Camp stoves -- Fuel choice analysis

[Heimkehr]

Having read and enjoyed the Camp Stove thread, I thought I'd start one regarding the fuels that are available to us when oot and aboot.

I've recurringly used, or have at least experimented with, every choice that is discussed below.


White gas, aka camp gas: Designed for stoves that accept this particular fuel. Low odor, clean burning, easy to control as I mention in post #66 of the camp stove thread linked above. Sold in quart or gallon containers. A bit pricey for what it is. 50-ish octane, so try to avoid the temptation to use it in an internal combustion engine, even in exigent circumstances, unless well-diluted with regular gasoline.

Denatured alcohol: A two-for-one deal here, since in addition to serving as a very hot-burning stove fuel, it's also an excellent glass cleaner. Will tend to burn almost invisibly in daylight, so use with considerable caution. Easily sourced at most hardware stores. A favorite fuel choice for those of us who like to craft DIY solutions.

HEET (yellow bottle only): A proven proxy for use in those stoves that accept denatured alcohol. Available at auto parts and hardware stores, and Wal-Mart.

Isopropyl alcohol: Another proxy for use in alcohol stoves, but I recommend its use only as a fallback position due to the observed smoke and fumes.

Butane: A bit too parochial for my taste, with respect to needing a stove that accepts the esoteric fitting on the cans. To be fair, it's a cheap and cheerful substitute for propane. Seen here and there, but hardly everywhere. Amazon has made it easer to buy the related stoves that aren't and weren't frequently seen for sale in brick-and-mortar vendors that sold camp stoves.

Propane: Like denatured alcohol, two 4 one: you can fuel a variety of stove designs, or power a torch. I don't like the price increase on this commodity that I've seen occur during the past few years, but it's available almost everywhere. When used judiciously, a 16 oz. cylinder can last longer than you might guess. Do the smart thing and purchase bottles that are designed to be refilled, if you're interested in doing so.

Mix gas (propane/butane blend): The hiker's friend. This is what I use for a plurality of my travels. Absolutely pricey for what it is, but the small footprint of the related stoves and the sheer performance of the fuel itself more than compensates for the price of entry. Adapters are available that allow the user to connect a less expensive propane canister to the burner. Can be temperature-sensitive (in terms of functioning) when camping in low ambient temperatures and particularly at elevation.

Esbit tablets: Another friend of hikers. Easily the smallest footprint for both fuel and stove. Beware of residue that will accumulate over time. A bit better for heating food in a small pan than for boiling water, which may never occur depending on the quantity in the pot.

Wood gasifier stove: This is the proper name for the actual functioning of the overpriced firebowls now frequently seen on the store shelves. Since we're talking about camp stoves, make your own (as I did) and save $$$. Will accept dry twigs (best), pinecones and wood fuel pellets. Done right, smoke will be minimal or even absent. Can claim to use "free fuel".

Wood-burning camp stoves: Similar in appearance to wood gas camp stoves, although the design may affect the volume of observed smoke. Can also claim to use free fuel, depending on what the user has access to. Will accept Esbit tablets if the stove kit includes the appropriate tray.

Chafing fuel: I don't really rate this one as suited for camping. The related stoves are good for little more than keeping food and water warm, but never getting either truly hot. I don't fully agree with the suggestion that they can serve as a field-expedient and safe source of heat in a cold tent, either. YMMV.

MSR fuel bottles: I use these bottles to carry extra fuel for the bike when I'm on a moto-camping trip. They're actually intended to carry whatever fuel is used for the camp stove with the required fittings. If you're annoyed by the nascent and fussy child-proof caps that the bottles are now being shipped with, try to source simple twist-on substitutes that are occasionally seen for sale. The latter have been been proven to provide better sealing against leaks, too, depending on how robustly the bottle is handled...just as the photo suggests may occur.

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[GATORB8]

I'll add a little feedback on my selection.

I run an 11 lb refillable propane tank on the camper, running the water heater, camp stove, and ammo can fire pit (areas with wood fire bans).

Pros:
Refillable at tons of locations across the country
Ability to use high consumption appliances, like water heaters and fire pits.
Large range of tank size options.

Cons:
Multiple appliances may require different regulators, regulators are a common failure point in my experience.
Large format tanks can be heavy and large, making storage and mounting more important. Mounted tanks may require extension hoses, and extension hoses may impact pressure and use product during appliance swapping.
Camp stove options, especially in smaller sizes are limited.

EDIT: For price comparisons, it's good to see that refillable tank prices have come down in the last year and a half. I paid $110 at lowes for my Flame King 11 lb in early 23. It is now listed for $62.

Although there are finally other options, the mount is still plenty expensive from Power Tank at $160

 

[bd100]

We used to use a Sterno can stove. Just a can with gel fuel inside, with a little flat surface above it. Although this was decades ago and I seem to remember the opening being fairly large for more heat, so maybe it was some other similar product. I was a kid so I don't remember how much we relied on it.

 

[GATORB8]

We used to use a Sterno can stove. Just a can with gel fuel inside, with a little flat surface above it. Although this was decades ago and I seem to remember the opening being fairly large for more heat, so maybe it was some other similar product. I was a kid so I don't remember how much we relied on it.

I think Sterno (the original) would fall under the chafing fuel category. It's jellied denatured alcohol. It appears Sterno as a brand has added other fuel sources and appliances.

 

[Ratbert]

You'll need to consider the laws that are in effect. Where we camp, much of the year it's illegal to use something that can't be turned off, so the wood-based approaches are out.

 

[VKSheridan]

I'll add a little feedback on my selection.

I run an 11 lb refillable propane tank on the camper, running the water heater, camp stove, and ammo can fire pit (areas with wood fire bans).

Matt, I’m a huge believer in going with a larger, refillable propane tank. The versatility of what it can fuel (with the right splitters, adapters, quick disconnects, hoses and regulators) is endless. Access to supply is solid as well.

You can power not just water heaters, furnaces, stoves, lanterns, refrigerators and griddles but your portable generator as well.

If I’m reading things right, California is getting ready to outlaw the smaller, single use propane tanks which kinda makes sense in the grand scheme of things.

 

[GATORB8]

If I’m reading things right, California is getting ready to outlaw the smaller, single use propane tanks which kinda makes sense in the grand scheme of things.

Agreed, although convenient, its pretty wasteful when refillable versions of the small tanks are available, and you can refill at home with a $60 kit.

 

[Heimkehr]

Where we camp, much of the year it's illegal to use something that can't be turned off, so the wood-based approaches are out.

It's a judgement call.

I understand the spirit of the policy, but I wouldn't put a campfire/charcoal camp grille and a small stove like this one in the same pew. The latter could be quickly and safely extinguished just by pouring a bit of water into the can. From experience, those particular stoves actually require constant, if slow, feeding of twigs and such just to keep them lit and burning at a rate intended to produce a useful flame.

If such a stove was all I had on hand and I needed to heat food or liquids, that's exactly what's going to happen. Stealthily, as needed, but it is happening.

Maybe if I have some Esbits or denat. alcohol on hand, I'll use those fuels instead as the stove kit permits. If not, twigs it is.

I am usually well-stocked with water, too.

 

[Ratbert]

It's a judgement call.

I understand the spirit of the policy, but I wouldn't put a campfire/charcoal camp grille and a small stove like this one in the same pew. The latter could be quickly and safely extinguished just by pouring a bit of water into the can. From experience, those particular stoves actually require constant, if slow, feeding of twigs and such just to keep them lit and burning at a rate intended to produce a useful flame.

If such a stove was all I had on hand and I needed to heat food or liquids, that's exactly what's going to happen. Stealthily, as needed, but it is happening.

Maybe if I have some Esbits or denat. alcohol on hand, I'll use those fuels instead as the stove kit permits. If not, twigs it is.

I am usually well-stocked with water, too.

There's a massive difference between emergency situations and normal use while camping. I'm merely pointing out that many of these options can be illegal due to fire restrictions. That needs to be considered, especially when you don't know where your route will lead / what restrictions will be in place along that route.

 

[Heimkehr]

There's a massive difference between emergency situations and normal use while camping.

There is...and I was indeed referring to regular camping use cases.

Perhaps my perception is colored by actual experience: camping, hiking and/or riding in state forests and the Appalachian mountains. These environs are green, recurringly humid, and sometimes quite wet due to summer rains. PA, WV and VA aren't dry states, like some places to our west, and they're definitely not always on fire like CA seems to be.

Horses for courses.

 

[Reinen]

There is...and I was indeed referring to regular camping use cases.

Perhaps my perception is colored by actual experience: camping, hiking and/or riding in state forests and the Appalachian mountains. These environs are green, recurringly humid, and sometimes quite wet due to summer rains. PA, WV and VA aren't dry states, like some places to our west, and they're definitely not always on fire like CA seems to be.

Horses for courses.

You're right, but when set loose amongst the masses it doesn't work out well. Far better to force people to use something that has an auto-shutoff when tipped. Some people desperately need it.

I've seen some incredibly stupid use of fire. If those people just burned themselves I would just consider it entertainment, but out west it easily ends up being tens of thousands of acres completely burnt, many people evacuated, large areas ruined for decades.

Funny thing is that I used to think no campfire was blasphemy. Now that I'm often under fire restrictions and seeing what people end up accomplishing, I'm now more inclined to never have an open flame ever. It's a really inefficient and smelly way to cook and get warm. I actually don't miss it.

 

[Heimkehr]

You're right, but when set loose amongst the masses it doesn't work out well. Far better to force people to use something that has an auto-shutoff when tipped.

Some people desperately need it.

No argument there.

I'm careful almost to the point of obsessiveness when my mix-gas stove is operating, but it's also easy to imagine how careless handling by an inattentive user could end badly. The jet-like flame (w/sound!) is no joke.

 

[Reinen]

No argument there.

I'm careful almost to the point of obsessiveness when my mix-gas stove is operating, but it's also easy to imagine how careless handling by an inattentive user could end badly. The jet-like flame (w/sound!) is no joke.

Look at all that green! Now imagine that scene but replace everything green with brown, brittle and easily flammable. It gets scary if you think about it too much.

 

[Heimkehr]

Look at all that green! Now imagine that scene but replace everything green with brown, brittle and easily flammable. It gets scary if you think about it too much.

Yes, it's easy to picture what some folks need to contend with. Thus my prior comments about considering the matter in context.

 

[Ratbert]

Yes, it's easy to picture what some folks need to contend with. Thus my prior comments about considering the matter in context.

Yep, where "some folks" are primarily those that live or travel in the West / Southwest. It's incredibly common to camp in areas that are under various forms of fire bans.

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