To Origo or not that is the question!

[planteater]

Another consideration - on a swing mooring it's a lot easier to row out with a litre of Alcool Brulee in your pocket than a gas cylinder.
Totally happy with Origo/Cobb combination on a small boat. It helps to remind you you're not at home!

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I'm having my first season with an Origo 3000 after having gas for about 20 years.

Very pleased. Surprised how variable the flame can be.

Using Bio Ethanol as a trial from Go Outdoors . Much better than meths which I can remember years ago smelled a bit.

I make toast as suggested using a non stick frying pan. Works fine but you must keep turning the slice. My first attempt has left an impression of a
slice in the pan that will probably be there for it's life.

No problems boiling a kettle but it does take a little longer than gas.

Not finding the filling a chore and I enjoy it's simplicity . Not really missed the grill yet.

 

[Fimacca]

B+q today 6ltrs for £13 for bio.
Next season sorted put too!

 

[SiteSurfer]

I just purchased some of this: http://www.ekofuel.org/bioethanol-fuel-for-alcohol-marine-stove/all-marine-alcohol-fuel.html to go with the Origo 3000 I just bought.

 

[Poignard]

Everyone goes on about how good the Origo is (or isn't) for boiling a kettle but how is it for cooking generally, eg simmering a stew or frying a steak.

 

[Bru]

Everyone goes on about how good the Origo is (or isn't) for boiling a kettle but how is it for cooking generally, eg simmering a stew or frying a steak.

Perfect. The only time it's a bit slower than gas is boiling a kettle 'cos that's the only time you ever have the burner going full blast.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Everyone goes on about how good the Origo is (or isn't) for boiling a kettle but how is it for cooking generally, eg simmering a stew or frying a steak.

They don't seem to work very well with some hob top toasters, but apart from that, no problem.

 

[ex-Gladys]

I used one of the pyramid types, with gauze, that worked quite well.

 

[agurney]

Everyone goes on about how good the Origo is (or isn't) for boiling a kettle but how is it for cooking generally, eg simmering a stew or frying a steak.

Perfect for me

 

[Bru]

I used one of the pyramid types, with gauze, that worked quite well.

Same here, although ours is only a two slice wedge shaped jobby, not the pyramid. We find the trick is to heat the gauze up with the burner going full blast for a minute or so then turn it down to a low-ish heat before putting the bread on. That way we get reasonably evenly cooked toast instead of a slice of bread with a burnt bit in the middle

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Same here, although ours is only a two slice wedge shaped jobby, not the pyramid. We find the trick is to heat the gauze up with the burner going full blast for a minute or so then turn it down to a low-ish heat before putting the bread on. That way we get reasonably evenly cooked toast instead of a slice of bread with a burnt bit in the middle

There are mixed reports - some types seem to work and others don't. I don't have an Origo, but I was on a boat that did not long ago, and the pyramid 4 slice type didn't work at all.

 

[Bru]

There are mixed reports - some types seem to work and others don't. I don't have an Origo, but I was on a boat that did not long ago, and the pyramid 4 slice type didn't work at all.

In the interests of research, was it a gauze type with the gauze up the sides and parallel to the bread or the Suncamp type with a gauze or plate base? The latter type don't work full stop, let alone on an Origo!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

In the interests of research, was it a gauze type with the gauze up the sides and parallel to the bread or the Suncamp type with a gauze or plate base? The latter type don't work full stop, let alone on an Origo!

 

[SiteSurfer]

I'd be interested in the final verdict of what toaster works properly on an Origo to save a useless purchase!

 

[pmagowan]

Everyone goes on about how good the Origo is (or isn't) for boiling a kettle but how is it for cooking generally, eg simmering a stew or frying a steak.

Fine at simmering a stew, as for steak it depends on if you like it sizzled or broiled. I get annoyed at gas not having enough oompf to fry a steak properly or do a proper stir fry but the alcohol stoves don't come near, in my experience. A steak should hit a properly hot pan, get seared and then be flipped to get the other side done. If you can't replace the heat lost by side number one then the second side simply gets broiled as all the juice pours out of the slowly cooking steak. You end up with a bit of dry, grey meat instead of juicy red meat with a caramelised surface.

 

[Bru]

Yup, thought as much. Those things are utterly useless!

Something more like this ...

albeit I prefer the type with gauze inserts instead of pressed metal sides (but can't find an image of one) works infintely better (for a given value of "works" - if you're expecting perfect even all over toast you're going to be disappointed but it does a fair job)

 

[Bru]

Fine at simmering a stew, as for steak it depends on if you like it sizzled or broiled. I get annoyed at gas not having enough oompf to fry a steak properly or do a proper stir fry but the alcohol stoves don't come near, in my experience. A steak should hit a properly hot pan, get seared and then be flipped to get the other side done. If you can't replace the heat lost by side number one then the second side simply gets broiled as all the juice pours out of the slowly cooking steak. You end up with a bit of dry, grey meat instead of juicy red meat with a caramelised surface.

I would agree with this but it's of note that you say that gas doesn't get hot enough either

If I was going to fry a steak I'd do it on the BBQ (pan over hot coals)

Although to be honest if I wanted steak I'd go to a restaurant, there are some things that are just better as treats on an occasional night out

 

[pmagowan]

I would agree with this but it's of note that you say that gas doesn't get hot enough either

If I was going to fry a steak I'd do it on the BBQ (pan over hot coals)

Although to be honest if I wanted steak I'd go to a restaurant, there are some things that are just better as treats on an occasional night out

Gas on a boat is somewhat limited also but you can just about manage a single steak. If you are cooking two then you will struggle. Obviously, at home you would use the larger of your gas rings and a thick pan. I like to cook and I find myself limited by output even on some of the cheaper domestic gas hobs. On the boat gas is really the best you can get. Of course, many people like 'roughing it' and see it as part of the charm of sailing. I like good food on board and so I have gas with a grill. I also have a Cobb BBQ which, as you say, is often a better way of getting things done if you have insufficient heat on the hob.

 

[Bru]

I would never claim that a spirit stove is fully the equal of a gas hob but it comes pretty close and I and the missus enjoy (some would say perversely!) the challenge of overcoming the shortcomings. In reality, with the exception of cooking processes that require a very high heat (e.g. those mentioned like frying steaks and stir frying) the limitations are more to do with the lack of a grill or oven than a lack of heat output

Accepting that one or two things are off the menu, I don't think we eat badly



(That's a full Christmas roast for two cooked on a two burner Origo. Bloomin' good it was too if I do say so myself!)

Bigger Boat (when we eventually buy it) will almost certainly end up with gas because we'll be semi-liveaboard. But Bigger Boat will also have the space to store gas bottles sensibly which neither our current nor our previous boats (Smaller Boat and Likkle Boat I suppose!) have got / have had

Bigger Boat will also have space for a Cobb 'cos the only reason we haven't got one is I haven't a clue where we'd stow it!

 

[RobbieH]

I have an Origo and a CO monitor in my boat (the CO monitor was originally fitted to keep tabs on the Webasto heater). If the boat is closed up tight and I boil a kettle the CO monitor usually complains before the kettle is boiled. But if I take out the top drop slide and open one of the hatches slightly that solves the problem. I'm toying with the idea of a small opening hatch over the galley but I don't think I'll do it. I really don't want another hole in the boat.

I suggest fitting a CO monitor (electronic not 1 shot pastille type) ...