Home and Shelter: March 2008 Archives
March 11, 2008 8:17 PM
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QUESTION: COOKING WITH PROPANE OR ALCOHOL
What is your experience cooking with propane or alcohol? And are these fuels easy to store for long periods of time? Can either be used inside?
Abigail Haddock responds:
I have cooked with propane, alcohol and butane over the years. All three are volatile flammable liquids that burn vapor when exposed to heat. They are dangerous substances that should always be treated with respect.
Propane or LP gas is heavier than air. In its raw state, propane sinks and pools at the floor. It will continue pooling until it reaches a spark or flame, such as your water heater, furnace pilot light or static electricity. Once it reaches this ignition source...BOOM!!! Propane has more heat energy and will burn hotter boiling water more quickly than alcohol.
My own experience with propane is that there is quite a bit of water vapor that is produced. I lived in a small travel trailer and always cracked a window and opened the ceiling vent when cooking or heating with propane. If you are preparing an elaborate emergency home with more than adequate air flow, then propane would be an excellent choice. Propane does not have an odor so a sulfur-like additive is used to detect leaks or give a warning when the tank is running low. It is stored in canisters or tanks and a supply of extra hoses and regulators would be necessary.
Alcohol (use methanol not ethanol) burns with fewer BTU/hr. It is easy to store in metal pails. I actually have a 55 gallon metal barrel with stored alcohol. It must be stored in a dry location to prevent rust. Simply pour alcohol into the stove reservoir for use. It must be capped securely when not in use or it will evaporate. The flame is difficult to see and it cooks more slowly than other fuels. It is a good, inexpensive alternative to propane for the more economical alternative. All fuels need ventilation. Remember, a single candle burns more oxygen than one person so plan a good supply of air flow in any design.
Butane is another alternative that is very inexpensive and easy to use. It can be purchased in hair spray like cans for use in a simple inexpensive stove that comes with a carrying case for about $20. This is by far my favorite stove. Boils water in 4 minutes, a single can lasts for about 2 hours of cooking time and no pouring liquids. This stove is my favorite for emergency use. I always recommend it for use by older people because of its simplicity in use.
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Pam Paizs responds:
This is such an important question.
Both of these stoves/ovens will cook your foods but there are very different reasons you should be aware of before you choose which method. But first we must look at the safety of using either one.
Propane is a clean heat and easily available in small sealed tanks-plentiful for either hiking or for keeping in a "safe house". When using the smaller propane tanks (1 pint size) they are less likely to harm anyone if there were to be any earth movements. They are easily stored into a large plastic tub. If you were to use larger size tanks, I would suggest no larger than a 5 or 10 gallon size. These 2 sizes would require securing to the wall of a "safe house" with strong fiber straps, so they will not fly about the room and potentially hurt anyone during earth movements.
Their heat output and cooking time are excellent. I have used a two-burner camping stove for a period of 10 days and have only used 2 of the small size tanks for 3 meals per day. I cook my beans or heavier foods in a small stainless steel pressure cooker, so it all takes 15 to 20 minutes start to finish. There is less moisture in the air (surrounding area will stay dryer), plus the wonderful fact that you use less water by cooking with a pressure cooker.
Using propane, I can see the flame. This will be the most important point, along with no problems with spillage, smell or moisture!
Now onto Alcohol
Most buyers of alcohol stoves have little understanding of how dangerous they are. They work with liquid FIRE! The problem with liquid fire is it falls, spills and runs over the stove on to everything! A small drip can burn, melt and start a huge fire!! The liquid is unlike propane!! It stays on anything it touches and spreads to everything!! So now everything is on FIRE!
I personally do NOT like using this product at all. It is the most dangerous product to use in a "safe house" as well as outdoors, where it can easily spill and start a fire in a flash. Let me be very clear, Alcohol cannot be seen well at all when it is alight and on the ground. Yes, you can see a flame when you are using your burner but if a little of that same alcohol spills, or we have earth movement, you will not see it on the ground. It will still be alight and it will burn anything that it meets. Unfortunately the flame itself is hard to see because it burns at a low temperature.
It is the most unsafe item you could have, especially with small children around, or being cooped up in a "safe house" where you cannot readily get away from it. I have been privy to some horrendous stories regarding alcohol stoves, where folks have had an UNKNOWN spill and their entire lodging has gone up in smoke. Remember, they could get out into the safe surrounding air!
In addition, alcohol will give off extreme amounts of moisture into the surrounding areas which can create mold and mildew. Moisture is okay if you are outdoors but not if you are inside. As far as I know, alcohol fumes aren't dangerous--just nauseating. Take all that information and place it in a small space that you may not be able to get out off and alcohol is not your best choice.
So my vote goes to Propane!
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Steven Knopp responds:
This one is tricky business! Both propane and methyl alcohol are excellent fuels in terms of relatively clean combustibility and availability [at this point]. However, each has their dangers and drawbacks! Both can be stored long term. I will assume here you're asking in terms of a shelter situation. Obviously with propane gas in quantity you have a major bomb on your hands, so its installation and storage must be very professionally and safely executed.
With methyl alcohol it must be stored in steel drums. However, methyl alcohol is a neuro-toxin and can cause blindness and other very serious health problems at exposure levels before you can even smell it. If it is used you must have very good ventilation at both the cooking site, and storage and refilling of containers site. I would wear a respirator while doing the second task, and store this fuel far from the living space, with very good ventilation.
Biodiesel would be safer and cleaner, but I have not seen anyone do this yet. But it could be done. So for cooking I would go with the smaller canisters of propane and a tank for long term hot water.
Thank you experts!
NEXT WEEK: Composting
Be well. Be happy. Be outrageous.
Louise
