Alcohol stove evaporation?

[KRB64]

We just swapped in a non-pressurised Origo stove. We've used it for several weekends and so far it is great.

My question is how much loss is there over time due to evaporation? There is just a metal plate that slides over the canister to shut off the stove. Its enough to stop combustion but probably not enough to seal the canister?

Am I worried over nothing or do folks cover the hole with something to seal it off inbetween excursions?

 

[Turtlesboat]

I have the same type of stove. It evaporates a little, not much. After awhile, you just learn how much to put in to get what you need cooked. It doesn't cost that much for the alcohol, I think $3 worth lasted a whole season.

 

[Sundancer]

Wow! $3.00? We use about 3 gallons a season and that's usually $9 to $25 a gallon! That's on a pressurized alcohol stove.

I wouldn't think much would evaporate with the metal cover on. It would be a negligible amount.

OK, so how does the Origo compare to a pressurized Kenyon? Does it put out the same BTU's or is it a little slower to boil water? I've got to rebuild my Kenyon and I was wondering if I should take this opportunity to make a switch.

 

[Alex F]

I had Kenyon in my 240DA and I was taking out the buttle after every use. As TT said, It evaporates a little, not much, but why would you want any of it in your cabin?

 

[Hampton]

I think the BTU's on the liquid (edit: Non-pressurized) alcohol stove are measured in the .X's.

We used to hold a match next to the pot to cut the boiling time in half.

We used to use it in the Summer to cool the cabin down.

The flame is so cold, if someone got burned from a cigarette, we'd put their hand over the alcohol flame if we didn't have any ice.

 

[Sundancer]

Hampton, tell us how you REALLY feel! :grin:

I kind of thought that might be the case, but wasn't sure. We boil water for spaghetti and crabs on our pressurized stove. It tales a few more minutes, but it beats setting up a whole kitchen out on the dock(if we even HAVE one!). I recently learned how to tune the flame when moving from our altitude, around 3000 feet to sea level. That REALLY helps! We just use less water and allow a little extra time and we're fine. I like the alcohol because I don't have to worry about explosive fumes collecting in the boat, storage of those propane canisters and the alcohol fire is easily put out with water. We've been using a pressurized alcohol stove for 8 years.

 

[KRB64]

OK, so how does the Origo compare to a pressurized Kenyon? Does it put out the same BTU's or is it a little slower to boil water? I've got to rebuild my Kenyon and I was wondering if I should take this opportunity to make a switch.

At ~500 feet above sea level it took about 2 minutes to boil one cup of water, I checked.

I like the alcohol because I don't have to worry about explosive fumes collecting in the boat, storage of those propane canisters and the alcohol fire is easily put out with water. We've been using a pressurized alcohol stove for 8 years.

I thought pressurized alcohol was dangerous due to the fact that it was under pressure and thus can leak out and being invisible and heavy, collect in the cabin...

 

[Sundancer]

At ~500 feet above sea level it took about 2 minutes to boil one cup of water, I checked.



I thought pressurized alcohol was dangerous due to the fact that it was under pressure and thus can leak out and being invisible and heavy, collect in the cabin...

Alcohol evaporates and DOESN'T collect in the bilge or in your cabin. It's lighter than air and is easily moved with a slight breeze. That's why it's OK to have in the galley and have a gallon laying in the galley cabinet. You will smell it, but it evaporates very fast. When you spill it, watch how long it takes or a teaspoon or so to evaporate! If it's hot it will disappear very fast.

The propane is the one you have to watch out for. I see a lot of folks that have a grill with the little green canisters. They store those IN the boat and that's a big no no! You have to store them where they will vent overboard. Hang them from the transom or bowrail, but please don't store them in the cabin or engine compartment, and yes I've seen this done. I also had conversations with those folks!

 

[techmitch]

i have a kenyon butane stove (kiss series) on our boat, this thing is bad ass! it works as well as your home stove and is extremely safe. it also has an elect. starter like a grill and the refills are cheap here is a link http://kenyonappliances.com/marine/kiss.html

 

[KRB64]

I picked up some rubber jar lid opener thingys from a promo table. I'll just throw them over the can openings to slow evaporation. As long as the alcohol doesn't affect the rubber...

I've "used" the stove for about 8 days with out filling up yet.

 

[Zwen]

About the Origo stove.. there should be some round thin pieces of rubber that you put over the canister when not using it for a while. At least that was included when i bought mine.

 

[KRB64]

Thanks, mine was used and those were missing but the lid grippers should serve a similar purpose.