Thoughts on 2 burner cookers. Spirit or gas?

[ash2020]

I need to install cooking facilities on our 20' Hunter Medina. I first thought of an Origo, but it shows how out of touch I am. They're impossible to get and even second hand ones are a ridiculous price. Does anyone use a Compass 3000 spirit cooker and are they good? I don't really want to install gas but this seems the only alternative. Are spirit stoves a reasonable option these days?

 

[Cerebus]

I never wanted to install gas either.

Origo second hand are sometimes available.

For small useage, camping stoves using canister gas is an option.

Meth stoves from second hand sources (military surplus for example) supplies are useful.

I have found meth stoves slower to heat than disposable gas canister camping stoves.

There are quite a few pros and cons.

 

[LittleSister]

I didn't like having an Origo. Slow, and horrid fumes if you can only buy the methylated fuel sold in the UK. I believe non-stinky fuels are available in Europe (e.g. 'Alcool a Bruler', IIRC, in France?).

 

[Halo]

One of those free standing gas canister stoves. I chucked my origo on my Westerly 25 and never missed it

 

[vyv_cox]

Go for gas. Spirit is smelly, slow and inconvenient. Problems with gas are well.publicised but incredibly rare. Simple precautions are sufficient to keep it safe. Far more convenient in every way.

 

[Cerebus]

Go for gas. Spirit is smelly, slow and inconvenient. Problems with gas are well.publicised but incredibly rare. Simple precautions are sufficient to keep it safe. Far more convenient in every way.

Ybw did a video years ago of trying to blow up a boat by leaving the gas on to fill a boat.

They failed a few times before blowing up the boat because they could not get gas to air mixture correct.

A proper instal will need a certified installer and insurance will need notifying?

 

[Roberto]

I had to repair my swinging gas cooker (the two pivot axis had sheared and it fell, blocked in its locker) so was left without main cooker for a few weeks: I used the small portable camping canister gas cooker I had -which we put in the middle of the cockpit table for friendly grillades- and I added a single ceramic heater for when in port (I have too much cookware not good for induction, plus I do not like it), works well. After repairs I kept the three
Never used spirit stoves, seems to take ages to heat etc etc, if I just want to make a moka pot gas is unbeatable, lit it and two three minutes later I have the hot coffee.

 

[Cerebus]

So, gas canister camping cookers seem to be likeable or commended.

 

[Poignard]

We had a gas cooker for years and when it came time to renew the pipework, I wasn't sure what to do.

Friends invited us onto their boat for a meal and they had an Origo 2-burner cooker.

The Origo cooker worked fine and the meal came quickly enough so I decided to fit one.

At that time they were not expensive and we never regretted having it instead of gas.

Getting rid of the gas bottles freed up a useful storage locker and we found that alcohol in France, where we had our boat, was not expensive.

 

[DownWest]

I would rather have a decently installed gas stove than the camping canister types. In the house(s) I have used bottled gas for the last 50 yrs, never a leak. Just pay attention to the safety regs and hose 'use by' dates. Used spirit camping, would not want it on a boat.

 

[obmij]

There is no need to use smelly meths for a spirit cooker.

I used to have an Origo and used bioethanol for fireplaces as a fuel - easy available from B&Q and the like. Doesn't really smell and produces a hot flame

 

[Refueler]

Ybw did a video years ago of trying to blow up a boat by leaving the gas on to fill a boat.

They failed a few times before blowing up the boat because they could not get gas to air mixture correct.

A proper instal will need a certified installer and insurance will need notifying?

Only Inland Waterways require Gas Install to be by Certified Installer.

If the boat is estuary / seagoing - then you can install yourself ..... as to insurance notification ... thats up to you. If the boat is known by Insurance as not having such installed - then best to let them know .. but if any survey / information before had no mention of how you cooked on-baord - then IMHO - you can let it go as such is common install on boats.
I have had various boats in UK and never had any quibbles from Insurance ... now I have boats here in EU .. same here ... insurnace issued and no questions at all.

BUT - if installing yourself ... visit a Caravan / RV Dealers and talk throughb it all with them ... they will have all the supplies you need if going for full gas install ... and they can advise on the portable camping style cannister gas units .... there are various reports of the cheaper ones having chance of leaks etc.

Spirit ? I know some love the spirit stoves ... but I have never wanted one after being on boats with them.

 

[ash2020]

I never wanted to install gas either.

Origo second hand are sometimes available.

For small useage, camping stoves using canister gas is an option.

Meth stoves from second hand sources (military surplus for example) supplies are useful.

I have found meth stoves slower to heat than disposable gas canister camping stoves.

There are quite a few pros and cons.

I think If we went for it, I'd use bio ethanol from B&Q. Hate the smell of meths.

 

[ash2020]

One of those free standing gas canister stoves. I chucked my origo on my Westerly 25 and never missed it

Yes, we have a Vango that we use when camping. Good for the short term.

 

[ash2020]

Go for gas. Spirit is smelly, slow and inconvenient. Problems with gas are well.publicised but incredibly rare. Simple precautions are sufficient to keep it safe. Far more convenient in every way.

It's more the space, on a very small boat, for a gas cylinder.

 

[ash2020]

I had to repair my swinging gas cooker (the two pivot axis had sheared and it fell, blocked in its locker) so was left without main cooker for a few weeks: I used the small portable camping canister gas cooker I had -which we put in the middle of the cockpit table for friendly grillades- and I added a single ceramic heater for when in port (I have too much cookware not good for induction, plus I do not like it), works well. After repairs I kept the three
Never used spirit stoves, seems to take ages to heat etc etc, if I just want to make a moka pot gas is unbeatable, lit it and two three minutes later I have the hot coffee.

Yes, it seems that speed is quite an issue.

 

[KevinV]

Yes, we have a Vango that we use when camping. Good for the short term.

I'd rather have a fitted, gimballed stove, mostly because it feels more "proper", but the reality is that the "temporary" gas canister jobbie I have is fast, cheap enough to run and has the bonus that I can take it outside to cook smelly stuff

 

[ash2020]

We had a gas cooker for years and when it came time to renew the pipework, I wasn't sure what to do.

Friends invited us onto their boat for a meal and they had an Origo 2-burner cooker.

The Origo cooker worked fine and the meal came quickly enough so I decided to fit one.

At that time they were not expensive and we never regretted having it instead of gas.

Getting rid of the gas bottles freed up a useful storage locker and we found that alcohol in France, where we had our boat, was not expensive.

That's interesting. But mostly opinions seem to favour gas.

 

[ash2020]

I'd rather have a fitted, gimballed stove, mostly because it feels more "proper", but the reality is that the "temporary" gas canister jobbie I have is fast, cheap enough to run and has the bonus that I can take it outside to cook smelly stuff

I think long term I really want gimbals. I've always had it on other boats. I always seem to be making tea at 30° on a reach.

 

[ash2020]

Only Inland Waterways require Gas Install to be by Certified Installer.

If the boat is estuary / seagoing - then you can install yourself ..... as to insurance notification ... thats up to you. If the boat is known by Insurance as not having such installed - then best to let them know .. but if any survey / information before had no mention of how you cooked on-baord - then IMHO - you can let it go as such is common install on boats.
I have had various boats in UK and never had any quibbles from Insurance ... now I have boats here in EU .. same here ... insurnace issued and no questions at all.

BUT - if installing yourself ... visit a Caravan / RV Dealers and talk throughb it all with them ... they will have all the supplies you need if going for full gas install ... and they can advise on the portable camping style cannister gas units .... there are various reports of the cheaper ones having chance of leaks etc.

Spirit ? I know some love the spirit stoves ... but I have never wanted one after being on boats with them.

I'm not being arrogant but I've always trusted my own work as much as many "specialists" I've come across, especially riggers, but that's another story. The last boat I had, I put in a bubble sensor, every time you turn on the gas you press the button and, if it bubbles you've got a downstream leak. Great peace of mind. You can test for leaks before you even go in.