our stove alcohol cheaply from the locat neighborhood hardward store for many years -- it's in the painting supplies aisle.

I can only wonder why it would be rare down south. (?)

For that matter, what do painters acrually do with it, in any case? They are sure not drinking it!
:confused:
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,213
CC 30 South Florida
The safety guidelines for propane use in boats today exceed those in regular kitchens. Yours was an unfortunate accident which would have likely been avoided with the use of thermocouple switches on the burners. All cooking fuels have their peculiarities and safety relies in understanding them and proper handling. I have used alcohol in the past in a non-pressurized stove and find it to be a good choice. Follow the stove manufacturers instructions and never attempt to fill a hot cannister. Beware that an alcohol flame is invisible so it is necessary to avoid spills and keep the storage container away from an open flame. The good thing is that you can put out an alcohol fire with water. Another concern might be the peculiar odor of alcohol which might be a trigger for allergies or headaches in some. A liveaboard may find the use of alcohol to be cumbersome and expensive but for the recreational boater these will go unnoticed. Enjoy.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
i have the alcohol stove for my boat as well ...i had the option of what ever i wanted to put in but went the alcohol way because i buy it for $42.00 a five gallon can at the finishing supply co....and the fact that it would be very pricey to install a compress gas unit the two burner stove only cost $250.00 in the conture brand or $399.00 in orgio brand all the others were better than $1800.00 and up ....i bet if you go to a paint supply house in Mexico you can get it there in 5 gal cans......

regards

woody
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
8,006
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
"I think I solved the alcohol vs. propane debate"

Good! Next please work on the Israeli vs. Palestinians conflict. If you could do the first the second is a cakewalk.
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Trying to find Alcohol in Mexico, the problem is obvious. Like Russia, they drink it all.
Come to think of it, have you ever drank SOB Tequila? Kerosene is better. Just as well dump it in the stove..
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Seems like pouring booze in a stove would be bad. When the alcohol burns off the remaining fluid will still be left contaminating and possibly corroding the canisters or tank. 70 proof booze is only 35% alcohol, the rest is water and other stuff that gives the booze flavor. So if you want a bunch of water in your stove go for it.
 
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