I couldn't find my answer in the archives so I'm posting this question. I own a 1987 Hunter 23' with the original Origo 1500, single burner alcohol stove. I have never used the stove and it doesn't look like the previous owners did either. I would like to use it on a week long trip to the Thousand Islands this summer. I haven't been able to find stove alcohol. Please advise. I will also be taking a Webber Baby Q grill to do some grilling. Many thanks.
What fuel do you buy for your alcohol stove?
- Thread starter Joelle Dupont
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Ace Hardware, West Marine
Joelle: I have purchased alcohol from ACE Hardware & West Marine. I personally have not noticed any difference. Some of it "claims" to be soot free, but if the alcohol is pure, I don't see what would cause soot anyway. I am guessing that it is approaching $15/gal. The only advantage of the stuff at WM was the container was plastic and not metal.
Joelle: I have purchased alcohol from ACE Hardware & West Marine. I personally have not noticed any difference. Some of it "claims" to be soot free, but if the alcohol is pure, I don't see what would cause soot anyway. I am guessing that it is approaching $15/gal. The only advantage of the stuff at WM was the container was plastic and not metal.
Lowes' S-L-X brand.
I have the two burner Origo and use the Lowes brand denatured alcohol. Just read the label and it should mention for stove use. I get no soot and very little odor. We did a lot of cooking on that stove last summer as we were on the boat for seven weeks. Steve's point about metal versus plastic is a good one. I buy the Lowes in the one gallon steel can. But I transfer it to one of those little red plastic gas cans. It is much easier to refill the stove canister with the spout on the gas can.
I have the two burner Origo and use the Lowes brand denatured alcohol. Just read the label and it should mention for stove use. I get no soot and very little odor. We did a lot of cooking on that stove last summer as we were on the boat for seven weeks. Steve's point about metal versus plastic is a good one. I buy the Lowes in the one gallon steel can. But I transfer it to one of those little red plastic gas cans. It is much easier to refill the stove canister with the spout on the gas can.
Meijer
Meijer stores carry it in the paint area. Comes in quarts, plastic ones at that. Works great in my two burner. Doesn't evaporate real fast either if you put the rubber cover back on the burner when cooled. I'm pretty surprised by how much heat output is available. It doesn't seem to take long to boil water. JerryA
Meijer stores carry it in the paint area. Comes in quarts, plastic ones at that. Works great in my two burner. Doesn't evaporate real fast either if you put the rubber cover back on the burner when cooled. I'm pretty surprised by how much heat output is available. It doesn't seem to take long to boil water. JerryA
It seems you may not have a stove's owners
manual. The Origo 1500 as well as the 3000 are very safe if operated properly. Would suggest you download the manufacturers manual for necessary warnings. of the top of my head 1) do not refill canister while the stove is hot, 2) the alcohol flame is invisible 3) when not in use cover the canister with a gasket to avoid evaporation. Having a working stove is just part of the art of cooking on a boat. Most will pre-cook meals at home so they just have to heat them aboard. It avoids extra work in cramped spaces and helps with avoiding spoilage.
manual. The Origo 1500 as well as the 3000 are very safe if operated properly. Would suggest you download the manufacturers manual for necessary warnings. of the top of my head 1) do not refill canister while the stove is hot, 2) the alcohol flame is invisible 3) when not in use cover the canister with a gasket to avoid evaporation. Having a working stove is just part of the art of cooking on a boat. Most will pre-cook meals at home so they just have to heat them aboard. It avoids extra work in cramped spaces and helps with avoiding spoilage.
Price at West Marine
I just purchased a gallon on Ortho alcohol for stoves at a price of $30. Maybe fuel cost has doubled the price of alcohol. They call it "pure denatured grain alcohol" It will last the season, so will go to Lowes next year.
I just purchased a gallon on Ortho alcohol for stoves at a price of $30. Maybe fuel cost has doubled the price of alcohol. They call it "pure denatured grain alcohol" It will last the season, so will go to Lowes next year.
Many thanks
Thanks for all your couteous responses. Now I have lots of options for my fuel resource. JD
Thanks for all your couteous responses. Now I have lots of options for my fuel resource. JD
Walmart has it!
I had a tough time finding it in the camping section, that is when I realized it is in the "paint remover" isle at mosts stores. We buy it for about $5 a quart. Seems kinda high, but, oh well.
I had a tough time finding it in the camping section, that is when I realized it is in the "paint remover" isle at mosts stores. We buy it for about $5 a quart. Seems kinda high, but, oh well.
Alcohol abuse?
For a pressurized alcohol stove one must absolutely use the super expensive marine denatured, purified, pasturized, homogonized alcohol sold by chandleries. For the doughnut, tampon type stoves like the origo, you can use the above, methyl hydrate or if you are in the islands, high proof rum - but that would be abusive! Methyl hydrate is dirt cheap and works well. Using it in the earlier pressure stoves is abusive to the stove.
For a pressurized alcohol stove one must absolutely use the super expensive marine denatured, purified, pasturized, homogonized alcohol sold by chandleries. For the doughnut, tampon type stoves like the origo, you can use the above, methyl hydrate or if you are in the islands, high proof rum - but that would be abusive! Methyl hydrate is dirt cheap and works well. Using it in the earlier pressure stoves is abusive to the stove.
Denatured alcohol works fine in pressurized stoves
There is no discernible difference between West Marine and the hardware/home store except the plastic bottle. David
There is no discernible difference between West Marine and the hardware/home store except the plastic bottle. David
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