Butane gas v petrol stoves

Ian, The butane stoves are great in hot weather but in colder times they freeze up all the time, slowing the gas output.. Petrol will also work better(boil faster) at higher altitudes,i believe!! Michael

G'day Ian. For what it's worth Bunnings recently had four canisters for $5.69. Bob.

I got put onto those butane stoves a while back

as far as im concerned they are the bees knees for a single traveller at least

I try and cook by fire but often thats not possible or practicle such as travelling overnighters (ie stop late start early) when fishing and camping on the beach and in campsites where fires are either not allowed or conditions make it stupid

my stove takes up little space and is ready to go. its one of those things i wished id got ages ago

Hi Ian

Don't use our petrol stoves any more as we have found them to be not anywhere near as safe - dispite the fact that I previously posted about one of those gas stoves that blew up in the camp next to us.

Generally both types are rated about 6000 btu's or so, so they usually heat up much the same, until the gas one gets low on gas or the gas passing thru the nozzle freezes it.

The gas cannisters can be brought for under a dollar if you hunt around - make sure you get the ones which have 20% or more of propane which makes them more suitable for use in the cold weather (getting hard to find).

With petrol - well better to stick to coleman fuel/equivalent as you will have less trouble , less noxious fumes and side effects but it is dearer.

Good morning Ian,

I would stick to Butane. The army used to use petrol and I have seen some terrible accidents with them blowing up. In the military they are something of a standard joke. Imagine a petrol stove exploding inside a battle tank.

My unit scrapped them in the 1980's and went to gas stoves.

It is only money after all. Not worth a child getting burned.

Hi Ian
We did test years ago out in the very cold mornings in the Simpson. My Coleman Dual Fuel burner boiled water in around 6 minutes, while 20 minutes later the large gas cooker were still simmering the water. At very cold temperatures, the outside of the gas cylinders were icing up and making them almost useless.

For me in very cold conditions, the dual fuel wins hands down.


Cheers

Stephen

If you look at the brochures for Duel fuel it shows more BTUs for petrol than gas.
In the past I have had the cartridge stoves but found they can leak when used a lot.

Honky

I have noticed that there are higher output butane stoves on the market than the standard $20 specials. Whilst I haven't measured the different models I have used a $39.00 stove that had a noticeably better flame than the $20 special and did boil quicker. I would look for something better than the cheapies and without doubt butane cannisters are safer than Petrol IMO.

Now if they can just bring out a diesel stove at a reasonable price.
It would be the ducks guts.

Honky

I always thought that 6 minutes 20 seconds WAS faster than 6 minutes 50 seconds........
Have used a Duell fuel stove for years and reacon its great.plus you always have a bit of petrol laying around to start that darn camp fire!!!!!!!!!!!

Having also used both, I prefer the dual fuel for the two burners and the longevity of the tank, oh and the fact that I can cook a mean stir fry on it :D I use Coleman fuel in mine- good price and a great seal on the can so no leakiness or fumes.

Over the years I have spent hundreds of dollars on all sorts of stoves and gas bottles. I now leave all that expensive junk at home and take the $20 Butane stove.

Simple to use and don't take up much space and work fantastically. When we want to do a BBQ we put 2 back to back and put the grill over both of them.

The best bit is when they get a bit grubby. Instead of pulling them apart and cleaning them, you simply go out and buy a new one...because there only $20.