Canister stoves are becoming increasingly popular among outdoor enthusiasts from around the world for their lightweight design and ease of use. They are reliable, compact, and easy to replenish parts and supplies for, making them the go-to stove for avid travelers and backpackers.
Since firewood is sometimes scarce and open fires are strictly prohibited in quite a few backcountry areas, a backpacking stove is really a camper or backpacker’s only option. You can fuel canister stoves with a variety of fuels, including propane, butane, or isobutane gas. All of these come in sealed canisters.
Propane
Propane is a terrific hot-burning fuel that is able to burn at high altitudes and at low temperatures. Since propane canisters are highly pressurized at up to five times the amount of pressure of butane canisters, they are usually made of heavy steel. Without a pressure regulator, pure propane should not be used on canister stoves that are designed to run primarily on butane or isobutane gas.
Butane
Butane works very well at high altitudes as well. However, due to poor vaporization, it doesn’t burn nearly as well as propane at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite this, butane is a common fuel for canister stoves, and many different models support this widely used gas.
Isobutane
As the name suggests, isobutane is a form of butane gas. In fact, it is a structural isomer of butane. However, it has a lower boiling point than butane and provides a steady flow of gas until the canister empties. It is also added to butane for enhanced performance. Due to the fact that isobutane vapors are more pressurized than butane, campers and backpackers often experience much better flow. Unfortunately, the increased flow of isobutane can damage stoves not designed for its use. The gas should not be used for stoves that can only hold propane or butane.
How to choose the best fuel for canister stoves
Many manufacturers put out models that accept a variety of fuel types, rather than just one, giving you options when it comes to the type of camping you’ll be doing. Some fuels burn better in extreme conditions, like freezing temperatures and high winds. Be sure to have an idea of what conditions you’re in for if you have choices for fuel types.
As most backpackers and campers have discovered, not all types of fuel for canister stoves are available everywhere. In more remote areas, there may be no canister fuel types available at all. If you’re planning to use canister stoves when traveling through the great outdoors, be sure to pack twice as much fuel as you think you’ll need, just to be sure you’re not left hanging when you need it!
Featured Image from Sage Friedman/Unsplash
