portable propane stove

[Billpjr]

Gord,
I don''t trust noses 100%. The reason is I was visiting friends on a 40'' Newporter (while anchored)and smelled propane...they didn''t smell it. We soap checked the tanks (properly mounted on the aft deck in boxes vented overboard) and found a leak. It was backdrafting down the companionway into the cabin. I think they were used to smelling propane and I wasn''t. They were smokers, it scared me for propane use.

[jkumin]

It''s about acceptable risk. Many boaters have gasoline engines, and gas fumes pose risk, sharing many characteristics with propane. One difference is the gasoline is theoretically contained unless there is a leak. Propane is free to enter the boat if the flame goes out on a cheap burner without a flame sensor.

If you decide the risk is acceptable at least get a good propane detector. We have one connected to the solenoid. Once someone spilled a glass of wine and we noticed a while later the oven had gone out. The vino fumes tripped the detector / solenoid. This incident also points out the problem of relying on devices like alarms. The solenoid tripped but the alarm didn''t sound, although when tested later it was working fine.

Keep in mind we are all capable of brain fade. A friend with a Cal 2-27 and an Atomic 4 spilled gas and started the engine without getting it thoroughly cleaned up. The boom was heard for miles.