21ec alcohol stove

[lproulx]

Hi All,

I 've got a question about operating procedure for the alcohol stove. We are willing to live with slow cooking times, but want to at least use it correctly.

Specifically: You are supposed to fill it with (I believe) 6 oz of fuel from an empty state. If you then use it just a little, does the rest of the fuel evaporate? How do you deal with a possible "partially full" condition. They tell you not to overfill it, but if it has some unknown amount of fuel in it, how do you know when it's over full?

Second: What on earth is the folding glass plate for?

Larry

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Can you download the manual for your specific stove? If the alcohol stove is similar to the one I use camping you only need to have a small amount of denatured alcohol in the canister. It will evaporate over time.
Karl

 

[lproulx]

I actually have a manual, but it doesn't address my question, other than to say the design "discourages" overfilling. No mention of how long a fill will "last" without using stove, or need to partially fill.

They say never to lower the glass plate onto an open flame. Leaves me wondering what it is for.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

You got me on this one Larry. Our 21 uses a butane cartridge. Easy, simple, effective.
Someone will know what that glass plate is for.
Cheers,
Karl

 

[BradOwens]

The glass plate is to use as counter space/cutting board when the stove is not in use, and to keep water and debris out of the stove.
Did your stove come with small discs to put over the burners? They help slow evaporation of fuel.
When adding fuel, watch for the absorbent material to stop rapidly soaking it up. That's full.

 

[lproulx]

Perfect advice! Thanks.

 

[Fisho]

I took mine out (it was always slow, messy and difficult) and covered hole with a piece of stained teak ply. I use one of the small low cost butane cookers that is fine. Great for any serious cooking where you need instant heat. No problems. Many great meals and coffee brews quickly.

 

[Shangie]

Unfortunately the alcohol in our Kenyon alcohol stove evaporates continually which means we have to carry more fuel since I cook all meals on our stove - This was not the situation with an Origo acohol stove we had on our sailboat. Luckily we have another Origo single burner alcohol stove that was kept on board the sailboat for times when I needed extra cooking power and will change ours out to that one without additional expense to us. Had a portable RV propane heater catch on fire once and so I don't use these such items on board. Probably overly cautious but I don't have any issues cooking up some pretty tasty meals on an alcohol stove. The key to my success is not to rush anything while on the boat with the exception go a MOB situation. Makes for a pretty stress free time on board and reminds me to slow down and savor the moment. And the views from the galley are always pretty tremendous..

 

[Hamster]

I found on my R23 alcohol stove that the fuel evaporated very quick. I started to put just enough in for each time. Then, I met another R23 owner who had a portable butane stove. Exact same size as your plate and 10 time the BTUs. I got one that uses both butane and propane. Has a case. Just spent four days on the boat fishing and my water was ready for coffee in ajust a couple of minutes. Mine cost $85 ( Gas ONE GS-4000P - Camp Stove - Premium Propane or Butane Stove with Convenient Carrying Case) and you can get other models even cheaper. My alcohol stove is now either a backup or 2nd burner.