Alcohol stove

[ericcarr2000]

S previous mentioned, I have a 90 sundancer that has an alcohol stove. I'm trying to figure out on how to operate the damn thing for the first time. Can someone tell me where to get some of that alcohol? Can I use rubbing alcohol?

 

[smokeonthewater]

what you are looking for is denatured alcohol available at any store that sells house paint... walmart, home depot etc... if you read the can it will usually say marine stove fuel somewhere on it but that isn't required...

Step one, clear anything flammable away from the stove, open hatches for ventilation (strong fumes while lighting) and fetch some water (water is THE correct thing for controlling an alcohol fire and it only takes a little)

Depending on the exact model of stove you have the process may vary but generally they have a primer pump... you use that to pump air into the full alcohol tank till there is enough pressure to push fuel into the burner cup....

Then open a valve and allow some fuel into the cup and CLOSE the valve... light that fuel (expect a tall flame) and allow it to burn till almost gone.... open the valve slightly... it will likely be spitting and sputtering and it is a balancing act to keep it burning without getting too much fuel in the cup.... you may need to open and close it several times... After a couple minutes the fuel entering the burner cup will be fully evaporated and will start burning right... the fumes will be much more tolerable and the flame will be usable for cooking.

the heat from the fire will maintain pressure in the tank till it is empty... pumping is only required for lighting.

 

[dwco5051]

Denatured alcohol is can be bought at about any hardware store, Lowes, Home Depot. Check in the paint department.

CAUTION: Alcohol burns so clean that in bright light you can not see the flame. Though I have used in in backpacking stoves I would be very careful to use it in a boat as if some spilled and ignited it may not be noticed.

 

[smokeonthewater]

There are also stoves that don't use pressurized tanks and they operate much differently.... which stove do you have?

 

[Mischief Managed]

If it's like mine, open the stove, remove the rubber seal from the hole in the tank take the "tank" out and pour the alcohol into it outside the cabin. Put the tank back in the stove, close the top, open the burner to high and light it. Close the burner to put it out. When it cools down, put the rubber seal back in place.

 

[ericcarr2000]

No Title

Here's a pic of what I have. Also where do I put the alcohol at?

 

[Alan Lloys]

That is a combination electric / pressurized alcohol stove.
I am sure you have the electrical part figured out - it works on shore power.

The rear vent is a pressure release valve to avoid over pressurizing the tank.
It unscrews and is the fill port for the alcohol. This model does not have a removable tank so be careful and use a funnel.
You don't want to fill it more than about 1/2 to 3/4 full as you need to have room for pressurized air.

The front knob in the center is the pressure pump.
You pump it up and down to build pressure.
If it has not been used in a long time the leather cup inside tends to crack and/or the valve tends to stick.
Try it first without alcohol in it and see if you can build pressure.

You should be able to find a manual for a similar stove if you search for Princess alcohol stoves.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Well what exactly is the electric for because when I turn on the stove breaker nothing happens, I know there's 2 different lights on side of the burner.

 

[smokeonthewater]

there are two wheels in the front for the alcohol valves... there will be two wheels at the side for the electric burners... there will also be a safety switch at the back.... it is a plunger that the lid pushes down when closed.... IIRC it looks about like a dime.... if it isn't spring loaded grab it and pull it up..... then roll the wheels to turn on the electric burners

 

[shrew]

Denatured alcohol and boat stove fuel are essentially the same thing. Yes, you can get denatured alcohol at a home goods store. However it burns with a stronger odor and does burn dirtier than boat stove fuel.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Ok I just got done lighting it for the first time. Boy you guys are right, that alcohol burns quick. I'm assuming you put the alcohol in the round opening opposite the primer plunger?

 

[ericcarr2000]

Also is it possible to just use the electric part of the burner and not even bother with the alcohol?

 

[JoLin]

Denatured alcohol and boat stove fuel are essentially the same thing. Yes, you can get denatured alcohol at a home goods store. However it burns with a stronger odor and does burn dirtier than boat stove fuel.

Denatured alcohol from Home Depot or Lowe's is all I've ever used.It's advertised as marine stove fuel right on the can. I've never noticed any odor or soot. It burns clean.

OP, yes, you can definitely just use the electric cooktop and not bother with alcohol at all.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Also is it possible to just use the electric part of the burner and not even bother with the alcohol?

Yes of course.... It's electric OR alcohol ..... NEVER both.

 

[bruceb58]

You can use the electric part as long as you are hooked to shore power.

Non pressurized alcohol stoves are way better. We got rid of the one like you have.