Butane Stoves
Submitted: Sunday, Jul 26, 2020 at 20:31
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Steven C10
Hello all, for those who use butane stoves are there any descent quality ones out there or are they all made in the same place. Reason I ask is during the last school holidays we did a road trip and I had a new Ridge Ryder double stove and only after a few uses one of the knobs failed and it was hard to close.
When we returned they gave me a refund so all is good. I do like the butane stoves, yeah I know they are not as hot as a gas stove and are more expensive to run but I do like how I can actually control the heat with these things, suits my purpose, cooked
well and the weight and ease of use factor .
I am guessing I may have got a dud one of these and for next trip want to buy another butane stove again but not sure if I should go the ridge ryder again or go another brand , just that it would be nice to get a few more uses out of the next one if there are better units out there. Thanks
Reply By: Member - rocco2010 - Sunday, Jul 26, 2020 at 20:54
Sunday, Jul 26, 2020 at 20:54
Looking at many of them you could be forgiven for thinking they came from the same factory in China.
Having seen that I bought the cheapest single burner I could find at the time, Campmaster brand from Big W. It's been fine.
Not sure they do a double burner if that's what you are after.
For a double burner I'm still using the Primus brand stove I bought in 1976! I think I am ahead with that purchase.
Cheers
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Genny - Sunday, Jul 26, 2020 at 21:45
Sunday, Jul 26, 2020 at 21:45
Thing about butane is it stops working at about 5 degrees Celsius.
I've bought a couple of cheapies for roadside cuppas, no issues yet.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - rocco2010 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 13:49
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 13:49
I have been known to tuck a gas canister into the sleeping bag out in the desert to ensure its going to work in the morning.
Not so good when you roll on it though.
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 17:57
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 17:57
5 C camping I would be still in my sleeping bag until it warmed up :) Yes I do know about the low temp issue with butane but the bulk of my camping is done at higher temps so that is not a real issue for me . Thanks
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Jarse - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 19:52
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 19:52
Even with that, you're lucky to get a couple of minutes before the cartridge goes cold and the flame is useless.
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Reply By: Alloy c/t - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 09:46
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 09:46
There was the 'blowup' failure scare a while back where all 'brands' were labeled as duds and DO NOT USE was the catch cry ... Oops , got every body to buy new ones at double the price , .... anyhow personally I prefer to use two of the single burners instead of the twin model , why ? Because it allows greater variation of pots / pans size , no way could I fit my Wok and a pot for steaming rice on the double , 2 singles work better and really do not take up any more room for storage ....
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Follow Up By: Mark C9 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 10:15
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 10:15
My understanding was that the fires were basically user fault when they didn’t follow the instructions and used pots larger than the max sixe and the heat bounced off the base of the pot and down onto the bottle – boom.
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:01
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:01
Yes seen all the recalls, I had some single butane stoves back then and ended up just throwing them out they were still working
well which was a PITA. I seen on amazon you can buy some japanese and korean made ones that are supposed to be
well built but they would not be Australian certified as they are a direct import from OS
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Reply By: Rangiephil - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 11:24
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 11:24
One of the problems was that the user did not flip the top from its transport position.
I was there when a Range Rover Club member badly burned his forearms when he lit his with the top reversed.
Regards PhilipA
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 11:37
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 11:37
Another is that the cartridges used to explode. Now they are required to leak by design, rather than explode. You will still get a fire but it's a little more controllable - in theory anyway.
Also, I think there was an issue with the regulators or safety interlocks or something but I can't recall what that was. All the stoves were recalled and none were available until new complying stock had arrived - except in outback Ivanhoe, NSW, where the good lady in the store hadn't heard of the restrictions and sold me a much needed stove. LOL.
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Follow Up By: Jarse - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 19:56
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 19:56
One of
mine is of the old design. If you leave the top in transport mode, the cartridge lever is locked out. It's impossible to run it with the stand upside down.
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Follow Up By: Gbc.. - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 06:29
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 06:29
The old design, if used in the correct position but with a large based pan, would reflect enough heat back onto the cannister and make it fail so I read. I still have an old one too but only used for boiling water really so I’m not worried.
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Reply By: Member - reggy 2 (VIC) - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 13:45
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 13:45
Hi Steven we use a Thunder Range one of the first brand that came out years ago I/we have 2 singles as said above the the cans do not like the cold we shake ours to get them empty never had any trouble with either of them ( touch wood) I like singles gives more room for bigger pots
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:03
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:03
Thanks never heard of that brand, will have a look .
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Reply By: Gbc.. - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 14:47
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 14:47
These guys are flogging a different style of butane cooker at the moment. It may suit your purposes.
https://
shop.all4adventure.com/products/
camp-cooker
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Follow Up By: Genny - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 15:12
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 15:12
Seen similar gadgets at Bunnings.
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:04
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:04
Seen those, look good , they look like they could handle a bit of wind also.
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Follow Up By: scottwittkopp - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 15:44
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 15:44
My brother bought an all4adventure one, saw the exact same one at bunnings for a lot cheaper so returned his all4adventure one back to BCF. Whack a sticker on it and apparently you can charge whatever you like even if the units are identical.
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 at 05:46
Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 at 05:46
Yeah i seen ones about 40 bucks cheaper. They look exactly the same.
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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 15:41
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 15:41
I have used Companion and am not a fan. Fine in warm wether, but not good when it is cold. I have reverted to my 3 burner propane stove. Slightly larger than the 2 burner butane, and of course you need to carry & refill an LPG cylinder, but far more reliable in all conditions.
Macca.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:07
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 18:07
I have tried over the years many gas stoves but I find it hard to get one that can
cook at low temps, that is the main reason I have given up on them. I find the butane cooks
well for my needs , only two of us when I go camping and the extra time in boiling water for small pot of spaghetti or for cup of tea is not a big deal for us on the butane. Most of my camping is in warmer weather so the flow of butane is not an issue. Thanks
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Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 20:04
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 20:04
Steven
If you are considering a long term cooker you might consider a dual fuel stove.
I have a Coleman two burner (404) reliable and economical and self contained.
I also have a Coleman Sportster single burner that we use for roadside water boiling for coffee etc.
I source the fuel in a 20lt. drum which I decant for travelling into a 5lt fuel container.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 20:26
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 20:26
I looked into these and I do like the idea. They do look like a bit of work to get going but a lot of people seem to love them. How do you find cooking at low heat with these are they easy to control ? That has been the main reason I moved away from lpg.
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Follow Up By: Gbc.. - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 10:58
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 10:58
They need a bit of pumping to maintain pressure for a low flame. They are happiest at full
bore.
I had 15-20 happy years with one and then the stuffing box on the ‘up to light’ lever failed and I had a bit of an event which could have ended poorly. Luckily I had an extinguisher. Coleman Australia are less than useless to deal with for parts so it ended up in the bin. A sad ending really for something that is so
well supported overseas.
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Follow Up By: 116hynes - Friday, Jul 31, 2020 at 07:18
Friday, Jul 31, 2020 at 07:18
Another vote for the dual fuel Coleman. Switched to them after problems with gas stoves from low temp and sand in desert. We have been using it now for over 10 years, other than regular maintenance, no problems.
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Reply By: Member - jacm - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 21:17
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 21:17
These are best of both worlds - can be ordered from the US and the adaptors bought here, when is warm. the butane canisters work
well, when its cold switch to normal gas off a small bottle, Cheers JM
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Gas-One-Butane-or-Propane-Portable-Gas-Stove/186898176
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 21:28
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 at 21:28
I have seen those on Amazon Au to import here but not sure about the legality of using these as I do not think they are Aus approved. I know the chance of something happening is slim but if something did and they investigated, that would be a nightmare. I have seen some brands made in Japan and Korea that look the goods and great reviews but I dont think they are approved for sale here.
Frustrating I dont mind paying the money for a quality product , not everyone wants cheap crap from China.
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Reply By: Alan H11 - Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 02:27
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020 at 02:27
We bought a Coleman single burner stove for our trip last year (45,000 Km in 9 months). It worked perfectly, we had zero problems, and we've brought it
home with us. A "minimalist" solution which was effective and efficient. Didn't experience much cold weather (below zero C at
Wave Rock, and not much warmer a few times, but generally not that cold).
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Dusta - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 at 12:37
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 at 12:37
ditch the crappy butane stove and buy something like a furno 360 . will work in any temp, 12000IBU putting out plenty of heat and packs down into a container not much bigger than the size of a box of matches. plus the cannisters are very efficient.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 at 15:10
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 at 15:10
Hi Dusta,
I don’t know where you get your matches from, but they must be very big if this stove packs down to almost the size of a box of matches. :-)
Macca.
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 at 08:02
Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 at 08:02
Great for backpacking, just need a gas canister. We have a similar one which worked
well when walking.
Cheers
Jim
| "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.
"No road is long with good company." TraditionalLifetime Member My Profile My Position Send Message |
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Steven C10 - Saturday, Aug 01, 2020 at 07:31
Saturday, Aug 01, 2020 at 07:31
I had a look on You Tube those Furno, look good would be great for back packing but as my main stove with my bigger pans and pots not sure about stability, be good though for quick boil of a smaller pot or small pan
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Follow Up By: Dusta - Monday, Aug 03, 2020 at 15:45
Monday, Aug 03, 2020 at 15:45
Macca have you bothered to look at the furno stove ?
this is for the actual burner
Packed Dimensions:11.8L x 5.2W x 5.2H cm
so yer a little longer than a pack of matches but you can carry the actual burner in your pocket
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Follow Up By: Jarse - Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 17:38
Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 17:38
Any of the burners that use the screw-on cartridge will work
well - providing you use the propane/butane mix.
if you use 100% butane you'll be faced with poor performance in cold conditions, due to the high boiling point of butane.
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Reply By: Member - MIKE.G - Saturday, Aug 01, 2020 at 20:25
Saturday, Aug 01, 2020 at 20:25
Hi.
For a brew on the run or a cooked meal, we have been using a Coleman Dual Fuel 533 Sportster single burner stove for years. Will heat in any conditions and they claim a litre of water to the boil in three minutes.
Uses either Coleman Fuel ( Shellite) or unleaded petrol. Best with 98 unleaded with the higher octane rating.
Under $100 from most good camping stores in Aust.
Cheers,
Mike
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Saturday, Aug 01, 2020 at 21:35
Saturday, Aug 01, 2020 at 21:35
The Octane rating of the petrol will have no impact on the operation of your stove - the octane rating relates to allowing higher compression ratios to be used in engines - the actual kcal (burning output) of 98 octane is the same as 91 octane - the base petrol is the same.
If you are using 98 Octane petrol in your stove you are just wasting money.
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, Aug 02, 2020 at 08:57
Sunday, Aug 02, 2020 at 08:57
Considering petrol is in excess of $1:20 per Ltr most of the time, and LPG is around $0.60 per Ltr, why would you use petrol as a cooking medium?
Macca.
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Follow Up By: Member - MIKE.G - Monday, Aug 03, 2020 at 19:53
Monday, Aug 03, 2020 at 19:53
Hi Macca.
Not sure where you fill your 9 kg gas bottle but in Qld BBQ Galore are pretty much the cheapest at around $20.00 , making it $2.23 per Ltr.
Cheers,
Mike
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Monday, Aug 03, 2020 at 20:36
Monday, Aug 03, 2020 at 20:36
Hi Mike,
How did to work your figures out? If you divided $20:00 by 9, that is $2:23 per kg, not $2:23 per Ltr.
1kg of LPG is about 1.96 Ltrs. LPG cylinders are only filled to 80%, so you only have about 7.2 kgs of LPG, which is about 14 Ltrs, which works out to be about $0.72 per Ltr.
Macca.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - MIKE.G - Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 06:47
Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 06:47
Thanks Macca, always happy to learn something new.
Cheers,
Mike
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Follow Up By: Member - Gordon B5 - Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 20:48
Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 20:48
Think before anyone runs off with the wrong info it should be cleared up a 9 kg lpg cylinder should hold 9 kg of LPG the total water capacity is around 23 lt. leaving enough room for 9 kg of LPG and 20 % for expansion. there are how ever imported cylinders that won't hold 9 kg which is why they are now mostly rated at 8.5 kg. No doubt this info would be available on Mr Google.
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Thursday, Aug 06, 2020 at 16:34
Thursday, Aug 06, 2020 at 16:34
Thanks
Gordon B5 for the added info. So the Water Capacity of 23 Ltrs would be if the cylinder was filled to the top with water. Therefore 80% of 23 Ltrs is around 18.4 Ltrs. which works out to around $0:92 per Ltr. Still cheaper than $1:20 Per Ltr for petrol, or $8:00 Ltr for Shellite, or $4:31 per Ltr for Kerosene. :-)
Macca
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Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Sunday, Aug 02, 2020 at 14:56
Sunday, Aug 02, 2020 at 14:56
91 octane leaves black soot on cooking pots and 98 does not and Shellite does not either.
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Reply By: Member - silkwood - Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 15:19
Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020 at 15:19
You could go for something like the Firemaple X2 / X3 (
Banggood Fire Maple X2). A Jetboil copy with some improvements (and significantly less expensive). With a 230gm canister (butane/iso/propane mix- better for cooler conditions than straight butane they are pretty stable - they also come with a support stand for the gas canister making them even more stable - and, unlike the Jetboil, they come with an adapter so you can use other pans (including frypans).
I have a couple of dual-fuel stoves but rarely use them now (the odd cross country ski trip, last one two years ago). They tend to be messier and require more maintenance, though great units. As for small gas stoves like the Furno, they are very good for lightweight camping but they are not the most stable with larger pots/pans. the Furno is simply a branded version of the many available on Ali-Express at a lesser price. If you decide to go down this path get onto Ali-express, more choice, better pricing (but a longer wait!).
Cheers,
Mark
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