[BillMoran]

So, I was planning to install an Origo alcohol stove on my sailboat. However, it seems that Dometic has stopped making them.

I'm considering buying a used one. But I'm also using this as an opportunity to consider other options.

My reasons for choosing the Origo in the first place:
* This boat never had a propane system, so installing a propane stove would be a big job to build the lockers and everything.
* I like the fact that the Origo can run off multiple fuels and doesn't require pressurized fuel.

So, does anyone know of any options similar to the Origo stoves that I should investigate?

 

[mackrobertson]

So, I was planning to install an Origo alcohol stove on my sailboat. However, it seems that Dometic has stopped making them.

I'm considering buying a used one. But I'm also using this as an opportunity to consider other options.

My reasons for choosing the Origo in the first place:
* This boat never had a propane system, so installing a propane stove would be a big job to build the lockers and everything.
* I like the fact that the Origo can run off multiple fuels and doesn't require pressurized fuel.

So, does anyone know of any options similar to the Origo stoves that I should investigate?

I recommend a change to propane which is readily available in all countries and in most cases the cooking gas is price controled.

However, Optimus-Primus used to make a Diesel or Kerosene stove that doesn't need a pre-start (pre-heat) fluid like alcohol. I bought a 2-burner counter top for my Herreshoff 28 ketch in the 80's. I don't know if they still make them. I have seen them on eBay under "vintage" stoves.

Since then, I have owned two different boats with alcohol stoves on them, which I promptly decommissioned and replaced with Propane stoves.

My bad experiences with ALCOHOL include;

1.) Severe stinging of the eyes when I used the alcohol stove on both boats and
2.) An alcohol fire on a sailboat while crossing the gulf in rough weather. The generator wasn't preheated enough and fluid came out of the burner and caught on fire.
3.) The flames are very hard to see and it burns on the top of water which was used to attempt to put it out. It left a lot of damage on the cabin sole...

Mack

 

[RegisteredUser]

You can strap propane on the back

 

[Arcb]

My understanding is some suppliers still have some stock of new Origo stoves if you call around.

It really is hard to beat an Origo for simplicity and safety and fuels available pretty much any where that sells paint, so no problem there.

Unfortunately the only other quality non pressurised alcohol stove I know of is the Trangia, but they are more a camping stove than marine. Not really the same thing.

I have ripped propane systems out of 2 boats for the simplicity of alcohol. I am hoping some one takes over production of Origos from Dometec, but for now, my Origo is on its third boat and has a lot of service life left in it.

 

[Minnesail]

My bad experiences with ALCOHOL include;

2.) An alcohol fire on a sailboat while crossing the gulf in rough weather. The generator wasn't preheated enough and fluid came out of the burner and caught on fire.

I think this must have been a pressurized alcohol stove.

Origo stoves are unpressurized and require no preheat. They are much, much, much safer than pressurized stoves.

I’m sorry to hear they’re no longer being made. I have the one-burner model in my boat and I’m quite fond of it.

There used to be a knockoff by Cookmate, but it looks like they aren’t made any longer either.

The good news is that they’re very well built and have very few moving parts so there’s not much to break. They should be available used for a long time to come.

 

[BillMoran]

I recommend a change to propane which is readily available in all countries and in most cases the cooking gas is price controled.

However, Optimus-Primus used to make a Diesel or Kerosene stove that doesn't need a pre-start (pre-heat) fluid like alcohol. I bought a 2-burner counter top for my Herreshoff 28 ketch in the 80's. I don't know if they still make them. I have seen them on eBay under "vintage" stoves.

Since then, I have owned two different boats with alcohol stoves on them, which I promptly decommissioned and replaced with Propane stoves.

My bad experiences with ALCOHOL include;

1.) Severe stinging of the eyes when I used the alcohol stove on both boats and
2.) An alcohol fire on a sailboat while crossing the gulf in rough weather. The generator wasn't preheated enough and fluid came out of the burner and caught on fire.
3.) The flames are very hard to see and it burns on the top of water which was used to attempt to put it out. It left a lot of damage on the cabin sole...

Mack

Are you referring to a pressurized alcohol stove? Sounds like, as the non-pressurized systems (like Origo) don't have a generator or any preheating.

 

[Zemurray]

We were fortunate and just bought one a few months ago before they stopped selling. I replaced an old pressure alcohol stove. The Origo is fantastic. I’m so glad we were able to get one. Easy to buy fuel for (i get mine at lowes usually). Denatured alcohol is very easy to buy just about anywhere. The stove lights very easy and works great, haven’t used the oven yet. My wife cooks on it 2-3 times a day. A gallon of fuel last about 10 days at those rates. I had the same concerns as you running propane on a small boat. I would definitely try and find a used or left over.

 

[RegisteredUser]

Maybe look into reasons they are discontinued.

 

[Arcb]

I have been trying to find something concrete, only found unsubstantiated internet forum rumors. I would like to know why they were discontunued.

If some one has a link I would like to know the why. Best stoves I have ever used.

 

[chef2sail]

Alcohol stoves have cosiderably less BTU than propane. ....just a thought.

 

[Minnewaska]

...My wife cooks on it 2-3 times a day. A gallon of fuel last about 10 days at those rates.......

Really? That's interesting. I'm certain that an equivalent volume of propane would last substantially longer. Seems like alcohol fuel storage would be a negative, if you're cruising full time.

We had alcohol stoves, when I was a kid. The blind flame is the biggest negative. I'd never, ever go back, not that I expect that to influence the OP.

 

[cthoops]

Maybe look into reasons they are discontinued.

Probably because it’s hard to turn a profit when people only need to buy one of something. Origos are bulletproof - virtually indestructible. Ours is original to the boat (1977) and works perfectly.

My wife cooks on it 2-3 times a day. A gallon of fuel last about 10 days at those rates.

That seems like an awful lot of fuel. We have been cruising full-time for almost 14 months and use our Origo every day, but average just under a gallon a month. Do use use rubber gaskets over the canisters? We do have a few fuel-saving techniques when we make pasta or cook beans (with an added bonus of not heating up the boat when it’s already hot out). Maybe that explains the difference.

 

[Gladrags1]

We love our propane stove. It’s easy to use, efficient, and safe. It burns hotter than alcohol so you cook faster and better. You don’t need to build a locker for your propane, just find a place to hang your tank. Tanks come in different sizes too. We have an 11# aluminum tank that was long and skinny that hung from my davits support until we stopped using a propane grill. You should install a solenoid to make certain there is no propane flowing into the boat in the unlikely event you have a leak.

Tod

 

[contrarian]

Seems to me that alcohol is the better choice for part timers and propane for full timers. Propane requiring more diligence to remain safe over time. Don't know that I would want to go to the trouble to convert to propane but if you do it will allow you the opportunity to insure that the system is done properly and that all the appropriate precautions are taken. Boat Poker could probably chime in on this with good advice if you choose to go that route.

 

[Minnesail]

Alcohol stoves have cosiderably less BTU than propane. ....just a thought.

In general this is true, but it depends on the propane stove. I’ve been on some charter boats with wimpy a** stoves that take at least as long as my Origo to get a pot of water boiling.

At least on my Origo the flame is not invisible. Maybe there are impurities in the fuel I buy, I don’t know, but I can definitely see the flame on my stove. The exception is when I have it turned wayyyyyyy down low, like just barely lit to keep a pot of coffee warm but not boiling. Then the flame is invisible and it would be easy to forget about it, which is a safety hazard.

Different strokes for different folks. Last time I cooked on a big boat I had all four burners going and two pans cooking in the oven! That’s not gonna happen with an Origo. On the other hand it would be absurd to fit a propane system to a 22’ boat like mine.

 

[RegisteredUser]

.... On the other hand it would be absurd to fit a propane system to a 22’ boat like mine.

Just keep x number of 1lb bottles onboard, refilling them from the 20lb at home.
Camp stove

 

[Minnesail]

Just keep x number of 1lb bottles onboard, refilling them from the 20lb at home.
Camp stove

I have the 1 lb bottles for my Magma, but the Origo is a lot more convenient.

 

[SchockT]

Our last boat had a Kenyon pressurized alcohol stove which I hated. We ripped that oven and stove out and put an extra cupboard and countertop in its place. We then bought a couple of portable butane stoves and used those. The nice thing about them is that when we weren't using them we could put them in their cases and stow them away. We could also use them in the cockpit, or on the dock if we wanted to. The butane canisters were cheap and easy to find. Butane has 2.5 times the calorific value of propane, so it takes much less to boil a pot of water.

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000020951-Butane-Stove/dp/B00FGPXVSM#

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

[Arcb]

The problem with butane is the boiling point is about -0.5 C. Which means the stoves stop working at about -0.5 Celcius. Not a problem in warm weather, but not ideal after about mid october here in Ottawa. Even though my sailing season is generally over by early December, I still will spend time on the boat on the hard. Doing projects, or even just hanging out. Nice to be able to make a pot of tea or have some heat, both on and off the water in cooler temperatures.

 

[Minnesail]

Butane stoves look pretty slick. Like propane, butane is heavier than air so there's a safety issue with keeping the canisters in the cabin.

I've had those 1lb camping canisters of propane leak. I don't completely trust them. I don't know about butane canisters, maybe they're built better.