JimsCAL, can you provide more information on pumping the tank up properly? I have the Kenyon Homestrand stove/oven with a remotely mounted tank. I use a bicycle air pump to add pressure via a schrader valve. The tank has an overpressure blowoff that limits the tank pressure to about 10 psi, so that is how much I pump it up to. Have no way of telling how much alcohol is in the tank except right after filling. I wonder if I am getting low on fuel and some air is escaping from the tank.
I have no idea how much cooking can be done per gallon of fuel, but after adding one gallon have cooked about 30 meals (15 to 25 minutes run time per meal and baking in the oven for about an hour).
When I get back to the boat, I will add a gallon of fuel and see how it does.
Your caution about pre-heating is well taken. I made a real bonehead mistake early on and learned how things can get out of control. I lit the oven and closed the door. After awhile the hissing sound from the burner stopped. I looked and the burner was out. Without thinking, I relit the burner. Well...all the liquid alcohol that had come out after the burner stopped burning now ignited. For awhile I was literally cooking the whole oven. Fortunately water really does put alcohol out very quickly.