Alfie168
Well-known member
Ignoring the simple instructions written inside an Origo will always carry a Darwinian risk. Obeying the instructions and using common sense eliminates that risk to a minimum. People ignore warnings then blame the kit !
Spirit stoves - Origo no more?
- Thread starter Black Sheep
- Start date
Ignoring the simple instructions written inside an Origo will always carry a Darwinian risk. Obeying the instructions and using common sense eliminates that risk to a minimum. People ignore warnings then blame the kit !
Yellow Ballad
Well-known member
Oh I'm not arguing against them just that I've heard about more people getting burnt by alcohol stoves then boats being blown up by gas. More of a warning to users about filling them when hot as a warning to gas users to turn the gas off at the bottle. I imagine it's very easy to be tempted in not waiting long enough because you got away with it last time.
If Calor do increase the size of the 4.5kg bottle then I'll probably be converting to alcohol myself.
Life-changing voyage: Sailing solo across the Atlantic in a 22ft sloop
And only the other week..
If Calor do increase the size of the 4.5kg bottle then I'll probably be converting to alcohol myself.
Life-changing voyage: Sailing solo across the Atlantic in a 22ft sloop
And only the other week..
Praxinoscope
Well-known member
#62 Unfortinate as these events are, it is a perfect example of someone stupidly ignoring the instructions and attempting to refill a hot spirit container, there is no way the damage shown in the pictures could have occurred in normal use.
if you are worried about running out of fuel in the middle of cooking, then top the burner up before use, or do as I have and keep a third burner on board which could be exchanged for the empty one.
if you are worried about running out of fuel in the middle of cooking, then top the burner up before use, or do as I have and keep a third burner on board which could be exchanged for the empty one.
bergie
Active member
Ohh, I like that idea! Going to put on an alarm for Origo burners being sold on eBay and will try to get one spare one for the boat. Haven’t yet ever run out while cooking (at least, run out on both burners), but could see it happen.
Gary Fox
N/A
The German ones have a seperate tank, it's the tube at the back, you can see the brass filler cap. 
madabouttheboat
Well-known member
I had an Origo on my first boat and never got on with it. I once had it flare up with flames singing the ceiling above it, I don't know to this day what I did wrong, possibly over-filled it, but very soon after that I ripped it out and installed gas.
Rhylsailer99
Active member
I just bought one from compass24 is there anything i might need to know about these stoves thanks.
Poignard
Well-known member
I can't think of anything that isn't covered in the instruction leaflet. The section dealing with refilling is very important.
We have had one for several years and like it very much
thinwater
Well-known member
Also use the gasket between the canister and top when not in use (cool first). This is described in the leaflet, but most older boats have lost the gasket.
The relevant excerpt from post 62:
"... While priming the paraffin stove, a flaming bottle of methylated spirit exploded in my hand with a squeaky pop. Barely clothed and covered in flames, searing pain ravaged my face and torso. I rushed outside and held onto a stanchion, grasping for my life as I flipped myself over the side...."
Some of the fires are due to spills that catch on fire. This is the more dangerous scenario, where the flame flashed back into the bottle, because the fire was probably not actually fully extinguished (it can be very hard to see).
The problem is flashback into the bottle, which can be very dangerous.
Canada. Warning about flashback.
Prevention is simple:
- Make certain the flame is fully out. You can remove the canister to a safer location (you will then notice if it is hot). You can place a damp washcloth over the opening for 10 seconds. That will put out the flame and cool it (many do this before installing the gasket, so it is something they have handy).
- Use a flame arrester bottle. Regal Flame does this. Some fuel cans have them. It does slow the pouring somewhat, which is a reason they are not popular.
I store the fuel is separate smaller bottles for this reason.
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thinwater
Well-known member
deleted duplicate
LittleSister
Well-known member
Black Sheep
Well-known member
If you don't use the gasket, all your expensive ethanol will evaporate!
My Origo was ex-display, and didn't have the gasket. So I went to the local pound shop and bought a silicone thing (oven glove, I think) and cut a circle out of it. The great thing about silicone is you don't need the cooker to cool down so much, so less opportunity to forget to replace it.
As for refilling a hot canister - I like the ideas above: keep a spare; and/or always refill the cooker before cooking. Either of those will mean you're not tempted.
Fuel - I use La Hacienda Bio-ethanol fuel, 2L | DIY at B&Q
thinwater
Well-known member
The ASTM is working on a standard for ethanol and flammable liquid bottles, but it might be a while. A new standard was introduced for flame arrestors for consumer cans a few years ago, but older cans don't have them.
William_H
Well-known member
That HPV style as shown above seems to use the principle of spirit flowing from a tank through a pipe in the flame to a jet which also draws in air to be distributed in the burner. I have one works on similar principle but now very old. Turn it off or down with a valve. Even though it is tricky to light. You turn on the valve for a few seconds to fill a small reservoir. Turn the valve off again. Light the spirit in the reservoir and allow to burn down perhaps 30 seconds. This heats the vaporising tube so when you turn on the valve the spirit coming out is vapour at some pressure. So gets going. You could if you are careful refill the tank while hot or even burning. Obviously not a good idea.
I have not seen an Origo but it appears the spirit burns from the top of the tank of spirit. The cooker is turned off by smothering the flame.
I would rather go for the former style. I would go for the HPV if that is the only type available with remote tank. Even though apparently made of powdered steel. ol'will
I have not seen an Origo but it appears the spirit burns from the top of the tank of spirit. The cooker is turned off by smothering the flame.
I would rather go for the former style. I would go for the HPV if that is the only type available with remote tank. Even though apparently made of powdered steel. ol'will
Seashoreman
Well-known member
I personally use meths which I buy in 5L containers from Rest Express for use in my work. Then decant into small 'sports' drinking bottles, the ones with a controllable squirty top, much more controllable and easier to store in galley. Obviously you need a couple of long wand type gas lighters too.
After a few meals/ kettles etc you soon work out how much fuel to top up the canisters with.
Poignard
Well-known member
I use alcohol a bruler in my Origo which is readily available in Brittany and it comes in 1l bottles. The bottle cap only has a small hole so it is very controllable.
I refill the tanks in the cockpit.
You could tell how much is in the tank by weighing it but I have never bothered with that.
I refill the tanks in the cockpit.
You could tell how much is in the tank by weighing it but I have never bothered with that.
Rhylsailer99
Active member
wish i had seen this post before ive bought one of compass24 and no cooker and no contact from them
Merrick
Member
In the interest of fairness, I ordered a spirit 2 burner stove from Compass which, having read the posts here and on other sites about the company, I expected to take forever. The money left my account within a week and the stove has just turned up, about a fortnight after ordering. So I, personally, cannot fault their service. I suspect that the covid panic didn't help.
PhillM
Well-known member
Were you able to get gimbals and pan holders for your new stove? I had a Dometic 1500 version which I loved but I had it secured in gimbals and the pan holders were invaluable when cooking on passage.
Merrick
Member
Not as yet. I did find some gimbals on ebay that would come from the States but would have ended up costing more than the cooker itself. I've bought some s/s angle that I intend to make gimbals from but haven't got round to it yet. Compass themselves don't do any, I know, I have asked.