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Can I use methyl hydrate in my origo stove? Called origo and they said not to use it but other forums suggest otherwise. Do not seem to be able to find denatured alcohol in my area. Would appreciate some feedback on what others use as a substitute.
Thanks

I use fondue fuel in my Origo stove.

If you buy Methyl Hydrate at Canadian Tire in the paint section it says fondue fuel right on the label.

Quote from their web site: "Can be used as fondue fuel or fuel for marine unpressurized alcohol stoves, and dissolving gums, resins, and celluloid"

The problem with methyl hydrate is that it (and its vapor) are poisonous to humans. It works just fine, but I wouldn't use it in an enclosed space for extended periods. With the vents open I'm sure it would be just fine.

Both Walmart and Home Depot stock denatured alcohol. Look there. It's also safe and possible to use isopropyl alcohol, although it's sooty and the 70% stuff may not work in your stove. "HEET" brand should work.

Finally, there's always everclear...

Denatured alcohol is almost impossible to find in Canada.

Your Origo stove seals tight when shut off, so fumes should be minimal.

The skull and crossbones on the label should keep you from drinking it

I've checked over and over and methyl hydrate is fine. I visited a couple marina stores and that's what they had, no denatured available. I did a lot of research and the answer seems to be there's just a few less BTUs than the denatured alcohol.

I got some Phab brand denatured alcohol at a Home Hardware on Salt Spring, you could always try a HH near the water. I bought a gallon of alcohol from the Home Depot paint dept for the same $ as a quart of denatured. There's probably a marine store somewhere on the rock that has it.

Either works fine, the denature sometimes has a smell added though. We pretty much cook with the slider open, or the screen door on the companionway at the very least.

Willy

Look for BioFlame at Canadian Tire, I found some good results on another forum and just checked the CT website and they have it for $24/gallon. Claimed 30% faster cooking than M.H. on the other site. Should be about right as the BTU #s I've found are 12,000 Ethanol(de natured Alcohol) and 9,000 Methanol(Methyl Hydrate). Also they compared it directly to the Captain Phab and the poster said he got more heat in his oven and noticeably faster cooking times especially for making coffee

This fuel is intended for indoor open flame fireplaces so noxious vapours must be super low.

I'm a stone mason and when building some custom chimneys last year the architect was trying to solve a design issue by installing an ethanol fireplace, legally no venting is required in a home in BC with this fuel, could be a winner.

Willy

Willy,

Thanks for the tip on Bioflame. I will be switching to that once I use up my fondue fuel.

Brian

Methyl hydrate, Denatured Alcohol and Methylated Sprits are just different names for very similar things, Methanol or Ethanol with or without additives.

Ethanol(the stuff in beer) you can drink Methanol(Wood Alcohol e.g. bad moonshine) you cannot. There is no difference in their toxicity when burnt they both break down to carbon dioxide and water.

You want something about 90% pure to burn, 10% water reduces the sooting.

Methyl hydrate is normally 100% methanol so is a very good fuel just add 10% water to it if it soots too much.

Well, methanol has about 25% fewer BTU's/unit than ethanol, so cooking is going to take longer.

~Rich

Hamin' X wrote:Well, methanol has about 25% fewer BTU's/unit than ethanol, so cooking is going to take longer.

~Rich

True it has less energy but the peak flame temperature of ethanol is 1,920 degrees Celsius (3,488 degrees Fahrenheit), while the peak flame temperature of methanol is 1,870 degrees Celsius (3,398 degrees Fahrenheit). So you will burn more to achieve the same result.