The stove debate continues...

[Tony E]

I have been reading everyone's information about what kind of stove to have in a sailboat or what else a person can even use such as a 12 volt coffee maker, etc. I am still not sure on what ( if at all) kind of stove I should put in my MacGregor 26x. I have 3 white gas stoves in the garage for camping, a coleman dual fuel stove along with 2 propane stoves and then I was reading about alcohol stoves and 12 volt coffee pots. To be honest I think I have researched it too much but now I need your opinions. I know that I can mount something outside of the cabin for cooking and bar B Q'ing but I don't know if that's convenient when its not nice out. I think the easiest and most convenient way to go is with a propane stove with 1 lb'ers of propane cylinders and I have read all the posts about leaking propane sinking and blowing up your sailboat. So heres the question....whats the safest , easiest way and most convenient way to make a pot of coffee and or a nice meal on a sailboat?

 

[Bob J.]

I'll get flamed for this but I am a misfit after all. Just use your coleman propane stove & store the bottles outside. If it wasn't for the fact that we want an oven on our boat, that's what I'd do.

 

[alexco38]

One of the advantages of butane is its improved fuel efficiency. If similar volumes of propane and butane are burned at temperatures above freezing, butane will provide about 12% more energy. This advantage makes butane a good choice for those trying to pack light, such as backpackers, campers or small boat. As long as access to an adequate supply is available, the energy efficiency and price advantage can make butane a better deal in many, but not all, circumstances.

You can buy the stove and bottled gas at very reasonable price at oriental super markets. The marine store charge you much more for the same thing.

Many restaurants use them indoor (with good ventilation of cause) to heat or warm food.

We use it to cook hot pot and fondue. Just crack the window open a little bit.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Tony, the safest way is to use an alcohol stove, most convenient is probably to order out (yes you can get Chinese delivered anywhere ). You might want to talk to your insurance company before bringing propane or butane stoves inside the boat, some marines or your dock mates may not be happy with them either.

Seriously though, when we had a Mac I used a Honda EU2000 at the stern it kept the batteries charged and allowed Sherry to use a microwave, electric kettle to boil water (coffee is made with a Melitta funnel into thermos carafe), and a one burner alcohol stove. We also got a lot of use out of a Magma propane BBQ that could also be used a stove burner. We had many fine meals cooked that way.

good luck, Bob

 

[kenn]

Another vote for a butane burner. Cheap, reliable, good heat output, easier to handle and set up than a propane stove. It boils water fairly quickly.

We primarily do 2 to 4-day outings, and the little, single-burner butane stove has been great for over 4 years now. We usually use less than one can of gas over a weekend, so having one spare aboard has been sufficient.

We usually move it to the cockpit to use, but we've also had it inside, on the table by the partially open or screened companionway, where it's sheltered from rain by the dodger.

I personally would not consider a 12v kettle on a small boat. Too wasteful of precious electricity.

 

[kloudie1]

On my old 23' Spirit, I used a Coleman liquid fueled stove, the same one that accompanied me on kayak trips. It can be safely used but you have to be cognizant of the dangers.. Same for the propane ones.. Use them outside when convenient, inside with ventilation and caution when necessary.. Store the bottles outside in a locker that drains only overboard and cannot let gas into the cabin.. BE Careful..

 

[FourPoints]

If you have space to install it, an Origo 3000 two burner is the simplest and most cost effective way to go. Fuel can be picked up cheap at Home Depot, there are virtually no moving parts, the fuel is a liquid and water soluble (so fires are put out easily with water), and doubles as an antiseptic in first aid situations if someone is badly cut.

Add the pot holders and you have a stove that will easily last you for 30 years of reliable service.

I have one on my boat, I have no problem making meals onboard. Breakfast onboard is usually either Oatmeal or ham and eggs, or both. Dinners are normally a pasta or soup dish. Coffee is handled by a tea kettle and Folgers Singles. Since they are individually foil wrapped with an air tight wrapper, they last quite a while and won't go stale even in the most humid and wet boat, and most importantly, make a reasonably decent cup of coffee. Good enough to get me moving at least. They are by far the simplest way I've found to make a cup of coffee on the boat.

 

[Mick143]

tnvmc-3618861978@sale.craigslist.org
Pulled the first alcohol stove out of my boat when I brought it. Did it because of horror stories asscoiated with alcohol stoves. After I threw it away (duh) I researched them. Purchased on of these stoves in a marine consignment shop, Oreigo 300. Best purchase ever. Took it inside for last snow storm and had coffee, french toast. chicken Marsala etc. We either use a coffee pot, or in a hurry a french press. Great buy, economical and safe. You will want to have it on gimbals. When I purchased my used one, it came with gimbels and pot racks. Good luck. P.S. we have it on our 28 Ft O'Day

 

[Tsatzsue]

I have beeen camping for 30 years and have not had a problem with plain old coleman white gas. I have a two burner old green monster that fits perfectly on the cooking area of my 77 V25 . As long as you ventilate well I feel it is safer that LP. Twice my friend brought his LP stove and twice the bottes leaked badly after being removed from the stove and had to be drained in the cockpit. I use a stove board under the set up so that the heat does not get to the fiberglass. In an emergency the entire assembly can be carried to the cockpit with the board or thrown overboard. I aslo relocate cooking to the cockpit if the weather is good. I don't think any marina will allow an open flame. At leaset not up here.

 

[Mick143]

Sorry that is Origo 3000. That link is for one on craigslist. Its their e-mail good luck

 

[tkanzler]

My boat came with a single-burner butane stove, but it was kinda rusty so I tossed it without trying it. One of these, though the same thing seems to be sold under a zillion names.

They're sold for $20-25. Anyone know if they're worth using? I could always use my propane grill to boil water for coffee I suppose, but a self-contained butane stove like that would be easier to deal with, especially the version that folds into a mini-suitcase.

 

[Tsatzsue]

Oh, I almost forgot...I am working on a pot holder assembly. Last year we were anchored in quite a chop 2'-3' after sunset. I was checking to see if the boat was moving while cooking for my three kids, wife and dog (this is in a V25 remember). After checking the to see if the boat was moving I heard the death thud over the wind. Yup pasta on the floor with all the black dog hair. This was after the keel winch broke and we were all wet. we were blessed to either not be able to see the hair on our food or an actaul hair removal miricle was performed. No one was hurt, we had full bellies and managed to sail all day the next day. A real charachter builder hahahaha.

 

[onecoolair]

My boat came with a single-burner butane stove, but it was kinda rusty so I tossed it without trying it. One of these, though the same thing seems to be sold under a zillion names.

They're sold for $20-25. Anyone know if they're worth using? I could always use my propane grill to boil water for coffee I suppose, but a self-contained butane stove like that would be easier to deal with, especially the version that folds into a mini-suitcase.

I have one of these in the back of my closet....Keep two spare small cans of butane stored in empty drawer. Got it some 20 years ago when I had my M26 worked great. Still does. Gets pulled out when we have extended power outages at the house.Very good value!!!

 

[tkanzler]

I have one of these in the back of my closet....Keep two spare small cans of butane stored in empty drawer. Got it some 20 years ago when I had my M26 worked great. Still does. Gets pulled out when we have extended power outages at the house.Very good value!!!

Thanks! I guess I'll spend the few bucks and give it a try. I kept the unopened butane canisters that also came with the boat, and it's a cheap birthday present, so I'll start dropping some hints. Or just put it in the email the admiral asked me to send her with suggestions.

I use a percolator like the one in Mick143's pic above, or did until I sold the boat with the stove/oven unit and no longer have a way to heat it, and I want to start taking some trips again. Can't count on electricity, and would rather not have glass on board anyway. I can live on cold sandwiches, but hot coffee in the morning is what makes getting out of bed (or sleeping bag) possible. :dance:

 

[kenn]

hot coffee in the morning is what makes getting out of bed (or sleeping bag) possible. :dance:

Yep

We used to use something fussier to make coffee onboard, but friends and laziness both directed us back to the plain ole Mellita drip filter into a thermos.

 

[Tony E]

Wow good suggestions people. I think butane is convenient and safer but not as cost effective as propane. I actually have the adapter so I can refill my own 1 pound canisters of propane and its pretty cheap when you do it that way. In Canada at a store a 1 pounder is about 5 bucks. To refill your own is approx 50 cents and takes me about 20 minutes to fill up 20 or so for the entire summer of outdoor fun. I like the coleman camping stoves but I have had a few incidents when the flame has got a few feet high and inside a sailboat wellllll......that really does not work out to good Alcohold sounds good but those Sweedish stoves are like $400 to $500 for a single burner....thats rediculous! Anyway, Its good to get all your points and ideas as I am new to sailing and I am heading out to B.C. Easter weekend to pick up my sailboat. I am tryign to figure stuff out now so when I get it home I can get it ready for my first trip in May. Has anyone had any experience with Solar on your sailboat? My sailboat has 2 batteries on it so I just bought 2 - 20 watt each solar panels to put on my sailboat. They will be more than enough to keep those batteries fully charged even if I don't run the motor and I will put in a 12 volt plug to run other things like an ipod, radio, laptop, etc. Doers anyone else have a solar panel? Thanx for your help......p.s. in Saskatooon Canada today it was minus 37 degrees Celsius and I love talking about sailboat stuff.....its the only thing getting me through this long winter...thanx again

 

[Merlin Clark]

I got real lucky and found an Origo 3000 at a marine flea market for $50 with pot holders and gimbals. Might watch CL and ebay for used stoves.
I did a check on it yesterday and brought 3 cups of water (tap cold to start) to a full boil in 8 minutes. I'm happy with that.
There is another brand, "Cookmate", that works the same way, looks the same and is about 30% less $$.
I've been using a 1 burner butane and it works great. It's now my back up plan/warming stove for parties, etc.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Here is a double Cookmate for $215 http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Contour...ner-Non-Pressurized-Po-p/cot3100.htm?click=19

 

[Tony E]

Thanx Merlin. Does a person really need 2 burners? I read that some people think that alcohol stoves don't get hot enough? Do they?

 

[Steve Dion]

I have one of these in the back of my closet....Keep two spare small cans of butane stored in empty drawer. Got it some 20 years ago when I had my M26 worked great. Still does. Gets pulled out when we have extended power outages at the house.Very good value!!!

If I did not have any stove I would also consider one of these butane stoves. They cook faster than CNG, Propane or anything that I have used. Easy to store and you can afford to purchase 2 or 3 incase you need a two or three burner unit. The butane is easy to get (I purchase it by the case). Take it to the beach or put it on the picnic table. You can't get much better than that.