In terms of when we build our new van, weight is a big issue. Have looked into metho cooker. It seems the OH3000 ORIGO 2 BURNER STOVE is common now in campers. The advantages are- no LPG bottle/s and cabinet savings on cost and weight and no gas tradie. I havent investigated metho heaters yet. I'd like a diesel heater but costs are getting out of control on other materials. Has any of you got comments on the metho heaters and cooker?

Used them on charter boat we had a few years ago in Bay of Islands ..Safe if used correctly.

As in using CORRECT fuel etc.

Thanks Yes, I gather refilling needs care. Also some ventilation. Overall MS seems safer with spillage difficult in normal operation. I get the impression its a different beast than other fuels but it looks like a better option at this point

Correct fuel, I read that in Oz its just off the shelf methylated spirits. Its the odourless type and thats standard fare here.

We also used it in fish smoker. There's nothing better than fresh smoked fish straight out of cooker . Most accidents with most these cookers / heaters are due to dumb people doing dumb things . Like refuelling with open flame near !! If you need to be told not to do it ??? Sheesh !!

I can remember our family using "metho" stove's when i was a kid, roundabout ten years old at the time,
cooking all the meals for our family with no problem's at all very safe and cooked anything my mother threw at it.
Our camping trips usually were for about two to three weeks then so as far as i know quite safe and efficient.
Pomme.

Used Metho 2 \3 burner rings on Yachts for 50 yrs. Safe as (Used sensibly)
and a great heater with a pot plant inverted over one of them (shhh)

Single person. I had a 3 ltr Pressure cooker.
Loaded with vegies.
Bring up to first pop. give 3 min's. ALL vegies inside done to perfection.
Was actually better at that than others with gas ovens on board.

Lower heat ourput than gas.
MUCH better at slow cooking.

Do NOT. EVER.... Fill while lit.

The marine ovens were $1100ish. related to Gas at similar price.
But they don't go bang.
That was 15 yrs ago though.

Just accept they are a SLOWER cooker.
and you'll be fine.

Is there the same concern with " Carbon Monoxide " as with Gas

" Do NOT. EVER.... Fill while lit. " that's a good tip Macka

Yes still some ventilstion needed but less risk than some gas heaters. This test is a good read but it isnt with aussie metho. https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/carbon-monoxide-from-backpacking-stoves.85/ Just be aware that methylated spirits in Australia from what I've read is far more pure than overseas stuff otherwise called denatured alcohol. Additives so it tastes vial so its not swallowed and other differences. For example the link above isnt an aussie link so the conclusion might not be relevant. I think Macka hit the nail on the head.

Yeoeleven has a metho stove - swears by it - check his blog might have info there - he usually researches thoroughly.

We had 2 origo metho units, one a cooker and the other a heater. Cost about $200 each. Would i buy again - NO. They were destroyed in a shed fire we had with other gear. They have a slide plate that regulates the burn rate so you can have full burn or medium to low burn. Slow to boil water and they hold approx 700ml of metho. On full burn they do not last that long. We used them in a camper but was always wary of being put to sleep. We now use 2 burner companion cooker and small gas bottle. As for room saved the gas bottle and cooker use no more roon when you have to carry many bottles of metho. Our experience.

We've used methylated spirit stoves in boats, and in the small trangia style light-weight hiking cookers. I wouldn't use metho in a caravan. Pure metho produces carbon dioxide and water when burned, but not carbon monoxide. So you still have to make sure there is sufficient ventilation.. as you do for any fuel use. Metho does burn somewhat cooler than other fuels and fuel use is fairly high. Aussie metho is typically 95% pure. Don't know what the other 5% is, but it leaves a black sooty deposit on the bottom of pots and pans which is a bit of a pain to remove, so that is another disadvantage.

There's some risk if you are refilling a hot stove if it happens to run out before you've finished cooking/boiling, but that probably wouldn't happen within an evening's usage if you check fuel level before each use. Liquid fuel transport and filling a stove is an inconvenience compared to gas. Metho works well for hikers because of the low weight of the fuel bottles. But for caravans etc, given the lesser calorific efficiency, fiddly filling and moisture produced while burning, metho doesn't really give any perceivable advantage.

Thankyou for your replies. Weight is a really big issue. A 15' van with brakes tare of 550kg will be a challenge. A lpg gas bottle weighing 18kg plus a cabinet ($) etc we still think the Origo is tge go. The coleman is not as attractive for a van. I think a vent above is essential.