How to Stop Alcohol Stove From Creating Soot

[Notfast]

Shortly after finding out the Origo 3000 passive alcohol stoves were discontinued I was lucky enough to source a used one. I'm happy with it overall but I bought ten gallons of 99.9% Isopropanol for it and was surprised to see it coats the bottom of my cookware in a fine black soot, no bueno. I'm assuming since I'm burning almost pure alcohol that no additive will stop the soot but I'm going to ask just in case.

Does ethanol burn cleaner than Isopropanol? What kind of ethanol do you use, if so?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Notfast

Shortly after finding out the Origo 3000 passive alcohol stoves were discontinued I was lucky enough to source a used one. I'm happy with it overall but I bought ten gallons of 99.9% Isopropanol for it and was surprised to see it coats the bottom of my cookware in a fine black soot, no bueno. I'm assuming since I'm burning almost pure alcohol that no additive will stop the soot but I'm going to ask just in case.

Does ethanol burn cleaner than Isopropanol? What kind of ethanol do you use, if so?

Yes.

Denatured Alcohol, also known as methylated spirits, should consist primarily of ethanol, with 5 to 10 percent methanol. The problem in the US is that there are no standards for what constitutes denatured alcohol. In fact, some denatured alcohols in the US are less than 50% ethanol.The higher the ethanol content, the better it is for use as a fuel.
Ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH), also known as ethanol, or grain alcohol, is the most well-known alcohol. It’s the type of alcohol people consume in alcoholic beverages.
Isopropyl alcohol (C3H7OH) is also commonly called “rubbing alcohol.” Its molecular structure contains one more carbon, and two more hydrogen molecules, than ethyl alcohol.

The best choices for fuel for an alcohol stove are:
1. Lab grade absolute ethanol (200 proof) or high proof liquor (190 proof). High heat content per gram (relative to methanol), relatively clean burning, and generally non toxic, but check the MSDS on lab grade absolute ethanol which may contain benzene which is toxic.
2. "Green" denatured alcohol in the US or methylated spirits (ethanol with methanol used as a denaturing agent) outside the US. Methylated spirits is often called "meths" or "metho". Good heat content, relatively clean burning, fairly non-toxic depending on the amount and type of the denaturing agent. In the US, always check the MSDS.
3. Methanol, for example yellow HEET. Decent heat content, very clean burning, but definitely toxic in terms of fumes and skin absorption. Reasonably safe if used with care.
4. You can use Isopropanol, for example red HEET (Iso-HEET), but it is not really suitable as a stove fuel, because it's generally a sooty mess when it burns. Highest heat content, but dirty burning, and definitely toxic. Not recommended unless you have a specialized stove specifically designed for it.

[Benz]

My Origo made things black no matter what I used, and I tried all sorts of things.
I far prefer propane.

[Notfast]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Yes.

Denatured Alcohol, also known as methylated spirits, should consist primarily of ethanol, with 5 to 10 percent methanol. The problem in the US is that there are no standards for what constitutes denatured alcohol. In fact, some denatured alcohols in the US are less than 50% ethanol.The higher the ethanol content, the better it is for use as a fuel.
Ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH), also known as ethanol, or grain alcohol, is the most well-known alcohol. It’s the type of alcohol people consume in alcoholic beverages.
Isopropyl alcohol (C3H7OH) is also commonly called “rubbing alcohol.” Its molecular structure contains one more carbon, and two more hydrogen molecules, than ethyl alcohol.

The best choices for fuel for an alcohol stove are:
1. Lab grade absolute ethanol (200 proof) or high proof liquor (190 proof). High heat content per gram (relative to methanol), relatively clean burning, and generally non toxic, but check the MSDS on lab grade absolute ethanol which may contain benzene which is toxic.
2. "Green" denatured alcohol in the US or methylated spirits (ethanol with methanol used as a denaturing agent) outside the US. Methylated spirits is often called "meths" or "metho". Good heat content, relatively clean burning, fairly non-toxic depending on the amount and type of the denaturing agent. In the US, always check the MSDS.
3. Methanol, for example yellow HEET. Decent heat content, very clean burning, but definitely toxic in terms of fumes and skin absorption. Reasonably safe if used with care.
4. You can use Isopropanol, for example red HEET (Iso-HEET), but it is not really suitable as a stove fuel, because it's generally a sooty mess when it burns. Highest heat content, but dirty burning, and definitely toxic. Not recommended unless you have a specialized stove specifically designed for it.

Wow Gord, EXCELLENT reply! Thanks for all that. I'll give pure ethanol a try and see how that goes. ✌️🙂

[pilott]

In Texas, the best price I can find for Denatured Ethanol is ACE Hardware
5 gallons for $50, free ship to store.