Before I think about getting a meths burner for my Steam Wagon I would like to know about costs. I have no idea how long a fill of meths burns for or how long the tablets burn for. Is it cheaper to use meths or keep taking the tablets? Of course it depends on how much meths and tablets cost but a general idea would help.
Thanks
Brian
The OEM meths burner holds somewhere around 25-30ml of meths, so you'd be looking at roughly 40 fill-ups per litre. A lot depends on how ready access you've got to cheap meths. You can get 5L or 10L quantities fairly cheapy (per litre, that is) and DIY and discount stores often stock it quite cheaply in half-litre or litre size. Compare that to the price you're paying for tablets. Tablets or meths burner run for roughly the same time, so you can do a direct comparison.
Personally, I find the tablets have an objectionable smell that gets it the back of your throat but I can't argue that they are safer. You need to apply a bit more common sense and care with meths. Never overfill the burner and keep your container capped and well away from the engine or other sources of heat or sparks and you shouldn't go wrong. I find that meths is a great deal cheaper and far less noxious. Others may not agree.
Thanks, I hope you are a Wolves supporter like me. I think I will get a meths burner. My Steam Wagon is coming today and have ordered some tablets but I don't think the smell will agree with me.
Up the Wolves
Brian
Thanks, I hope you are a Wolves supporter like me. I think I will get a meths burner. My Steam Wagon is coming today and have ordered some tablets but I don't think the smell will agree with me.
Up the Wolves
Brian
Sorry, nope. I only live down the road from the ground but football holds zero interest for me. Each to their own, I have nothing against the game though!
I burn spirits (ethanol) rather than meths.
If you use a wadding burner (Mamod style) rather than a liquid liquid burner I think it's safer than tablets for several reasons:
1. Esbit causes me and others a sore throat. I just don't think it's healthy.
2. If you tip Esbit over, it falls out. Tip a Mamod spirit burner upside down, flame stays in.
3. Just fuel the burner over the kitchen sink away from the engine. Excess alcohol can go down drain.
4. Alcohol can be diluted for different heat levels.
5. Alcohol wadding burners are easier to put out in my opinion.
6. Pure Alcohol burns with near zero fumes (essentially #1 but worth restating)
Thanks for that. Still making my mind up about spirit burners.
It is best not to spill meths when filling the burner, I use a syringe. Alcohol vapors can communicate flame, so fire doesn’t have to touch the liquid, it can ignite the vapor that comes from evaporating alcohol. Always be sure the flame has been extinguished when refilling the burner, outside in daylight it is often difficult to see the burning flame.
I run the tap water if I spill some in the stainless steel sink. It will be diluted 1000 to 1!
I burn spirits (ethanol) rather than meths.
If you use a wadding burner (Mamod style) rather than a liquid liquid burner I think it's safer than tablets for several reasons:
1. Esbit causes me and others a sore throat. I just don't think it's healthy.
2. If you tip Esbit over, it falls out. Tip a Mamod spirit burner upside down, flame stays in.
3. Just fuel the burner over the kitchen sink away from the engine. Excess alcohol can go down drain.
4. Alcohol can be diluted for different heat levels.
5. Alcohol wadding burners are easier to put out in my opinion.
6. Pure Alcohol burns with near zero fumes (essentially #1 but worth restating)
I do enjoy burning Esbit outdoors in my little Jensen 76 as that's what got me hooked on toy steam, but I agree it can't be good for you. After a night of running in the kitchen, I woke up to a tank of dead fish.
I also had burning eyes/headaches from denatured alcohol, went away when I switched to Everclear