Converting stove fuel

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:04 pm

Does anyone know if it is feasible to convert an old alcohol stove/oven to kerosene? This is the pressurized type.

jhenson · Post by **jhenson** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:34 am

John,

I did some research on this issue recently. There are basically two sources of conversion burners (with a possible third).

A & H Enterprises sells replacement burners that will fit Kenyon 205 and 206 stoves, and probably most of the other Kenyon models.
There current price is $60 to $75, depending on the model Kenyon you have. Their web site:

http://www.packstoves.com/service.html

The second place to get them is Force 10 Marine. Surprisingly, the burners that work in their cabin heaters will fit most Kenyon stoves. I was quoted $75 a burner for my particular stove (Kenyon 205). I don't know if that was Canadian or US funds. Their web site:

http://www.force10.com/company.html

I have not made a decision with my stove yet, so if you convert yours I would love to hear how it works out.

Joe

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:26 am

Hey- Thanks for the links. I hadn't been able to find a US supplier of kero stove parts. I do know of a British site that has parts for all sorts of kero stoves and lanterns, including some older ones-

http://www.base-camp.co.uk/

I have a couple of single burner kero stoves that I use all the time aboard. Love 'em.

If the stove is a pressurized model, with a screw in style burner you shouldn't have any truble converting. Email the guy at Base-camp and ask him. He's a long time Kero-phile ( meaning nutty about them ) and probably can tell you

jhenson · Post by **jhenson** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:35 am

Charlie,

Do you find kerosene stoves burn too hot for some cooking applications? Is the stove on your boat a conversion, or an original kerosene unit?

Joe

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:37 am

I have three stoves, one of which I've pirated the burner from because the tank pump isn't working. The two we use aboard are both single burner stoves, one an original Primus and the other an antique Burmos. The Burmos had a "Roarer" burner in it which we used for several years. IT had a problem of burning too hot. The way you reduce the flame on a roarer is to reduce the tank pressure. Hard to get a really low heat with it. I converted the roarer burner to a silent, Primus style with a fuel control. NOW we can turn the thing down as low as needed. Laura is MUCH happier with the silent burner. I converted a Seacook gimbaled stove mounting which had been propane, and mounted the Burmos in that. The Primus sits on the counter, or out in the cockpit or on the beach, as needed. It too has a silent burner but it's a stand-alone and isn't gimbaled.

By the way, I never burn kerosene in any of my kero appliances- Stoves or lamps. We ALWAYS use 100% mineral spirits and have for some 30 years. Todays kerosene is not refined as well as kero from 30- 35 years ago when many people used it to cook with. Todays kerosene is a yellowish color whereas the stuff we used when I was a kid, what, 50 years ago now ( I'm pushing 65) was water clear. Just doesn't burn as cleanly and stinks too. So we use mineral spirits instead. Burns clean, doesn't smell if the lamps or stoves are set right and is actually cheaper than kerorsene in the US anyway. I understand that in Australia it is more expensive but then they may have better kero.

Here's a pic of the stove in use underway. This is the antique Burmos and it's before I converted to the silent burner. Only difference now is that there is a control knob sticking out. The lever you see (over the S in Seacook) is a pot lock. It rotates to grab various sized pots to hold them in place, then the weight of the contents keeps the lock in place. When we aren't using the stove it lifts off and stows in the locker you see behind the stove. Leaves just a flat mounting plate on the bulkhead.