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Author Previous Topic: Help setting up KVH M3 Service Topic Next Topic: F L A G      D A Y             June 14th  

Phillbo

RO# 2553

Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  12:31:22  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm going to give my alcohol stove a try this weekend and am curious. What do you do with any remaining alcohol left over after you are done cooking? Suck it out with a baster or just let it evaporate?

Or should I let it all burn off ?

Homeport: Arizona

manticore999

RO# 17103



Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  13:16:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
We just let it evaporate, as there really wasn't much left. To be honest, though, we quit using it because it just didn't seem to get hot enough. We started using a portable butane unit that seemed to work better.

Good luck!


I'm not afraid to die. I'm afraid to be alive without being aware of it.

Homeport: Oakley, CA Go to Top of Page

rawidman

RO# 25110

Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  13:29:51  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Phillbo




If your alcohol stove is like the one on my previous boat, the alcohol is poured into a canister filled with a felt like substance that acts like a wick. There is a cover that goes over the opening when you are not using it and a flap on the stove itself that holds the cover in place.

Just leave the alcohol in the canister and put the cover on. It will be there the next time you want to use it.

The instructions for the stove are probably more specific with photos or drawings.


Ron
2000 Camano Troll

Homeport: Charleston, SC Go to Top of Page

stmbtwle

RO# 7934

Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  16:09:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Considering the price of good alcohol, I certainly wouldn't let just evaporate!

Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for!

Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL Go to Top of Page

rawidman

RO# 25110

Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  19:27:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

Considering the price of good alcohol, I certainly wouldn't let just evaporate!


Alcohol from the hardware store od home center works as well as alcohol from your local marine retailer. Read the label.


Ron
2000 Camano Troll

Homeport: Charleston, SC Go to Top of Page

stmbtwle

RO# 7934

Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  20:51:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Last time I used alcohol it WAS hardware-store alcohol, and it was so full of formaldehyde (to keep us from drinking it I suppose) it made my eyes burn. The next boat I installed a kerosene stove; it burned hotter, didn't smell and it was a WHOLE LOT less expensive to operate. Nowadays though I use propane.

Willie. She's a tired old barge but she's paid for!

Homeport: Tampa Bay, FL Go to Top of Page

Pa Mikee

RO# 32785

Posted - Jun 07 2012 :  22:24:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman



If your alcohol stove is like the one on my previous boat, the alcohol is poured into a canister filled with a felt like substance that acts like a wick. There is a cover that goes over the opening when you are not using it and a flap on the stove itself that holds the cover in place.

Just leave the alcohol in the canister and put the cover on. It will be there the next time you want to use it.
[/quote]
I have the same type of alcohol/electric stove. It works very well. I fill it up in the begining of the year and top it off towards the end of the year. I purchase Denatured Alcohol at the hardware store.



Homeport: Go to Top of Page

Flutterby

RO# 14378

Posted - Jun 08 2012 :  02:25:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by manticore999

We just let it evaporate, as there really wasn't much left. To be honest, though, we quit using it because it just didn't seem to get hot enough. We started using a portable butane unit that seemed to work better.


I'm with you Steve. I put that stupid, worthless alcohol stove in a closet at home and there it sat until the boat was going to Alaska. I don't know what my son uses.

Those butane powered stoves are really great! I have one at home to use when we lose power during a storm up here in the mountains. Besides coffee in the morning, I've cooked anything on that stove that I can cook on my electric stove. But I keep it simple: one pot meals, and such.



Homeport: California Sierras/Gold Country Go to Top of Page

Savasa

RO# 27055

Posted - Jun 08 2012 :  06:47:53  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi all,
I've used both the wick type and the pressurized type of alcohol stoves in the past. The wick type leaves a lot to be desired in regards to heat output. As a result of alcohol being hygroscopic (readily absorbs water) the alcohol eventually becomes contaminated with water, albeit to a small extent, and burns dirty/sooty. The pressurized type, on the other hand, DOES provide sufficient heat to cook efficiently as it works similar to a Coleman stove with a "forced" flame rather than the passive flame of the wick type.
That being said, the quality of the flame depends in great part to the fuel being burned. As mentioned, some alcohols can put you out of the galley with the noxious fumes produced.
So to answer your question...Leave the fuel in the appliance. Keep in mind, carbon monoxide is a product of ANY fuel being burned.
Peter



Homeport: Iqaluit, NU Go to Top of Page

JoLin

RO# 31399

Posted - Jun 11 2012 :  07:09:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I also let mine evaporate.

I use S-L-X Denatured Alcohol, available in Home Depot and Lowe's paint departments. It's advertised for use in marine stoves. Works very well in my Kenyon (non-pressurized). Burns very clean and the heat output is impressive once it gets crankin'. Can't argue that it puts out less heat than propane, but it works just fine for everything from perking coffee to making a full meal.

Just be careful if your stove is the old pressurized type. Worn/dryed out o-rings and seals make them dangerous.


John and Linda
'Escapade II'
1997 Four Winns 278 Vista
Twin V-P 4.3 Gi w/SX Drives

Edited by - JoLin on Jun 11 2012 07:10:05

Homeport: W. Babylon, NY Go to Top of Page

Billylll

RO# 24494

Posted - Jun 11 2012 :  07:26:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Keep in mind Butane stoves put off CO this can be dangerou especially if you think your going to use the stove as a cooking tool and cabin heater!
Bill


WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J.

Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J. Go to Top of Page

rawidman

RO# 25110

Posted - Jun 11 2012 :  14:54:42  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
A cooking stove (other than electric) should never be used as a heating appliance. You need air for combustion and exhaust and if you allow enough air, there is little or no heat gain.

Having said that, I know people will do it anyway and many have survived to post on web fotums so go ahead. I'm not going to try my luck.


Ron
2000 Camano Troll

Homeport: Charleston, SC Go to Top of Page

Ghost

RO# 689



Posted - Jun 11 2012 :  15:46:58  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Why do you guys offer opinions without asking what kind of stove it is? There is more than one kind of alcohol stove in the world and the procedures are different.

What part of GALE WARNING did you not understand?

Homeport: Everett Wa Go to Top of Page

rawidman

RO# 25110

Posted - Jun 11 2012 :  15:59:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ghost

Why do you guys offer opinions without asking what kind of stove it is? There is more than one kind of alcohol stove in the world and the procedures are different.



Why didn't the OP state what kind of alcohol stove he had?

I did preface my comment with "If your alcohol stove is like the one on my previous boat, ......."


Ron
2000 Camano Troll

Homeport: Charleston, SC Go to Top of Page

Flutterby

RO# 14378

Posted - Jun 11 2012 :  17:11:04  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Keep in mind Butane stoves put off CO this can be dangerou especially if you think your going to use the stove as a cooking tool and cabin heater!Bill


Good point Bill. Safety first! Since I always hated to have any kind of open flame in the cabin, I used my butane stove topside near the boat's stern. My canvas could be opened for an ample supply of fresh air. Never tried to use one as a heat source.



Homeport: California Sierras/Gold Country Go to Top of Page

Phillbo

RO# 2553

Posted - Jun 12 2012 :  10:31:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sorry guys, it's a non pressurized Alcohol/Electric combo. Not sure of the brand and was not aware there were pressurized models.

I picked up some Alcohol and will follow the instructions on the stove when I try it out but was simply curious if there was a procedure for or a need to do anything with the left over alcohol when I was done using it. It appears not.

Thanks!



Homeport: Arizona Go to Top of Page

Flutterby

RO# 14378

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  00:26:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've used one of those. I had to pump it til alcohol there was a puddle, then light the puddle and let burn off. Kind of like lighting a pilot light, except the flame was much higher. That flame almost caught the curtain hanging above the stove on fire. I hated cooking on that thing!


Homeport: California Sierras/Gold Country Go to Top of Page

JoLin

RO# 31399

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  08:20:37  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

I've used one of those. I had to pump it til alcohol there was a puddle, then light the puddle and let burn off. Kind of like lighting a pilot light, except the flame was much higher. That flame almost caught the curtain hanging above the stove on fire. I hated cooking on that thing!



Flutterby, yours is a pressurized stove. They can be dangerous (as I stated above), which is why nobody puts them on boats anymore. Mine is like the OP's, non-pressurized 2-burner alky-electric. His is likely either a Kenyon (that's mine) or Origo, and instruction manuals can be found at the manufacturers' websites. Kenyon customer service is extremely helpful, btw. They're located in CT.


John and Linda
'Escapade II'
1997 Four Winns 278 Vista
Twin V-P 4.3 Gi w/SX Drives

Edited by - JoLin on Jun 13 2012 08:26:19

Homeport: W. Babylon, NY Go to Top of Page

rawidman

RO# 25110

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  16:44:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by JoLin

quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

I've used one of those. I had to pump it til alcohol there was a puddle, then light the puddle and let burn off. Kind of like lighting a pilot light, except the flame was much higher. That flame almost caught the curtain hanging above the stove on fire. I hated cooking on that thing!



Flutterby, yours is a pressurized stove. They can be dangerous (as I stated above), which is why nobody puts them on boats anymore. Mine is like the OP's, non-pressurized 2-burner alky-electric. His is likely either a Kenyon (that's mine) or Origo, and instruction manuals can be found at the manufacturers' websites. Kenyon customer service is extremely helpful, btw. They're located in CT.


And mine was an Origo. There was a black, round pad to put over the canister opening when the stove was not in use (and had cooled down). With the heat regulator lever turned "off", there was a round metal disk that held the pad in place when the stove top was closed.

Be aware that the flame is nearly invisible.


Ron
2000 Camano Troll

Edited by - rawidman on Jun 13 2012 16:45:28

Homeport: Charleston, SC Go to Top of Page

Flutterby

RO# 14378

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  17:26:11  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've had both kinds. I still say no alcohol stove for me!


Homeport: California Sierras/Gold Country Go to Top of Page

Pa Mikee

RO# 32785

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  19:18:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The non-pressurized alcohol stove is safe; in my opinion. I use mine numerous times thoughout the year. Great for cooking a couple of eggs, pasta, vegatables, any late night snack, etc... While it does have an open flame, as long as a pot/pan is over it the flame is covered.


Homeport: Go to Top of Page

Billylll

RO# 24494

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  19:34:42  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If I were a long distance cruiser and didn't have a generator or inverter with a Microwave then perhaps I would dump my Origo Electric stove for a non pressurized stove or a marine approved propane unit but since I'm not I prefer the electric glass cooktop stove. Actually I hate doing dishes so the Microwave gets the workout.
Bill


WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J.

Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J. Go to Top of Page

Pa Mikee

RO# 32785

Posted - Jun 13 2012 :  19:58:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Bill,
I think an alcohol/electric stove is more important to small crusiers without a genny and away from dockside power. Even though I have a microwave and inverter, I perfer the stovetop over a microwave. Microwaved chicken or hamburgers sounds disgusting. Those with larger boats with a generator will probably not even have an alcohol burner now a days.



Homeport: Go to Top of Page

rawidman

RO# 25110

Posted - Jun 14 2012 :  06:19:46  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Pa Mikee

Bill,
I think an alcohol/electric stove is more important to small crusiers without a genny and away from dockside power. Even though I have a microwave and inverter, I perfer the stovetop over a microwave. Microwaved chicken or hamburgers sounds disgusting. Those with larger boats with a generator will probably not even have an alcohol burner now a days.


We had a 24' sport cruiser and did fine with an alcohol stove and microwave. For chicken, hamburgers, cassaroles and such, cook them at home, refrigerate or freeze them, then heat in the microwave. It worked for us for several years.

On HIGH COTTON we have a three burner propane range with oven and broiler and a microwave.


Ron
2000 Camano Troll

Homeport: Charleston, SC Go to Top of Page
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