This is why I don't cook in my van

[caseyc]

Dang! Thanks for the update. I will just continue using my little 1 pound disposable Coleman propane cans! I realize human error was to blame for the van fire, but it only takes one time of carelessness. I feel that I'm already taking a small risk by storing a few 1 pound propane cans inside my van, but I'd be afraid to have one of those 20 pound suckers inside. I'd be even more afraid to store gasoline cannisters inside, but that's a different topic.

 

[SoulRaven]

The problem with propane is that’s it’s heavier than air collects near the bottom or bilge and will blow your arse up.

Liquid Coleman fuel or gasoline stinks and when the vapors ignite look out.

He only safe fuel for a closed space is methanol alcohol.

This is the only way to go:

http://www.amazon.com/Trangia-27-3-..._sbs_sg_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=13YY8XA9E3DREW655R8R

The optional teakettle is a must buy.

http://www.amazon.com/Trangia-Alumi..._sim_sg_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=04SKYS02R44SD9R608CY

 

[caseyc]

I'm always amazed at how many different types of fuel sources exist, plus the different types of appliances that make use of a particular fuel source. Bottom line though, if I cannot readily find and buy a fuel source, I'm not going to use an appliance that requires it. I have found that propane is vastly more popular and readily available everywhere, whereas everything else comes a distant second. My Big Buddy heater only takes propane, so I pretty much have no choice there. I do like the fact that my propane bottles can be interchanged to be used with my propane powered barbeque grills, that's certainly convenient. I've been safely storing a few 1 pound Coleman propane bottles at the stairwell of the side of my van. Even though sometimes the interior gets up to 101F degrees, nothing has blown up, so I'm relieved about that. Lately, for boiling water with my tea kettle, I've been using a butane powered portable stove. Why? Cuz the butane powered stove is very compact and smartly designed, and butane bottles are very inexpensive that I can buy a bunch of 4 packs locally for only $4.50. That Trangia stove in the Amazon link does look interesting though.

 

[SoulRaven]

Methanol alcohol is known as Heet in the yellow bottle in any auto parts store or Walmart.

About $1..50 per bottle or .10-.15 cents per meal.

All boats will have an alcohol stove because propane is a killer.

I have the same model 27 stove that is 30 years old and still in service.

 

[steamjam1]

When I haveto cook in my van due to location or weather, I'll fire up the old Russian built "clone" 8R. It will run on regular petrol gas, or Coleman fuel. I've even tried it on hardware store naphtha. It's rock solid, low pressure so there is veeeeeeeeeeeery little threat of explosion, low profile so its tough to knock over, and pretty efficient. I had to buy a quiet cap because the burner is quite loud, but this little guy is my go-to when its pouring rain, snowing outside, or I'm in a Walmart parking lot/side street and gotta keep things indoors.

Its a pretty small stove. For a good idea of its true size the pot is a 1-liter Coleman Peak billy pot.

 

[SoulRaven]

Wick type kerosene stoves are silent, and kerosene is usually much cheaper than alcohol.

Prior to electrification, kerosene stoves and heat were considered to be a huge step up from wood burning stoves. It is still the fuel of choice for many off grid applications.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Posted by steamjam1 - Yesterday 07:33 PM
When I haveto cook in my van due to location or weather, I'll fire up the old Russian built "clone" 8R. It will run on regular petrol gas, or Coleman fuel.

My kind of guy Climbed with a guy in the '80's who had a kerosene 8R. Convinced me to replace my Svea with an X-GK. Still use it for backpacking.

Posted by Mr.LooRead - 05-09-2014 07:42 AM
He only safe fuel for a closed space is methanol alcohol.

This is the only way to go:

http://www.amazon.com/Trangia-27-3-Ultra...DREW655R8R

Tried a Trangia a couple of years ago and didn't work for me: too low heat output. What takes my X-GK 15 minutes to take a quart from snow to boil, took the alcohol stove over an hour, ~16 oz of fuel, and multiple restarts. Burned myself a couple of times because I couldn't see the flame. Ultralight hiking buddies use them, mostly because of their light weight. -- Spiff

 

[steamjam1]

My kind of guy Climbed with a guy in the '80's who had a kerosene 8R. Convinced me to replace my Svea with an X-GK. Still use it for backpacking.


Tried a Trangia a couple of years ago and didn't work for me: too low heat output. What takes my X-GK 15 minutes to take a quart from snow to boil, took the alcohol stove over an hour, ~16 oz of fuel, and multiple restarts. Burned myself a couple of times because I couldn't see the flame. Ultralight hiking buddies use them, mostly because of their light weight. -- Spiff

Yeah I really love my little clone 8R. Completely reliable and easy to use, hardly takes up any space, and efficient.

I also have one of those commercial Trangia stoves. I haven't touched it in a couple of years because of how easy it is to upset it causing some of the fuel to "spit" out the top potentially setting the table (desk in my case) on fire. I would never use it in a van.

 

[highdesertranger]

aah memories, one of my backpacking buddies had the optimus 8r. I will agree great stove. btw I had a svea 123 also. still have it. highdesertranger

 

[Willy]

I had a Svea 123 when I was in Rovers, many a year ago. In retrospect, I would probably been happier with an 8r. ..Willy.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I had one of those 8r probably 35 years ago, I hitch hiked all over North America, Mexico and Central America, it was very practical because it was easy to find fuel for it, but I got to admit it scared me every once in while when I lit it. Sometimes I poured a little too much fuel in the cup. I don't think I would like to use that unit in my van,
I like propane, clean, odourless, fast and safe, I have had propane on my boat with no issues and a lot of boats now a days have propane, in fact I would guess most of the new boats built today have propane stoves. It is important to be vigilant, checking your fittings every so often and installing propane detectors with alarms is pretty important as well. I always turn propane off when not in use. I wouldn't go with any other fuel, I use it for cooking and heating and am not afraid of it.

 

[Patrick46]

propane is just like going out on the ocean, or riding a motorcycle in traffic.

You'll do just fine if you keep your witts, and RESPECT what you're doing.


the minute you lose respect and turn your back...........WATCHOUT!!!

That's when you'll get hurt!

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I like propane, clean, odourless, fast and safe, I have had propane on my boat with no issues and a lot of boats now a days have propane, in fact I would guess most of the new boats built today have propane stoves.

As a point of interest, boating supply companies sell "marine grade" propane hoses, fittings, and other equipment. If you can afford the extra $, it's a good way to be sure your hoses and stuff are very high quality.

Regards
John

 

[MrNoodly]

What makes them marine grade is that they're made from materials that can withstand salt water and salty air, like bronze or stainless steel. They aren't necessarily made better or more precisely.

 

[RVTravel]

Alcohol stoves have flames that are hard to see in daylight. If you spill the fluid when lit you will have a fire immediately.

 

[LeeRevell]

The dangers of alcohol fuel was made very obvious to me watching a Top Fuel funny car race once. A fire started, but the officials didn't at first realize it, as the flames were all but invisible! They got the driver out okay - those Nomex suits, gloves and boots are literally life-savers! But the car was a total loss.
I have used several types of white gas and propane camping stoves over the years, and some are just too tippy for safety! I now have a good flat two-burner propane stovetop unit that is very stable. It will go into my van camper.

 

[highdesertranger]

good point on alcohol fires. in the dark you can see a flame, kinda. during the day light almost impossible. a shop I used to work at had an alcohol sprint car and there were a lot of safety precautions that had to be followed because of this fact. the cars did run very cool and clean however, but used about 40% more fuel. highdesertranger