Gas on a Contessa 26

[mikemonty]

I might have considered an Origo, but when faced with a sooty blistered ruin I had a knee-jerk (the one AFTER where I unbolted what was left of the Primus and sent it hissing to Davy Jones).
And bought a shiny new Plastimo Neptune which has become part of our living-room furniture over the last few months.

Also, I genuinely stand by what I posted previously about gas.
I'm an engineer in a company that makes gas compressors and compressor sets (even for offshore). Gas is not a "bogeyman", it just needs the same care as electricity, or petrol, or compressed air for that matter!

No one seems to say "OOHHH, electricity, now you've got to be careful there, make sure you don't leave any uninsulated bits about, and if you smell ozone, turn everything off! Oh, and have a qualified 'lecky install your light bulbs" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
It's all about perception.

Anyway, now I'm off my pulpit/soapbox.

Thanks - I guess the dumpy bottles are the (expensive) solution.

Mike

 

[graham]

I once saw a soldier set his complete head on fire with a pressurised petrol cooker.(There werent enough terrorists then so they used the cookers to even things up a bit /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).

Luckilly another guy close to him was having a wash with a bowl of water he wrestled him to the ground and doused him with the water.Surprisingly little injury caused.In the cabin of a boat it would have been fatal and probably the boat would have gone up as well.

I wouldnt ever have a pressurised cooker but the Origo is extremely safe.

as you say theres nothing wrong with correctly installed gas.If ever I go back to gas i will fit a detector in the bilge.Theres probably more chances of being killed in the car on the way to the boat but gas explosions are pretty spectacular events.

 

[KeithH]

Can I suggest a more radical solution? If you only boil a kettle, and do simple "warm up" meals, why not do away with the "proper" cooker and fixed pipework altogether? Argos, and lots of other places, sell a single burner camping stove, which houses a small canister of butane inside its frame. It is simple, and safe, as the gas canister can be completely detached from the stove after use. The gas is relatvely expensive per can, but if it is only used to make the odd cup of tea, the cost is insiginificant.

I got rid of my fixed gaz cylinder and stove after having a leak in a pipe union. The gas safely vented out of the gas vent from the gas locker - but made me realise what a potential hazard it was. The other advantage I found is that you can carry a couple of spare disposable canisters of gas, without adding any significant weight. When I had a 904 (which lasted a season) it was not worth carrying a spare cylinder, and you never knew when to change it.

Not a solution for a larger boat, but if the use is limited, worth a thought. If that is too small, then I would go for a spirit cooker, as has been suggested.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Camping Gaz 904 - refill costs £15 for 1.8kg of gas, equates to £8.33 per kg of gas.

Bright Sprk flat stove, available in stainless so won't rust on a boat - £30

Stainless Bright Spark stove

Gas cylinders for Bright Spark, £6 for a pack of 4, equates to £6 per kg of gas...

CP250 cylinder

These cylinders are also available in supermarkets (£1.48 each in Asda), camping shops, chandlers, and lots more places as well now.

Not as expensive as Keith suggested I reckon. Makes £400 to replace a copper gas pipe someone else posted hereabouts recently look rather costly.

 

[KeithH]

Angus

Thanks for that info - I had not realised that the gas in those small cans was going to be cheaper!

Another advantage of this type of stove is that you could have a complete unit as a spare - and kept in a locker - if you need another burner. Mine came in a reasonable plastic box for storage, but I fixed it in place with two bolts and wing nuts, so it can be removed completely from the boat in the winter.

 

[mikemonty]

Considered it..
Good solution..
but...
Just doesn't FEEL right - too "temporary" I guess.
I want to have the option of doing a proper meal when the urge takes. (Admittedly that's not too often) or at least have the grill and two rings available when I have to cater for visiting dignitaries, royalty etc.

regards,
Mike

 

[Chrissie]

Hi Mike,
The box set in the stern option would only need to stick up through the deck by a few inches, and would measure 9 inches by 9 inches, and could be disguised, I was thinking about making it a couple of inches higher (maybe 5 inches high on the deck) and setting a compass in the top, (like a small binicle)
Whatever I choose to do with mine it will look decorative, and nothing like a gas locker.
By 'deck' I actually mean the deck at the stern, and just out of the way of the tiller.
I too want to cook, and have fitted a lovely cooker, hob,grill and oven, I shall heat my cornish pasties in style!
Good luck with yours,
Chrissie

 

[Gunfleet]

You don't think a steel bottle under a compass is going to induce a bit of deviation?