Kenyon pressurized alcohol stove

[Manny]

Whose familiar with the Kenyon 206 pressurized alcohol stove? I've got one onboard that I am tempted to test out. The thing looks like it's never been used and I am wondering if there are seals or any other items on it that dry out from age... I've found lighting instructions online but not a exploded diagram of parts. I understand the risks with this type of stove so I'm thinking of removing it from the boat for testing - but if there are parts that could be suspect due to age I'll forget the idea and probably pick up one of those little butane stoves (the kind that uses the drop in cans).

Thanks,

Manny

 

[higgs]

Trash it - there is no such thing as a good pressurized alcohol stove. Look at Origo for a good concept in alcohol stoves.

 

[BobM]

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with a pressurized alcohol stove that following the instructions can' solve. Unscrew the pump piston and apply some vaseline to the friction points on the piston to ensure you get a good seal. Then add some alcohol to the stove and follow said instructions. Pump up the stove. Then crack the burner valve to allow the tray under the burner to fill with some alcohol. Now CLOSE THE BURNER VALVE. Light the alcohol in the tray under the burner to preheat the burner. Allow it to burn all the way out. Now crack the valve and light the burner. The preheated burner will cause the alcohol to be vaporized and the stove will light without flaring up dangerously. If you do not preheat the burner and try to light it, you will likely get a potentially dangerous flare up. For ocassional use I have no problem using my alcohol stove.

 

[higgs]

Bob M

I got by with pressurized alcohol stoves for many years thinking they were just fine. Once i ran into an Origo stove my perspective on this subject was forever altered.

 

[Ken Palmer]

In addition to BobM's commentents, I found that to prevent any flare-ups during pre-heat, place a pot that is half full of water on the burner. This prevents high flame.

 

[Nereussailor]

This question comes up every once in a while, and the same answers get posted every time. Some like them, some hate them. I've had one for 7 years and never had a problem, never had it flare up, never had it explode, and it's never burned my boat up.
If you've never used one before, I would definitely take it out of the boat and light it somewhere safe. The first time you use it, is the worst. It takes a little getting used to before you can get the right amount of fuel in the priming cups. but once you figure that out, it will light easily every time. Is it as safe as an Origo? probably not, but with a little practice, it will work better than the Origo.
Just my 2 cents

Dave

 

[Pops]

I second Dave's advice, take it out of the boat and try it out. There are several seals that can leak and there are potential leak points everywhere. That said, I had great success with a pressurized stove on my previous boat. On my current boat the pressured stove has many problems. I am replacing it with a non-pressured stove (contoure 4200) as it is simpler and safer. There are companies that will rebuild and test your stove. There are also manuals for your stove online, with exploded (bad choice of words?) parts diagrams.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I didn't answer the last time this came up

so can I now?

We had a pressurized one on our C22, worked like a charm 'cuz even way back then I had and actually read (!) the directions. When you do it off the boat, do it in a dark place so you can see what's happening with the pre-ignition cups & the burners before lift off!

When we got our C25 it had a pressurized one but it was toast, so we got a two burner Origo, fit perfectly, worked great.

Either one works if you know what you are doing. Back then the duble Origo was then the price a single is now!

Seals should be on the pump inside, tiny version of a head pump assembly. There should be rebuild kits available for the burner assemblies, which generally need to be cleaned of carbon build up.

Give it a try. If it doesn't work, at least you know you gave it the attempt.

Be safe.

 

[BobM]

Re: I didn't answer the last time this came up

One more piece of advice. Be sure any users are checked out on it first. I don't think my Wife would like to light it, but somehow all the cooking aboard (what little there is) falls to me. If I spent more time on board cooking (i.e. had a larger boat and was cruising) I think transitioning to a different stove would be more important to me.

 

[Benny]

You can probably get it to work, but it is really not worth the effort and money. Some time ago I came up with an idea for a propane system for older boats that was both inexpensive and safe. The components are a good quality marine two burner stove whith thermocouple switches. Some older models can be found on EBay for under $100. A gas grill regulator with at least 6 ft of hose ($15). A gas grill gauge/pressure switch ($15) and an adapter ($20) for 1 lb cannister bottles. I used this sytem for a couple of years in a previous boat and felt very comfortable with it.

To install cut the connector from the end of the hose which would have gone to the grill and attach to the stove with a good clamp. Install the gauge/pressure switch into the regulator and at the end attach the adapter for the 1 lb cannister bottles. The thermocouple switches on the stove will protect by cutting off flow if the flame on a burner is extinguished. The pressure switch will cut off flow if the integrity of the hose is lost or if there is a leak in the regulator. Connect a cannister and with soapy water check all connections. Most of the safety is provided by removing the cannister when the stove is not in use and storing the cannisters up on deck or in the anchor locker. When in use the stove should always be tended to and in case of a flareup you should be able to safely disconnect the cannister from 6 ft away. Your nose can act as a leak detector. This is obviously not a practical solution for a full time cruiser or a liveaboard but for the weekned sailor who may cook aboard a few times a month it can provide excellent service. The bottles can do double duty if you have a rail mounted grill.

 

[Manny]

Thanks guys - I was hoping this thread wouldn't turn into another alcohol stove debate - and for the most part it hasn't.
Stu - Is the pump pretty simple to remove and inspect?
Here's a thought - I'm thinking of possibly testing for leaks by using a little water in place of alcohol and trying to pressurize the tank and test for flow to the burners. Bad idea?

Thanks,

Manny

 

[MKirk51]

Manny,
I have an 81 Optimus pressurized that I'm more than happy with. I replaced both burners (www.packstoves.com) and tested it by emptying the alcohol, pumping it up and submerging it in my laundry tub. No bubbles, good to go. I do always open the fill cap and relieve the pressure when done though.
This is after you figure out if it works, which is a good idea to do out of the boat. If it seems OK, the water test can be done to look for small leaks.
I'm also able to do a little baking, using a Coleman collapsible camping oven. It doesn't quite get up to the temp a regular oven will, no more than 400 I think, but it works for a lot of things.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Stu - Is the pump pretty simple to remove and inspect?
Here's a thought

Manny, it's been years! I recall you just unscrewed the knurled knob that held it into the body of the stove. Don't have any pictures because back in the real film days no one bothered to take a picture of me cooking, like maybe the one and only time I did! Nah, I made coffee A LOT! MKirk nailed it pretty well, and I'm sure you can find parts diagrams somewhere online.

 

[bffatcat]

Ive used one for over 40 years I had one a flare the first time I used one but never again after that one time The reason so many sailors are down on them is because they never learned how to operate the stove properly.

The big mistake everybody makes is they do not wait until all the fuel in the bowl is burned off
They then turn on the burner and the hear the sound of vaporized fuel and light it while there is still some remnants of liquid in the bowl Do this and your gonna get a flare up every time Heres my rule DO NOT TURN THE BURNER ON UNTIL YOU ARE POSITIVE THERE IS NO LIQUID FUEL IN THE BOWL do this and you will never have any trouble

 

[higgs]

What strikes me about this thread is that everyone seems to agree that flare ups are a possibility under certain conditions and the recommendations are to learn how to use it off the boat. This does not sound like a good, safe, easy stove to use. If it is this tricky it seems not a great idea to keep these around when simpler alternatives exist that one can use without going through training.

I have had a pressurized stove and would never have one again. Even on their good days they are a pain in the butt.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

One nice thing about alcohol fires is that they can be easily extinguished with just water. Don't be afraid of the thing. Light it up like BobM explained and if it works, start cooking. If it doesn't, then start scratching your head.

 

[Steve Dion]

B.Bill:

That is true about the alcohol, but once the wood & fiberglass get going the storey changes quickly!!

 

[zeehag]

pressurized alcohol needs swimming lessons or suicide lessons--is grossly unsafe and a goood reason to convert systems to propane, which is much safer than pressurized alcohol....find a local recycler place and trade stove for small amount of cash.....

 

[Stu Jackson]

geez, just when ya thought it was safe to discuss -- c'mon guys, quit already, that wasn't the question.

 

[higgs]

The question deserves an honest assessment of the merits of pressurized alcohol stoves, which are few, if any. The bottom line is that some of us here feel Manny would be better off trashing the stove.