LPG vs. Alcohol vs. Kerosene -- H37 cutter

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Debra Blatnik

I am trying to decide what to do about an LPG locker on a 37 cutter. (1979) The boat I have needs a new propane locker. (the tank had been stored in in a cockpit locker -- not up to ABYC specs.) What have people done that is realtively easy to do? I am almost (almost) considering either alcohol or kerosene just because I can't decide what to about the propane locker. The off-the-shelf lockers from BoatUS, Westmarine, etc. are expensive and I am not sure where I would put one of them anyway. Suggestions, comments welcome -- experience is best
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Go with Origo.

Debra: Go with the alcohol Origo. This is an easy installation no tanks to worry about. If you pick one of these up used, you can sell it for what you pay for it. If after using it you decide you want something else you can change. We use our oven to cook and like it. You can carry lots of alcohol aboard and get it fairly easily. Roger Mummah is going to the Abacos and he is using an Origo.
 
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Connie Runge (Jim's other half)

We Chose Kerosene

We purchased our '81 37C almost two years ago. The previous owner had replaced the stove with an electric cooktop with a microwave below. We do a lot of cooking and knew we wanted an oven, but how to decide on a fuel and then find a unit that fit the cabinetry cutout. I didn't want to do major surgery to the galley and wasn't thrilled about giving up storage to a fuel locker. After exploring all the options, we chose to order a Blakes and Taylor brass and stainless stove through the Defender catalog. The stove comes from England, so there could be a wait if Defender doesn't have one in stock. There were two reasons for this choice. The stove fit the cutout, and the fuel tank required no special storage, it is installed under the sink and is easily accessible for priming. The only inconvenience to kerosene is the need to heat the burners, but I got over it and now enjoy my new stove. To finish off my galley project, I ceramic tiled the counter top with four inch squares, covered the in-counter storage and refrigerator lids with a coordinating floor tile (I was concerned about weight), and installed a real kitchen L-shaped faucet -- with a sprayer!
 
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David

LPG vs

On my current boat and previous ones I have had pressurized alcohol, wick type (Origo), kerosene, CNG, and LPG. They all have benefits and I like the CNG and wick type for safety reasons. I currently have LPG housed in an LPG locker (from a consignment store) mounted on the stern rail. I didn't like having to carry a starter fluid for kerosene and I don't like the slow cooking of the wick type. Except for gasoline powered boats the highest number of fire damage claims on pleasure vessels are a result of alcohol incidents.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Different types of alcohol!

David: Remember that this alcohol has either been pressurized or taken internally.
 
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Ed Schenck

Personally?

I would not look for a place for a locker. If I chose LPG then I would either put it on the rail or on the transom(see link below). I would use 10 gal. tanks and smaller lockers than Gene used. But I would not give up that much interior space. From discussions with a couple of fellow H37C owners I will keep my kerosene stove. And they are pretty available on the used market.
 
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Ernie Rodriguez

LPG

I replaced our kerosene stove on our Hunter 36 with a propane system from day one. If properly installed, you can't beat the performance. Two 10 lb steel tanks are housed in a locker and mounted on the stern rail. LPG sensors, electric valve and a Force 10 two burner stove with oven has worked flawlessly ever since I installed it. We gave the kerosene stove away. I chose steel tanks over aluminum mainly because of size and cost. The replacement cost when they rust out is small compared to aluminum tanks. The locker is mounted high enough that drainage is not a problem under any condition. The hose from the locker to the stove is well cushioned to prevent chafing of any kind. We make a habit of keeping the valve tank closed at all times except when in use, and while in use, we open the locker cover slightly to let air in just in case there is any small leakes in the locker. There was not enough height in our Hunter 36 stern locker compartments to allow proper draining for the tanks, so an outboard locker mounted aft of the stern rail was the best compromise and is completely out of the way, keeping the stern locker free for other things.
 
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Ron

One Question?

What are you thinking about??? Kerosene over propane?? Hank Hill would be ashamed of you! On my boat we cook Turkeys and Chickens and cakes and Bread and, etc., etc. As for alcohol, I like to drink it. Seriously though folks, alcohol is very hard to find in most places outside the US and its purity is questionable. You can get propane evrywhere and even steal a little from your neighbor if you have a hose made up. So, don't give up that stove for a campfire (that ought to get them on my case!). Ron/KA5HZV
 
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Ron

One More Question

Do a search in the Photo Forum for, "Force Ten Stove," and tell me you want to trade that in for kerosene... Ron
 
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