carbon monoxide risk from propane stove??

[nodders]

I tossed out an old pressure alcohol stove today that was on the boat I purchased. I am planning to replace it for a while with a 2 burner propane camp stove I have, but the manual advises against using it in enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide. I have seen stoves like this used on boats and wondering if there really is that much of a risk?

[Faster]

Any open, unvented flame is going to present a 'risk' of CO due to the less than ideal/complete combustion that occurs stove-top. Any time you're using a stove like that it's wise to have a bit of ventilation source somewhere. Normally the short term use to prepare dinner or coffee is not likely to be especially dangerous.

Those that like to use such a stove as a heat source run a much higher risk.

You likely had the a similar risk with the alcohol stove.

However the other issue with your planned setup is that it probably involves using the green bottles rather than a properly installed propane system (vented tank storage, solenoid, etc etc) Please don't store your unused or partial bottles below. They can leak and without a 'sniffer' such a leak could prove disastrous.

Use common sense and careful practice.. and/or bite the bullet and put in a proper setup.

[RobGallagher]

For less than 30 bucks you can buy a combo smoke detector and CO alarm. If you are heating, cooking or running the engine while down below it's a good idea to have one.

If you are sleeping down below it's a must. No wiring, it can be hung with a sticky and probably comes with a battery.

You have one in your house... don't you? I mean, everyone has one, right? Only a fool...

[chef2sail]

However the other issue with your planned setup is that it probably involves using the green bottles rather than a properly installed propane system (vented tank storage, solenoid, etc etc) Please don't store your unused or partial bottles below. They can leak and without a 'sniffer' such a leak could prove disastrous- Faster

As Faster said this is the greatest risk. The 1lb bombs should be stored in a vented locker or bag topside after using. The needles in them have been known to stick open

Dave

[hellosailor]

Just about any flame produces some CO. Given that the conmbustion products will be hot, most of us don't worry about CO from cooking during waking hours with normal ventilation, at home or afloat. But a CO detector IS good insurance, especially if you may light the stove while the hatches are buttoned up on a cold day.

The single-burner butane stoves found in oriential groceries for $20 or so, and the more expensive propane camping stoves, work. The problem is those "The 1lb bombs ". Typical propane/butane bottles just have a rubber ball stopping the gas from coming out, so they should not be stored down below. The propane bottles have an advantage in that you can buy bronze screw caps for them. When the bottle is removed from the stove, you screw the bronze cap over it, and there's an o-ring gasket inside as well, so the bottle is truly SECURED and safe(r) for storage.
Should be available in camping or RV stores for $5-10 a pair.

With either butane or propane stove, you may find the salt air rots parts out in 4-5 years. Still cheap enough to replace as needed.

[olson34]

Originally Posted by nodders

I tossed out an old pressure alcohol stove today that was on the boat I purchased. I am planning to replace it for a while with a 2 burner propane camp stove I have, but the manual advises against using it in enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide. I have seen stoves like this used on boats and wondering if there really is that much of a risk?

I did that once, about 30 years ago... for a short time until I installed a proper LPG system and new cooker.

Nowadays I would not even do that for a "short time." As others have pointed out those throwaway gas bottles do not belong inside. And then, what with having an unsafe gas system, you have abrogated your insurance coverage. While I'm usually not a fan of insurance companies, per se, in this case I agree with 'em.

If you want to save a bundle of $ over a full propane fuel system install, you could just replace the old range/cooker with a Non-Presurized Origo stove. We have been cooking and baking with one for over 15 years.

Whatever you do, be safe!


L

[Waltthesalt]

ABYC has safety standards. I think the explosive risk is something to consider. there are alarms available. Having said that I've seen and used cartridge stoves on amny a boat.

[WanderingStar]

I use and like propane. On my previous boats I used camp stoves, usually in the cockpit. On WS I have a three burner Shipmate, with oven. We've cooked and baked in warm weather and cool, hatch open or closed. It never set off the CO alarm.

[Barquito]

Will the CO detector alarm with high propane levels? (like from a leaking cannister). I would think undetected leaking propane would be a higher risk than CO.

Some have made some pretty slick looking camp stove propane bottle holders out of white PVC plumbing pipe. Can be clamped to the stern rail.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Barquito

Will the CO detector alarm with high propane levels? (like from a leaking cannister). I would think undetected leaking propane would be a higher risk than CO.

Some have made some pretty slick looking camp stove propane bottle holders out of white PVC plumbing pipe. Can be clamped to the stern rail.

A normal CO detector won't, I'm afraid. But I did have a look at Amazon and they sell combined combustible gas / CO detectors.

Here's what I have installed :

S-1A Propane and CNG Fume Detector from Fireboy-Xintex

The problem with the camping bottles is you can't install a solenoid valve for automatic cutoff.