Amanda Knapp
Alcohol stoves have been used on boats for decades, but they have become less popular over time due to safety concerns. They work by using pressurised tanks to feed burners that have been pre-heated with liquid alcohol, which then vaporises the fuel so it can burn effectively. However, if this process is not done correctly, the stove can flare up and cause a fire. Burning alcohol also does not release the same amount of energy for its weight as other fuels, and some types of alcohol burn cleaner and smell less.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Alcohol |
| Fuel efficiency | Not as efficient as other fuels |
| Safety | Can cause fires if not used correctly |
| Maintenance | Requires regular cleaning |
| Pre-heating | Burners must be pre-heated with liquid alcohol |
| Fuel tank | Pressurized |
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What You'll Learn
- The type of alcohol used is important: only use the type approved for stoves, as some burn cleaner and smell less
- Alcohol stoves can be dangerous: they can flare up and cause a large, low-intensity fire
- Alcohol stoves are less fuel-efficient than other types of stove
- Alcohol stoves are pressurised: the tank must be kept pressurised using a few pumps from a bike pump
- Alcohol stoves are old-style: they are less common now due to the safety concerns
The type of alcohol used is important: only use the type approved for stoves, as some burn cleaner and smell less
The type of alcohol used in a boat alcohol stove is important. Only use the type approved for stoves, as some burn cleaner and smell less. Burning alcohol does not release the same amount of energy for the same weight as other fuels, so it's important to pick the right alcohol. Some alcohol stoves use pressurised tanks feeding burners that must be pre-heated with liquid alcohol to make them hot enough to vaporise the fuel so it can burn effectively. This process must be done correctly, or the stove will flare up and send flames high above the surface of the stove. This can also lead to an overflow of liquid fuel, which can cause a large, low-intensity fire when it ignites. Many boat fires are caused by alcohol stove flare-ups. For these reasons, the number of alcohol stoves using pressurised burners has declined dramatically.
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Alcohol stoves can be dangerous: they can flare up and cause a large, low-intensity fire
It is important to use good-grade alcohol in an alcohol stove and to ensure that the stove is clean before use. Burning alcohol does not release the same amount of energy for the same weight as other fuels, so it is important to pick your alcohol carefully and only use the type approved for stoves. Some types of alcohol also burn cleaner, so there is less smell.
To work with an alcohol stove, you must drip, ignite, heat the burner, and then turn it on. It is also important to keep the tank pressurized, using a few pumps from a bike pump. Some tanks have a self-contained pump, but maintenance can be an issue.
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Alcohol stoves are less fuel-efficient than other types of stove
Alcohol stoves also require careful preparation to work effectively. The burners must be pre-heated with liquid alcohol to make them hot enough to vaporise the fuel so it can burn effectively. If this is not done correctly, the stove will flare up and send flames high above the surface of the stove. This can also lead to an overflow of liquid fuel, which can cause a large, low-intensity fire when it ignites. Many boat fires are caused by alcohol stove flare-ups, and so the number of alcohol stoves using pressurised burners has declined dramatically.
To avoid flare-ups, it is important to keep the tank pressurised. This can be done using a few pumps from a bike pump, although some tanks have a self-contained pump. It is also important to pick your alcohol carefully and only use the type approved for stoves, as some burn cleaner and produce less smell.
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Alcohol stoves are pressurised: the tank must be kept pressurised using a few pumps from a bike pump
The pressurised tank feeds the burners, which must be pre-heated with liquid alcohol to make them hot enough to vaporise the fuel so it can burn effectively. This process must be done correctly to avoid stove flare-ups.
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Alcohol stoves are old-style: they are less common now due to the safety concerns
Alcohol stoves are old-style and less common now due to safety concerns. Old-style alcohol stoves generally use pressurised tanks feeding burners that must be pre-heated with liquid alcohol to make them hot enough to vaporise the fuel so it can burn effectively. This process, although not difficult, must be done correctly or the stove will tend to flare up and send flames high above the surface of the stove. This can also lead to an overflow of liquid fuel, which can leak around the stove causing a large, low-intensity fire when it ignites. Many boat fires are caused by alcohol stove flare-ups. For these reasons, the number of alcohol stoves using pressurised burners has declined dramatically.
Alcohol stoves are still used on some boats, but burning alcohol does not release the same amount of energy for the same weight as other fuels. It is important to pick your alcohol carefully and only use the type approved for stoves, as some also burn cleaner, so less smell. It is also important to make sure the stove is very clean before using it, as you don't want a fire to start by setting off other combustibles on the stove.
To work an alcohol stove, the same procedure is used as when working with a kerosene (pressurised) stove. Drip, ignite, heat burner, turn on. Remember to keep the tank pressurised, using a few pumps from the bike pump (some tanks have a self-contained pump).
The brand of alcohol used can also make a difference to how well the stove works.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol stoves generally use pressurised tanks feeding burners that must be pre-heated with liquid alcohol to make them hot enough to vaporise the fuel so it can burn effectively.
Only use the type of alcohol approved for stoves. Some burn cleaner, so less smell. Make sure the alcohol is clean, you don't want a fire to start.
You can use a few pumps from a bike pump. Some tanks have a self-contained pump.
