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 Alcohol / Propane stoves revisited		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/11/2002 :  17:35:53  Show Profile  Visit Douglas's Homepage
Recent survey of stove related accidents shows that the Alcohol fueled stove is by far more responsable for fires and personal injury. Source Boat U.S. insurance claim stats in last issue. Just a note for those anti propane proponents.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 07/11/2002 :  18:22:00  Show Profile
Could it be that there are more alcohol related fires because the vast majority of stoves used are alcohol? I'll bet that there are more propane related fires on decks and patios than alcohol fires!

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA),

"Gas grills alone cause over 2,700 fires, 80 injuries, and $11 million dollars damage. <b>Most of the gas grill fires and explosions were caused by gas leaks, blocked tubes, and overfilled propane tanks.</b>"

Now if I had my druthers, I would rather put out an alcohol fire than have to deal with a propane explosion.


Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK


Edited by - dlucier on 07/11/2002 18:43:43
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 07/11/2002 :  19:40:39  Show Profile
Good points Don.
It's somewhat surprising to see these incidents continue as they do. We obviously have the stats so why don't appliance makers and/or insurers take these accidents to task? Maybe the number of accidents are too small when viewed in the aggregate? Maybe making a safer appliance would reduce profit margins and it's cheaper to pay the liability premium?
As far as this forum is concerned, I think we've all done an admirable <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle> job of raising the flag on the inherent risks of propane.
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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts
Response Posted - 07/11/2002 :  19:44:14  Show Profile  Visit Douglas's Homepage
Without draging in home/camping/RV or any other source most marine insurance claims involving stove related fires come from alcohol stoves. I wouldn't say there are any more of one type than the other and including deisel and solid fuel. Your last sentence covers it all. Trying to put out an alcohol fire with a fuel that spreads with water and is invisible to see when burning. Most of the fires are caused by people tring to refill the old cutain burner when its either still lit or still to hot. Yes I agree I would rather see an alcohol fire than a propane explotion or the more common gasoline explotion. Im not going to trade in my gasoline engine for a deisel though. You just have to know how to handle what your using and take the precautions required.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 07/11/2002 :  23:48:06  Show Profile
Another possible factor: The non-pressurized (Origo) alcohol stove is a fairly recent entry, at least in this country. How many participants on this board have reported burning curtains with pressurized alcohol stoves over the years? Quite a few. How many have had any sort of surprise with an Origo? I'll go out on a limb and say none. Now, if you can burn your curtains, you have a fair chance of burning your boat! If you can't, you probably won't.

Propane may be worth the expense, effort and risks for those who want a professional cooking appliance in their galley, but the Origo is a simple, safe, and reasonably effective solution for making coffee or scrambling the occasional eggs. We don't do that much of either, but we don't have to worry about leaks, open valves, or bursts of flame.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT
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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts
Response Posted - 07/12/2002 :  12:13:42  Show Profile  Visit Douglas's Homepage
Well said Dave.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.