marine stove top replacement

[Rol1964]

Boat has a 2 burner alcohol / oven appliance but will most likely need to be replaced (burners are actually the only things required). Not looking to spend a fortune on this as this is an old boat and will only be used as a day sailer and occasional overnighter. So looking for recommendations. Can or should one use propane? I will likely install a BBQ as well so one tank could do double duty.
Not sure where to post this so I started here. Incidentally I'm in Canada and very close to the US border so I can access the big market to the south of the 49th.
Thanks.

[billknny]

If you don't have a detailed understanding of the safety requirements needed for a propane installation, then the answer is NO.

If you were happy with the performance fo the alcohol stove, stick with it.

[MountainStone]

I had a single burner alcohol / electric stove. The alcohol worked fine to percolate coffee; much better than I guessed it would before using it for the first time. I bought a small Magma propane BBQ and rarely used the stove again. The Magma is well-engineered and we used it as a stove, a grill and an oven. We only fired up the stove if the weather was too bad to use the grill mounted on the transom. Buy a good BBQ and you may never bother to fix your stove!

[roverhi]

Origo was recently bought out and alcohol stoves discontinued. If you are thinking of staying with alcohol, start haunting eBay, Craig's List, or any chandler who may have some old stock. The Origo non pressurized stoves are/were the best and safest stove out there. None of the leakage and fire issues of pressurized stoves and they work really well. Still won't solve the lower BTU output of alcohol but do work with just a little slower time boiling water than a propane stove. If you are into safe fuels, kerosene is the best for cooking. Better heat output than propane, easy fuel storage, but you still have the preheat issues as pressure alcohol. Cooked on one for years and loved it.

[thomm225]

I use an old propane hot plate/camp stove that came with the boat.

No installation necessary. I keep it in a cockpit lasarette when not in use.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Texsport-...Stove/21781633

This one looks much better though. I may have to upgrade

https://www.amazon.com/GS-3900P-Port.../dp/B07KL5QYPD

[mmerriman62]

I started using a butane one burner this year. finding CNG for my old stove is hard and when found expensive. the butane cooker is fast and hot. I wish I changed sooner.

[dennismenace111]

I use a butane single burner stove. It's hotter, cooks faster ans doesn't leave a bad smell in the cabin. I store it in a locker in the cockpit thars well ventilated!

[hamburking]

I strongly recommend installing an origo 2 burner stove to replace your older (pressurized) alcohol stove. The origo is well known as super safe, easy to use, well built (all SS) stove that uses cheap, easy to find fuel.

It fits easily into the hole left by older 2 burner stoves, although you said you had an oven, so this won't apply to you.

Yes, this stove has been discontinued, but I think you can still find a few in local store inventories:

https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/inde...=7392991001085

https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/inde...=7392991001030

I've installed one on all my boats, and give it my highest recommendation. And I don't like much of anything in general.

[AZ-Oldguy]

Also be aware that they are no longer selling fuel alcohol in California, for some reason that I don't understand.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by AZ-Oldguy

Also be aware that they are no longer selling fuel alcohol in California, for some reason that I don't understand.

This is completely untrue. False rumors keep repeating on the internet.

[Dooglas]

I agree with the recommendation of others for the Origo non-pressurized alcohol stove. it is a good choice for small boats. You didn't say what alcohol stove you have now. In my opinion, the pressurized alcohol stoves are down right dangerous and have been responsible for a number of fires and explosions. Propane stoves are certainly workable but a safe installation requires quite a bit of labor and expense for a small boat where the system will only see periodic use. The tank needs to be installed in a location where it is completely isolated from the interior of the boat, and a leak detector coupled with a solenoid valve are really mandatory.

[daga]

If you have an inverter then consider an electric induction hotplate. Safe, easy to install, efficient, no gas or fuel needed, fast, doesn't fog up the cabin.

[CarinaPDX]

I agree that the pressure alcohol stove is a hazard and best taken to a scrap metal company. The simplest, and likely cheapest, approach is to buy an Origo stovetop and do a little woodworking to fill in where the oven is now - you probably don't use it much anyway. For a slightly larger project look for a Taylor's Paraffin stove (used) - safer than alcohol or propane, and much hotter than alcohol. The Taylors show up on the market occasionally; I have had one for 40 years and came to love it, after an initial learning period. Propane can be a great solution, but it will be expensive and require more work. And if it is not done exactly right can be very dangerous, so if going that way do a lot of homework.

Greg

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, MountainStone, and mmerriman.