alcohol stove questions

[Kiltmadoc]

We tried out our origo 300 stove for the first time last weekend. It worked just fine, but the flames were practically invisible. I seem to recall from my chemistry classes in high school that salt crystals will burn a pleasant bright orange/yellow in an alcohol flame.

Has anyone ever tried sprinkling crystals on the center element, or adding salt to the alcohol? Any other ideas would be welcome as well.

We have a 3 year old, and it would be nice to have some sort of visible warning that the flames are on (for all of us quite frankly).

[JimsCAL]

i wouldn't add anything to the alcohol. While the Origo is less sensitive to fuel quality than a pressurized stove, using the cleanest fuel available is good practice. Note that the flame may be hard to see in direct sunlight, but much more visible when in shadow or in the evening.

[sailingdog]

Could you modify the burner and add a piece of copper or other metal to it so that it would show when it is lit.... Some windproof lighters have a metal grate or screen and this glows when they're lit and the flames are basically invisible.

[olson34]

We've been cooking on an Origo range while cruising for about 15 seasons. Flame is bluish and easy to see. Some yellow in it - maybe due to accumulated impurities in the odd lots of alcohol we sometimes buy (?).


Edit: Please note that, unlike some brands mentioned here, like the Galley Maid, the Origo is NOT pressurized. This changes the way the flame appears. No change in BTU output, though. Quite a bit safer, also.

L

[oceanscapt]

I had an alcohol stove (Galley Maid) on my Endeavour and it was performing well after 20 years of use. The biggest problems I found were: an almost invisible flame; less than stellar heat output; and finding alcohol for fuel in the more remote locations. However, the system was simple, bulletproof, and won't blow up the boat.

[Kiltmadoc]

i like the copper wire idea....anyone try it? Seems a nice little green indicator flame would be nice. I would think that just strand of wire would do the trick.

[therapy23]

Your 3 year old will only burn him/her self one time.
Sounds crass huh?
But I have never heard of a child yet that did not learn that stoves are hot by any other way.
If you need to know if it is burning or not it is easy enough to pass a hand near.
I used to just look closely though.

[trantor12020]

why not add a tad of kerosene to the alcohol. it change something I'm sure.