Alcohol stove

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A spirit stove is a camping stove that uses ethanol (fuel, alcohol) as fuel . The devices are popular entry-level stoves for outdoor activities because of their ease of use . The disadvantage of the spirit stove is the low calorific value of the spirit of around 20 MJ / l (95% ethanol content). This corresponds to approximately 3/4 of the calorific value of gasoline . If the temperature is below zero, the spirit must be preheated; In addition, the stove is less efficient at low temperatures and thin air. For these reasons, the spirit stove is rarely used on extreme tours. In the Scandinavian countries , alcohol is very widespread as a fuel in camping and outdoor areas, so that it is advisable to use alcohol stoves there because of the simple fuel supply. The light soot of the spirit can be reduced by adding 10% water, which, however, further reduces the heating output.

Designs

All spirit stoves essentially consist of a burner and a frame on which a cooking vessel (saucepan, frying pan or similar) can be placed safely.

Rechaud

Fondue rechaud burner with regulating ring in the rechaud under caquelon
Cooking stove powered by denatured alcohol on board a sailing yacht

The simplest variant is powered with alcohol chafing dishes . They have a simple structure and consist of a small tub under the pot, which is also the storage container for the fuel. It is filled with alcohol, which is then lit. For even combustion, the container is filled with a sponge or fleece made of non-flammable glass or rock wool , which soaks up the spirit and acts as a kind of wick and protects the burner against leaking if it tips over. The size of the flame is determined by the size of the opening. With smaller rechauds, this is also done by a ring on the top, with which additional holes for the air supply can be opened or closed. A spirit rechaud is extinguished by putting a lid over the opening. These rechauds are widely used for fondue placemats. Their heat output is relatively low, so they are mainly used to keep things warm and not for cooking.

Alcohol stoves

In the outdoor area, for example for camping kitchens, alcohol stoves are also common, which are suitable for cooking and baking (see photo above right). They work on the same principle, but have significantly larger burners with correspondingly larger storage tanks. For use in mobile homes and on yachts , the fact that, in contrast to gas-powered stoves, they are not subject to regular technical checks , are maintenance-free and are independent of various connection systems for the gas cylinders / cartridges. In addition, the risk of explosion is significantly reduced. The disadvantage is the reduced heating power compared to gas and thus longer cooking time.

Trangia system

Multi-part Trangia cooker. Left in the picture the three-part burner
Self-made alcohol burner from two beverage cans

The system introduced in 1950 by the Swedish company Trangia consists of a windshield, pots and the actual burner, whereby the components can be stowed into one another to save space for transport. The burner is similar to the rechaud, but also has an outer cylinder with small nozzles on the top. After a heating phase, the duration of which depends on the outside temperature, burning time and level, the fuel in the outer cylinder reaches the boiling point so that it exits the nozzles in gaseous form and burns more effectively.

In addition to the actual Trangia stoves, there are numerous replicas that work in a similar way. Self-made beverage can cookers work in a similar way to the Trangia burner.

Spirit carburetor

Camping spirit stove with simple spirit gasifier

These stoves must be preheated before use by burning a small amount of alcohol in a pan below the fuel supply line and the pot. Then the stove will continue to burn by itself, the burner is similar to that of a simple gas stove. The advantage of these devices is the lower tendency to deflagration and, with the appropriate construction, a far greater heating output. With this type of stove, the tank is also separated from the burner, so that a longer burning time is achieved.

In this category, the transition from the mobile stove to the predominantly stationary stove is fluid.

safety

Accidents occur when elementary safety rules for handling alcohol and the manufacturer's instructions are not observed. Since alcohol is highly flammable , refilling a lit or still hot burner can lead to deflagration, flashes and serious burns if the fuel in the refill container ignites. Liquid alcohol burns with only a faintly bluish flame, so that in bright ambient light - for example in sunshine - it can be overlooked that it is still burning.

In most spirit stoves, the container is not under pressure, so there is, in contrast to a gas pressure container, a low risk of explosion. An alcohol-air mixture can be dangerous if, for example, an almost empty storage bottle is heated.

The container and stove should be kept tightly closed, otherwise the alcohol will evaporate quickly. Alcohol stoves cannot be operated with other camping fuels such as kerosene , gasoline, ignition fluid for fireplace stoves or safety fuel paste . These fuels need a carburetor unit , which most alcohol burners lack. Therefore, for example, petroleum in the rechaud would only burn with a lot of soot . Incorrect fuels can also stick the sponge in the burner and make it unusable.

Alternatives

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ See Swiss Inland Navigation Ordinance , Art. 100a, 101 and 129 and Appendix 17; For Germany, the recommendations of the Kreuzer Yacht Club Deutschland eV apply analogously , whereby pure leisure yachts are not subject to acceptance there, but the inspection is urgently recommended for insurance reasons, cf. these notices .