PROPANE vs. ALCOHOL Stove (Which one is better?)

We heard a lot of different opinions about propane vs alcohol stoves. It was time to put them to the test. So we put our old propane stove up against our new Origo 3000 from Dometic to see which one is truly better.
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[@jasonxrowland]

Man I just watched water boil

[@louisianagirl1778]

Man that was a DIRTY stove!

[@WayneStLouis-cy4ln]

Ontario Canada, Windsor. My 46 year old (I'm 66) 2 burner Coleman propane stove. 20 ounces of tap water in a similar pot. Rolling boil in 3 minutes, 37 seconds. I just did it.

[@lloyd1000001]

I remember from my old High School Chemistry class (from several decades ago) that alcohol burns at lower temperature than natural gas or butane. However, alcohol is a safer fuel to use.

[@eddiedog1]

I have the very same stove. I use it in my off-grid cabin. I sometimes cook a full dinner on it, it's brilliant. To save time boiling water I have a a fast boil kettle, it saves on the alcohol.

[@solarsail56]

I’ve been using alcohol for 15 years and much prefer it over propane or butane. No rusty storage tanks or complex plumbing and electrics. I will reiterate that you need to be Uber careful when filling the stove. Take the time to wipe spills and even wait a few minutes to lite the fire. I had a minor fire after spilling some alcohol when filling. After lighting the stove I did not see the fire until some nearby wood started smoldering. Easy to extinguish with water. Even still you made a good choice in my mind.

[@whitewaterplayboating]

Boils faster and no boom... win, Win!!

[@GordLamb]

Thanks for giving a shout-out to us with induction cooktops! I took so much flack 2 years ago when I ripped out my entire LPG system and replaced it with a gimbaled convection microwave/oven with a dual-zone induction cooktop mounted on it (re-using my old Force 10 gimbal bracket). Who's laughing now? :p 2 minutes, 51 seconds, 600ml from 16C to rolling boil, using ~10Ah with inverter/battery losses. No fuel to run out of, and no risk of fire. Hells ya. Oh, and pre-programmed temperature for hollandaise. :)

[@jonathanbresler6721]

Gordon Lamb: could you tell us which "convection microwave/oven with a dual-zone induction cooktop" you are using? Model? Manufacturer?

[@GordLamb]

@@jonathanbresler6721 I mounted a salvaged Force 10 stove gimbal to a Samsung MC12J8035CT (convection microwave oven), and then threw a True Induction Mini Duo on top. Separate circuits for each of them, so that I can microwave while the cooktop is running at full power. Still one of my favorite parts of my boat. :)

[@mynextketchfrontier6351]

I been thinking about induction cooking ..For my boat..Since I'm in the process of stove Installation..Would have to Design electrical Solar and so on .. Tho I'm on short power.. But I can see that's the way to go ..Electric with all the new tech.. great comment..

[@GordLamb]

@@mynextketchfrontier6351 Go for it! I'd never go back to LPG.

[@devinholland2189]

I love my Origo 1500 Stove easy to deal with and simple to maintain. The biggest advantage over propane no one mentions, No special adapters any strong methanol or ethanol will work great the "heads" from the Delos distillery would be perfect source of fuel. The biggest Suggestions I can offer you are. 1- Use a thick bottomed fry pan and preheat it for a good sizzle I prefer cast iron 10 inch at the largest a 12 will never fully heat. 2- Use the rubber seals as much as you can. 3- Small burner size means a small bottom pan will be most effective, if you go shopping for a new pot take a retainer arm with you when it stops touching the middle flat its too large. 4- flame is almost invisible in daylight check it. 6- The containers will stay lit if you open the lid with out extinguishing them the flame will run up the under side of the lid right across your knuckles (Yes i learned this the hard way). 7- If the dials are open the lid wont close properly and may cause fire to leak under the lid when lighting (Again hard way).

[@devinholland2189]

8- Alcoholic fires are like oil fires dont use water to put them out co2 or dry chemical.

[@rudyo8409]

As a back up " Only' lol You can use grain alcohol. I've a Trangia camp burner. And grain works in it as well.

[@matthewbastian]

Keep an eye on the flat springs that hold the canister up against the top of the stove (guillotine). Over time (years) these can relax and leave an air gap, such that even though you've "turned it off" it might still be burning. We always turn it off for a few seconds and then open it up again to make sure its really off before finally closing it down. Got a really good deal on my first sailboat for this very reason as the previous owner didn't have the know how to deal with a burned out galley! You should see my before and after pictures! We also used methyl hydrate for fuel and is available in the paint department of any hardware stores. Its a quarter of the price of the official stuff from the boat store.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Another big plus is alcohol is an easier fuel to find in other countries. We have an alcohol stove (and a propane camping stove, letting us cook on whatever fuel we have on hand) When we got to the Azores, our friends were totally preoccupied with finding a propane filling place that could adapt to their bottle. We enjoyed the scenery instead ;)

[@gailrobertson-graham8294]

I found the same thing when in Cuba. They couldn’t find adapters to fill our propane. I just bought a Hughes 38 and ordered in my Origo 6000 stove/oven combination to replace the old Origo . Looking forward to trying it out.

[@gailrobertson-graham8294]

I have read about Herbie and his wonderful bread making. I too make sour dough bread at home. I am wondering how hot my new alcohol stove go and how well it will make bread. Perhaps a video on that one Herbie?

[@svDansleau]

if the canister runs dry in the middle of cooking you must let it cool completely before filling. had a bit of a mishap and learned the hard way. We always used corn fuel in ours.

[@agentnuget]

Could you just have a extra canister or two extra that you could swap out?

[@johndavidwolf4239]

In places where it grows, like the Caribbean or Brazil, making alcohol from sugar cane is a lot more energy efficient than from corn.

[@Machria23]

@@johndavidwolf4239 I don’t think most of us will be “making alcohol” on our boats! The “alcohol” on my boat always seems to disappear!!

[@jrp616]

My boat still has the original CNG stove & water boils in about 6 mins depending on ambient temps. I have 2 CNG tanks which lasts me more than my 6 month cruising season. So I refill them once a year when I get back to Fla. In summer hurricane season, I'm an RV'er so very familiar with propane. Both propane & alcohol have some safety concerns. Of course any flame generator on a boat is a safety concern. Your new stove has what appears to be a very secure and spill proof container for the alcohol. Many I've seen were not that spill proof. The other issue for live aboards is the delivery of refills. Its sure a lot easier to dinghy a can of denatured alcohol to the boat rather than lug a 20 LB propane tank, back & forth.

[@novelgrapeq7018]

Hi - I live in Florida and just purchased a boat with a CNG stove. I'm having a difficult time finding a location to refill them. Are you able to share where you refill?

[@sailingvashti8869]

The boat we bought 6 months ago came with this exact stove. I wasn’t sure about it and despite other seasoned cruisers insisting that we replace it, we love it. No propane tanks, lines, and solenoids to install. The alcohol maybe will end up costing more as a fuel, but we think the simplicity is awesome.

[@mikeinsandpoint]

The boat I had for years had an alcohol stove and it performed well. I always thought propane stoves outperformed alcohol so I was surprised by your boiling water test. I always heard about the invisible flame problem with alcohol as well as spilled alcohol catching on fire. Have to say that in 15 years I never had a problem with either. We all know if if your propane bottle leaks, it's a real problem to flush that out of the bilge. Plus, when you consider the problem with pressurized gas and aging fittings that are affected by vibration, I think the alcohol is the safest, smartest solution. Of course, if your culinary talents demand an oven, that's another story!

[@Jakfilm]

I had an origo aboard my last boat. They're terrific. A little slower than my current Eno stove, but bulletproof, cheap to run, and fuel is available everywhere.

[@stijndeklerk]

I've found finding cooking/burning alcohol extreemly diffecult. Most (ex) communist or Islamic countries, not a chance & large parts of Asia and Africa are also problematic. Sometimes the only option was medical grade at very high prices.

[@Jakfilm]

In North America you just get it in the paint department of the home center. In Canada it's called methyl hydrate, in the US denatured alcohol. about $8 a gallon, which is enough for many months.

[@MsStrong30]

On my Roper, gas, kitchen stove, 20 oz. of water came to a boil in 4:11.17 on high heat. I'd give your alcohol stove a thumbs up! One of the other channels I follow had some challenges with getting their propane tank refilled in some countries. Apparently the propane tank fittings are not standard. I plan on using an alcohol stove on my boat as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the installation process.

[@GordLamb]

And also, had an Origo alcohol stove on my last boat, and it was fantastic. Simple, and easy to fuel. Just make sure the top of the stove is closed tight, such that when you close the snuffer plate it cuts off *all* of the oxygen. I ended up with a galley fire when there was a slight air gap; it smouldered for 20 minutes, heating to probably 250C before I caught it (and used my fire extinguisher in anger for the first time). Also, not sure what fuel you're burning, but see if you can source high concentration ethanol. Methyl hydrate is super common but mildly toxic (it is methanol, after all). Back in Canada, Bioflame is 95% ethanol, and I'm sure there's something similiar stateside.

[@derrickburry1788]

Happened to us three times on our Cookmate. But lucky enough to catch it in time each time. Discovered that I'm overfilling the canisters. Will see what happens now with the appropriate fuel levels.

[@jameskelly5973]

Yes mate, I used a metho (alcohol) stove for years and very safe for sure

[@rdabadie]

You said "even induction" so I couldn't resist. I have an Ikea Trillreda portable induction hotplate - at US$45 it isn't top of the line. I pulled out my handy kill-a-volt meter and went at it. To be fair I tried it at the "1000w" setting and the "1800w" setting as off-grid people may not be able to handle this at full power. Ikea offers cheaper induction friendly cookware (hard to find at Target and Walmart.) The Results? Setting on hotplate - "1000" sustained draw - 7.8 Amps at 900w, 115 volts Time to boil - a sad 7 minutes for 20oz Setting on hotplate - "1800" sustained draw - 14.03 Amps at 1660w, 114 volts Time to boil - 3:30 Adding a lid dropped about a minute off these times, and the size of the pot didn't seem to effect the draw.

[@cawfeedawg]

Induction is ok but the power requirements are excessive for just cooking. Not really worth the engine or genset noise just to make a cup of tea.

[@formhubfar]

You lost me after "Ikea" mate.

[@G11713]

Nice. On low it's equivalent to the old propane and on high it is better than the alcohol stove. Additionally, your fuel is typically replenished by the sun, the wind, or sailing dragging a hydro gen. One less thing to haul around and seek to replenish when you reach ground. :)

[@geirleirvik1478]

In Norway on Siemens Induction hob, 20 ounces of water IKEA pot, 1 minute 50 seconds from tap cold water to full on boiling

[@spencerflynn7743]

Sweet dude I might go with an alcohol stove now in my boat too! Thanks for going into it. I like when you share the diy stuff you know a lot

[@johnelser9256]

Cheap rum works good to pretty easy to find along the way

[@robertgrafl]

On my boat, a 40 year old 26-footer, i replaced the propane stove with a gimballed alcohol burner. The propane was more convenient - just turn it on - and boils water faster. But i consider the alcohol more safe. Unfortunately it requires more planing ahead - check if there is enough alcohol in the containers before cooking. Refill the containers. Its ease while at anchor but it can be a real hassle at sea as others wrote here. And it smells bad - depending on the kind of alcohol you use (and get). Here in Europe alcohol is available in many supermarkets or hardware stores. The price ranging from 1.5 USD to 4.5 USD or more per litre. For a four month cruise i usually stock up with 20 to 25 litres of the cheap stuff from the discounter.

[@Knapweed]

A Dickinson Caribbean, two-burner, propane stove, 20oz of water at room temperature on the main ring, boiling in 4:38. Propane is more convenient but, with propane, you don't have a chance to learn by your mistakes. Your first mistake is your last.

[@SailingPauHana]

Just follow SV Delos around and have them make some “alcohol” for you when you run low😊

[@UnRatedNL]

I had the same one (old model before it became 'dometic', still the same) Started searching this model and found out that they don't make it anymore as far as i can find. Take good care of this awesome stove, it will last you for years to come and try to get some spares if still possible.

[@MatoNupai]

I simply LOVE alcohol stoves! I’m not on a boat; I’m coming from the backpacking area I use a stove I designed and built myself. It’s made from the bottoms of two 53 millimeter aluminum cans. My stove only weighs 6.9 grams. It can boil 16 ozs water in a bit over7 minutes.

[@MarcelSimard58]

My sailboat is not near us at the moment. We also have a Origo 3,000 and we are very satisfied with it. as a matter of I have always preferred Alcohol to propane for my cabin stove, for the safety factors you mentioned. We use a propane BBQ outdoors, tht be use for mornng coffee in a pinch so we have redundancy ;)

[@johnclamshellsp1969]

My fathers boat had propane but with a twist. He removed the common propane 20LB tank and installed a forklift type tank. 2x thick, laid on side with built in fuel gauge. He cut out the hole in bottom.door of cabinet and used plexiglass for see through door with hinge to turn off gas as needed. Simple, strong and very effective.

[@leelhgfx5546]

What most people don't take into account is that while oil and gas per pound have more BTU, they regularly don't consider the flash point rates that allow more fuel to create a hotter fire in actual TIME. As an outdoors man, I make oil stoves, gas stoves, alcohol stoves.... and there are advantages to each... but if I HAVE to choose.... i'll take a qt of oil, alcohol in my home made burner and a flat pack wood stove i modified to use for each. At the end of the day I'll outlast any buddy heater and the cylinders they have to haul. A cup of vegetable oil in my burner will last all night.

[@larryoutdoor]

I have 3 stoves 3 types of fuel. I like your alcohol stove , it's cool. Good luck to ya!

[@rickquann1556]

I have a Origo 6000 2 burner with oven and love it, just have to cap the canisters when not using to prevent alcohol evaporation, its extremely simple, safe and dependable, 7000 btu burners 6800 btu oven

[@timk4944]

Which ever cook top you go with, you might consider cleaning it once in a while...just saying.

[@liongod1000]

Geez, you also noticed... I would be ashamed to film that YUCK for the whole world to see!!

[@peterward8349]

Yeah Rob if they cleaned it, it might boil water faster, cholera hazard

[@peterwesth5396]

guys really, if u want to toss it why clean it! :-P

[@liongod1000]

Peter Westh We're simply stating the fact that while it was the primary stove it was in a SHITTY STATE... Geez, don't tell me your stove looks anything like that and would you regard that as a 'Norm"? That' plain FILTH! and it's been like that FOREVER (Noticed it in quite a few episodes)

[@peterwesth5396]

frankly I think they more than got your message. But thumbs up from here!

[@contactjoy4140]

Thanks for your terrific video!! I'm about to invest in a camp stove and I needed the comparison to make my decision!! Your video was the first one to appear! I'll be getting an alcohol stove like yours for in my camper! Again, THANK-YOU!

[@isac4235]

I have used both and must say I go for gas. Last summer the youngsters in the boat next to me decided to boil some hotdogs and overfilled the cannisters in the same type of alcoholstove without being aware that he spilled (ok, he wasn`t the brightest kid in the in the harbour packed with boats I may add). He light the stove and the boat immediatley. Being next to my precious boat I rushed there with a fire extinguiser but he was already on it spraying the boat and all interior full with with his own extinguisher. Ruined evening for them,but the fire was put out and my respect for alcohol grew ;-)

[@jeffgriglack9624]

The stove in my old boat (a Pearson 30) is an Origo alcohol. I have no idea how quickly it boils water, but I have always liked it. It's almost exactly like the one you just bought. It's very simple. The only time I have heard real complaints about alcohol stoves is pressurized alcohol stoves that can flair up. The non-pressurized ones, like Origo and the one you just bought, won't do that. My new boat (a Pearson 365) has a CNG stove and oven. The advantage of CNG is that it, like alcohol, is lighter than air, so a leak will not turn your boat into a bomb. The disadvantage is that I have heard it is hard to get outside the US. I hope you enjoy your new stove. I like many of the modifications you are doing to your boat and am interested to see what you do in the future.

[@mazdarx7887]

The reason people say propane is better than alcohol is because of the force of the flame. It's easy to blow(it don't have to blow out, just move the heat away from the pan) out an 'A' stove vs 'P' stove. In a semi enclosed area the 'A' stove is usually better and it's easier to find fuel almost anywhere. Hint, you can remove water from rubbing alcohol ( isopropyl ) with non-iodized table salt.

[@CorwynGC]

"Denatured" alcohol is just a tax dodge. You can use any kind of alcohol as long as it is high enough proof. (Stay away from sugary ones obviously.) Alcohol has about 83% of the heat content as propane (by volume). However, what you on a sailboat care about is weight and bulk of the containers it comes in. Propane comes in a large, heavy, metal container that you need to keep even when it is empty. Alcohol comes in small light plastic bottles. [Try to refill them] I a willing to bet that the alcohol is much easier to deal with from a storage perspective.

[@CorwynGC]

Does it? Never seen that. What pressure? What connector?

[@bryan314]

Use Everclear. Friend of mine used cheap vodka on his kayak trip source to sea of the Mississippi. Stove boiled water AND he had vodka for "medicinal purposes"...especially when mixed with orange juice "for the vitamin C of course."

[@FrankLadd]

My alcohol stove was great for cooking on low for things that need it like eggs and french toast. And it was good enough on high to fry anything I needed. I had the Origo single burner. My current boat we use a little butane single burner stove which is good for weekending.

[@GNT35]

Just a heads up from another Canadian sailor! I thought the propane would win wow! I had an alcohol stove in my first sail boat and loved it...my wife...not so much...it would always run out of alcohol at the wrong time( when cooking) but it’s really the safer choice and you can get alcohol at any hardware store...cool

[@johanboot]

I have good experiences with alcohol stoves , also in a rental motorboatcompany we never had a complain from our clients . Here in this part of Europe methylalcohol is cheap an you can get it in every supermarket , in some country´s it seems to be a problem . Greetings from Holland . Johan .

[@saillarry]

We had pressurized alcohol for fuel in our first 22 years on our boat, a Cape Dory 30. Two years ago, we went through the swapover to propane, using small 6 lb tanks. These tanks are small, easy to handle and carry to be filled, and two tanks takes us through a whole 6 month season of cooking, using two burners and an oven. Time to boiling under alcohol was about 6-7 minutes I think (been a while). Our propane stove does it in 5 -6 minutes, but without the eye watering fumes, invisible blue flame, and $16/gallon cost of alcohol, Get a propane stove, mount a couple 6 lb. tanks on the stern rail, add a propane sniffer and control of the gas flow solenoid, and you will be set for your career sailing. Propane is avasilable everywhere usually, but alcohol is not. I would Never go back.

[@karlfair]

No when it spills, it spreads everywhere. I have lived aboard since 1989. In day to day living, alcohol stoves suck. Get a good propane stove with an oven. You can boil water just as fast and bake as well.

[@mikestruss7582]

It was the pressurized alchohol stoves that had a risk of spilling. This canister type doesn't have that spill risk. I have had both and even with the pressurized type I prefer alchohol to propane for simplicity. I am a ticketed gas appliance tech and still prefer alchohol. Also you are supposed to tip the canister when filling to avoid overfilling.

[@stephencrowther524]

Karl Fair You’re thinking of a pressurised stove,different type altogether. This type does not spill or flare up.

[@stephencrowther524]

acmeopinion factory So,with respect,your opinion is based on no experience with this stove type ? ✌️

[@levaris77]

You should all be ashamed. Boasting about your length (of time) instead of measuring. That said, GE XL44 (home range on natural gas) 4mins. :-P

[@rickbailey7450]

Brian Foote: I don't think alcohol stoves - like the one demonstrated - suck. I have one, and will not have propane on my boat. Every year I hear about a boat that has blown up due to either a leak or operator error. That will not happen to me using alcohol. And, I fill the cannisters in the cockpit. This eliminates the risk of fire below due to refill spills. No they don't cook quite as fast, but what's your hurry? Once hot (and it doesn't take too very long to heat up), the flame is infinitely adjustable, right down to a low simmer.

[@mrnickbig1]

I am very averse to flames in a boat at all! Safe electric alternative (+ Gosun) are available. On my tiny cruiser (a Sparrow 16) I have a 12VDC kettle and oven, that were designed for truckers. I am still trying to figure out the best way to mount my two 100W solar panels in the back. I know exactly where I want them to go, just not sure as to the best way to do so, given my budget, space limitations, and intent to make my boat fully blue water capable.

[@robertrantane6867]

Only real problem I had was invisible flame,seared me a few times

[@stephencrowther524]

Robert Rantane You’re perhaps thinking of a pressurised type ? I can see the flame on my stove without difficulty.

[@jenkinsce691216]

Challenge accepted... My setup and boat are a little different. I'll be at the marina most of the time, and running an inverter when on the hook. As such, I didn't want propane on my boat at all. This is not a cruising boat, but a '57 Chris Craft. Using a Waring 1800 watt induction portable cook top and a Calphalon sauce pan, I got water to a rolling boil in 4:18. Full disclosure, it was already over 80 inside the boat, and the cook top was set to the highest setting.

[@gailrobertson-graham8294]

I have an Origo stove on my sail boat now for many years. I found methyl hydrate costs a fraction of other sources of alcohol. Been burning it for years without a problem. I always have a source of fresh air when the stove is running but never have had any bad fumes from burning it. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a problem with any burning fuel so always better to be safe and have fresh air supply. Methyl hydrate is poisonous to drink but burns quite nicely as a substitute fuel in my Origo.

[@nonimus2030]

I've got the same stove!😁 I'm just trying to figure out how to gimbal it now.

[@everwind5691]

As a certified safety professional and a sailor, A properly installed and maintained CNG system is likely the safest cooking system for a boat. CNG is lighter than air and any leaks would evaporate out and it would be unlikely you would reach the lower explosive limit (concentration in air when combustion can be maintained). Sadly CNG is not easily obtained and replaced. That is its huge drawback. Propane stored outside the sleeping area or cabin and properly installed with the proper hosing and leak detection would likely be the next safest option. If it is not installed correctly, like the one on Uma, is very dangerous. What if something hot like grease had dripped down onto the plastic tubes? Did you have a gas cutoff switch?? I am glad you were not harmed or had a fire in your boat. That likely would have happened based upon what I saw in your video. It was just a matter of time. Vibration and movement can/could have damaged the lines and led to leaks of propane, which many folks have pointed out is heavier than air and can accumulate inside a boat. When using LPG, it is important to turn it off at the tanks when not in use, and have a cutoff valve. With a cutoff valve, even in the event of a fire you can cutoff the source of fuel for the fire, and mitigate the damage. Alcohol is good for weekend camping. Full time use is when it becomes dangerous since you are basically relying procedures to be safe. People make mistakes all the time, given enough time. Yes alcohol is lighter than air, but it has a very low ignition point, so it is very easy for it to catch fire. It really does not take much to ignite ethanol or methanol. It can spread and spill easily. Also you will need a lot of alcohol to meet the demands of cooking on a daily basis. You will lose a lot to evaporation as the Origo stoves are usually designed to be fill and use, fill and use. They are not designed to be long time alcohol storage devices. Alcohol vapors will always be off-gassing since the stoves don't perfectly seal. Also, it is hard to control the level of heat in an alcohol stove. You are not really adjusting the amount of fuel, but the amount of area exposed to the flame. Lastly, storing large amounts of flammable liquid on a boat brings its own risks. Remember all those liquids will be sloshing around in the normal motion of a boat. Moving liquids can impart great amount of force, and plastic containers that alcohol comes in are likely not designed with boat use in mind. Obviously you can't/shouldn't fill a hot alcohol stove since the vapors ignite at just 25 degrees C. If you run out of alcohol while cooking you are just screwed. On a cost per amount of heat generated LPG is likely the cheapest fuel. I know sailing on the inexpensive is your goal, but some things require investment for safety. Alcohol stoves have a lower upfront cost, and are great for weekend camping, but if they were really all that great people would have them in their homes as an alternative, and you don't see that for a reason. LPG, if installed properly, can be a reasonably safe option, or horribly unsafe if not installed properly. Good luck and I hope it works out for you. Even though cooking is something we do every day, it is a dangerous activity, and doing it on a moving boat, in unpredictable sea states makes it even more dangerous. It needs to be respected.

[@everwind5691]

Alcohol is very dangerous and yes it could easily ignite given a heat source at that temperature. It would not just auto-ignite if that is what you mean. An ethanol-water solution that contains 40% alcohol by weight (about 56% by volume) will catch fire if heated to about 26 °C (79 °F) and if an ignition source is applied to it. This is called its flash point.[61] The flash point of pure ethanol is 16.60 °C (61.88 °F), less than average room temperature. This is why you can't refill a hot alcohol stove. Since it it is so volatile it can easily reach its lower explosive limit.

[@cawfeedawg]

the problem is no one has CNG when you are out cruising, its more expensive and doesn't last very long. Alcohol is the way to go.

[@elp9716]

" Alcohol is good for weekend camping. Full time use is when it becomes dangerous since you are basically relying procedures to be safe. " ALL stoves are dangerous if you don't use the proper procedures. " Yes alcohol is lighter than air..." No. Ethanol vapors are HEAVIER than air. Ethanol has a vapor density of 1.59, relative to air. However, ethanol's affinity for water makes it much harder to ignite the vapor, unless it is very concentrated. That's why one has to apply a flame directly to the "wick" (for lack of a better term) of the burner to light a cool stove. Once the stove has been on for a few minutes and is nice and warm the fumes will light. But you still have to get the lighter flame pretty close to the wick. One can light a LPG stove, but NOT an alcohol stove (at least when its cool), with the spark from a piezo-electric lighter. "You will lose a lot to evaporation as the Origo stoves are usually designed to be fill and use, fill and use. They are not designed to be long time alcohol storage devices. Alcohol vapors will always be off-gassing since the stoves don't perfectly seal." The neoprene gaskets (shown in the video) keep evaporation to a minimum. I've left an Origo stove on my boat, full of alcohol, with the gaskets in place, for months without any noticeable evaporation. "Also, it is hard to control the level of heat in an alcohol stove. You are not really adjusting the amount of fuel, but the amount of area exposed to the flame." By using the damper, one adjusts the amount of "wick" exposed AND the rate that oxygen can enter the reaction. This limits the rate at which the alcohol burns. The the damper all the way open the stove will use alcohol much faster than with the damper mostly closed. "Remember all those liquids will be sloshing around in the normal motion of a boat. Moving liquids can impart great amount of force, and plastic containers that alcohol comes in are likely not designed with boat use in mind." A gallon or two of alcohol sloshing around isn't going to effect the motion of a 30-something-foot boat. Besides, the boat probably already has several times that much liquid in the water, waste, and fuel tanks, and all of it sloshes around. Not to mention that an LPG tank has....wait for it.....LIQUID propane and/or butane inside of it, sloshing around. And, BTW, denatured alcohol usually comes in METAL gallon (sometimes five-gallon) cans. " LPG, if installed properly, can be a reasonably safe option, or horribly unsafe if not installed properly. " Even properly installed, an LPG system relies on electric and electronic gizmos (sniffers, solenoids, et cetera) to properly function. In a salt water environment that is always a dicy proposition. A non-pressurized alcohol stove (like the Origo in the video) is pretty foolproof.

[@elp9716]

"Alcohol is very dangerous..." LPG is inherently far more dangerous.

[@chrisweaverhaido2]

Everwind, we would be interested in your expert opinion but your answer was irrelevant. I remind you that the question here was propane vs alcohol.

[@PaulusPHM]

Flame tempatures; Kerosene: 990 °C (1814 °F) Gasoline : 1,026 °C (1878.8 °F) Wood: 1,027 °C (1880.6 °F) Methanol: 1,200 °C (2192 °F) Charcoal (forced draft): 1,390 °C (2534 °F)

[@benjordan8323]

I appreciate this is from a couple of years ago, but had a quicl skim and didn't see much talk of Paraffin / Kerosense stoves? They are great for cooking - safe, high BTU and come with ovens. Not as simple as alcohol, but a pleasure to cook on. Taylors 030L or just 030 is worth a browse.

[@jamesrichy68]

I used to be a photographer for an insurance company. One day we got called to document a claim from a boater, whose propane stove "had caused a problem". We got down there, to the dock, and there was no boat. Just floating debris. If anyone had been onboard, they would have been blown to bits. I have propane on board, because the boat came with it. But people under estimate the extreme risk.

[@mauricebergevin8337]

I had an Origo alcohol stove on my boat. The only problem I had was when it stopped working, because I had not refilled the canisters before starting cooking. For safety reasons, It cannot be refilled when hot, especially if the boat is heeling. Any spillage, even a few drops could start a fire in the cabin. Always refill the canisters in the cockpit.

[@catboatadventures7208]

I have the exact same stove on my boat and I love it. And you answered a question I had for a long time about the safety of propane v alcohol. Once again, thank you guys so much for all your videos. They are very informative and educational. I'm learning a lot from you. Warm wishes. Jim and Donna Andersen, Cat Boat Adventures, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

[@peterm.eggers520]

Though I travel on wheels rather than water, I find induction cooktops the best and most efficient option since I needed sufficient inverter/battery output occasionally for power tools anyway.

[@patrickcote2392]

GREAT!!!! I was'nt sure wich one and after reading some of the comments I STILL DO'NT KNOW!!!

[@liongod1000]

Read the replies from people that are SAILORS...... Origo Stoves seem to top the list on here!

[@Sharpiesailor31]

Hello Dan, next time I get aboard our boat I’ll test the 2 burner “Origo” alcohol stove. We’ve used ours for the last seventeen years and find it does the job with no fuss. And as you say it’s much safer in the long run. Cheers.

[@TonyAnschutz]

Wow Great timing Dan as I will be buying my stove for my boat in the next couple months. I was totally set for propane but now I will look into alcohol. I sure like the ease of installation. No solenoid for the valve or electric needed for that. Plus the legal requirements for the propane locker are complicated. I am excited to hear how it goes for you. Will have some practical use of it in the next couple months that you can give me your opinion on? BTW In Cozumel with Nat gas on home stove max setting 7:15 to boil 20 oz

[@TonyAnschutz]

I get that but I am not in a great hurry. I just need my food cooked. Not speed cooked. In my mind the extra time cooking is a fair trade for not installing all that extra tubing, solinoid, tank retaining box and finding special fittings for the propane as I travel around the world.

[@Aedony]

We took that very stove you have there when we went camping. It was a little windy and the heat made the plastic of the knobs MELT. We couldn't turn it lower anymore as a result, we had to throw a wet towel over the stove to make it stop burning. So, ... now that you have the thing already, really be careful with those knobs, they are not heat resistant AT ALL. Also, don't touch melting plastic, it hurts ... speaking of experience here.

[@kevinmotz3788]

So many mean comments! Looks like rust to me not dirt. He did say it was a cheap stove! But you will be much safer with that propane bottle out of the boat. I love you guys and your videos. Can't wait till you're sailing again! I hope to retire to my Tartan in a couple of years maybe we'll meet up someday. Cheers and fair winds!

[@svdoinitright7519]

I just picked up a used version of the same thing (labeled as Origo) at a boatyard. It was probably 10 years old, but never used. $100 out the door, but missing the little flame diffusers.

[@flyingdutchman6984]

I don't have anything against propane or other methods of cooking but I prefer alcohol stoves in my sailboats. I have been using alcohol stoves on sailboats for over forty years and never had a single problem.

[@flyingdutchman6984]

@A M - Funny. I have actually been sailing even longer but the sailboats I used as a young man didn't have a stove. At the time I didn't need one because my mom said I had to be home for dinner. :)

[@fishaholiclures]

OMG, you had a propane bottle inside the cabin, and crappy plastic gas hose.........What you had was a potential death trap. The laws here in Aust, have the gas bottle in a separate sealed compartment vented overboard, High pressure copper lines and flexible braided hose, and everything has to be inspected tested and certified by a gasfitter . At least you got a good metho stove top. Be careful with the metho it is extremely flammable as well, just not explosive.

[@alaskacanoe6837]

Propane has mercaptan in it that smells like skunk or sulpher with it leaks. and yes propane is heavier than air so it will get down into the bottom of your boat and could really be a bad deal, but I am almost positive he could have brought the tank out from the front of the cabinet the stove sits on and not have to remove the stove to get to the propane tank. I like the Alcohol stove idea myself and I am getting rid of my wallace diesel fired stove top because of too many bells and whistles that go bad and then your out of business. simple is best if you need to depend on your stove. and Alcohol looks like a good fit

[@Nerd3927]

I don't get the hurry. I used a Origo 3000 on my previous boat and liked it a lot. You never run out of fuel unexpected. You don't need a gas locker and heavy tanks. An alcohol fire can best be put out with water. You can get some sort of Ethanol or denatured Alcohol anywhere in the world. It is a stand alone system, no power needed for a solenoid and alarm systems. To me there are two options. Big battery bank, big inverter and Induction or alcohol. Or both with alcohol as a backup. I just ordered two Hendi 1000W single burner induction plates and a bigger inverter to convert from Propane to Induction. I expect the 1500W of the Origo to do the same as 1000W induction.

[@RocketSailing]

I have the exact same alcoholstove. Its about 30 years old. Works like a champ! Using as Clean alcohol as possible is a tip. Not much smell then. I got some shitty that smoked alot. Not fun to get rid of. Had to put the container outside and let it bur out.. Some good rules for this stowe. Never fill to more then 50% NEVER fill when hot! It can be a pain to refill att heavier seastate. Get one of those ”plastic sqweeze bottles wiith a pipe tip”. Not sure what they are called in english. But they are used to fill leadacid batterier. Backside compared to gas. Less efficient and requires more volume to transport than gas. Gas is more conviniant. But not much. Alcoholstove can flame up If not properly handled. But it will not explode! Another plus to alcoholstove is that you dont need to hassle with gasadaptors If you travel around! Oh! Get one of this! omniasweden.com/en/home/ Ofcoarse ther is some youtubeclips of the owen. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oau7iIptrqmga5o Safe sailing!

[@Kemxt]

Your real problem........ A watched pot never boils!

[@MrRourk]

No couch to sleep on

[@lawdawg1942]

In Canada i can't find denatured alcohol. I run methal hydrate in the exact same stove. Mine works great for the limited cooking i do (26 foot boat weekend use only). When you fill the canisters you are supposed to tip them vertical so you don't over fill them.

[@HundredRabbits]

We just got our hands on an old Origo 3000. We were wondering how easy it's been for you to find fuel for it whilst traveling to different countries? Are you able to stock large quantities? So far here, in Canada, it's difficult to find denatured alcohol (often only sold in small quantities). Wanted to know what your experience was with this, and also whilst sailing on long passages with it, especially since it is better to refill outside and away from the stove.

[@SailingUma]

Super easy to find fuel. We often just order it on amazon. We is about 1L/week, so a case of 24L lasts us half a year (ish) try hardware stores too, it’s often sold near the paint thinner. You can use many different types, some burn cleaner than others.

[@HundredRabbits]

@@SailingUma Thx for sharing your usage rate, that helps. We found the bottle of denatured alcohol we have now at a hardware store in the paint section yes :). Do you ever use isopropanol or methyl hydrate?

[@szapcsika]

The Origo stove is a fantastic piece of equipment. Super safe, easy to use. Works well. I really like mine.

[@AG2P0]

Induction stove, cast iron pot, no lid 3:14 got to love technology

[@sigridgreven1981]

I cook on Origo 6000 since I left Belgium for a circumnavigation, now in Caribbean. Cooked 13 years on this Origo stove, i like it. Much safer then gas. But you have to find the burning alcohol liquid and prices differ from 5 US a gallon (Guatemala) to 50 US a gallon (Turks & Caicos). So bunk, Besides this: actually my stove is only 13 years old and so corroded that it almost falls apart. But I will invest in a new one.

[@malcolmrose5642]

Hi Dan, 2.08 min (20oz of water) for induction. You would need a big inverter. Keeping in mind that is relatively clean Ottawa River water which may boil faster than the thicker Lake Ontario or Don Valley water. ;)

[@gailrobertson-graham8294]

I have used all 3 types of stoves and a pressure cooker. I like propane but love the simplicity of the alcohol. Canadian Tire paint section methyl hydrate. Ottawa water boils okay but I find Lake Ontario water more fun to boil. Seriously though, I have the optional wood butcher board top on my origo. When on the dock, I put my portable induction stove on that and cook from it. When sailing the Origo works great.

[@sashamaxwell8488]

I’m a huge backpacker so I take an alcohol stove with me when cooking my meals out in the wild. I have a homemade soda can stove that can boil 2 cups of water in about 8 minutes.

[@sashamaxwell8488]

I hammock camp. No sleeping bag. Just an under quilt and a top quilt.

[@alaskacanoe6837]

So I did not see where the regulator for the propane was located, and if it was located attached to the tank then you are looking at less than 1 psi or about 7 to 11 inches of water column so no pressure of any value is on the nylon line leading to the stove . Pressure on the upstream side of the regulator could be as his as 140 psi , but like I said down stream of the regualtor is like a half a lb of pressure and you can blow harder than that !.

[@SkylinersYeti]

Much of our cooking is more than boiling water, often it is important to simmer foods. It depends on how your cook.

[@jurgentreue1200]

I have a Dometic alcohol stove in my RV. I wouldn't part with because of its simplicity and lack of size. No plumbing or gas compliance needed. I can turn the flame down to almost nothing which is great for simmering. We had our kitchen at home renovated 12 months back. We used the Dometic alcohol stove for our day to day cooking for three weeks. No problems what so ever. By the way, I do most of the cooking at home.

[@koningbolo4700]

Good choice... Key is to get an as high a proof alcohol as you can get. If need be you can "dry" alcohol even, removing the water content in most of them with molecular sieves. These sieves are ceramic pellets with pores which allow water to be absorbed but alcohol molecules are to big for that. After 24 hours (if enough pellets are introduced) all the water is absorbed by the pellets and can be removed. The alcohol is virtually 100% pure and the pellets can be dried out again in an oven or in a green house type setup in the sun... the pellets can be dried 1000's of times. I use an Origo stove in my camper van and I never ever ever ever go with gas again... I love it... But for you being on a boat there is really no other alternative to an alcohol (or maybe a gasoline) stove. Propane is in reality not an option unless you like to invite a big risk of getting blown to tiny bits...

[@billb.6109]

The Dometic Origo 3000 Is not "Self Cleaning", ... we are so glad to see that propane bottle out of the cabin. :) Safe travels.

[@hlynnkeith9334]

Gas stoves require different ports for different gasses. I discovered this the hard way. We had the wrong ports on our stove. As a result, we had a choice when we lit the burner: high or flames of Hell. A couple of calls and a tech came out and changed the ports. The stove is better now, but the small burner still will not do a simmer. It is odd, but I have to use the big burner to simmer.

[@stijndeklerk]

+1 for Propane. It's water under the bridge & I'm looking forward to your experiences in the future. I've owned the Origo stove and would not fit it again. Reasons being. Finding (good) buring alcohol abroad can be near impossible in many places, where as Propane is just that, the world over.. (if not allways available either) Some alcohols burn very clean, which makes it hard to see when the stove is lit. Some others burn very foul making the boat smell awefull, some light poorly due to water content etc... In my boat it always smelled of alcohol, needless to say, not pleasent. Filling the stove at sea without spilling can be a challenge & spillage is real fire hazard, it runs inbetween joinery and flames are hard to spot at first and put out.. Propane, on the other hand is clean and efficient, but also requires care as any combustible does. Maybe in future when your re-gen and batterypack are up for it, an induction hob would do away with the carbon's. :-)

[@svZia-Switch51]

I have a 3 burner propane stove with oven that I never use. I actually like using my butane tabletop stove which sits on top of my gimbaled oven. I buy the canisters at the Korean grocery mart and they are super cheap for a four pack.

[@dreupen]

FOUR, yes 4 minutes on my marine propane stove. And the stove also has a separate broiler and oven too. But it is not right to compare a top of the line alcohol stoves with your cheap old propane stove or even to my mid-range marine propane stove. To compare Propane vs Alcohol, one should look at energy content and fuel costs. The bottom line (see details below) is that a 20lb propane tank contains 422 MegaJoules(MJ) of Energy. That is equivalent to Energy in 5.75 gallons of denatured alcohol. Yes, one 20lb propane tank equals about 6 gallons alcohol (and likely more due evaporation over time of unused stove alcohol). A 20 lb tank costs about $20 for a refill/exchange whereas 6 gallons of denatured alcohol costs $120 - $180 (WestMarine SEAFIT $20/g; HomeDepot Klean-Strip $30/g). That's a HUGE extra cost! Alcohol has a density of 6.6 lb/g, so 6 gallons go alcohol weights 40lb. For weekend sailors who may be hard pressed to burn 1 gallon of alcohol in a year, it can make a lot of sense. For a live aboard cruiser, especially one on a budget, alcohol is not cost effective or even convenient. There are other issues that have an impact, like stove efficiency. But it is my guess that a well designed propane stove is as efficient as a well designed alcohol stove, just as a crappy cheap propane stove is likely as inefficient as a home-made soda can alcohol stove. With regards to boiling water faster , what matters is the energy output of the stove burner. Fortunately many manufactures provide this info. The Oringo 3000 produces 6,800 BTU/hr per burner. Most propane stove have large and small burners which produce 8,200 BTU/hr and 6,200 BTU/hr, respectively. BTW, 1 BTU (British Thermo Unit) equals 1055 Joules. So 6,800 BTU/hr in the Oringo is equivalent to 0.37 liters/hr of alcohol and 8,200 BTU/hr (6,200 BTU/hr) is equivalent to 0.41 lb/hr ( 0.31 lb/hr) of a propane. I love you guys, but the science and $$$ are not on your side. Here are some of the numbers. Propane: Energy Density: 21.1 MJ/lb so a 20lb tank (21.1MJ/lb * 20lb) amounts to 422 MJ of Energy. Denatured Alcohol (90%Eth+10%Meth) Energy Density: 19.4 MJ/liter 422 MJ /(19.4 MJ/l) = 21.75 liters = 5.75 US gallons Paul E S/V Johanna Rose

[@ronv6637]

Thanks for posting real numbers and a straight forward comparison,am also considering diesel(cooker and heater) for single fuel,can you get the numbers for that comparison?

[@arthur4818]

It doesn’t matter to me or anybody else it’s what you like, also auto part stores sell stuff called HEAT it’s for your gas tank it’s 100% denatured alcohol only use the yellow bottle not the red bottle

[@jmayuk]

I had an Origo spirit (alcohol) stove on my boat and eventually swapped it out for a normal camping stove because the spirits (alcohol) that they sell in the UK is nearly always dyed purple and the dye smells just awful. Made me feel light-headed at best, at worst I needed to vomit, every time I used it. I am with you on the propane thought, I don't like having it onboard. So I went the cheap option and now I just get camping gaz canisters on a normal camping stove that you can pick up pretty much anywhere. It doesn't cook as well, fair enough, but at least I can keep the food down once it's finished.

[@jackhall6115]

Good move Propane heavier than air so gathers in the bilges if it leaks. Auto pump kicks on and BOOM!!! Remember alcohol fires are fought with water. KayakJack Oceanside CA; Life long sailor.

[@joelbrown4110]

May want to consider a cheap induction burner for emergencies. Cheap, reliable and easy to clean and store.

[@grantmyers7593]

should just get a coleman pump stove, it burns many fuels, including propane with add on. mine burns unleaded gas, which you already have onboard.

[@gabrielfusaru1211]

Dan, could you estimate how many liters oh alcohol are necessary to replace a propane (let's say) 12 liters bottle . Thanks!

[@spinnaker5514]

Dan, this is the second boat that I have switched from an alcohol stove to a propane stove. The problem with alcohol stoves (or I should say the older ones) is what you said about your old propane stove lack of adjustment. My first replacement was from a two burner alc to a two burner propane, I used an old pressure cooker as an oven. My second conversion I installed a stove/oven and loved it. Baking fish, cookies, roasts, cakes and keeping things warm as well. I see your alcohol stove had some adjustments on the knob, so I guess it depends on hold old or new your stove is and how much you spend on it. I like propan because it's infinitely adjustable, is available everywhere and I also run a Dickinson Propane Cabin heater that I love! One fuel, and two tanks. A tank lasts me about one month of every day use without the heater. So when I switch one out I know I have a back up tank. Even when using the heater it's lasts about 15 to 20 days depending on how cold and how often I use it. Just gotta love propane!

[@nkolchenko]

The peak flame temperature of ethanol is 1,920 degrees Celsius (3,488 degrees Fahrenheit). 12,500 BTU of heat per pound. Propane (and natural gas) burn at the same temperature-3,560˚ F. Propane - 20,000 BTU of heat per pound. Butane - 10,000 BTU. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to increase one pound of water by 1˚ Fahrenheit.

[@SailingUma]

Those numbers are great. On paper. But in the real world, every stove perform all differently. Hence the experiment.

[@UweBehrendt]

I like my Kenyon alcohol stove , time is about the same ,just got to be a bit more conscious when lighting it. Use a rubber sink stopper (flat round one) and put it over your alcohol reservoir, to stop evaporation, also alcohol burns clear so be careful

[@shaunhall6834]

I would add that the alcohol flame might be burning with a greater area of surface so it can deliver more heat?

[@timstammers]

I think your alcohol stove is by far the smartest move for a boat re storage plus safety and sourcing resupply. Did a test on portable (small bottle) butane single burner with the same amount water and "tefaL" coated alumin pot no lid was 4 min. Still alcohol much smarter idea for a small indoor boat situation.

[@roncanizares9966]

I'm glad you are going to alcohol, not because it will heat better, but because I really enjoy your videos and given the way you were storing the propane, it was likely just a matter of time before you blew yourselves up. Propane bottles needs to be in a sealed locker vented out at the bottom to the outside, not into the boat. It is heavier than air. Kaboom!!

[@mozismobile]

From bicycle touring, alcohol stoves have a few other problems that you don't care about... vulnerable to wind, limited heat output makes cooking large quantities hard, fuel is bulky. On the bike it's the wind and bulk that pushed me into a multifuel stove. I can burn anything from alcohol to diesel (or if it's hot, even some fuel oils). Those are really compact, a litre of diesel lasts me weeks. Getting one of those and using diesel in it would solve most of your issues and have the benefit that if you ever do go for a longer run you won't need much fuel. But it's an expensive thing to switch out and the benefit is marginal (when you go round the world, OTOH... :) If you had bigger batteries and a bit more solar I'd suggest induction because there's less hot stuff (boiling water is still your biggest risk) and they're very efficient. The hassle is that most do low power by pulsing - a few seconds on 1000W+, a few seconds off. That makes inverters unhappy, but it's not something that's written in the specs (at least on the chap ones I looked at). When you switch to LiPo batteries I'd love to see you go induction just so I don't have to do all the experimentation myself. For rice and pasta have you looked at a pot wrap or slow cooker? Induction cookers make that as simple as "put pot on stove, wrap a towel round it, put tea towels over the lid. No flame or hot-hot-heat-source means the towel doesn't burn and you use much less energy to cook. I imagine you can buy official "pot insulator wraps"... but hot, dry towels are a nice side benefit, especially in cold weather.

[@ryanwynott]

I have a Kenyon induction cooktop running on 400Ah VE LiFe via (undersized) VE 1200W inverter. Can't run the stove full power (setting 11 of 17), however still boils 20oz in 5 minutes exactly. This costs approx 2.5% of total capacity.

[@Fr99763]

We use electricity. It’s available immediately and safe and convenient. And it saves us from having any other fuel on board other than diesel, which we have anyhow. Money spent on a diesel generator simplified our lives considerably.

[@donjvalley]

I'm shocked, West Marine quotes 10-min to boil 1-liter (34-oz), so I assumed that propane would be much faster!!! I'll be using the same stove, a gimballed Origo 3000, when I get my Alberg 30...

[@Mister510]

I've been trying to decide what type of stove to use in my Unimog expedition camper build. I just brought 20oz of water to a rolling boil on a Burton butane stove in 3:20. Fuel availability would probably keep you from using butane, but I thought it was interesting for comparison purposes.

[@PJ-si2po]

I was sure that propane was going to be faster I am very empress with that little alcool store top