Methylated Spirit Cookers

[rodfish]

Can anyone tell me how good these type of cookers are?.
I am looking to fit one to replace an old gas cooker, but want to know how good compared to gas they are. The cooker is used just to boil a kettle which holds about 3ltrs. Thanks

 

[capel679]

go for it Rodfish.
we have one that came with the boat and i was concerned but once we got the hang of it, great, and cheap.....

 

[duke]

I have a meths single ring cooker with a gimbal for boiling water, heating soup, etc. Its safe and efficient.
Probally not as quick as gas but only minutes in the difference.

Duke.

 

[Richard_Peevor]

I have the origo twin burner... its excellent. it is so safe and pretty good too. I would just like to find somewhere to buy 5L of meths in each container as I can only ever find the 500ml bottles in B&Q or homebase..

Anyone know a good place to buy meths?

Richard

 

[ex-Gladys]

...I agree with everything said above.... As for 5l cans of meths, go to france and get 5l of "Alcool a bruler" for about £3 in Carrefour...

 

[Viking]

I agree, we the others. But the 5lt container can be difficult to use. So I transfer it from the 5 litre to a half litre bottle, which last well over a weekend. In the UK you get the purple coloured stuff. I use to look for the pale colour because the darker the colour the more it seemed to smell. But I found (via this forum) that if you buy a half litre bottle to start with to use to fill the cooker units, note where the level is in the bottle, then top it up with water. Not only does it last longer but you dont get any smell. Then just refill from the 5 litre container and top up each time. Then you can keep the 5 litres in the locker outside and the handy bottle under the sink in the galley. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[graham]

Had one for 5 years ,(Origo 2 burner job) Miss the grill we had on the old gas cooker but it is very safe doesnt smell and does away with the need for a gas locker.

The bottom of the pans do get a bit black occasionally but this washes off easilly.

Would recommend an Origo, if its for a yacht then you will benefit from the gimbals and panholders which are extras.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
I would just like to find somewhere to buy 5L of meths in each container as I can only ever find the 500ml bottles in B&Q or homebase.

[/ QUOTE ]Malletts, an independent hardware store, in Truro sell it in 5l containers.

David

 

[Appleyard]

Any decent sized decorators merchant should be able to sell you 5 L of meths,at a sensible price.

 

[kds]

Yes - used it on my last 3 boats. I particularly like the safety aspect.
Viking - you couln't explain your water trick a bit more slowly for me could you ?
I am a bear of little brain and have yet to sort out a method for the water/meths link.
Ken

 

[Spyro]

re 5lt containers

I can buy 5lt containers at a local chadlery (£10.50) works out much cheaper than B&Q 500ml bottles. The label on it says
Barrettine Products ltd Bristol. tel 01179600060
http://www.barrettine.co.uk/

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Rodfish and welcome to the forum, and this your very first post.

Unlike most flammable liquids, meths can be put out with water and there is plenty available around boats.

You will find meths a lot slower as it will not produce anything like the heat of a gas flame, so, if time is not a factor then no problems, it will also mean fewer burnt offerings when cooking.

Avagoodweekend..........

 

[Kyle2]

I have one of the Origo 2-burner cookers, and find it works very well. I am also happy not to have gas on board - one less thing to worry about. I buy Meths from Wilkinsons (a national chain) at £1:18 per 500ml - cheaper than B&Q.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Need to replace my very old gas cooker and had heard about spirit ones - I'm convinced now - where and how much!!!

 

[kingfisher]

PRO's
1° Safety:
Yes, flame ups do happen, especially when you are tempted to refill when the burner is hot. You shouldn't actually do this, but what are you going to do when the flame goes out as you are heating up the soup? But as said, alcohol is the only fuel that you can put out with water

2° Availablity
No need to change to different gas cylinders, no need to carry extra gas cylinders with you.

3° Simplicity
Ease of installation: no cables, no tubes, no inspection, no gas alarm. Just screw in place and hey, presto. You could even remove it, if you only cook occasionaly.

Contra's
1° Smell:
The smell is not from the alcohol, but rather from the additives. Get it as pure as possible
2° Calories
It takes longer to heat things up. Again, the purer the alcohol, the hotter the flame
3° Safety
See flare ups, also in hot weather, the flame is difficult to spot.
4° Economy
You lose quite a lot of fuel by evaporation, I find.

Still, wouldnt want to exchange my origo. BUT, I only cook on board occasionaly, and then always just soup or a breakfast. If you are a live-aboard, go for gas.

 

[kds]

"You will find meths a lot slower"

I have heard this for a long time now - and it is NOT NECESSARILY TRUE. The heat from a flame does not just depend on its calorific value, but also on its rate of burning and the efficiency of the stove.
The Origo seems very little slower than gas - if at all.
One secret of success in a boat galley is to just boil what you need - if you just want a mugful - just boil a mugful.
Ken

 

[Spyro]

www.compass24.com used to be the best price by far (£139.95). gimbals and pan holders do seem excessively expensive though
If you are on their mailing list they regularly have free postage or 10% off offers.

 

[Viking]

Re: Methylated Spirit Cookers filling!!

OK I try!
Basically add 5% to 10% water to the Meths.
Trying to hold a 5 litre container a bit uncontrolable poring into the cooker storage units. So I use a smaller half litre bottle. If you buy a half litre bottle, the same with a 5 litre I suppose, you'll notice theres and air space at the top. (which seems to about the right amount) I just top that air space up with water.
Of course use a funnel to fill the bottle from the 5 litre container. (cheaper in bulk?)
The bottle is easier to hold and control the filing and store below. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Oh and the SHMBO loves cooking on board!! I say no more!

 

[Cobra25]

Hardware stores

 

[Colvic Watson]

Any suggestions of which stores? Google and Yahoo were rubbish - kept throwing up sigle burner little backpaking ones, we would need something that could be fixed permanently!