Trial Run with Spouce

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

If all goes well tomorrow the Dr will clear me for boating and other forms of life as we know it. If so Kim and I will be taking the boat to the Chesapeake for a cruise over the Fourth of July weekend. A few questions remain but this one about cooking aboard gives me pause. Our stove is a very nice working alcohol stove and it heats water and also fries eggs in no time flat. Carelessly I only ever added a few ounces of fuel at a time during the week I was in Hontoon. Now I'll be cooking two of three times a day, and for two, for four days. I have no Idea how much alcohol fuel to have on board. Does anyone want to offer a guess on that one?

C-Wolfe · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 8:12 pm Post subject:

Denatured alcohol evaporates quite fast, not always worth it to fill it up if it will sit unused for a couple weeks or longer. One quart should be plenty, you can carry an extra one just in case. I had one but it was about 15 years ago, if I remember right, I burned less than a gallon for a summer, that’s going out every other weekend or so for 5 months, but I could be wrong on that. I do remember that I always carried a quarts size container in the boat to add as needed, and I don’t remember ever running out of fuel.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

So a quart may make it but two is a great hedge? thanks

"I don’t remember ever running out of fuel.[/quote]"

C-Wolfe · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 1:46 pm Post subject:

Does your stove as 2 burner?
If so and you think you can get away with just using one, I would put about half a quart and see how long this last. Depending on your cooking style, this might be all you need for your outing.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 2:30 pm Post subject:

Also remember alcohol is lighter than water, and will "float". This is important if you have a fire--do not put water on it. Fire blanket, Halon type or dry powder (last choice) for suppression. I have seen several boats burn because the owner threw water on an alcohol fire, and the fire then spreads...

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

Yes I agree. It is a two burner and I've been only adding a few ounces at a time and it completes my meal. I like cooking on these stoves.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

That is great advice. I'll check the extinguishers on board and make sure they're approved and if not I'll add the proper one to the kitchen area. Thanks.

Foggy · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:42 am Post subject:

I've had both good and bad experiences with alcohol on boats.

As a fuel for boat stoves, all bad.

Suggestion: Plan (practice on shore) your burn and burn your plan.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "The years teach much that the days never knew."

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 546 Photos: Thistle

Foggy, I had a pressurized alcohol stove and it was cranky. Advised by other boaters not to use it on board I soon sold it. But the stove I have now is non-pressurized, easy and dependable, and cooks like a dream. I just have no Idea how much fuel it consumes.
Thanks for the heads up.