Fuel for Origo stoves and/or Heat Pal heater

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salgarfi

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Hello All,

I'm thinking of getting an Origo Heat Pal heater for my little river cruiser (22 feet), but can anyone tell me precisely what kind, or brand, of meths do you use, and what it costs? I am a very frugal boater so I want to get the best for my money. Also, how long does a litre of fuel last when using the heater?

In truth, I've been searching on the net and I'm only getting confused!

Thanks!

PS: I also need to have a fuel that has a very low smell, if at all. My wife is very sensitive to smells.
 
No doubt Origo supporters will soon be telling you that they don't smell at all. Our experience of the cooker is that we had to exit the saloon with streaming eyes due to the fumes. That was using French alcool a bruler. I suggest you look for an alternative that has some sort of flue to the outside.
 
salgarfi said:
Hello All,

I'm thinking of getting an Origo Heat Pal heater for my little river cruiser (22 feet), but can anyone tell me precisely what kind, or brand, of meths do you use, and what it costs? I am a very frugal boater so I want to get the best for my money. Also, how long does a litre of fuel last when using the heater?

In truth, I've been searching on the net and I'm only getting confused!

Thanks!

PS: I also need to have a fuel that has a very low smell, if at all. My wife is very sensitive to smells.
Click to expand...

The trouble with ordinary "meths" is that it does tend to smell when burned. Some people find the smell very unpleasant.

If you go to France you can buy "alcool à brûler" which is what is usually recommended. I am surprised that anyone has problems with it. This is the first time I have heard that but I am not doubting Vyv for one moment.

Some people report that adding a little water to ordinary "meths" stops the smell.

The larger B&Q stores sell "bio ethanol" for the bio ethanol fires they sell. That should do nicely. https://www.diy.com/departments/la-hacienda-bio-ethanol-fuel-2l/540224_BQ.prd

I am sure it will be avaialble in other places too.

BTW Ordinary meths , more correctly called "completely denatured alcohol" ( CDA), does not now have to be coloured although I think it usually is.
 
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I had an origo and on a smaller boat where it's impractical to have gas due to restrictions on gas lockers etc they serve a good purpose. Economically they are good they don't use too much fuel if you buy larger sized containers as opposed to 500ml bottles. They do take a bit longer to cook / boil a kettle than gas would but what's the hurry. They are very simple to operate and clean. They do need a long nosed lighter to get right down to the "wick". The down side is definitely the smell. Purple meths does have a smell to it. When I had mine the clear fuel that you can get in B&Q now wasn't available then so can't comment on what that is like. There has been loads of questions before on them so if you have a few hours search "Origo" on the forum. Be warned as many will love them as hate them.
 
Yes, I've looked at earlier threads on Origos and people's opinions can be very diametrically opposed! But they were a few years ago, so I'm hoping to get more up-to-date views. It's obvious that the price of fuel has gone up so I want to factor that into whatever I end up deciding to do in the end.

But I've got another question for those who use Origos: if you use bio-ethanol, do you use that which is supposed to be used for camping stoves, or the type that can be used for domestic fires, or even the so-called marine type. I see that EkoFuel sells bioethanol in these categories.
 
salgarfi said:
Yes, I've looked at earlier threads on Origos and people's opinions can be very diametrically opposed! But they were a few years ago, so I'm hoping to get more up-to-date views. It's obvious that the price of fuel has gone up so I want to factor that into whatever I end up deciding to do in the end.

But I've got another question for those who use Origos: if you use bio-ethanol, do you use that which is supposed to be used for camping stoves, or the type that can be used for domestic fires, or even the so-called marine type. I see that EkoFuel sells bioethanol in these categories.
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They specifically mention Origo stoves in the FAQs about the marine alcohol and the accompanying illustration show a Heat Pal. That looks like the obvious choice


EkoFuel_Marine_Banner_with_origo_.jpg



It would be interesting to trial all three and report your findings back here.
 
This picture is interesting because it also shows the same Origo single hob cooker that it shows in the photo that illustrates their camping fuel in use. I also wonder if, as in your ealier link, B&Q have a La Hacienda fuel that might work with Origo cookers and Heat Pals, then perhaps EkoFuel's fuel for domestic fires might also do the same. I wonder what the differences really are between all of these.., hmm...?
 
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salgarfi said:
This picture is interesting because it also shows the same Origo single hob cooker that it shows in the photo that illustrates their camping fuel in use. I also wonder if, as in your earlier link, B&Q have a La Hacienda fuel that might work with Origo cookers and Heat Pals, then perhaps EkoFuel's fuel for domestic fires might also do the same. I wonder what the differences really are between all of these.., hmm...?
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I wodered that too

All three refer to the same safety data sheet although the marine fuel has a lower ethanol content.

They say something about being acetone free but the data sheet says they contain MEK , which as you would expect has a similar smell but to my mind is a little more pungent.

On reflection though I am doubtful about the wisdom of using any form of heating that burns a carbon fuel in an enclosed space like a boat cabin without venting all the combustion products safely outside!
 
Quoting from Mapp and Lucia.., 'we all wonder...' But concerning safety with a carbon fueled appliance in a boat, I think that if one ventilates, then it's OK. We cook with these things, eg gas, and we have no special extractors (well.., I don't), and I always keep my side windows open slightly along with my front hatch. I also almost always keep the door to my cockpit open by around an inch. Also, I wouldn't burn these kind of appliances while asleep. It's matter of safety awareness and common sense.
 
salgarfi said:
Quoting from Mapp and Lucia.., 'we all wonder...' But concerning safety with a carbon fueled appliance in a boat, I think that if one ventilates, then it's OK. We cook with these things, eg gas, and we have no special extractors (well.., I don't), and I always keep my side windows open slightly along with my front hatch. I also almost always keep the door to my cockpit open by around an inch. Also, I wouldn't burn these kind of appliances while asleep. It's matter of safety awareness and common sense.
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At least fit a CO alarm
 
salgarfi said:
This picture is interesting because it also shows the same Origo single hob cooker that it shows in the photo that illustrates their camping fuel in use. I also wonder if, as in your ealier link, B&Q have a La Hacienda fuel that might work with Origo cookers and Heat Pals, then perhaps EkoFuel's fuel for domestic fires might also do the same. I wonder what the differences really are between all of these.., hmm...?
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La Hacienda bioethonol fuel from B&Q works perfectly. I used it for a couple of years for my Origo stove. No smell or soot and it even seems to burnt a little warmer than with meths.

Ethanol should burn into water vapour and carbon dioxide, both of which are harmless. However, it could produce carbon monoxide if there was not enough oxygen to burn. I would therefore ensure that there is good ventilation when using the stove.
 
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Here is the Definitive Answer

I removed the complete Gas System from my Westerly Longbow 31 "Ohana" due to the cost of Testing refurb or replacement. I purchased a double Origio for £100 used in excellent condition ask about you will find they pop up once you put feelers about on facebook groups etc.

I use this from B&Q £6 for 2ltrs and store it in an outside locker where the gas bottles used to be

https://www.diy.com/departments/la-hacienda-bio-ethanol-fuel-2l/540224_BQ.prd?utm_campaign=bau&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=awin&utm_content=Editorial+Content&utm_term=78888&awc=483_1526198360_6ce7a0b5711a0001e3c859bc70de8a56

Absolutely no smell At All

One Capful is enough to Fry Up a couple of Steaks or cook a meal (Allways top up Outside)

Speed of Cooking
I really think this depends on what your using to cook with My Skillet Fry Pan with the latest technologies cooks as fast as anything at home
My Whistling Stainless Kettle Does take longer but not significantly.

There is a problem with soot residue but this is only on the bottom of the pans so I am just careful now where I put the pan down after cooking

Regards Safety As long as you shut off the burner after cooking and top up your canister outside you should have no problems whatsoever

I personally dont regret buying the Origio at all and would reccomend it to everyone and as said they are about used for great prices

P.s. Meths Stinks Anywhere Used it in the middle of the Welsh Mountains And it still stinks.
 
Well.., this all sounds positive, though I'm sure there are people who'll disagree. Anyway, with a boat as drafty as I keep mine, I think the Heat Pal will work just fine (and if I ever need to get rid of my gas hobs I'll consider Origo ones). If I also buy fuel from EkoFuel in bulk (relatively speaking that is), then I should save some money too. I do live in Cardiganshire and we're known for being mean (we're also in the middle of the Welsh mountains!).
 
I have not used the Origo cooker in my boat yet but the previous owner diluted the meths with 10% water and told me that it stopped the fumes.
 
thesaintlyone said:
Here is the Definitive Answer

I removed the complete Gas System from my Westerly Longbow 31 "Ohana" due to the cost of Testing refurb or replacement. I purchased a double Origio for £100 used in excellent condition ask about you will find they pop up once you put feelers about on facebook groups etc.

I use this from B&Q £6 for 2ltrs and store it in an outside locker where the gas bottles used to be

https://www.diy.com/departments/la-hacienda-bio-ethanol-fuel-2l/540224_BQ.prd?utm_campaign=bau&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=awin&utm_content=Editorial+Content&utm_term=78888&awc=483_1526198360_6ce7a0b5711a0001e3c859bc70de8a56

Absolutely no smell At All
Click to expand...

Didn't someone mention this bio-ethanol fuel earlier in the thread ? #3 ?

coveman said:
I have not used the Origo cooker in my boat yet but the previous owner diluted the meths with 10% water and told me that it stopped the fumes.
Click to expand...

Think that was mentioned in #3 as well!
 
I have used on for five years. It is positioned on the port side of the boat, directly underneath the hatch. I always keep the hatch open when in use or when raining I leave the top washboard out. I have an alarm and it has never even peeped about the stove. I use the B&Q Bio Ethanol although our local store has stopped selling it (was in there today so this is recent news). I have also used Bola and that is fine too.
 
Spyro said:
I've just watched a video on youtube. I don't know what he's saying but i was amazed at the size if the thing.
https://youtu.be/ljbWyYgwtpg
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The Heatpal is huge. I bourght one and it was way to big for my little boat - nowhere safe to put it. The stove on the other hand is lovely and compact, even with its Gimballs. I love mine and tbh if i want heat, I just put the kettle on and light an oil lamp and the whole boat becomes nice and toasty.
 
It's size surprised me too, but I took it's measurements and found a bucket of comparable size and I realised I have space for it on the boat, and in my campervan, so I've gone ahead and ordered one. Of course, it won't be much used until the Autumn, but the price through Amazon is reasonable at the moment.
 
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