Propane vs Alcohol
 

My Pearson 365 ketch currently has a pressurized alcohol Kenyon cook
stove. This sucker has got to go!
Propane would probably be the best way to go but finding a place to
put the tank is a major PIA. I don't like hanging things on railings.
Looks crummy and tends to loosen stanchions. And I don't like extra
stuff on deck. Converting a space in a locker to meet all safety
requirements also seems like a PIA.
Also the cost. Tanks, solenoid. pressure regulator, hoses, sniffer,
installation of wiring and hoses, yada yada
Go, I'm also considering Origo alcohol stoves. Non pressurized, no
tank, no hoses or electrical. However, alcohol is expensive and can be
hard to find if doing extended cruising and you don't want to carry too
much on board. Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.
So, any good advice?
Gordon

Propane vs Alcohol
 

"Gordon" wrote:

My Pearson 365 ketch currently has a pressurized alcohol Kenyon
cook
stove. This sucker has got to go!
Propane would probably be the best way to go but finding a place
to
put the tank is a major PIA. I don't like hanging things on
railings.
Looks crummy and tends to loosen stanchions. And I don't like extra
stuff on deck. Converting a space in a locker to meet all safety
requirements also seems like a PIA.
Also the cost. Tanks, solenoid. pressure regulator, hoses,
sniffer,
installation of wiring and hoses, yada yada
Go, I'm also considering Origo alcohol stoves. Non pressurized,
no
tank, no hoses or electrical. However, alcohol is expensive and can
be
hard to find if doing extended cruising and you don't want to carry
too
much on board. Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.
So, any good advice?


Alcohol is either for consumption or thinning shellac, depending on
what you have.

Propane is a viable solution.

Assume you would install a 2 burner, counter top to replace the
Kenyon.

If so, consider using propane torch bottles that you disconnect when
not in service.

Most expensive way to buy propane, but you don't use that much.

I used a shut of valve from an old Coleman camp stove on my last boat,
a 30ftr, with torch bottles for a few years and safety was not an
issue.

YMMV

Lew

Propane vs Alcohol
 

Gordon wrote:
My Pearson 365 ketch currently has a pressurized alcohol Kenyon cook
stove. This sucker has got to go!
Propane would probably be the best way to go but finding a place to put
the tank is a major PIA. I don't like hanging things on railings. Looks
crummy and tends to loosen stanchions. And I don't like extra stuff on
deck. Converting a space in a locker to meet all safety requirements
also seems like a PIA.
Also the cost. Tanks, solenoid. pressure regulator, hoses, sniffer,
installation of wiring and hoses, yada yada
Go, I'm also considering Origo alcohol stoves. Non pressurized, no
tank, no hoses or electrical. However, alcohol is expensive and can be
hard to find if doing extended cruising and you don't want to carry too
much on board. Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.
So, any good advice?
Gordon

I can't imagine a boat that size not being able to accommodate a propane
tank of some sort.

I find alcohol the least favorable fuel. It not only isn't very hot, but
the smell induces sea sickness in those who otherwise are unaffected. If
you don't want to create a space for the propane tanks and don't wish to
use the little tank two burner stoves, I'd see if you can locate a
kerosene stove. While nasty in some ways, it's safer than most and can
be very hot. Fuel is readily available.

You'll also feel like Slocum when you fire the thing up.

-paul

Propane vs Alcohol
 

"Paul Cassel" wrote in message
. ..
Gordon wrote:
My Pearson 365 ketch currently has a pressurized alcohol Kenyon cook
stove. This sucker has got to go!
Propane would probably be the best way to go but finding a place to put
the tank is a major PIA. I don't like hanging things on railings. Looks
crummy and tends to loosen stanchions. And I don't like extra stuff on
deck. Converting a space in a locker to meet all safety requirements also
seems like a PIA.
Also the cost. Tanks, solenoid. pressure regulator, hoses, sniffer,
installation of wiring and hoses, yada yada
Go, I'm also considering Origo alcohol stoves. Non pressurized, no
tank, no hoses or electrical. However, alcohol is expensive and can be
hard to find if doing extended cruising and you don't want to carry too
much on board. Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.
So, any good advice?
Gordon

I can't imagine a boat that size not being able to accommodate a propane
tank of some sort.

I find alcohol the least favorable fuel. It not only isn't very hot, but
the smell induces sea sickness in those who otherwise are unaffected. If
you don't want to create a space for the propane tanks and don't wish to
use the little tank two burner stoves, I'd see if you can locate a
kerosene stove. While nasty in some ways, it's safer than most and can be
very hot. Fuel is readily available.

You'll also feel like Slocum when you fire the thing up.

-paul

Not knowing what are you cruising plans I can only relate to my own
experience.



At the end of the day if you do not use your boat often you may well be
happy with the Origo stove.



At first, I had a camper propane stove using 1-pound can. The operating
cost is high and storage is not safe.

Then I had an Origo alcohol stove for 24 years. It worked great and
accommodates large pots.

I use 99% pure methyl hydrate for all these years without a problem. At
trucks pit stop I used to pay about $5.00 per gallon. A gallon would last
us about 10 to 15 days using the stove three times each day. Filling up was
a little messy.

Now we have a new boat with a propane stove. It works well. So far, since
mid June, I burned one full 10 pounds tanks and I am still on the other one.

The cooking surface on this propane stove is not a big as the Origo.

We had to down size our pots and pans to accommodate the propane stove.

The solenoid valve requires electricity to open the propane tank. If your
batteries are down you may not be able to operate your propane stove.
Unless you do not abide by the rule and connect directly to the propane tank
which is not recommended.

Propane vs Alcohol
 

On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:59:17 -0600, Paul Cassel
wrote:

I find alcohol the least favorable fuel. It not only isn't very hot,

Not hot? Way hotter than red hot is what it is. If the cookware
doesn't absorb heat fast enough, it isn't the temperature, it is the
size of the fire. If you tell me that all available alcohol stoves
have insufficient output, OK. It is not a necessary characteristic of
the fuel. The exhaust system on my alcohol burning car runs yellow
hot. How hot do you need? They make these nice very wide mouth five
gallon plastic jugs, round and rectangular. About 15 bucks. Car racers
use them. Nice thick polyethylene, really sturdy. They are good for
water too. Many car parts stores sell them, you don't need a special
racer's shop, if there is such a thing.

Casady

Propane vs Alcohol
 

On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:10:53 -0700, Gordon wrote:

Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.

Propane weighs 4 lb/gal alcohol 5,8lb/gal. BTU/lb are something like
18k for propane v. 12 k for alcohol. 9,5k for methanol. My car burns
that, but I don't have an alcohol stove. I do have a one burner primus
stove that burns kerosene.

Casady

Propane vs Alcohol
 

On Oct 9, 12:10 pm, Gordon wrote:
My Pearson 365 ketch currently has a pressurized alcohol Kenyon cook
stove. This sucker has got to go!
Propane would probably be the best way to go but finding a place to
put the tank is a major PIA. I don't like hanging things on railings.
Looks crummy and tends to loosen stanchions. And I don't like extra
stuff on deck. Converting a space in a locker to meet all safety
requirements also seems like a PIA.
Also the cost. Tanks, solenoid. pressure regulator, hoses, sniffer,
installation of wiring and hoses, yada yada
Go, I'm also considering Origo alcohol stoves. Non pressurized, no
tank, no hoses or electrical. However, alcohol is expensive and can be
hard to find if doing extended cruising and you don't want to carry too
much on board. Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.
So, any good advice?
Gordon

Propane is best you have room for a gimbled Force 10 stove/ oven.

I've seen these on a P-40 and they looked OK on the rails and avoids
the locker hassle.

http://www.sailcharbonneau.com/images/GrillPropane.jpg

The P-40 Namaste
http://www.synamaste.com/images/Pict...%20Caulker.jpg

Joe

Propane vs Alcohol
 

On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:59:17 -0600, Paul Cassel
wrote:

I find alcohol the least favorable fuel. It not only isn't very hot,

Not hot? Way hotter than red hot is what it is. If the cookware
doesn't absorb heat fast enough, it isn't the temperature, it is the
size of the fire. If you tell me that all available alcohol stoves
have insufficient output, OK. It is not a necessary characteristic of
the fuel. The exhaust system on my alcohol burning car runs yellow
hot. How hot do you need? They make these nice very wide mouth five
gallon plastic jugs, round and rectangular. About 15 bucks. Car racers
use them. Nice thick polyethylene, really sturdy. They are good for
water too. Many car parts stores sell them, you don't need a special
racer's shop, if there is such a thing. The methanol you can get from
a truck at the sprint car races. By far the cheapest source. Indy cars
also use it, so you can't say it is a wimpy fuel. 100 octane. So is
propane. There is a bumboat that sells stuff to the crews of the
Lakers. It sells propane. Ore boats use it for cooking. They don't
worry about a leak setting the taconite on fire. They do have their
large home size tanks out on deck, in the wind. They could easily have
an electric stove if they wanted one.. Crew size is 29, that much
cooking. I wish I had a propane stove, but whatever.

Casady

Propane vs Alcohol
 

Okay, I know what Propane is, C3H8
and I know what Methanol is, CH3OH

What's Alcohol?



"Richard Casady" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:10:53 -0700, Gordon wrote:

Also, alcohol doesn't have the BTU's of propane.

Propane weighs 4 lb/gal alcohol 5,8lb/gal. BTU/lb are something like
18k for propane v. 12 k for alcohol. 9,5k for methanol. My car burns
that, but I don't have an alcohol stove. I do have a one burner primus
stove that burns kerosene.

Casady

Propane vs Alcohol
 

On Tue, 9 Oct 2007 17:49:09 -0400, "BF" wrote:

Okay, I know what Propane is, C3H8
and I know what Methanol is, CH3OH

What's Alcohol?

Just one more carbon: C2H5OH is ethanol.

Casady