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Alcolhol Stove Burner oscillating

1478 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by L124C, May 22, 2014

Cal31Windchaser

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2014

My stove burners don't burn at a constant rate. They rhythmically oscillate, getting stronger than weaker, then stronger.

Any ideas as to what would cause this? They work fine otherwise and all burners do it.

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Gladrags1

· #2 · May 21, 2014

I am assuming pressurized alcohol stove? Must have to do with the pressure tank or maybe a valve profane being clogged? I remember having a pressurized alcohol system before buying a boat with propane. We were always cleaning the prof ace that the alcohol came out of from dirt in alcohol.

Tod

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JimsCAL

· #3 · May 21, 2014

I lived with several Kenyon stoves over the years. The issue you describe is common. A couple of things to check. Make sure the pump is working well and you have pumped the tank up properly. Next, don't shortchange the preheat process. If not preheated properly it will surge as you describe. Try taking the burners apart and cleaning thoroughly including replacing the filters. No guarantee after you go all this the stove will operate properly. They are very touchy.

When the budget allows, get an Origo.

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Cal31Windchaser

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 21, 2014

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.

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JimsCAL

· #5 · May 22, 2014

Sounds like you are fine with the tank pressure. I had the self contained stoves with the pump built in. Doubt I could get to 10 psi. I would use a about a gallon or so of alcohol per season. That would be for a half dozen weekend cruises and a 2-3 week longer mid-summer cruise. Sounds like you could be low.

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MikeOReilly

· #6 · May 22, 2014

Hi Cal, my previous boat had a pressure alcohol Kenyon stove/oven. It's been a few years now, but I think our stove elements would pulse the way you describe. They would oscillate over the span of a few of seconds. I did clean out the burners a few times, but it always worked just fine. Never a problem.

We used to get about a week out of each gallon (4 litres). That was cooking three meals a day for two people.

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svHyLyte

· #7 · May 22, 2014

If the air/fuel ratio is off, the burner(s) will "pulse". Too much air/too little fuel causes the flame to fail which slows the flow of air/fuel through the burner. The resulting slowed air passage allows the fuel concentration to increase which then explosively ignites generating a "pulsing" sound. The cycle repeats itself quite quickly giving rise to the sputtering sound. Check your injectors for obstructions and your individual burner vents. BTDT...

FWIW

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Cal31Windchaser

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 22, 2014

Thanks everyone for the information. The suggestions give me at least a good start in curing the problem.

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L124C

· #9 · May 22, 2014

JimsCAL said:
I lived with several Kenyon stoves over the years. The issue you describe is common. A couple of things to check. Make sure the pump is working well and you have pumped the tank up properly. Next, don't shortchange the preheat process. If not preheated properly it will surge as you describe. Try taking the burners apart and cleaning thoroughly including replacing the filters. No guarantee after you go all this the stove will operate properly. They are very touchy.
When the budget allows, get an Origo.

If it's doing it after the stove is hot, sounds like somethings plugged in the main line. I have a old Hillrange pressurized alcohol stove and love it. I posted a thread here on how I recently serviced it. Search if interested.

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