alcohol stoves

[mario f]

Greetings all,

Have a question re alcohol stoves(non pressurized)
Can rubbing alcohol be used instead of the denatured alcohol I normally get at hardware store?
Last cruise I ran low and the only place we had access to only had rubbing alcohol. Fortunately we did not need more till next stop where we found a hardware store.
Also why is it denatured alcohol I only find in metal containers vs plastic? The metal ones rust
Thank you in advanced for your responses. And a Happy New Year to all.

[Jim Cate]

The rubbing alcohol found in pharmacies is usually only 70% isopropyl alky. The rest is water. While more or less flammable, this stuff will not work well in your stove... much less energy content than the ~100 % ethyl/methyl alcohol mix sold as "denatured".

And I dunno about the containers... here in Oz the equivalent stuff (called Methylated Spirits here) is sold in plastic jugs, 1 and 4 litre size, in many stores.

Jim

[mario f]

Thank you for the reply Jim.

So I guess if nothing else it could be used, but less efficient.
Again here in US I can only find metal containers 1gal or 1qt. If I transfer to plastic containers it should be fine and not melt the container.
thanks again for your input.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by mario f

Thank you for the reply Jim.

So I guess if nothing else it could be used, but less efficient.
Again here in US I can only find metal containers 1gal or 1qt. If I transfer to plastic containers it should be fine and not melt the container.
thanks again for your input.

I believe West Marine sells alcohol stove fuel in plastic containers but the price is higher than what you pay in a hardware store.

[Dsanduril]

I knew I'd seen an article on this subject, it was in the camping/hiking section of my interests as opposed to the sailing side:

Adventures In Stoving: What's the Best Alcohol for Stove Fuel?

Most rubbing alcohol (in the US) is isopropyl alcohol rather than ethanol, and burns differently, so the mixture will likely not be right on your stove. And, as Jim says, it is usually 70%. However, most major pharmacies do carry a 91% version, but it is a little harder to find.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

I knew I'd seen an article on this subject, it was in the camping/hiking section of my interests as opposed to the sailing side:

Adventures In Stoving: What's the Best Alcohol for Stove Fuel?

Most rubbing alcohol (in the US) is isopropyl alcohol rather than ethanol, and burns differently, so the mixture will likely not be right on your stove. And, as Jim says, it is usually 70%. However, most major pharmacies do carry a 91% version, but it is a little harder to find.

Good info on the link; thanks for posting it

Slight thread drift; the info on the link is a good reason (IMO) to distil your own fuel. Maybe not legal except for NZ and on the high seas but very very easy to do.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Good info on the link; thanks for posting it

Slight thread drift; the info on the link is a good reason (IMO) to distil your own fuel. Maybe not legal except for NZ and on the high seas but very very easy to do.

Receipe please..I wont tell anyone, promise.

[groundtackle]

We had an Orego non pressure alcohol stove on our earlier boat.
It was actually a great little stove.
We never bought stove alcohol as it was way to pricey.
We always burned methyl hydrate which is much cheaper and burns very clean. It worked very well.
Nick


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[GordMay]

See Mike Buckler's: “International Fuel Names”, which contains translations for the names of fuels commonly used in backpacking stoves and lanterns, and information about the availability of fuels in various countries.

Goto ➥ International Fuel Names

And ➥ International Fuel Names

[rwidman]

$6.50 a quart. You're really going to try to make your own?

If you can't afford fuel for your stove, gather some twigs on the beach and build a fire.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by rwidman

$6.50 a quart. You're really going to try to make your own?

If you can't afford fuel for your stove, gather some twigs on the beach and build a fire.

The OP didn't have an issue with price, she had a problem with supply so in this instance, making your own is one solution. Of course there are others but they result in using lower grade fuels. Brewing your own allows for still using the best (pun intended).

Price would be about $1.50 a quart depending on local sugar price. BTW, sugar the only ingredient, is almost universally available.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Wotname

The OP didn't have an issue with price, she had a problem with supply so in this instance, making your own is one solution. Of course there are others but they result in using lower grade fuels. Brewing your own allows for still using the best (pun intended).

Price would be about $1.50 a quart depending on local sugar price. BTW, sugar the only ingredient, is almost universally available.

Let's get serious for a moment. It would be highly unlikely that most of us would have the equipment on board to make alcohol. Besides, if you don't have alcohol to begin with how are you going to heat the still to make alcohol?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Let's get serious for a moment. It would be highly unlikely that most of us would have the equipment on board to make alcohol. Besides, if you don't have alcohol to begin with how are you going to heat the still to make alcohol?

You method is probably the best, gather some twigs on the beach and build a fire. Make maybe 5 quarts for a day and your stove is going again for weeks.

I understand that this concept of brewing your own is a little left field but it is very doable if one is so inclined. I note that many cruisers like to be self sufficient and are pretty good at making stuff. Sure it is not for everyone but I offered the idea to the OP just in case it resonated.

If you can offer a serious argument why it is a bad idea, please do so.

I can start the ball rolling with a reminder that it may be illegal in some areas. It OK in NZ and depending on individual circumstances, it is OK in the UK and Australia; no idea about Mexico .

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Wotname

You method is probably the best, gather some twigs on the beach and build a fire. Make maybe 5 quarts for a day and your stove is going again for weeks.

I understand that this concept of brewing your own is a little left field but it is very doable if one is so inclined. I note that many cruisers like to be self sufficient and are pretty good at making stuff. Sure it is not for everyone but I offered the idea to the OP just in case it resonated.

If you can offer a serious argument why it is a bad idea, please do so.

I can start the ball rolling with a reminder that it may be illegal in some areas. It OK in NZ and depending on individual circumstances, it is OK in the UK and Australia; no idea about Mexico .

Carrying a still on board would seem inconvenient but just out of idle curiosity, why don't you walk us through the process of making one's own alcohol. Maybe it's simpler than I imagined.

[speakeasy]

Yes, I'd be interested in what is required to make pure alcohol. I mean, it's possible we'll need the recipe for drinking if alcohol distribution is interrupted by one apocalyptic disruption or another.