Skip, In case of a fire caused by over priming or other alcohol fuel caused fire issues on top of the stove use water (gently poured or misted) to dilute the alcohol. Alcohol loves water and will absorb it quickly gently putting the fire out.
Back in 1979 I was sailing on a C&C 39 from Hawaii to Seattle. 2 days out of Hanalei Bay one of the crew over primed the stove causing a pool of alcohol over the entire stove (3 burner) surface. The crew, deep into happy hour lit a burner igniting the pool of fuel. Back then I was not aware of water's diluting effect of flaming alcohol. I stood by with a dry chem extinguisher expecting the fire to die down, contained by the design of the stove top pan. What I did not expect was the fire to soften/burn the fuel supply hose off its fitting. Fortunately the boat's owner (on deck) had the presence of mind to shut the valve between the pressurized tank and the stove. When the hose failed it shot burning alcohol across the galley and onto the teak faced plywood bulkhead. At that point I dumped 2 dry chem extinguishers onto the burning plywood. So, after 5 years and two Seattle/LA/Hawaii/Seattle round trips on that 39 with an alcohol stove that was the one time we had a significant safety issue with alcohol fuel. If I had used some water to dilute the alcohol I would not have that sea story to tell. Today I prefer propane as it heats faster, has less small and extra moisture created, and I don't have to prime the burner. We do have the electric shut off solenoid, separate overboard vent storage space, and a healthy regard for the risk of heavier than air propane leaking into a bilge. Martin Calypso 1971 C&C 43 Seattle [Description: cid:D1BF9853-22F7-47FB-86F2-4115CE0BAF2F] From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Burt Stratton via CnC-List Sent: Monday, August 11, 2014 7:37 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Stus-List Alcohol stove This my first go-around with alcohol stoves. Seems to work very nicely. Cleaned it up filled it and brewed a big pot of coffee in no time. Is there any reason not to use plain old denatured alcohol instead of stove cooking fuel? Skip
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