Operating Instructions
Before attempting to operate stove, please read these instructions carefully and become thoroughly familiar with the various parts of the stove and how they operate
Theory of Operation
The burners use alcohol vapor for fuel. This gaseous fuel is produced by boiling liquid alcohol in the base of the burner by diverting some of the heat from the flame through the burner body.
In order to start a cold burner, it must first be heated above 180 degrees F in order to produce the required vapor. This is usually done by burning a small amount (about 1/4 oz.) of liquid alcohol in a special priming cup under the base of the burner. As the burner heats up, the liquid alcohol trapped in the burner boils, causing a flame to appear at the burner cap. If the priming cup is too full, the rising temperature also causes the priming alcohol to boil which produces a relatively high flame around the burner before it boils away. These conditions, usually termed "flare-up" are a natural consequence of the priming process and are usually not serious. A little practice will show the correct amount of alcohol necessary to produce the required temperature.
Too much alcohol will produce "flare-up" and too little will not bring the burner to a high enough temperature. A hot burner will produce a hissing sound when turned on. A cold burner will be silent or produce a squirting sound, and liquid alcohol will flow down into the priming cup. After priming, the burner must be lit before it cools off, or re-priming will be necessary.
Fuel
The burners are designed to use 95% denatured ethyl alcohol, which is commercially available as alcohol stove fuel. Satisfactory operation is also obtained with 91% isopropyl alcohol containing less than .003% by weight non- volatile material. Caution Do not use wood alcohol (methanol), rubbing alcohol, or ethyl alcohol with no-volatile denaturing additives a they will not burn satisfactorily and burners will become clogged.
Operating Components
The (model 206 & 209) Fuel Fill Nipple is
located at the rear of the stove. Note that it has a
special cap which includes a pressure relief valve
which effectively
prevents excessive pressure buildup in the tank.
This cap must never be replaced by any other type.
The Pump is located at the front center of
the stove and is used to pressurize the fuel tank.
Satisfactory operation of the alcohol burners is
obtained with the fuel supplied at a pressure of 8
to 15 psig. An average of 15-20 strokes of the pump
are required to obtain sufficient pressure, but this
varies depending on the amount of fuel in the tank
and more strokes may provide better burner
operation.
Captkeywest Notes: some models use control knobs
(instead of the wheels found on model 206)
operating theory is same
control knobs open 1 full turn, control wheel opens
with six "pushes"
The burner control wheelsare located in the front flange of the stove. The control moved to he extreme right is the "off" position. The extreme left is the "clean" position. In this position the internal mechanism of the burner causes a small wire to be pushed thru the burner nozzel, thereby removing any dirt which may have lodged there. The full "on" position of the control is about half way between the off and clean positions or abut 3 pushes of the control wheel. The burner may be operated at lower heats by moving the control to the right toward close. Cleaning the nozzel is normally performed while the burner is operating. Move the control to the extreme left then back to the center operating position. Be prepared to relight the burner as the cleaning will often extinguish the flame.
Burner Operation
Fill tank approximately 3/4 full with denatured ethyl alcohol using a funnel. Replace cap and tighten snugly.
Pump 15 to 20 times to pressurize tank.
To operate, burners must be preheated. Open the burner by moving the control three pushes to the left. This will allow liquid alcohol to flow from the burner. Close the burner afetr about three seconds by pushing the control back to the extreme left. About two tbsp. of alcohol will have flowed from the burner and run down into the indentation in the cup at the base of the burner.
With the burner still off, ignite the alcohol in the priming cup.
When the priming alcohol is completely consumed, open the burner control and light the vaporized alcohol at the bunrer cap.
Caution: FLARE UP may occur during preheating and particlularly if burner valve is opened before preheating is completed, and burner is not hot enough. Follow starting instructions carefully. If flare up occurs, shut off burner , allow flame to go out, then preheat again following instructions above.
Captkeywest Notes: I would add to the above: -- let burner cool before preheating--
Do not put cooking utensils on stove until burners are functioning properly.
When finished cooking, turn off burners and release pressure in tank by loosening filler cap.
IN CASE OF FIRE--
USE WATER TO PUT OUT ALCOHOL FIRES.
SMOTHER GREASE FIRES OR USE A CLASS B FIRE EXTINGUISHER
