Bill, I think that when the alcohol runs out, the flame burns the
wicking material, or at least tries to. Eventually, the material no
longer wicks properly since it is then largely carbon on top. Never a
good idea to let *any* wicked burring device run out of fuel. Same thing
happens to a regular kerosene lamp.









Bill Adams wrote:
Doug Dotson wrote:

I'd set it up by depositing it in the nearest dumpster. It's just too
old to trust.

Gee, that's what my wife says about me!
These stoves and heaters are not rocket science. Just alcohol poured
over some wicking material with an aperature that opens and closes to
control heat production. Pressure alcohol units are a different story
and I would agree with Doug to toss a forty year old pressure unit. With
the Origo, if it works and is not rusted out, it's likely as safe as the
day it was new.

Also,on another comment, I've let my Origo stove run out of fuel on
many, many occassions (it's how I know I have to add more fuel). The
only negative consequence I've noticed is that my food doesn't cook
until I switch to the other burner. Never seen any damage to the stove.