Whether or not this makes a difference depends on how long it takes to go through your fuel. You might also want to check out my post explaining how long white gas lasts and when you need to throw it away.
Why buy Coleman fuel when white gas is basically the same thing? Should you save your money and just purchase generic white gas? It can be found in the sporting good section at most Walmarts. The small bottles are actually really nice for weekend camping trips. It all boils down to economies of scale. Only you can decide if the added shelf life and anti-corrosion is worth it. Coleman fuel is pretty much the same thing as white gas.
There are stabilizers and anti-corrosion additives in Coleman Fuel made in the United States. Just buy whatever is easiest to find locally. Your next best choice is kerosine or diesel. Gasoline should only be used as a last resort. No white gas is not the same as gasoline. White gas aka Naptha is way more pure than gasoline. White gas burns way cleaner and burns at a lower temperature. So your stove will be easier to start , cleaner, and run way better than if you used gasoline.
Gasoline will also damage the internal components of your stove. The additives used to make cars run smoothly will eat away at your stoves pump and fuel line. It will work in a pinch if you buy low-grade gasoline with fewer additives. To add more complexity to the equation additives and mixtures change regularly depending on the region and time of year.
After opening, it can last about a year if stored in a cool and dry location. By contrast, kerosene has a shorter shelf life of up to five years, depending on storage conditions. Condensation can add water, and bacteria and mold can further break down the fuel by creating sludge. Adding a fuel stabilizer every year can slow kerosene breakdown.
According to MSR experts , if you spill white gas, it leaves minimal staining or long-lasting odor. A kerosene spill will leave a noticeable stain and odor.
I have heard that coffee grounds inside a backpack or inside a bag with the affected gear can sometimes reduce the odor noticeably. When handled, carried, and properly stored, both fuels are safe to use. Like any petroleum product, safe disposal is also vital for our environment. The only super safe way to dispose of old petroleum products is at your local hazmat or recycling location.
The same thing goes for old fuel containers and canisters of propane, butane, and other fuels considered hazardous waste in most places. Both kerosene and white gas are popular with campers and backpackers for their availability, reliability, and reasonable cost. Your email address will not be published. Page Contents show. Stove Type Influences Gas Choice. You will realize that cold temperatures have no effect whatsoever on the performance of white gas as it performs exceedingly well in both high and below freezing temperatures.
White gas has a low flash point. The flash point of a chemical substance refers to the lowest temperature where enough fluid can vaporize to become a combustible gas. A key feature of white gas is that it's able to vaporize easily and quickly no matter how low the temperatures fall.
This makes the process of igniting the stove very easy. With it, there will be no need to abandon winter camping for the next season. To support this, the gas is easily found in North America, infamous for its extremely low temperatures. Note that although this gas evaporates quickly, it is still highly flammable and volatile and can easily fire around any form of ignition. Thus, great caution is still required when handling it.
The nature of white gas is that it is colorless and odorless. Thus in case of any spillage, you will be sure that no smell is left behind. This can however also work as a disadvantage as there is no sure way of telling if there is a leakage other than depending on your sense of sight.
In a worst-case scenario, the gas may ignite causing an explosion if there is a leakage around an open flame. The simple design of liquid fuel stoves is such that there are no extra parts that add to the bulkiness.
Only encompassing stove essentials such as a burner, gas connection and an internal gas line; white gas stoves are not weighty. Furthermore, Coleman fuel bottles are easy to carry.
Although you will have to discard white gas containers, their weight is insignificant. These two features make white gas easily portable. In comparison, propane cartridges are much heavier and add to the overall weight of your gear. Furthermore, because they are not disposable, that means that you have to carry the canisters back with you. White gas thus stands at an advantage especially when backpacking whose fundamental rule is that "every ounce counts".
Therefore, the lesser the weight the better for them. Experienced campers opt for the durability of this fuel as white gas can last between five and seven years when the bottle is unopened. However, its shelf-life depreciates once it is opened and exposed to air. With proper storage in a cool and dry place, an opened white gas container can last up to one year. It is advisable to buy the gas in small containers as the fuel depreciates once exposed to air. Thus, the smaller the container the lesser the amount of fuel that is exposed to air.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the easy accessibility of this gas, especially in the U. The fuel is readily available in most camping stores hence you need not worry about the supply running out.
Another plus is that many liquid fuel stoves can use alternative fuel sources. This is especially helpful when you are in a country where white gas is not easily accessible.
Just like other products, cost is always a determining factor. White gas is relatively inexpensive, easily accessible and in the long-run because it burns hotter and faster you will end up consuming less of it in comparison to other fuels. Although white gas is easily one of the best camping fuels, it is not without its shortcomings. Experienced campers know that it is a bit complex to work with the appliances that white gas powers.
Although liquid fuel stoves are usually simple in design, it takes more time to start them up as compared to other fuels as white gas stoves require pumping before actual use. Unlike other stoves which are usually pressurized, pumping is necessary for white gas stoves to put the fuel under enough pressure to rise to the burner. Familiarizing yourself with this process is perhaps the hardest part of working with white gas.
Priming is the process of pre-heating a fuel that is liquid at room temperature so that it turns into gas. White gas stoves require that the gas is vaporized for it to burn correctly.
Other fuels do not require priming hence this puts white gas at a disadvantage. Being liquid at room temperature, this fuel is prone to spillage, and in case of any leakage then an accidental explosion may follow.
Hence, white gas has to be stored away from flames. As an extra precaution, you are also advised to check for any leakages as the fuel's odorless nature makes it even more dangerous. The last demerit of white gas is a by-product of working with liquid fuel stoves.
When working with multi-fuel stoves, other fuels which have impurities, may clog your white gas stove parts such as your fuel tube with time. This may result in the stove flaring up, a case that wouldn't be if you were to use white gas solely.
In this section, we will compare white gas to other fuels to establish why it is a better option for backpacking. Other than white gas, the other top choices of winter camping fuels are usually kerosene and butane. In comparison, kerosene is a cheaper alternative but it has an unpleasant odor and doesn't produce as much heat as white gas. On the other hand, butane lights quickly with no need for priming. It also burns cleanly. However, it does not burn as efficiently as white gas in cold temperatures nor is it as intense.
Therefore, if you plan on backpacking, white gas should be your go-to as it works well in spite of any changes in temperatures. Another feature that makes white gas ideal for backpacking is the fact that you will have to deal with less weight if you decide to carry it as your camping fuel of choice.
This is because its storage containers are compact and lighter than that of propane. Propane canisters are cumbersome, not easily disposable and not as environment-friendly.
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