Origo Stove Fuel

[webcraft]

I've become a fan of Origo stoves. On a recent trip from Sweden to W. Scotland we originally burnt light or non-coloured fuel bought in Scandinavia which was relatively sweet-smelling and burnt with a blue flame. When this ran out on the Scottish leg of the trip we purchased purple meths from B&Q. While this burnt fine it was definitely a lot smellier and less pleasant.

(Yes, I know that's because us Jocks drink the stuff etc)

So - does anyone know where to get cleaner fuel (denatured alcohol rather than meths?) and what is the cheapest source?

- Nick


BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com

 

[johnsomerhausen]

What about adding a little bit of straight malt or drambuie to disguise the smell ?
john

 

[Guest]

I use one on my boat much safer than gas and very simple to use
I'm told that if you add a little bit of water to the meths it stops the smell

 

[VicS]

I dont think you will be able to buy the colourless meths in the UK other than with a Customs & Excise Permit. It is used industrially, of course, where it is known as "industrial methylated spirit" and if memory serves me correctly is available in at least two different strengths. The blue stuff you can buy in the shops has, in addition to methanol, pyridine to make it smell nasty (pure pyridine smells very very nasty) and a dye to make it look nasty and recognisable, added to it. The only hope is to know someone who can supply you illegally, but bearing in mind the interest HM C&E have in boats that could be a bit foolish.

 

[Guest]

Used one for years.

Always add about 10% water to reduce carbonisation (soot) on pans - also helps drop the smell.

Best regards )

Ian D

 

[webcraft]

Won't this decrease the efficiency of the stove?

- Nick

BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com

 

[jools]

The French supermarkets sell alcohol for these stoves and it costs about £2.80 per 5 litre container. It burns very clean and smells a little like rum which I find most acceptable however my wife does'nt like the smell so I can only cook cheaply when she is not on board. I have tried pure methenol in my fondu set burner and it performed admirably but I have yet to try it in my origo. You can aquire methenol via model aircraft suppliers as it is the main component of the glow engine fuel. The cheapest outlet for meths that I have found is Wilkinsons stores at about £1.15 per bottle.

 

[peterager]

Beware of methanol (ethyl alcohol), we used to use it in a drag bike in the late 70's.
It burns with a colourless flame and is excellent for removing paint. It has also been known to make o- rings swell up.
The biggest problem however is that it is easily absorbed through the skin and I always understood that it collects in the liver eventually causing blindness.
I would not use it for cooking but it may well make your engine run faster!

Peter

 

[jools]

I'm definitely not going to drink any more of that now!

 

[Guest]

Have you tried adding 10 % water yet

It does work