Dickenson cook stove with needle valve for control

[Vino the Dog]

Many years ago, I worked on a commercial fishing boat equipped with a Dickinson diesel cook stove that had a simple needle valve as the only control. It worked excellent with no carburetor to foul, could not spill out excess diesel, and it was left on all the time offshore for a couple weeks at a time as well as in the harbor when we were away from the boat for a few days at a time. This is my only experience with this set up.

I would like to hear from others who have either had a stove controlled by a needle valve or sailed on a boat with one in use.

Please DO NOT offer an opinion if you have not PERSONALLY used such a set up. I have heard the standard precautions about this not being a good idea. I would like comments from people who HAVE DONE IT.

Thanks