No Origo fuel in So. Cal. for 3-4 months ... what's going on

[Sven]

We've had an order in to our otherwise superb chandler for what must be 4 months by now. Still no fuel ?

Does anyone know what is going on ?

$19 per gallon was bad enough ... no delivery at all without explanation is ridiculous.



-Sven

 

[Loren Beach]

We buy our alcohol at the hardware store for a lot less. No pretty blue dye, but that's not much of a sacrifice.
Loren

 

[MarkA]

All I've found locally are quarts for $24.99. I can find my favorite vodka cheaper than that.

 

[Emerald]

I didn't even know Origo had their own brand - been using generic stove alcohol in my Origo for years

 

[MarkA]

I've been casually looking around for a gallon since July. Now that you've mentioned it, I've been looking all over the internet and can't find any reference to it being for sale anywhere.

I've read several cruising threads where people complained of sooting with other denatured alcohols--I didn't realize the formulas can be so different. I've read pro and con on Worst Marine's brand and Kleen-Strip. I've only used the Origo and I like it. Has anyone tried Coleman's?

 

[Sven]

The Origo brand is supposed to create less soot and is the only kind we've seen in chandlers, until now.

I hope it isn't the new California volatiles rules that is keeping the fuel off the shelves.

We'll look in regular hardware stores next.

Thanks,



-Sven

 

[MarkA]

Worst Marine in SP and the General Store at the Isthmus still have quarts: $24.99 and $26.99 respectively.

I'm betting 190 proof Everclear would work perfectly, and it's easy to buy outside of California for around $15.00 for 750 ml. That's cheaper than current Origo prices by the quart, it's non-toxic, and likely is devoid of any sooting impurities. But still ridiculously expensive.

 

[Sven]

Worst Marine in SP and the General Store at the Isthmus still have quarts: $24.99 and $26.99 respectively.

I checked the general store and the shelf was empty this past week; didn't ask if they had any in the back since the price is unaffordable out there. Worst in SP has had a couple of quarts but they have been cleaning out other WM stores in So. Cal. to get us our last 4 gallons at ~$30 each in the last month or two. We use about 1 gallon per month or slightly more.

Thx.



-Sven

 

[MarkA]

Please let me know if you find a source. I'm on my last quart. Lucky you for scoring WM's last stock--I was about to bolt out of the house in panic mode and see what they can access! We use about 2 gallons per year, but may double that this year.

So, what else works, folks? Any other non-sooting solutions?

 

[Tom Metzger]

Hey guys - If you want chemicals, go to a chemical supplier. There have to be a thousand of them in SoCal. When I had an alcohol stove I used to buy alcohol from a local company in five gallon cans filled from his tank for a fraction of what it cost at the hardware store. It was also full strength, 190 proof. At the hardware store I had to be careful I was buying the high quality alcohol required by the pressurized stove.

He also sold it in gallons, but it cost more.

 

[MarkA]

Thanks, Tom, I'll look into that.Meanwhile, I might try this in one burner for a side-by-side test: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...tml?forum_thread_id=32813&skip_to_post=279246

 

[Dave Neptune]

Fwiw

I have used nothing but denatured alchohol for 26 years now in my ole 35 with the original stove. I use my stove and oven a great deal as I am at Catalina at least 15~20 weekends a year. No problems ever and no soot!

Dave Neptune

 

[MarkA]

Dave, not all denatured alcohols are created equal--what kind do you use?

For example just looking at Klean-Strip, they sell two very different formulas. One is basically 50/50 ethanol and methanol, with an additive. Meanwhile, their green version is more than 90 percent ethanol, around 8 percent methanol, and there are two additional additives.

I'm having trouble getting my hands on the MSDS for the Origo branded denatured alcohol to see what the differences are.

I also found another denatured alcohol that is 92.5 percent ethanol, but I haven't located that MSDS, either.

Dave, do you experience any blackening to the bottoms of your pans? Any free-floating soot?

 

[Dave Neptune]

Hmmm

Mark, none at all. I just go to the hardware store and buy a gallon can that says denatured alchohol and think bad things about "Tiffany's" (WM) pricing. I have not purchased or even looked for "stove fuel" for at least 20 years now. I have had this Ericson for going on 27 years now. I may have even started using the D/A in my old 27" Ericson which I bought new. I did have a big problem with the "Alchohol" while anchored in Pelican Bay one afternoon. I started a "cake" in a "stove top" oven. The fuel ran out and my buddie decided he would fill it up as I was out in the dinghy. As I was rowing around I noticed something peculiar when I looked back to my boat ~Easy~ as it was spewing black smoke from a fire :0 down below. I started heading back to the boat as fast as the oars would carry me and as I got close out came the stove less its gimble cake and all. It took quite a bit of time to clean up the mess and get the stove back to operational as my buddie filled it with lamp oil instead of alchohol. That episode did far more than scorch a pan. Luckily there was no damage and the curtains didn't even ignite but did need to be replaced!
I just took a can of fuel down for next weekend I got from OSH, I will look at it and get back as to what it is. To tell the truth I didn't even think there would be different types of "Denatured Alchohol" or "Shellac thinner" until I saw this post. Interesting!

Dave Neptune

 

[Sven]

Thanks, Tom, I'll look into that.Meanwhile, I might try this in one burner for a side-by-side test: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...tml?forum_thread_id=32813&skip_to_post=279246

It looked too good to be true

Found this review comment on Amazon

I tried it in an alcohol stove and did indeed burn markedly hotter than SLX. The ethanol produces a much stronger and less pleasant odor, as well as more soot on pans. If you are using it for paint cleanup, or as a general solvent, I doubt you will even notice. But if you are fueling stoves or priming your Optimus stove, be mindful of it.

-Sven

 

[Dave Neptune]

Curiosity

I checked McMaster Carr and their prod number 3190K93 is "fuel & food grade" rated and 99% pure. I will still check the "denatured alchohol" on the boat this evening as it is from OSH in a one gallon can.
This is something I never even considered as like I said it's pretty much all I have ever used. Time to perhaps start paying more attention like with the E-10 fuels in my ole A-4.
Dave Neptune

 

[Tom Metzger]

My recollection is that the cheap shellac thinner wouldn't burn in a pressurized stove because of the low proof rating.

 

[Dave Neptune]

Cheap

Tom, not sure what you mean by proof rating, perhaps percentage like in consumable libations. 99% would be 198 proof(?). It has worked for me for many many years and I have many friends that use the same thing and have done so for years too. About the only differance I found was the color and I am sure the "dye" doesn't burn as clean as the alchohol. I'm pretty sure that "Origo" just bought it, had it dyed blue and created a lable to "scare" consumers into nothing else will work, a very common marketing strategy. I seriously doubt they would afford the cost of having special batches made by the refineries as it would be very expensive and a huge "production lot" to say the least. When you consider the number of past providers of stove fuel West Marine, Origo, Master and etc. there are just to many not to just relable available product by adding a bit of dye.
It's kinda like in the old days when I did a lot of camping with the family. We'd get ready for a trip and check that the "Coleman" had plenty of fuel called "white gas" on the labeling. Well "white gas" was available at many gas stations (usually larger ones) all we did is give the attendant the can and he would go the the back and pump (by hand) "white gas" from a barrell which was not readily available in the fifties and sixties. Today we call it "unleaded" gas. Today though I do get the Coleman type as I'm not sure of the additives and food safety.

Dave Neptune

 

[Tom Metzger]

Dave - I guess I mis-spoke. Proof generally refers to alcohol strength in beverages. I meant the strength, purity, percentage, or whatever.

My only concern was if enough would vaporize to maintain a flame. Altogether different than with an Origo burner.

 

[MarkA]

I'm at the boat now, looking at a jug of what I THOUGHT was Origo branded stuff. The brand is actually SOOT FREE, but it also bears the Origo label as an endorsement. It contains ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and acetone. Since MEK has been banned in California since 1/1/11, I suspect that is why the shelves are emptying. I read online where some commenter said SOOT FREE is about 72 percent ethanol, with most of the rest being methanol. It's distributed by Alco USA Inc, in Florida. I'll try to call them

Update: Still haven't located a contact number.

Here's an interesting article: http://www.goodoldboat.com/reader_services/articles/cookingfuels.php That says Soot Free is 71 percent ethanol and 20 percent methanol.

Second Update: The Division of Corporations for the State of Florida does not list a telephone number or email address for ALCO--nor does their annual report. I'm not inclined to write them.

I found an online retailer who says the stuff is on backorder and will fill orders within 3-5 days. $29 per gallon. I forgot the name, and I'm skeptical they can get their hands on it in that timeframe, if ever.