replacing the stove: alcohol converted to kerosene?

deckhanddave · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006

On the refit or replace list for my T30 project is the origo alcohol. It's badly corroded around the burners and is in pretty poor shape. I'm a very avid cook so a good stove is vital to me. I've heard of kerosene refit kits but haven't had any look finding them. I've also been considering a used kerosene stove as I've been told that "there are loads of them out there now that everyone is using propane". Haven't been able to fine any online... I don't want to use propane due to space/cost restraints and I really don't have a problem with kerosene (I've used primus stoves for back packing). Anyone have any advice or sources for me?

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006

It's true that any marine recycle or consignment store is likely to have a good stock of these old stoves, because, indeed, most of us are onto propane. Unfortunately many of them are not in great shape, but they are very inexpensive so you could probably buy a couple and cobble together one good one!

After living (relatively happily) with an alcohol stove for over 10 yrs we have switched to propane, and honestly wouldn't go back.

The lack of preheating & pumping is too convenient, and the price of quality alcohol for the stove was outstripping the cost of beer!!(well.....almost)

Goodnewsboy · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006

Kerosene is an attractive alternate to alcohol because it has a higher heating value and is available in many places (as "paraffin"), perhaps at a lower price. The flame is also more visible.

The down side to kerosene is a distinctive odor and the same old preheating routine that you learned to love with alcohol.

feetup · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

Is there a problem with carbon monoxide using kerosine like there is with white gas as used in camp stoves?

Feetup

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

CO is the byproduct of combustion, with incomplete or inefficient combustion producing higher levels of CO, especially if there is a lack of oxygen.

Any open flame in a confined space is a potential CO source. Ventilation and efficient combustion is key.

btw, CO's density is close to that of air and so cannot be counted on to vent up and out, but neither is it sure to sink like propane.

TrueBlue · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by feetup

Is there a problem with carbon monoxide using kerosine like there is with white gas as used in camp stoves?

Feetup

Good question - worthy of a debate.
Remember the reported CO poisoning deaths, resulting from those portable kerosine space heaters, popular during the '70s oil crisis? For years now, the use of kerosine heaters in home sleeping areas has been prohibited in most (if not all) US states.

I would think that boaters are more at risk of CO poisoning due to the confined areas of most boats. I would also be especially concerned with kerosine in cooktops - since galleys of smaller to mid-size boats, normally have no fume extraction equipment.

Goodnewsboy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

CO poisoning and CO2 asphyxiation can occur anytime there is an unvented appliance in use in a closed space. That is why there are laws and regulations that prohibit unvented heaters in residences.

Safe use of an unvented appliance (Many are in use in construction projects every winter.)requires a fair amount of ventilation through the walls of the structure to maintain oxygen supply by free communication with outside air.

The cooking stove in a boat is an unvented appliance, whether it is fuelled by alcohol, kerosene, gasoline, LPG, or wood. These flames are small and intermittent, and boats are, generally, quite well ventilated, but it is still good practice to keep some vents open just in case.

deckhanddave · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

CO is the byproduct of any inefficient oxygen/fuel combustion. Back to the question though, has anyone converted their alcohol stoves to kerosene. They seem similar so maybe I could just convert the jets?

svcompassrose · #9 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006

I have an old pressure alcohol stove and pressure tank that I would like to part with. It has two burners and an oven. It has a coppertone-ish enamel finsh that is slightly cosemtically challenged, but it was working fine when I took it out of my last boat. I replaced it with stainless steel pressure alcohol stove that looked really nice. I'm in the general northern VA - DC - Annapolis area.

BTW, the current boat has propane, which has its own pros and cons. One fuel will burn you - the other will blow you up. Pick your poison and take appropriate precautions.

Eric

Faster · #10 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by deckhanddave

CO is the byproduct of any inefficient oxygen/fuel combustion. Back to the question though, has anyone converted their alcohol stoves to kerosene. They seem similar so maybe I could just convert the jets?

Sorry, Dave, these threads do seem to wander, don't they.

I'm not sure but I'd think that you could modify and alcohol stove for kerosene, but the tricky part may be finding the info you need (re jet sizes etc) to do the job safely and properly.

Another option might be to change parts between two stoves - kerosene stoves are cheap at recycle outfits too.