Diesel cookers on yachts

[tonybannister]

So I guess that is a no for diesel.

We know gas is potentially unsafe so we take precautions. I had a caravan type cooker on our boat when we bought it - it did not have fail safe on the burners - I replaced it. We have 2 x bottles in vented lockers in the cockpit (having 2 we never run out). A gas detector sits under the cooker which is the only gas appliance. We turn the gas off at the regulator after use.

Happy it is as safe as we can get it. If I missed something let me know and I will do it.

 

[prv]

I'm not convinced by argument that, because we do not hear of explosions regularly, gas is safe. The reason why there are relatively few explosions is that we all know how dangerous it is and treat gas very carefully.

I'm not sure "we all" do. Yes, most people who read this forum know, as do most people who've done an RYA course, but there are plenty of people out there who've never got the message. A trawl through the cheaper end of boatshed.com shows plenty of Calor bottles on ancient-looking orange hoses, loose in a general stowage locker. In the galley, plenty of non-flame-failure camping stoves, more old hoses, and sometimes bottles stowed in the cabin. My dad thought I was being overcautious in insisting on replacing the probably-original hoses when we bought our boat; I don't think anyone really worried about it when he sailed as a young man.

Pete

 

[Tranona]

I'm not convinced by argument that, because we do not hear of explosions regularly, gas is safe. The reason why there are relatively few explosions is that we all know how dangerous it is and treat gas very carefully.

You use gas at home (or rather most people do) for a barby, in a caravan, tent, campervan and so on. The potential dangers are well known and equipment to use it is safe and reliable.

That is why it is used almost universally in those applications.

The only viable alternatives are paraffin or spirits and both have potential dangers if they are not handled properly.

I use both gas and paraffin - the latter in a boat where it is not practical to have a secure storage for gas cylinders. I also prefer it for cooking, but the cookers are now incrediblt expensive. Provide it was properly installed I would use gas every time .

 

[Lodesman77]

So I guess that is a no for diesel.

We know gas is potentially unsafe so we take precautions. I had a caravan type cooker on our boat when we bought it - it did not have fail safe on the burners - I replaced it. We have 2 x bottles in vented lockers in the cockpit (having 2 we never run out). A gas detector sits under the cooker which is the only gas appliance. We turn the gas off at the regulator after use.

Happy it is as safe as we can get it. If I missed something let me know and I will do it.

Bubble tester?

 

[snowleopard]

We know gas is potentially unsafe so we take precautions. I had a caravan type cooker on our boat when we bought it - it did not have fail safe on the burners - I replaced it. We have 2 x bottles in vented lockers in the cockpit (having 2 we never run out). A gas detector sits under the cooker which is the only gas appliance. We turn the gas off at the regulator after use.

Happy it is as safe as we can get it. If I missed something let me know and I will do it.

Calor gas do a brochure showing 'best practice' for gas on a boat. We followed it and are confident in our system. It has the following features:

2 gas bottles strapped in
A ventilated gas locker that drains overboard
A regulator with 2 tails fitted with non-return valves so we can change bottles at sea with no risk of spillage
A bubble-type leak detector
A remote solenoid valve that we turn off whenever the cooker is not in use
A 'Gaslow' valve that shuts off the supply in the event of a sudden drop in pressure e.g. a pipe breaking.
Separate shut-off valves next to the hob and oven.
Flame-failure devices on every burner
A gas detector with heads in the galley bilge and the gas locker.

 

[boatbuilder]

In 40 years in the boating envioroment I have never personally seen a gas explosion.
However I have seen the remains of 3 parrafin fires. I know what I would have.
I have fitted diesel cookers and all I can say is that the small 2 ring ones are ok but slow and there is allways the smell of diesel. On a fishing boat with a full size range it is the only fuel to do the job.
And nobody can smell the diesel anyway.

 

[30boat]

I removed my Wallas parafin hob after it sooted up and nearly wrecked last years summer cruise.I was happy with it for 7 years before that but when the thing soots up it's a major pain.I'm paranoid about safety with gas and always switch it off at the bottle imediately afer use.

 

[OldBawley]

Many years ago, on a long weekend trip. Far from civilization, empty gas bottle. My beloved got so angry that it started our break up. Fine, made the way clear for the next.
Since, I have on board : Two hub gas cooker. One spare bottle. One extra small spare bottle. One camping gas single burner. ( With gas cartridge ) One Reflex diesel heater, with top plate, so good for cooking.
One wood burning stove with hot plate good for cooking. One hypolito brass kerosene burner.
One wood burning “Braai” ( Diameter 70 cm ) on witch whole meals can be cooked . ( On Land )
Did not have fights about cold food any more.