Storing Propane on board???

[Divecoz]

I know we have talked about this in the past . Its never a good idea to store this below decks , but where and how above deck for a larger quantity. As others have no doubt been reading JamesV in the Bahamas and Chinook's and a fellow from Michigan's trip reports.
What do you fellows see as prudent and safe for deck level storage of propane?
I was thinking ???? A cooler lashed to the deck full or there abouts, with those smaller green Coleman tanks??? I can get 3 maybe 4 meals out of one those little guys. If I was to be gone 2 months, I'd be looking at storing / needing 15 tanks...

[Bob McLellan]

If you were gone two months - that would mean you are planning to be at sea, with no port for that time? You only need enough to get to the next port where you can get additional supplies. When you plan your trip, and check out your route is the time to decide on how much to carry. Most pack too much stuff.

[Don T]

Hello,
Lynn and I go out for 2 weeks at a time and we use 6 lbs (cans) if we are cooking crabs (each batch takes ~1 lb). If we aren't crabbing then we use only 2 lbs a week. We cook breakfast 1/2 the time but always make coffee and cook dinner every night unless we splurge somewhere ashore. In my offshore sailing book that is what they recommend, 2 lbs per week. Aboard the charter catamaran Gato, for a week, we used 6 lbs cooking gormet meals for 7 people using the stove & barbeque (incl 1 crab batch).

I made a shelf under the pilot throne for our X that holds 5 cans. It seems to me that if you need that much propane, you should think about mounting a small tank aft. There are some cylinders that fit nicely. You can find them in a few different shapes to suit your installation.

[James V]

It is your choice. I could not find any post where the 1 pound cans leaked that was not rusted AND had never been used. Buy some corrosion X and spray on the tops. Coleman are the best.

However it is best to only carry enough to get you to your next destination with a spair or 2. Make sure that they do not bounce around much. The M has a nice spot in the storage area next to the inner wall.

I had 12 on board when I started.

[Divecoz]

No I wont be at sea for 2 months on a Mac 26 M But I am reading that 20 lbs of propane is $125.00 US in the Bahamas the bad part is actually that fillup stations are not found all that regular. I think the first item to toss in the sea is that SS BBQ it looks salty but is not efficient imho. Need to add a stove for sure. I am thinking stove fuel could be stored easier than propane and would last longer. No doubt I'll keep the P.O.S. fancy SS BBQ but a stove is the way to go I am sure. We are talking seriously enough that I have already folded and am tossing in one flight home for the honey during our 2 month ( or more ) Adventure.... we did almost 4 months in Mexico and had to drive back to Chicago What the heck. . .

[Catigale]

I Used 2 cylinders for one week of cruising cooking hot dinner every night and coffee in the morning, crew of 3. I store in the fuel locker.

[James V]

If I was to use the propane grill I would get the stern rail seats and put a 10 or 20 pound tank there.

[Bransher]

This subject of safely storing propane onboard seems to pop up quite frequently on this board. Each time I read it, I am perplexed as to why you do not try alternate fuels. I am referring to charcoal. It does not give off dangerous or noxious fumes, it can be stored safely below decks, it is inexpensive, what more can I say.

If you are not familiar with this nifty little item in the picture, then you owe it to yourself and the safety of your family to check out everything it can do. This is no ordinary, run of the mill grill that has been around for years. This is something new. I do not sell these grills; my connection is only that I have one and think it is the answer to cooking safely onboard. You only use about five briquettes, a fire-starter stick, and one match to light it. In less than 10 minutes, you are ready to roast, fry, or cook, and it even has a Wok as an accessory. The most dangerous part is the single match needed to start the fire.

More info is available here and the Cobb can be found at several online retailers at a reduced price.

[Divecoz]

Alternate fuel sources? Well if Charcoal is as difficult for a tourist to buy in the Bahamas as it is in Mexico that is one point. Its there btw but no where near where anyone off a boat would have much reason to be or to look. Another point would be COFFEE in the morning Moisture and mess aboard the boat and lighter either fluid or paper.... disposal of ash and hot embers is yet another subject.

[James V]

the problem with charcoal is the dust can explode as well as the things mentioned above.

I did look at the other fuels and could not find one that would fit my needs of cruising in the Bahamas.

Take your poison, all have some danger or problems.

[Bransher]

The Cobb Grill uses very little charcoal. To cook bacon and omelets for breakfast for two people only requires five briquettes. This is not the messy old charcoal grill that everyone is familiar with. The fire is completely contained inside and the heat is concentrated into a smaller area thereby requiring less fuel. The “fire chamber” is a small stainless steel cup that can be lifted out and dumped over-board. The five briquettes leave very little ash because of the intense heat. The outside of the Cobb is stainless steel mesh that is always cool to the touch.

To light the coals on a Cobb Grill, use a solid fire starter. The brand that is recommended is by Diamond and Called Strike-a-fire. It can be found in most grocery or hardware stores. They are made from compressed sawdust and wax and burn for about 10 minutes each. You simply place one of these under the charcoal and light it and allow it to burn out, at which time the Charcoal will be perfectly lit. No lighter fluid is required, only sawdust and wax and a match.

I still use the single alcohol stove that came with the boat for cooking coffee. I have a 2007 26-M with the galley next to the entrance ladder. I have the Cobb sitting on the outside step next to the hatch. I can be inside of the boat, and cook on the Cobb and the alcohol stove and use the sink without ever taking a step. It is very convenient.

I have to say that I have never heard of, or read about, a five or ten pound bag of charcoal exploding because of the dust. A silo full of charcoal maybe, but a ten pound bag???

Just trying to be helpful folks. I thought that perhaps people on this site were not familiar with this item and that I might be introducing something new. If everyone is satisfied with propane or the old style charcoal grills, then just ignore this posting.

[Night Sailor]

I am always thankful for the introduction of new devices or new technologies that can be used on a boat for more convenient and safer cruising. I didn't know about the Cobb, but I understand the principle of concentrated heat and draft. In Boy Scouts we made stoves of coffee cans, which did a good job or providing a safe, concentrated heat for one pan or pot. Easy to start and good heat.

I see two problems that might come up on board for any use of charcoal and the wood composite starter in certain climates. They are not insurmountable with the right storage containers and proper use.
1. In the some areas of continued high humidity, especially foggy areas, charcoa is used as a dessicant for it's water absorption properties. That means if one is using it for fuel, it must be kept in an air tight container until ready to use, then lit quickly.
2. We have a problem here in TX that must be apparent in other regions also hot in the summer months. The wood fiber, wax composites used as fire starters tend to get hot enough to melt out the wax and sometimes petroleum products that are in their make up when the summer temps get up to 90 F. or above. This creates quite a hard to clean up mess for storage, and in the stove or fire pit if not used immedieately.

For weight and space considerations we do use the 1lb cannisters of propane/butane mix for cooking and heating when on short cruises of less than two weeks. They are stored in the engine fuel compartments with the gasoline. When we take off on a longer cruise, we will install one of the new nonmetal 20 lb container with appropriate regulator and safety solenoid on the starboard side behind the helm seat. This will free up the fuel compartments for additional engine fuel tanks. I prefer to take longer at one fuel stop to filter fuel for a fillup, than to buy fuel frequently at different stops along the way with multiple filterings. And we would more likely explore places where there are no fuel stops for days of travel, anyway.

We have a cruising rule instituted by the Admiral 30 years ago: every three days, we must have hot showers and supper ashore in an establishment that serves something other than fast food. Since implementing that policy all has been mostly peace and harmony on extended trips, albeit the advance trip planning has been a challenge at times!

[Catigale]

I talked the Admiral into the first week long Cape Cod jaunt with a no meals on board (we ate every dinner out and had cereal and coffee for breakfast.

Since then Ive gotten pretty good cooking hot meals on board and she now likes 5 days on the boat having all her meals cooked. We get a shower every other day either on board or on shore.

[R Rae]

Bransher, we have been using our Cobb for the past four years, and love it to pieces. Everything you have said about the Cobb is right on. Just tell me how you prepare your omelettes, they sound kinda' interesting..............

Cheers,

[Divecoz]

Absolutley Bransher . . I think we are all in a constant search for new stuff . I will do some checking on the cobb for now or for later who knows and however it fits, if the fit is right.
My First Thought was of the Carbon O is long in Spanish...