Isle Royale Forums

I will be flying over to the island on August 30. Hoping to use my alcohol stove while there. Is there any available at Rock Harbor for purchase? Or can I fly with Everclear?
Thanks, Mike

Welcome to the Forum Mike,

michael.anderson wrote:I will be flying over to the island on August 30. Hoping to use my alcohol stove while there. Is there any available at Rock Harbor for purchase? Or can I fly with Everclear?
Thanks, Mike

I do not know this year's status of on-Island fuel availability, especially 2 weeks before the stores close. In the past I have read that alcohol fuel is NOT available. Your best course of action is to call the operators of the stores in Rock Harbor and Windigo, Forever Resorts at 906-337-4993.

The Isle Royale Seaplanes website states "No hazardous materials, including flammable gas or liquids". You can always ask them if they classify ethanol in consumable adult beverages differently.

Thanks for your reply Midwest Ed. I called the number you posted. They do not sell denatured alcohol, never even heard of it. I'm not sure I consider Everclear as a consumable. But I will check with the seaplanes to see what they think.

The closest thing I found when last I checked was the high-test isopropyl sold at the marina as a fuel line dryer. I've suggested to the company that they consider stocking cooking alcohol at the marinas where they stock white gasoline.

Isopropanol is not good fuel for alcohol stoves. They could sell denatured alcohol by the oz. An easier option would be for them to sell 12 oz bottles of HEET gas line antifreeze (yellow bottle). This is pure methanol and works well in alcohol stoves. The red bottle is isopropanol.

odd man out wrote:Isopropanol is not good fuel for alcohol stoves......

I didn't say it was "good", just that it was the closest thing they had. They really should sell it by the oz like they sell white gas.

Why in the world wouldn't they sell it??? It's a very popular fuel. Crazy.

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Poppins wrote:Why in the world wouldn't they sell it??? It's a very popular fuel. Crazy.

Either:
1) Not enough people have asked for it,
2) There is some regulation preventing it or
3) They just don't care.

Planning to take the Ranger III. Are there good places to get yellow HEET or denatured alcohol in Houghton? (I intend to be car-less, since the Super 8 is so close to the ferry.) Does the Ranger have any prohibitions on carrying it? Also, anyone taking the Ranger August 11 (2017) want to split a can of denatured alcohol, since it comes in sizes that are way too big for a short camping trip?

Thanks!
Anne

There are a few camping/outdoor stores on main street. Downwind Sports and Year Round Gear are stops for me every year you could call. There is also a gas station right across the street from the dock.

I usually pick mine up at Wal-Mart before the trip and keep it in my pack.

If they don't allow fuel alcohol one can always pack a fifth of Everclear but you might not be able to buy it in Michigan.