My 1987 CD30 has aboard a Tasco pressurized alcohol stove. I know it's a dinosaur, but I sort of like it. I'm used to the priming routine from many years of backpacking, I like the nonexplosive aspect, and it gets plenty hot.
But it's old and needs help. It sputters and flares (more than is normal) and the flow of alcohol is seems inconsistent. Research leads me to the conclusion that, at minimum, the alcohol filters need to be replaced.
I called the Taunton Stove Co., whose website advertises parts for these old stove, but the gentleman there reported all burner rebuild parts discontinued in 2005. I asked if he could give me any advice on how just to fashion new filter elements, and he replied "None at all", before hanging up (I suspect he is tired of such calls.)
Anyone out there have any experience in re-doing or improving these burners, or making new filters, lacking any new parts? I don't want to chuck the whole stove...
Many Thanks!
-Dan
Tasco pressure alcohol stove-- rebuildable?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Camping Alternative
Hi Dan.
I have an old Kenyon pressure alcohol stove that hasn't been used in at least about 9 years. When I was gearing up to bring the boat north I decided I didn't want to mess with it. I went with a camping stove (Trangia 25). I got the kit which included wind shields that attach together, the burner with cap and ring and basic pots and lids. It slides over the old grate supports for the Kenyon and rolling which cleared the bunks didn't upset the stove or the half full teapot (cold of course). It was as close to a perfect fit as I could hope for.
I don't cook that often so I wanted something simple. The burner is basically a brass cup with holes. When it gets going you can hear the hiss of the alcohol jets. I have a little measuring cup that I use to fill the burner and add enough fuel for the cook time I need. I also have the option of moving the stove out to the cockpit while on the hook to keep extra heat out of the cabin. If you worry about spilling alcohol there are materials that can be put into the burner to eliminate sloshing, but the shape (wider at the bottom) seems to help. The cap has a gasket but I don't leave fuel in it.
Check out "www.trangia.se/english". Also check out "http://campsaver.com/product.php?pid=327550". Trangia also makes a nice fuel bottle with a locking valve.
If I ever decide to remove the guts from my stove it looks like the trangia burner will fit in the well. While it may not be the best option for a cruiser who cooks often, for the weekender who occasionally likes to have something hot to drink or eat, it works. No changes to the existing stove and the price was hard to beat. Check out ebay. You can frequently find complete older kits for about $15 to $20 but I don't know how those would fit with your stove.
If nothing else, it may be a stop gap.
Good luck..................................................Mark
I have an old Kenyon pressure alcohol stove that hasn't been used in at least about 9 years. When I was gearing up to bring the boat north I decided I didn't want to mess with it. I went with a camping stove (Trangia 25). I got the kit which included wind shields that attach together, the burner with cap and ring and basic pots and lids. It slides over the old grate supports for the Kenyon and rolling which cleared the bunks didn't upset the stove or the half full teapot (cold of course). It was as close to a perfect fit as I could hope for.
I don't cook that often so I wanted something simple. The burner is basically a brass cup with holes. When it gets going you can hear the hiss of the alcohol jets. I have a little measuring cup that I use to fill the burner and add enough fuel for the cook time I need. I also have the option of moving the stove out to the cockpit while on the hook to keep extra heat out of the cabin. If you worry about spilling alcohol there are materials that can be put into the burner to eliminate sloshing, but the shape (wider at the bottom) seems to help. The cap has a gasket but I don't leave fuel in it.
Check out "www.trangia.se/english". Also check out "http://campsaver.com/product.php?pid=327550". Trangia also makes a nice fuel bottle with a locking valve.
If I ever decide to remove the guts from my stove it looks like the trangia burner will fit in the well. While it may not be the best option for a cruiser who cooks often, for the weekender who occasionally likes to have something hot to drink or eat, it works. No changes to the existing stove and the price was hard to beat. Check out ebay. You can frequently find complete older kits for about $15 to $20 but I don't know how those would fit with your stove.
If nothing else, it may be a stop gap.
Good luck..................................................Mark
[I'm answering my own question, just in case anyone needs the info in the future!]
I managed to dramatically improve my stove's performance. First had to get the burners off the stove-- don't try to unscrew from the top! You have to remove several pieces of sheet metal from the top of the stove, then gently lift up the whole plate to which the burners are affixed. Underneath they are supplied by copper tubing, which is just flexible enough to pull the plate up a few inches and unscrew the nuts holding the burners on. Then take the burners completely apart (many tiny parts!) and blast with carb cleaner. There is no replaceable filter that I could see, but there's a miniature roll of fine metal mesh in the bottom of the housing which appears to be a sort of permanent filter. It was gunked up, but improved with cleaner. Everything put back together carefully, we now have steady high-pressure flame with no more coughing or sputtering.
Hope this might save a few "good old stoves" from the trash heap!
I managed to dramatically improve my stove's performance. First had to get the burners off the stove-- don't try to unscrew from the top! You have to remove several pieces of sheet metal from the top of the stove, then gently lift up the whole plate to which the burners are affixed. Underneath they are supplied by copper tubing, which is just flexible enough to pull the plate up a few inches and unscrew the nuts holding the burners on. Then take the burners completely apart (many tiny parts!) and blast with carb cleaner. There is no replaceable filter that I could see, but there's a miniature roll of fine metal mesh in the bottom of the housing which appears to be a sort of permanent filter. It was gunked up, but improved with cleaner. Everything put back together carefully, we now have steady high-pressure flame with no more coughing or sputtering.
Hope this might save a few "good old stoves" from the trash heap!