Hey Y'all - Finally got the orginal 1979 Catalina 27 alcohol stove from the previous owner. It's in fair condition, but does not seem to hold pressure. I am not really interested in propane or cng at this time. Would like info from anyone who has had luck reconditioning these things, as well as info on their performance. I understand that due to alcohol's chemical properties it burns at a much lower temp than CNG or LP. Best Regards, Rob
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Put it in the archives......
Rob: Don't use a pressurized alcohol stove. This is a good way to burn you boat down. These things are dangerous. Check out an Origo. You can often find them on the used market. They run on alcohol but they are NOT pressurized.
Rob: Don't use a pressurized alcohol stove. This is a good way to burn you boat down. These things are dangerous. Check out an Origo. You can often find them on the used market. They run on alcohol but they are NOT pressurized.
Re-build kits
You didn't mention the brand of stove you have, but there are re-build kits available for many out there. Take a look at the common shops like Boat US and West Marine. You might also find information on the internet by going to a search engine like Google.com and entering the name of the stove. My 1981 H33 has a pressurized alcohol stove which works pretty well. You must be careful with any open flame in your boat, and I always place a pot of water on the burner I light in case of the infamous "flare-up". Other cautions such as not having curtains near the stove and not leaving it unattended are common sense items. I find that the heat is hot enough to boil water and cook a dinner as quick as I need it. What the heck, this is a sailboat, not a power boat. Expect things to go a little slower. Relax and enjoy life. Ken Palmer, S/C Liberty
You didn't mention the brand of stove you have, but there are re-build kits available for many out there. Take a look at the common shops like Boat US and West Marine. You might also find information on the internet by going to a search engine like Google.com and entering the name of the stove. My 1981 H33 has a pressurized alcohol stove which works pretty well. You must be careful with any open flame in your boat, and I always place a pot of water on the burner I light in case of the infamous "flare-up". Other cautions such as not having curtains near the stove and not leaving it unattended are common sense items. I find that the heat is hot enough to boil water and cook a dinner as quick as I need it. What the heck, this is a sailboat, not a power boat. Expect things to go a little slower. Relax and enjoy life. Ken Palmer, S/C Liberty
camping stove
My H33 had an original pressurized alcohol stove that I tried for several years to make work properly. I finally decided to stop trying to burn my boat down and get rid of the alcohol stove. I found the non-pressurized alcohol stoves didn't cook hot enough, it was tough to get rice to cook. I now use a Century camping stove. It runs on the small propane bottles or there is an adapter to make it compatable with a 20 lb. cylinder. For now I'm still using the smaller containers that are disposable but making sure to store them in an outside, vented compartment. Wish I'd have done this two years ago, simple really is nice sometimes. If you keep using alcohol just be safe and have a properly rated fire extinguisher close by.
My H33 had an original pressurized alcohol stove that I tried for several years to make work properly. I finally decided to stop trying to burn my boat down and get rid of the alcohol stove. I found the non-pressurized alcohol stoves didn't cook hot enough, it was tough to get rice to cook. I now use a Century camping stove. It runs on the small propane bottles or there is an adapter to make it compatable with a 20 lb. cylinder. For now I'm still using the smaller containers that are disposable but making sure to store them in an outside, vented compartment. Wish I'd have done this two years ago, simple really is nice sometimes. If you keep using alcohol just be safe and have a properly rated fire extinguisher close by.
Throw it out
You don't have to invest in some expensive system to get a better set up than that old stove. Besides, the rebuild kits can cost as much as a used Origo. I know cuz that's what I found. I called for a rebuild kit & it would have cost about $150. I found a used Origo for the same price. MUCH better option!! I've also heard of folks using the camp stoves like Steven. Just remove the old stove & you have a stainless lined box. A decent propane camp stove could fit nicely in there and that's about as cheap as you'll find! BTW, I love my Origo and find that it burns hot enough for me. I have the version with an oven and have no problem baking cinnamon rolls or cooking with the stove. LaDonna
You don't have to invest in some expensive system to get a better set up than that old stove. Besides, the rebuild kits can cost as much as a used Origo. I know cuz that's what I found. I called for a rebuild kit & it would have cost about $150. I found a used Origo for the same price. MUCH better option!! I've also heard of folks using the camp stoves like Steven. Just remove the old stove & you have a stainless lined box. A decent propane camp stove could fit nicely in there and that's about as cheap as you'll find! BTW, I love my Origo and find that it burns hot enough for me. I have the version with an oven and have no problem baking cinnamon rolls or cooking with the stove. LaDonna
Baking Cinnamon Rolls! Rob better put a ring...
On your finger! Quick question L - is the Origo gimbaled, and if so, does the gimbal fit the Catalina mounts? It looks like you and I have similar C-27's (saw photo in photo forum), so I'd appreciate any info on how yours is set up. That goes for anyone else reading this, too. If at all possible, I'd like to keep the gimbals for cooking while at anchor. I don't relish the thought of my wife or myself spilling a pot of soup into the bilge, or the stainless stove housing since it sits above my electical panel. Also - what was the cost on your Origo? Thanks! Rob Rich
On your finger! Quick question L - is the Origo gimbaled, and if so, does the gimbal fit the Catalina mounts? It looks like you and I have similar C-27's (saw photo in photo forum), so I'd appreciate any info on how yours is set up. That goes for anyone else reading this, too. If at all possible, I'd like to keep the gimbals for cooking while at anchor. I don't relish the thought of my wife or myself spilling a pot of soup into the bilge, or the stainless stove housing since it sits above my electical panel. Also - what was the cost on your Origo? Thanks! Rob Rich
Gimballed and non-gimballed models.
Rob: The have the Origo units as drop in, surface mount (gimballed & non-gimballed), as well as a stove/oven combo. I think you can find the units in the marine catalogs. As far as cooking at anchor, they have pot holders so cooking at anchor can be safely done with a surface mounted unit without gimbal.
Rob: The have the Origo units as drop in, surface mount (gimballed & non-gimballed), as well as a stove/oven combo. I think you can find the units in the marine catalogs. As far as cooking at anchor, they have pot holders so cooking at anchor can be safely done with a surface mounted unit without gimbal.
Gimbals
Remember, I have the oven model. I would have had to perform MAJOR surgery to allow enough clearance for the thing to swing. I would have had to cut out a major chunk of the setee (under the stove so it wouldn't be visible) and since I'm a fair weather sailor, opted not to. I removed the entire stainless "box" the old stove came in and I think the stove portion of the Origo would have fit perfectly, even with gimbals. You would probably have to cut the facing that creates the footwell to allow that clearance but shouldn't be too hard. If you install the oven model, you'll also have to cut out a portion of the counter and hinge it to allow venting for the oven but that was easy peasy. BTW, they were frozen cinnamon rolls that you just have to let rise & throw in the oven so...
LaDonna PS: A good friend gave me a great deal on their old Origo but the stove units can be easily had for under $150.
Remember, I have the oven model. I would have had to perform MAJOR surgery to allow enough clearance for the thing to swing. I would have had to cut out a major chunk of the setee (under the stove so it wouldn't be visible) and since I'm a fair weather sailor, opted not to. I removed the entire stainless "box" the old stove came in and I think the stove portion of the Origo would have fit perfectly, even with gimbals. You would probably have to cut the facing that creates the footwell to allow that clearance but shouldn't be too hard. If you install the oven model, you'll also have to cut out a portion of the counter and hinge it to allow venting for the oven but that was easy peasy. BTW, they were frozen cinnamon rolls that you just have to let rise & throw in the oven so...
LaDonna PS: A good friend gave me a great deal on their old Origo but the stove units can be easily had for under $150.Butane
I got the old alchohol stove & replaced it with the Kenyon one burner butane stove. It works really well for $60, & if I need another burner, I'll spend another $60
I got the old alchohol stove & replaced it with the Kenyon one burner butane stove. It works really well for $60, & if I need another burner, I'll spend another $60
Origo
I replaced my pressurized alcohol stove with a two burner Origo and was extremely happy. A gallon of alcohol for 8 or 9 bucks lasts all year (about the same as filling a propane tank). This was on a Catalina 25 and the stove bolted right into place in the same spot with almost no work. Gimbals would have been nice but didn't have them on either stove. I now have a Tasco propane stove and oven and if it ever dies on me before the boat blows up from leaky hoses I will replace it with an Origo unit. In 7 years I have never used the oven once, never even tried to see if it works so a two burner Origo will suit my needs fine...only question is will it boil enough water to cook two lobsters in a large pot? dave PS I also use a Magma propane grill on the stern rail.
I replaced my pressurized alcohol stove with a two burner Origo and was extremely happy. A gallon of alcohol for 8 or 9 bucks lasts all year (about the same as filling a propane tank). This was on a Catalina 25 and the stove bolted right into place in the same spot with almost no work. Gimbals would have been nice but didn't have them on either stove. I now have a Tasco propane stove and oven and if it ever dies on me before the boat blows up from leaky hoses I will replace it with an Origo unit. In 7 years I have never used the oven once, never even tried to see if it works so a two burner Origo will suit my needs fine...only question is will it boil enough water to cook two lobsters in a large pot? dave PS I also use a Magma propane grill on the stern rail.
A&H Enterprises does Rebuilds...
Found an outfit, A&H Enterprises, 1582 Parkway Loop, Suite G, Tustin, California, 92780 (Phone: 714-258-2525), which does rebuilds on Alcohol Stoves. You can send the stove out there, have them check it out and they'll call you with an estimate. If its too high, you can tell them to pitch it and move on to whatever suits. They did mine in about a two week turnaround and it worked out fine. Good luck... Jim
Found an outfit, A&H Enterprises, 1582 Parkway Loop, Suite G, Tustin, California, 92780 (Phone: 714-258-2525), which does rebuilds on Alcohol Stoves. You can send the stove out there, have them check it out and they'll call you with an estimate. If its too high, you can tell them to pitch it and move on to whatever suits. They did mine in about a two week turnaround and it worked out fine. Good luck... Jim
Origo 3000
I recently "installed" an Origo 3000 two burner stove in my Catalina 30. The original setup was just the two burner pressurized stove with the two drawers below. I was doutbful about this little stove cooking well without pressure but read some great comments from owners and reviewers on the internet. Besides, $250 is a LOT less money than the full ovens cost. Anyway, that little stove works great. Boils water fine. The best test so far has been pan frying steaks. You need some serious heat to sear them properly and still have a juicy center. I really doubted that little funky flame would accomplish this, since I am quite picky about how my steaks are cooked, but the 3000 did very well. Propane on a boat, for me, was out of the question. CNG was a consideration but I really didn't care to spend the money and time to install it all. The Origo 3000 just sits right in the original space without any installation besides an L-bracket and screw to hold it there. Don't count it out! Chris
I recently "installed" an Origo 3000 two burner stove in my Catalina 30. The original setup was just the two burner pressurized stove with the two drawers below. I was doutbful about this little stove cooking well without pressure but read some great comments from owners and reviewers on the internet. Besides, $250 is a LOT less money than the full ovens cost. Anyway, that little stove works great. Boils water fine. The best test so far has been pan frying steaks. You need some serious heat to sear them properly and still have a juicy center. I really doubted that little funky flame would accomplish this, since I am quite picky about how my steaks are cooked, but the 3000 did very well. Propane on a boat, for me, was out of the question. CNG was a consideration but I really didn't care to spend the money and time to install it all. The Origo 3000 just sits right in the original space without any installation besides an L-bracket and screw to hold it there. Don't count it out! Chris
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