EXPLORIST life I’ve been doing some research on this stove. I would like to get more info on how often you buy the fuel as that will determine the long term cost of the stove. I don’t mind spending $300+ on a stove unless I’m buying a gallon of fuel every week. That would average out to about $750 a year given current prices were we live. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I have used the single burner version of this stove several times per day for a little over three years now. I consider it the best option possible, for many reasons. It is lightweight, portable, extremely safe, no pressurized gas or canisters. Fuel can be stored and transported in just about anything. Can be extinguished with anything. Lower heat means less food scorched. Works great with a pressure cooker. I really have no negatives from my extensive use. It seems like it will last longer than me.
I use one of these puppies for years and the one and only drawback I have found to be a bit of a problem is the availability of high % ethanol. Most of which sell at 1,80-2,20 Euros per liter and have a ethanol % of 95-96%. The remaining % is mainly water which over time builds up in the fuel canisters (though a day sat on a central heating radiator or left out in the sun would evaporate most of that). The water in the ethanol prevents the cooker to burn very hot but there is a solution to remove the water from the cheaper lower grade (95% type) ethanol sold in supermarkets and garden stores. I contacted a laboratory supplier and asked for so called Molecular Sieves which are ceramic type pellets (look kind of like fertilizer pellets) which have microscopic pores (ask for the 3 Angstrom version suited to separate water from ethanol) which allow only molecules the size of water (or smaller) to enter the porous pellets. The ethanol and other trace alcohols in most ethanol fuels can not enter because their molecule size is much larger and the pellets don't have pores large enough. If enough sieves are put into an amount of fuel and left for about 24 hours the water is absorbed into the sieves and the ethanol remains. The sieves can be reused after drying them in either the sun or in an oven at 250 degrees C for about 6 hours. The sieves (if handled correctly - gently) last forever. I got 2 kg which can remove water from about 5 L 95% ethanol. 3Angstrom sieves can remove up to 1/8 of it's dried weight in water from most solvents. I find the "dried" fuel works much better, lights better, burns much hotter (no noticeable difference in comparison to propane) and in general burns cleaner. This type of stove is very popular with boaters because propane can be quite dangerous on board since propane gas is heavier then air and can fill up the bilge (the space under decks) which can explode destroying the vessel. That is why the stove is expensive...as most marine stuff is pricey, but well build and of high quality. I am pretty sure a full propane system (tank(s), the gas locker hardware, the lines, hoses, valves, regulators and the regular maintenance) is much more costly despite the cheap refills and the slightly higher price of ethanol for this Origo stove. Added bonus: You don't have any issues going on ferries and places like underground parking garages.
I noticed on another video they use a reusable squeezy ketchup bottle to pour the fuel, seems to work well and you can fill to a measure point on the bottle.👍🏼
Thanks for the review. I have always wondered about the pros and cons. We could use this stove on both the boat and RV so your comments were of particular interest to me. Thanks again and enjoy the spring skiing.
Yeah, this would be great as a dual purpose stove for sure. And in a boat, alcohol vapor doesn't settle at the low point like propane could. Thanks for watching!
Adventure in a Backpack no propane allowed on our boat for just that reason. RV not so bad because it could drain out the doors but still another fuel to keep track of.
Thanks for the review. We just bought an old sailboat to live on while we work and save for our next adventure and it has an old scary alcohol stove. We are hesitant to replace it with alcohol again, but your review makes me feel better about it.
I‘ve got this stove in combination with electricity since two years in my van. And I like it very much. When I‘m boondocking, I‘m using the alcohol and when I‘m on a campground I‘m using electricity. Greetings from Germany Pet
Thanks for the review as I was curious about this stove. A question though, are you guys venting (opening the doors or turning on the fans) while you have the stove on? Do you guys have a carbon monoxide detector in your van? Thanks.
Have this in my boat although I diy'ed the gimblas & pan holders. Its a fantastic stove that will outlive me! I run it on bioethanol though as alcohol is very expensive in the uk.
I have both the two burner and single version of this stove. They are very safe. The filling of the reservoir problem is really the fault of the fuel can design. Put your fuel in a plastic bottle with a spout of some kind. Other than the price, the only negative thing I have ever encountered is the distance between the tangs that hold the pot. Espresso makers and small pots don't always fit.
they are expensive because they are made for the marine, or boating market. alcohol doesn't give off explosive vapors so a minimalist sailboat can get by with one of these without needing a bilge blower system. low heat output and high fuel cost are downsides but another downside is that fuel always evaporates from the fuel canisters even when the stove isn't being used. origo provides seals that you are supposed to place on the canister openings when the stove is not being used but they are not a positive seal so you are constantly losing fuel. in cold weather this is not so much of a problem but if you plan on using one of these in tropical or desert climates in the summer be prepared with plenty of extra fuel. because they were designed for boats performance at high altitudes is also not so good.. in the long run alcohol does offer more safety but the cost of use will be much higher than other options. another problem is that the fuel canisters do eventually wear out/burn out with extensive use and since new ones are no longer available that could be a problem in the future. don't buy a used one if the canisters are bad, it might end up being a doorstop..
A major pro is that you can find fuel in any country, in Europe most countries have different suppliers of gas bottles. I guess thats why its good for boats too.
For me one of the big advantages of this, over propane, is that it runs on a renewable resource. That's a big goal for us, so the investment would probably be worth it.
You two do your homework and Dometic is a quality brand, that said I also like the stainless steel construction and few moving parts and inherent safety of an alcohol stove. I seem to recall your having a CO2 detector on board as well. I agree that while expensive you'll likely never need to replace it.
I lust after an induction cook top for inside my camper. For cooking outside its either on the fire or on a Colman stove(old school - naphtha gas). When I have shore power I use an electric frying pan. But that may soon change to an Instant Pot. Safe travels. Happy cooking.
Yep! But any time there is an open flame, it's very important to crack a window/door/vent for combustion air and to expell the products of combustion (Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and in the event of incomplete combustion; Carbon Monoxide). Also, it's important to have a working Carbon Monoxide detector installed.
I am curious how this fuel compares to propane as far as moisture and other exhaust elements released into the air inside the van. Is this fuel 'healthier.'
It is no "healthier" than the other fuel burning alternatives (or only marginally so). By nature, the main byproducts of *complete* combustion are Water Vapor, CO2, and energy (light and heat). The more heat is released by the stove, the more byproducts of combustion will be released. Now, as far as moisture (water vapor) goes... whatever you are cooking (boiling water, cooking meat, sauteing veggies) will release significantly more water vapor than the actual combustion process itself. So, comparing the various fuel sources moisture content is quite small and overall insignificant. (I don't get to use my degree much anymore, thanks for that! haha! -Nate)
Here I thought I had the stove set up all figured out; Primus Kinja two burner propane with remote tank for space considerations. Now you throw this curve ball... Hmmm. Thanks for the stove review, I think. :-}
Hey Guys, Thanks for the video! I was just looking at the Origo 3000 and a Wallas diesel stove/heating for my rig. Obviously, diesel setup is more costly. Thanks again!
Thanks for this - ebay bid submitted! Extra pro: It's the zombie apocalypse, you run out of fuel, which do you make? Propane, gasoline or alcohol? (And, yes, I already have a wood burner!)
Do you seriously think I lack the cognitive ability to have tried various orientations to minimize splashing? Lol. Not only was tipping on its side recommended in the instructions, it was the way that splashed the least.
What is the point of having something that is deemed “durable” if it will take a lifetime to boil water or cook anything? You don’t mention the lack of the canisters being hermetic so whatever fuel amount you don’t consume, will just evaporate.. at your expense. An alcohol fire or spill is also very dangerous as you mentioned that it is very hard to see.
The only time we have been disappointed with the cooking temps has been when cooking outside in the wind. Other than that, we feel like the heat output is adequate. The canisters actually are sealed with neoprene gaskets sandwiched between the canister and the lid. They may not be airtight, but we have noticed no measurable evaporation. Fires in general are obviously dangerous and as a retired firefighter, I take that very seriously. Short of using an induction cooktop, I feel like this stove is actually MORE safe than it's propane or petroleum gas counterparts.
Luv your video & humor, pass on the stove! Made my own with soda can & green denatured alcohol that works great albeit smelly & can't see flame in daylight! Use cheap dual gas burner for long cooking or simmering. All in under $50!
I looked into alcohol after watching an earlier AIB video. There’s stuff about methanol online. Not the toxicity drinking it. Some issues. I was looking at alcohol in the camping section at Walmart yesterday. Not sure what was in it. You can definitely get an invisible flash fire
Being a retired firefighter, rest assured I take supreme caution in the way that I cook, which is the majority of the reason we purchased this particular stove in the first place. Without jumping up to the $1,000 price point for a built in webasto unit, I don't think there is a safer alternative on the market.
I've used homemade alcohol stoves (built from soda cans) when camping/long distance backpacking for well over a decade. The biggest and perhaps only risk comes from that nearly invisible (especially in daylight!) denatured alcohol flame as you mentioned. Depending on the type of alcohol stove being used when the fuel starts to run out in the stove that nearly invisible flame can go from a (relatively) strong & hot burner to just a small burn off of residual fuel that is about the equivalent of a candle. I've seen people put their hand over their stove and not feel any real heat and then go to add more fuel so they could get it going again. Their stove was still burning off the last of the fuel though so when they try to pour more fuel into the stove it's a bit of a hot mess. Usually with half of a picnic table on fire for a short time and some singed facial/body hairs.
yeah i was really suprised about the price, it came with my sailboat. (might as well be a million dollars) If you liked the video LIKE the video, makes life easier for everyone ;)
Why did you fill them tilted like that instead having them flat? Lol aren't you creating the messy pouring situation by tilting them when you fill them?
Perhaps i am wrong, but that price for just the Sheetmetall around (without a burn starter and so on) will not be a good price! But thanks a lot for that Video ;- )
Indeed! That's why the price was a con...but in our opinion, the pro's outweigh the price, especially the safety aspect, the simplicity of the unit, and it's durability. It seems like a "Buy it once" kind of unit. Thanks for watching! :D
Aye, but when I pour it from the 12 o'clock it splashed off of the wool in the canister. Shy of a funnel, the way I did it is the best way to do it. Keep in mind, we built out our entire van from scratch, I know how to operate a tin can. Haha!
Check out the Dometic Origo 3000 on Amazon here: amzn.to/2uAdvPJ
EXPLORIST life I’ve been doing some research on this stove. I would like to get more info on how often you buy the fuel as that will determine the long term cost of the stove. I don’t mind spending $300+ on a stove unless I’m buying a gallon of fuel every week. That would average out to about $750 a year given current prices were we live.
Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I have used the single burner version of this stove several times per day for a little over three years now. I consider it the best option possible, for many reasons. It is lightweight, portable, extremely safe, no pressurized gas or canisters. Fuel can be stored and transported in just about anything. Can be extinguished with anything. Lower heat means less food scorched. Works great with a pressure cooker. I really have no negatives from my extensive use. It seems like it will last longer than me.
Exactly. All great points that justify the price tag.
I agree they are great no burnt food and simple to use
I use one of these puppies for years and the one and only drawback I have found to be a bit of a problem is the availability of high % ethanol. Most of which sell at 1,80-2,20 Euros per liter and have a ethanol % of 95-96%. The remaining % is mainly water which over time builds up in the fuel canisters (though a day sat on a central heating radiator or left out in the sun would evaporate most of that).
The water in the ethanol prevents the cooker to burn very hot but there is a solution to remove the water from the cheaper lower grade (95% type) ethanol sold in supermarkets and garden stores.
I contacted a laboratory supplier and asked for so called Molecular Sieves which are ceramic type pellets (look kind of like fertilizer pellets) which have microscopic pores (ask for the 3 Angstrom version suited to separate water from ethanol) which allow only molecules the size of water (or smaller) to enter the porous pellets. The ethanol and other trace alcohols in most ethanol fuels can not enter because their molecule size is much larger and the pellets don't have pores large enough.
If enough sieves are put into an amount of fuel and left for about 24 hours the water is absorbed into the sieves and the ethanol remains. The sieves can be reused after drying them in either the sun or in an oven at 250 degrees C for about 6 hours. The sieves (if handled correctly - gently) last forever.
I got 2 kg which can remove water from about 5 L 95% ethanol. 3Angstrom sieves can remove up to 1/8 of it's dried weight in water from most solvents.
I find the "dried" fuel works much better, lights better, burns much hotter (no noticeable difference in comparison to propane) and in general burns cleaner.
This type of stove is very popular with boaters because propane can be quite dangerous on board since propane gas is heavier then air and can fill up the bilge (the space under decks) which can explode destroying the vessel. That is why the stove is expensive...as most marine stuff is pricey, but well build and of high quality. I am pretty sure a full propane system (tank(s), the gas locker hardware, the lines, hoses, valves, regulators and the regular maintenance) is much more costly despite the cheap refills and the slightly higher price of ethanol for this Origo stove.
Added bonus: You don't have any issues going on ferries and places like underground parking garages.
I noticed on another video they use a reusable squeezy ketchup bottle to pour the fuel, seems to work well and you can fill to a measure point on the bottle.👍🏼
Just bought a van with one, glad to see its going to be a good option.
Thanks for the review. I have always wondered about the pros and cons. We could use this stove on both the boat and RV so your comments were of particular interest to me. Thanks again and enjoy the spring skiing.
Yeah, this would be great as a dual purpose stove for sure. And in a boat, alcohol vapor doesn't settle at the low point like propane could. Thanks for watching!
Adventure in a Backpack no propane allowed on our boat for just that reason. RV not so bad because it could drain out the doors but still another fuel to keep track of.
Glad to see the review. Have already purchased one because I didn't want propane in the van.
Agree 100%. Propane is a no-go for us in the van as well. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review. We just bought an old sailboat to live on while we work and save for our next adventure and it has an old scary alcohol stove. We are hesitant to replace it with alcohol again, but your review makes me feel better about it.
Go for it..its simple and well built. Ethanol is safe compared to propane
I‘ve got this stove in combination with electricity since two years in my van. And I like it very much. When I‘m boondocking, I‘m using the alcohol and when I‘m on a campground I‘m using electricity.
Greetings from Germany
Pet
We pretty much do the exact same thing. The instant pot gets used much more when we are plugged in. Thanks for watching!
How soon after cooking can you put the little black cover on?
A few minutes. By the time we eat and clean up; the stove would be cool.
Thanks for the review as I was curious about this stove. A question though, are you guys venting (opening the doors or turning on the fans) while you have the stove on? Do you guys have a carbon monoxide detector in your van? Thanks.
Have this in my boat although I diy'ed the gimblas & pan holders. Its a fantastic stove that will outlive me! I run it on bioethanol though as alcohol is very expensive in the uk.
i like the spirit of irony concerning the price! :)) its nice to be honest about that .
trying to buy the little baffles in the centre of the burners, can't find any
I have both the two burner and single version of this stove. They are very safe. The filling of the reservoir problem is really the fault of the fuel can design. Put your fuel in a plastic bottle with a spout of some kind. Other than the price, the only negative thing I have ever encountered is the distance between the tangs that hold the pot. Espresso makers and small pots don't always fit.
I think the other issue with them now is that they've been discontinued for the last few years. 🤣🤷
they are expensive because they are made for the marine, or boating market. alcohol doesn't give off explosive vapors so a minimalist sailboat can get by with one of these without needing a bilge blower system. low heat output and high fuel cost are downsides but another downside is that fuel always evaporates from the fuel canisters even when the stove isn't being used. origo provides seals that you are supposed to place on the canister openings when the stove is not being used but they are not a positive seal so you are constantly losing fuel. in cold weather this is not so much of a problem but if you plan on using one of these in tropical or desert climates in the summer be prepared with plenty of extra fuel. because they were designed for boats performance at high altitudes is also not so good.. in the long run alcohol does offer more safety but the cost of use will be much higher than other options. another problem is that the fuel canisters do eventually wear out/burn out with extensive use and since new ones are no longer available that could be a problem in the future. don't buy a used one if the canisters are bad, it might end up being a doorstop..
Hi I have a questions? Does the stove cover gets hot and would burn the surface you put it on ? Thanks
Very well done review. It has all of the information that you would need when considering this stove! Thank you for putting this together!
Thanks so much! :D :D
A major pro is that you can find fuel in any country, in Europe most countries have different suppliers of gas bottles. I guess thats why its good for boats too.
For me one of the big advantages of this, over propane, is that it runs on a renewable resource. That's a big goal for us, so the investment would probably be worth it.
I just had to look that up. I didn't even think of the face Alcohol is renewable. Good point!
You two do your homework and Dometic is a quality brand, that said I also like the stainless steel construction and few moving parts and inherent safety of an alcohol stove. I seem to recall your having a CO2 detector on board as well. I agree that while expensive you'll likely never need to replace it.
I lust after an induction cook top for inside my camper. For cooking outside its either on the fire or on a Colman stove(old school - naphtha gas). When I have shore power I use an electric frying pan. But that may soon change to an Instant Pot.
Safe travels. Happy cooking.
Nice! Yeah, we go back and forth on the induction cooktop. Will probably try one eventually. Thanks for watching!
I'm curious. How long does it take to boil half a gallon of water?
Keep it flat when filling and you won’t spill, so easy to fill
Wow! So this is safe for indoors?
Yep! But any time there is an open flame, it's very important to crack a window/door/vent for combustion air and to expell the products of combustion (Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and in the event of incomplete combustion; Carbon Monoxide). Also, it's important to have a working Carbon Monoxide detector installed.
Great review Thanks
Looks like a sweet stove. We may have to look into that for the future. Thanks for sharing the review guys! - Shane
No problem! Thanks for watching Shane! :D We are pretty happy with it. :D
Good review - thanks for leaving the funny parts in. I hit the 'Thumbs Up' but can't find the Touch Down 😜
Haha! Thanks so much! We will settle for the Thumbs Up by itself. lol
Great product review guys!
Would love to see more of them.
Thanks so much! Definitely hoping to incorporate more in the future. Anything we use in particular you'd like to see a review on?
I am curious how this fuel compares to propane as far as moisture and other exhaust elements released into the air inside the van. Is this fuel 'healthier.'
It is no "healthier" than the other fuel burning alternatives (or only marginally so). By nature, the main byproducts of *complete* combustion are Water Vapor, CO2, and energy (light and heat). The more heat is released by the stove, the more byproducts of combustion will be released.
Now, as far as moisture (water vapor) goes... whatever you are cooking (boiling water, cooking meat, sauteing veggies) will release significantly more water vapor than the actual combustion process itself. So, comparing the various fuel sources moisture content is quite small and overall insignificant.
(I don't get to use my degree much anymore, thanks for that! haha! -Nate)
Here I thought I had the stove set up all figured out; Primus Kinja two burner propane with remote tank for space considerations. Now you throw this curve ball... Hmmm. Thanks for the stove review, I think. :-}
Great video! Thanks for reviewing it..
Thanks for watching!
Hey Guys, Thanks for the video! I was just looking at the Origo 3000 and a Wallas diesel stove/heating for my rig. Obviously, diesel setup is more costly. Thanks again!
Yeah, the diesel stoves definitely seem nice and we'd love to test one eventually.
Diesel stoves stink.
Was thinking about buying one those stoves. Did you have any problems in cold weather and/or higher altitude?
Nope! Wind is it's biggest enemy.
Love the exaggeration fuel fill.
🤣😂
At the risk of asking a stuipd question. How do you turn them off? Do you just close the valve, is that enough to smother the flame?
Good question! Turning off the valve is enough to smother it out.
Your not suppose to tilt the container when adding the alcohol 🧐🧐🤔🤔
Maybe not, but that's the way I found to work the best.
Great Video! Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this - ebay bid submitted! Extra pro: It's the zombie apocalypse, you run out of fuel, which do you make? Propane, gasoline or alcohol? (And, yes, I already have a wood burner!)
In case of zombie apocalypse, I'm gonna get bitten and go do zombie things with my new zombie friends.
Great review, but... why are you tipping it on its side to fill it up?? thats why youre getting splashes everywhere lol
Do you seriously think I lack the cognitive ability to have tried various orientations to minimize splashing? Lol. Not only was tipping on its side recommended in the instructions, it was the way that splashed the least.
Hahahahahahahaha... you guys really cracked us up!! Can't wait to meet you two! :)
Ha! Thanks so much! Likewise!
please please show the flame what does it look like that is the most important you miss thanks God BLESS YOU ALL THERE
Alcohol flames are nearly invisible. :)
What is the point of having something that is deemed “durable” if it will take a lifetime to boil water or cook anything? You don’t mention the lack of the canisters being hermetic so whatever fuel amount you don’t consume, will just evaporate.. at your expense. An alcohol fire or spill is also very dangerous as you mentioned that it is very hard to see.
The only time we have been disappointed with the cooking temps has been when cooking outside in the wind. Other than that, we feel like the heat output is adequate. The canisters actually are sealed with neoprene gaskets sandwiched between the canister and the lid. They may not be airtight, but we have noticed no measurable evaporation. Fires in general are obviously dangerous and as a retired firefighter, I take that very seriously. Short of using an induction cooktop, I feel like this stove is actually MORE safe than it's propane or petroleum gas counterparts.
Come on guys, it’s easy to fill and so much safer than gas. Can you put a price on safety?
Filling is the worst part about it. It's not that big a deal though.
You have a link for everything in the description - probably even including the clothes you are wearing - but YOU HAVE NO LINK FOR THE STOVE.
The stove is unfortunately no longer being made.
Luv your video & humor, pass on the stove! Made my own with soda can & green denatured alcohol that works great albeit smelly & can't see flame in daylight! Use cheap dual gas burner for long cooking or simmering. All in under $50!
Nice! Glad you found a solution for yourself!
I looked into alcohol after watching an earlier AIB video. There’s stuff about methanol online. Not the toxicity drinking it. Some issues. I was looking at alcohol in the camping section at Walmart yesterday. Not sure what was in it. You can definitely get an invisible flash fire
Being a retired firefighter, rest assured I take supreme caution in the way that I cook, which is the majority of the reason we purchased this particular stove in the first place. Without jumping up to the $1,000 price point for a built in webasto unit, I don't think there is a safer alternative on the market.
I've used homemade alcohol stoves (built from soda cans) when camping/long distance backpacking for well over a decade. The biggest and perhaps only risk comes from that nearly invisible (especially in daylight!) denatured alcohol flame as you mentioned. Depending on the type of alcohol stove being used when the fuel starts to run out in the stove that nearly invisible flame can go from a (relatively) strong & hot burner to just a small burn off of residual fuel that is about the equivalent of a candle. I've seen people put their hand over their stove and not feel any real heat and then go to add more fuel so they could get it going again. Their stove was still burning off the last of the fuel though so when they try to pour more fuel into the stove it's a bit of a hot mess. Usually with half of a picnic table on fire for a short time and some singed facial/body hairs.
yeah i was really suprised about the price, it came with my sailboat. (might as well be a million dollars)
If you liked the video LIKE the video, makes life easier for everyone ;)
so cute
It's a longterm investment.. despite the stove being expensive, the fuel is dirt cheap
Try using a siphon pump...
Good idea! Already sold this unit and it's now discontinued, though.
Why did you fill them tilted like that instead having them flat? Lol aren't you creating the messy pouring situation by tilting them when you fill them?
Flat and everything just splashed out or didn't soak in quickly enough.
you can also distill your own alcohol
Not a good option if you're a smoker who likes to cook when you're drunk. Refilling the canisters could be dangerous.
Indeed; filling fuel canisters while smoking is generally not a good idea.
Perhaps i am wrong,
but that price for just the Sheetmetall around (without a burn starter and so on) will not be a good price!
But thanks a lot for that Video ;- )
Indeed! That's why the price was a con...but in our opinion, the pro's outweigh the price, especially the safety aspect, the simplicity of the unit, and it's durability. It seems like a "Buy it once" kind of unit.
Thanks for watching! :D
I love alcohol stoves, but $338(USD) is crazy expensive.
Price is typically the down side of quality and In our opinion, the pro's outweigh the cons (the price) for this particular unit.
You are pouring the fuel the wrong way. The opening should be a 12 o'clock. Googe it... Guys who paint cars know this.
Aye, but when I pour it from the 12 o'clock it splashed off of the wool in the canister. Shy of a funnel, the way I did it is the best way to do it. Keep in mind, we built out our entire van from scratch, I know how to operate a tin can. Haha!
hahahhaa
Compass24 now make them. Exact copy cheaper. Dometic no longer make them.
You lost me at a billion. That's way out of my price range unfortunately 😕 😄
Price is to crazy! I give it a no buy!
Also a no-buy because it's been discontinued and pretty much can't be purchased anymore. 🤣😂