Portable, self-contained butane stove

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Watch this this invisible alcohol fire.

Wow! Thanks, BP. I think I'm going to read more about this phenomenon which I never knew existed. Very interesting! Best, R

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Captain Parry

What about a 120 volt small generator and an electric burner?

Origo makes an electric alcohol stove...its very nice. Electric when you have shorepower, and alcohol when you don't. Its OEM on some powerboats.

Notice the flame diffuser, which is standard on all the new origos.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by rognvald

I claim total, honest ignorance in re: "the invisible blue flame." Can you explain? Thanks, R

The flame, like any, is only invisible in bright, direct sunlight. In most lighting situations, the flame is quite visible. Its very visible at night, like any flame.

And if you really are worried, they sell special stove fuel tinted blue that gives an easy to see blue flame.

Sorry, but IMHO this is a ridiculous concern. Your efforts would be better spent with safer gasoline storage on your boat.

[MarkusK]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Origo makes an electric alcohol stove...its very nice. Electric when you have shorepower, and alcohol when you don't. Its OEM on some powerboats.

Notice the flame diffuser, which is standard on all the new origos.

Brilliant! Scratch the butane stove...I want this.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by MarkusK

Brilliant! Scratch the butane stove...I want this.

Why not use that great Kiwi invention - a thermette?

[Panope]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoJzEDz0dqk

[Kokanee]

I have an old two burner non pressurized alcohol stove. Sure, it is a bit slower than propane and the uninitiated require a lesson prior to using it, but I much prefer it over propane. It never blows out; no tanks to refill or store; no unexpected running out of fuel.
I also have a portable single burner butane stove as a backup. It only gets used if we are cooking up a big feast and need an extra burner, or if boiling a huge pot of water for crabs.
My choices in order would be alcohol. butane, propane, electric. I'm sure there would be some with the opposite opinion.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by StuM

Why not use that great Kiwi invention - a thermette?

Hey - That's a Kelly Kettle!

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Hey - That's a Kelly Kettle!

Lots of names for them, depending on who makes them
Kelly kettle, Thermette, Benghazi Boiler, Ghillie Kettle, Volcano Kettle....
https://www.ghillie-kettle.co.uk/history


but the Kiwi who invented it called his one the Thermette.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...19301211.2.124

[txg]

Another vote for the Origo, they are the safest and simplest system possible. We threw out our old, big and leaking butane oven and put in an Origo with a a selfmade wooden cookware cabinet below. Works very well, and is super reliable.

In some places, it is possible to buy alcohol in 10L jerrycans. With five of these we do have enough fuel for about a year of living aboard. Try that with gas bottles...

[kimtrang]

When refuelling an Origo, be sure to make sure it has cooled down first.

It was my fault for sure, but I burnt my hand quite badly once refuelling an Origo while it was still hot. Stupid me. Lucky it was wet and cold and I had my raincoat on.

I wasn't a huge fan of the Origo while I owed it, but in retrospect it is probably the best choice of stove, at least for me. Currently use cheap $15 butane? stove, which gets replaced about every six months, when the cylinder locking mechanism inevitably fails.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by StuM

Lots of names for them, depending on who makes them
Kelly kettle, Thermette, Benghazi Boiler, Ghillie Kettle, Volcano Kettle....
https://www.ghillie-kettle.co.uk/history


but the Kiwi who invented it called his one the Thermette.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...19301211.2.124

You mean the Kiwi who copied it from the Russian samovar which in turn was copied from the autepsa of the ancient Greeks - nihil sub sole novum!

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by kimtrang

...

Currently use cheap $15 butane? stove, which gets replaced about every six months, when the cylinder locking mechanism inevitably fails.

You use a butane stove inside the boat with a "cylinder locking mechanism which inevitably fails "?

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by hamburking

The flame, like any, is only invisible in bright, direct sunlight. In most lighting situations, the flame is quite visible. Its very visible at night, like any flame.

And if you really are worried, they sell special stove fuel tinted blue that gives an easy to see blue flame.

Sorry, but IMHO this is a ridiculous concern. Your efforts would be better spent with safer gasoline storage on your boat.

H,
I never had a problem with my old alcohol stove and used it safely for years. I didn't know about the blue-tinted stove fuel but for a few extra pennies, it would be worth considering for those who own these stoves. Great info! Best, R

[hellosailor]

Rogn-
As he says, it is possible to spill a little alcohol while priming, etc. (better to use a "priming wax" in a squeeze tube) and that can carry a flame off the stove and onto other things. I've seen blue stove fuel, but never had heard of that having a flame colorant in it before.
As for safe gasoline storage aboard...Most of us know how to do that. Keep it capped and sealed, and make sure the containers aren't rusted or cracked. Routine housekeeping. (No, I don't use my gasoline-type camping stove on the boat. No need for that, although it did make one trip, once, some time ago. For just one weekend.