Does anyone have the alcohol/electric stove? I have it and it was a pricy option. How well does to alcohol burner work? How does it work? It does not seem to be pressurized. Does anyone have a manual? I just bought a coleman propane stove in case to alcohol electric stove is nothing more than a weak candle.
Alcohol/Electric stove
- Thread starter JV II
- Start date
Sundancer
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 2,909
- Boat Info
- 34 year old CLASSIC 300 DA, towed almost anywhere behind the Duramax Dually Crew Cab.
- Engines
- 16 cyl, 700 cu. in./Alpha I's
You'll find a mixed bag on the Alcohol stoves. Some people love them and some people fear them. We've used ours for 8 plus years and haven't had any issues with it. The directions are available on-line from Kenyon. When you initially light it, it's a flame that can burn 4 - 12 inches high. We just put a pot over it until it burns out and then you can light it and it will burn like a normal gas flame. Some people claim that it burns invisible, but I've always noticed a blue or orange flame. It's not quite as hot as propane, but it's not as scary to have alcohol aboard since it evaporates and can easily be put out with water. Propane needs to be kept where it can vent overboard and never inside the cabin. If it leaks and settles in the bilge and then meets a spark, kaboooom! We can cook inside with alcohol if the weather is bad. I wouldn't do that with propane!
Thanks for the info. I just couldn't see how the stove would put out much heat since it wasn't pressurized. I'll go online to read more. Anyone else with experience, please post.
Thanks for the warning about the propane. I intend to use that outside on the cockpit table, mainly for boiling water, but also for pancakes.:smt001 Not only is there a risk of explosion inside, but also carbon monoxide.
- Feb 4, 2007
- 7,251
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA, TNT, Caribe dink w/15hp OB.
- Engines
- 3126 427HP TD transmissions
I have a dual stove and use it all the time. The electric works great, the alcohol works but slow. very very slow to get a pot of water boiling. We usually use it to make rice while i'm grilling on the back.
We had alcohol/electric stoves on our Bayliners, and they worked just fine. Be careful to use the prescribed fuel because there are tiny orifices that don't like dirty/poor fuel. Also when first lit the burner needs to be warmed up before they function properly.
Last edited:
Csalt
New Member
- Apr 23, 2007
- 27
- Boat Info
- 280 Sundancer 1990
- Engines
- 4.3 Mercruiser w/Alpha1 Drives
We use the Kenyon alcohol stove and find it to work quite well. As stated above, if you let it pool up and burn it off first they work much better. It heats up the element in the burner to allow it to generate pressure.
As with any cooking on the boat keep an eye on it.
As with any cooking on the boat keep an eye on it.
Henry Boyd
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2007
- 6,014
- Boat Info
- ‘09 Sabre 38 Hardtop Express “Serenity”
- Engines
- Volvo D6 w/IPS450 Pods
I've used Alcohol stoves and ovens over the years and they are not my favorite cooking tool. To answer your question on pressure - We have the canned butane stove on Bella, so I do not know how the Kenyon stove works. But I can tell you how they work on some of the other boats I have cooked on.
On the older boats I have seen that the alcohol is pressurized by a small pump initially to start the flame. The plumbing is routed in such a way that the feed line is warmed by the flame, that in turn causes the liquid to change state to gas once the fire is going.
My experience is that they can be tough to start and 'flooding' an alcohol burner can lead to nasty flare ups (of the eyebrow singing nature).
Henry
On the older boats I have seen that the alcohol is pressurized by a small pump initially to start the flame. The plumbing is routed in such a way that the feed line is warmed by the flame, that in turn causes the liquid to change state to gas once the fire is going.
My experience is that they can be tough to start and 'flooding' an alcohol burner can lead to nasty flare ups (of the eyebrow singing nature).
Henry
Tacoma290
Active Member
We have the Kenyon alcohol/electric and are satisfied (but not exactly elated with it).
Heats quicky on electricity, but not as fast on alcohol.
One the stove, there is a reservior for some alcohol, and it is wicked to the the burner.
The big advantages vs an electric only stove is that it allows us to cook without needing to run a generator or be connected to the dock. This is significant for us because we don't have/want a generator. An added benfit is that we'll be able to cook if we ever have a problem with the electrical system.
The complaint I have is that the burner seal is not very tight, and the alcohol will slowly evaporate over time. I also wish the burner was closer to the cook surface to reduce cooking time. Boiling water takes longer than it should (then again we are "on vacation" on the boat and what is the big deal with loosing a few minutes).
Heats quicky on electricity, but not as fast on alcohol.
One the stove, there is a reservior for some alcohol, and it is wicked to the the burner.
The big advantages vs an electric only stove is that it allows us to cook without needing to run a generator or be connected to the dock. This is significant for us because we don't have/want a generator. An added benfit is that we'll be able to cook if we ever have a problem with the electrical system.
The complaint I have is that the burner seal is not very tight, and the alcohol will slowly evaporate over time. I also wish the burner was closer to the cook surface to reduce cooking time. Boiling water takes longer than it should (then again we are "on vacation" on the boat and what is the big deal with loosing a few minutes).
Salty Dog - LI
New Member
- Jun 15, 2007
- 60
We have a Kenyon dual burner alcohol/electric stove on our boat. It works just fine! The important thing with any alcohol or propane stove/oven is to maintain it and follow the instruction manual and safety precautions! Replacement parts are available for all stoves. Valve seals need to be replaced over the years. I replaced the piston seals on my stove pump, as well as the burner head assemblies and one electric switch. The burner head cups don't need to be fillled with much alcohol. Too much and you'll have a bon fire when it's lit, which could lead to a disaster! A few pumps to build up some burner head pressure, crack the valve open to bleed out some alcohol into the burner head cup and then close it, light the burner and let the head burn off, then slightly open the vaporized burner head and light it off- it will work just like a gas stove, as long as you don't open the valve too much. For safety sake, don't leave a burning stove unattended!
Propane stoves work well too. The tanks are always mounted out in cockpits, with ventilation that leads any vapor leaks overboard. The boats I've been on have always have gas vapor detection systems. Propane vapor is heavier than air, not lighter, so the vapors will go down to the bilge. We always shut the tank valve off after using the stove. And the gas vapor detection system is always on!
For piece of mind, I'll stick with an alcohol stove, unless it's a small propane bottle stove!
Propane stoves work well too. The tanks are always mounted out in cockpits, with ventilation that leads any vapor leaks overboard. The boats I've been on have always have gas vapor detection systems. Propane vapor is heavier than air, not lighter, so the vapors will go down to the bilge. We always shut the tank valve off after using the stove. And the gas vapor detection system is always on!
For piece of mind, I'll stick with an alcohol stove, unless it's a small propane bottle stove!
