Origo portable heater/stove

[jackie m]

After some cold days at Lake Mead, I'm looking for a way to just take the nip out of the air in the cabin, not necessarily heat up the entire space. I was wondering if anyone has tried this:

http://www.swego.com/mall/heat_pal_5100.asp
I'm interested in this because it uses alcohol.

Thanks for any input!

Jackie M

p.s. last time I stay in a place without radio access to the weather!

[baldbaby2000]

I've used one very similar. It worked fine but as with anything that doesn't vent to the outside, it puts out a lot of water vapor and if it's cold out you can get an annoying amount of condensation inside the boat.

BB

[Chip Hindes]

Not only condensation though there's certainly a lot of that as well. Probably not a problem where you are, but if it's below freezing and you shut down your heater, the condensation will freeze and you'll have a hull of a mess.

I have the Origo single burner stove which uses the same principle as this heater, and when cooking with the boat closed up it puts out a fair amount of fumes which burn both your lungs and eyes. It's possible the heater accomplishes more complete combustion and thus less fumes, but I wouldn't count on it.

I figure whenever there are fumes you can smell and feel in your eyes, there's got to be CO as well. I always crack the hatch when cooking and I would not even consider doing this if there was even a remote chance I would fall asleep. I camped out on my Mac at anchor overnight in weather well below freezing a few weeks ago, and the sotve warmed up the interior fairly nicely while I was brewing the morning coffee, but I think the coffe itself was much more effective at warming me up.

I've seen rercommended that you simply use an inverted clay flowerpot over the Origo cooking stove to radiate more heat and take the chill off. I've never tried it, though I'm sure it would work OK as long as you're careful to ventilate and don't care about a little condensation.

Zodi makes a small fairly inexpensive heatersystem that functions similar to your home hot air furnace. The combustion takes place outside, and the hot air is ducted in thorough flexible ducts by a small battery powered fan. Looks like a much better setup to me, though it burns propane which has its own problems. It's designed for tents but for my money it's a way better investment. I wish there were a similar system which burned alcohol.

[jackie m]

Not only condensation though there's certainly a lot of that as well. Probably not a problem where you are, but if it's below freezing and you shut down your heater, the condensation will freeze and you'll have a hull of a mess.

and

I've seen rercommended that you simply use an inverted clay flowerpot over the Origo cooking stove to radiate more heat and take the chill off. I've never tried it, though I'm sure it would work OK as long as you're careful to ventilate and don't care about a little condensation.

We had some condensation with our five westies on board. (':)')

It was quite dry at Lake Mead. I'm used to the Gulf Coast area which means I'm used to a *lot* more humidity than what we have here in California (and Lake Mead where we were last week).

Zodi makes a small fairly inexpensive heatersystem that functions similar to your home hot air furnace. The combustion takes place outside, and the hot air is ducted in thorough flexible ducts by a small battery powered fan. Looks like a much better setup to me, though it burns propane which has its own problems. It's designed for tents but for my money it's a way better investment. I wish there were a similar system which burned alcohol.

Same here. I know about the Zodi system. I don't want to deal with more propane. I don't plan on sleeping with the system on. Just want something to take the nip out of the morning/evening air. We are wanting an Origo stove (are currently using a Brinkman SS propane double burner). I like the clay pot idea. Could use it at night as a bed warmer before hitting the sack.(':)')

Thanks for your suggestions.

Jackie M

[Frank C]

. . . It was quite dry at Lake Mead. I'm used to the Gulf Coast area which means I'm used to a *lot* more humidity than what we have here in California (and Lake Mead where we were last week).

. . . I like the clay pot idea. Could use it at night as a bed warmer before hitting the sack.

Never tried it, but I recall reading warnings about the clay flower pots. They need to be "seasoned" in an oven on low heat. Otherwise, the stove heat can boil traces of internal moisture causing a spontaneous fracture of the clay.

I too enjoy the West coast's much lower humidity - having grown up in Pennsylvania & Maryland, it's a notable difference each time I now visit there. Regardless of our dry conditions in the west, I find the moisture from just nightime breathing leaves dripping condensation by morning. We find it necessary to leave the forehatch cracked open (about a half-inch) to provide some cross flow toward aft hatch.

I don't feel any need for a cabin stove at all, but I'd surely avoid burning alcohol in the cabin due to humidity. But I originally passed on the Origo cause it was just too d@mned costly - looks like they get a pretty penny for that heater too. Though you've already noted they don't meet your needs ... I'd choose among these options, at increasing costs:
1. Coleman catalytic @ $40 (propane) resting in sink, just to take off chill.
2. ZODI air heater @ $100 (propane, external) more serious heat capacity
3. Wallas stove/heater @ $1300? (kerosene, vented externally) for cold climates

[kmclemore]

Just FYI, there's a whole thread on this over HERE with lots of suggestions.

[jackie m]

Just FYI, there's a whole thread on this over HERE with lots of suggestions.

Thanks. I did see that thread and it did not address what I was looking for. Mainly, any comments on a simple, alcohol-based heater like the Origo and comments from anyone who may have used it. I'm looking for something other than propane, diesel, butane, electric. Your heating device is more complicated than what I'm looking for. I am, afterall, mostly sailing in southern California.

Jackie M

[Moe]

Comments about the Origo stove should pretty much apply to the heater. While the canister it uses isn't exactly the same size, it is of the same design, and uses the same type of combustion. It's pretty close to the flower pot over the stove burner concept.

[jackie m]

Thanks, Moe. Again, I'm not looking to heat the boat the entire time. I'm looking for something that I can light up and take the chill out of the morning air that won't remain lit for long. Once we are up and going, I'm fine. I do not want a heat solution for sleeping (my husband radiates enough heat to warm up a small car... how DO you guys DO THAT?!).

btw, the water temperatures on Lake Mead were 71 degrees! When we camped at the park on the trailer, I got very cold in the a.m. and took a while to warm up (I'm very cold natured). But once we were on the water, the temps in the boat were much better regardless of how cold air temps were outside. I learned about dressing appropriately as a sea kayaker (have been camped out in a tent in temps as low as 9 degrees). But for Pete's sake, I'm supposed to be experiencing increased comfort going from a sea kayak to a Macgregor. Right???

Was very nice after our very cold first night/morning there

Jackie M

[jackie m]

Comments about the Origo stove should pretty much apply to the heater. While the canister it uses isn't exactly the same size, it is of the same design, and uses the same type of combustion. It's pretty close to the flower pot over the stove burner concept.

The Origo will crack?

Jackie M

[Chip Hindes]

It's pretty close to the flower pot over the stove burner concept.

That was my feeling as well, which is why I mentioned my Origo cooking stove system.

It has some advantages in that it's alcohol, in general safer than propane and way safer than gasoline. Mine's built-in which I think also makes it considerably safer than a free standing model.

However, given the fumes and condensation, I'm not satisfied with it as a heating system; heck; except when the boat's wide open I'm barely willing to put up with it as a cooking system. I may try the flower pot sometime because it's cheap, and little lost if it doesn't work. Although I haven't seen the Origo heating stove in action, I can't imagine that it's much better, and if I were you I wouldn't waste my money, even though it's way cheaper than the cooking stove. BTW, I bought my stove in the euphoria of new boat fever, but now with a few years of boat stuff behind me, I agree with Frank. Even in the context that just the description "marine" means an immediate and usually unjustified markup, the Origo is pretty much in its own class when you say "overpriced."

Having lived in Southern CA myself, I believe if I were you and never contemplated going anywhere else where heat might be a larger consideration, I'd recommend Moe's method as well: Dress warmly and forget the heat.

[DLT]

If you want to keep it simple, why not use sterno?

It is basically the same fuel as the origo stove, but at a fraction of the cost, at least initial cost.

Yes, beware of condensation and keep some ventilation going, but for a quick and easy morning warm up, that might be just the ticket...

[jackie m]

If you want to keep it simple, why not use sterno?

That was my first suggestion to my husband. He didn't see the point. But then, he's not cold natured and I'm not a walking heat pump.

Jackie M

[Randy Smith]

I use my boat in the winter out here on the Columbia...I am in Eastern Oregon and it gets pretty cold as compared to western........I want a heating source which is good and cheap...haven't found it, am still looking...the good news is that I have tried most of the products mentioned.....I have found my favorite for taking the chill off, is making coffee on my portable butane stove, then after it is made...putting the clay pot on the burner until I am comfy.....damn right it works . I used to have a propane stove...same trick....works.

Condensation is not a problem for short term use...any longer than a quick heat up and it begins to get wet.....I would like a heat souce with a thermo and vented outside, but do not want another fricken hole in the boat and that is a lota cash.....around a thousand for perfect use.

Jackie, for your needs, I think the clay pot will work(not a big one...just a four incher to six) over your single burner

I do sleep with a coleman cat.....I keep hatches open a smidge and I keep on waking up each morning.....I used to live on the boat and that was my only heat source in the winter of 2000.....the river froze and I stayed pretty comfy....electric was best, when I could "borrow" power...as my marina didn't have full hook ups.......Below thirty degrees is uncomfortable for me at this time unless I am at the dock with full hook ups........I know too much info, but once I get started........ Randy

[jackie m]

No personal experience here, but I hear the cure for that is menopause. One day, you may have all the hatches open and he'll be begging for warmth!

Turn about's fair play, right?