Stoves... which fuel do you prefer?

[bastonjock]

ive gone with an origo alcohol stove,those cheap butane stoves are just too dangerous,i use methylated spirits,wish i could get denatured alcohol,but you need a licence here in the UK to buy it

meths over here stinks a bit,they put some sort of mineral in it to stop folks from drinking it

[kmclemore]

Kevin, I have used all types in the past 40 yrs. Best was Kerosene oderless and had to buy the burners thru a swiss company to convert from Alchol but 2 gals lasted over a year cruiseing thru the carribean.
It is just as hot as Propane but you need a small bottle of achole to prime.
Thats for living aboard, I use Butane now as it fits in the stove, quick release and can get at least 3-4 days meals on it. I don't worry about leakage as the tank is so small it wouldn't build to much is the lower cavities in the bildge, I keep 2 on board as spares.
My main cooking I do at the companion way cockpit with propane and store these 1 lb cannisters next to the 6 gal fuel tank.
This Colman is great and easy storage with easy cleanup.
http://www.campersland.com/col9940-755.html
2 llb can will last you 10 days cooking on it every day.
Dave

When I got my 26 it didn't have the original stove - it was long since replaced by a fridge and a formica countertop. I'm now setting this boat up for a week's outing this summer and I'm trying to decide which sort of fuel to use and shich stove to buy. Now, I don't want to start some sort of religious disagreement over this... I just want to get some advice from all you learned souls!

What stove and fuel do you use? Do you like it, and what safety factors did you consider?

I know that Alcohol burns cooler but has safety on its side. Some folks swear by the Butane stoves but I'm concerned about the availablity of the cannisters when I get to port. Propane is another choice, too.

Any advice? Thanks!

-Kevin McLemore

Crikey, Dave... I asked that question back in 2004! But thanks for answering, all the same. I use propane now, and I install/remove the canisters up in the cockpit to avoid any draining in the boat.