![]() ![]() That being said, butane and isobutane tend to be the more expensive options. Plus, if you have a 20lb container that you can get refilled at a hardware store, you’ll save a lot of money on fuel in the long term. Since you can buy it in very large containers, propane is usually the cheapest per pound of all the pressurized fuels. ![]() This is partially because it is available as a liquid, so there’s no need for a specialized pressurized container.Īfter white gas, propane is usually the next best thing in terms of cost-effectiveness. No one wants to spend more than they have to on camping gear, and camping fuels are no exception.Īs a general rule, white gas is the most affordable of the camping fuels. Stove compatibility (universal to specific) : Propane, Isobutane/White gas, Butane So, you may struggle to find a stove that runs on butane in the first place. While it’s still a great fuel source, it’s just not as universally compatible as isobutane, propane, or white gas. Most lightweight stoves are compatible with the smaller isobutane canisters while larger expedition-style models operate using white gas.īutane, on the other hand, is quickly falling out of favor in the camping stove world. So, in addition to being widely available, you’re also likely to find stoves that are propane-powered.Īlternatively, most backpacking stoves are designed for use with either isobutane (or IsoPro) or white gas. Indeed, many dual-burner stoves are designed to run on 1lb or 20lb propane tanks. That’s because, in reality, while there are hundreds of different camping stoves on the market, most only operate on a select number of different fuel types.Īmong stoves designed for car camping, the most popular fuel type is, by far, propane. While fuel availability is its own concern, there’s also no use for a camping stove fuel if you can’t find a stove that’s compatible with it. Since relatively few stoves run solely off of pure butane, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it anywhere except for in a hardware store and the occasional specialist outdoor store.Īvailability (common to rare) : Propane, White gas, Isobutane, Pure butane Gas stations in some mountain towns might have it in stock, too, but this isn’t always the case.įinally, pure butane is perhaps the most difficult fuel to find in stores. Isobutane is also relatively easy to find in small canisters at most sporting goods stores. It’s sometimes called Coleman Fuel, so if a retailer sells Coleman equipment, you’ll likely be able to find white gas there, too. Since it’s used for everything from home barbeques and appliances to camping stoves, you can find it pretty much anywhere.Īdditionally, while it’s not as common as propane, white gas is often quite easy to find in stores. ![]() Out of the 4 most common types of camping fuel, propane is perhaps the most readily available. In general, you can expect to find camping fuel at outdoor gear stores, hardware stores, and gas stations, though there are exceptions to every rule. It is generally sold in 1-quart containers that you can buy in most outdoor gear stores and hardware stores.Ĭamping fuel is no use to you on your adventures if you can’t find it at your local store. While it’s actually a liquid, not a gas, white gas (naphtha) is perhaps the most commonly used liquid fuel in the outdoor industry. However, isobutane is often mixed with propane to create something called IsoPro, which is a highly efficient, albeit expensive, fuel for outdoor use. Like butane, it is also sold in relatively small canisters. It has an identical molecular structure to butane, but it is slightly more efficient when used as a cooking fuel in colder temperatures. Technically considered to be an isomer of butane, isobutane is the fuel of choice for many campers. It is generally sold in smaller canisters (4oz to 16oz) than propane. It is very similar to propane from a chemical perspective, but it is much more flammable, so it burns more efficiently at warmer temperatures.
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