As a result, almost all of the big brands are made by the same business. The gas composition and labels may differ, but the physical canister remains the same. Because of the 7/16 UNEF standard thread, canisters could be interchanged in the past when there were more manufacturers.
Are butane canisters universal?
White gas, naptha, and other liquid camping fuels “Coleman fuel”), and gas fuel canisters are now available in a number of locations across the world. Aside from North America, Europe has a lot to offer. An efficient canister stove like the Reactor is a safe bet and a simple alternative if you’re on a fast-paced, weight-conscious journey in the Alps.
A multi-fuel stove, on the other hand, remains the gold standard for global travelers for treks into the developing world or distant expeditions far from the trodden road and resupply depots. You’ll be able to get fuel for a stove like the XGK EX or WhisperLite Universal no matter where you go.
Canister fuel (butane, propane, or a combination of the two) is generally available, but not everywhere. Canister fuels are available for purchase in countries like North America, Europe, and major tourism and climbing destinations like Patagonia and Nepal’s Khumbu. Check a hardware store, gas station, or convenience store if you can’t find an outside store. Because most canisters now employ a standard threaded valve, compatibility isn’t as difficult as it formerly was.
If you buy from a reliable supplier, you can be sure you’re not getting a refilled canister. We’ve heard of canisters being dangerously refilled with 100% propane, which is a pressure that most canisters aren’t built to withstand.
A threaded, self-sealing canister is required for MSR canister fuel stoves (other than the SuperFly). MSR IsoPro canisters are sold all over the world. The SuperFly stove works with both threaded and non-threaded self-sealing canisters, such as the popular Campingaz canisters in Europe (however the older pierce-type canisters will not).
Traditional camping fuel (white gas, such as MSR’s clean-burning blend of SuperFuel) may be found in most developed nations in outdoor stores, hardware stores, and gas stations, just like canisters. However, if you’re venturing into the unknown, there’s a strong possibility you’ll need to rely on one of the fuels listed below at some point. There are benefits and drawbacks to each that you should be aware of, but this is a general summary. Then, at the bottom of the page, click on the chart to see a list of liquid fuel names translated around the world and their general availability.
Kerosene can be found in marketplaces and shops even in the most distant parts of the world. Its quality and refinement varies widely by location, and it’s filthy, stinking, and difficult to ignite. But it’s so cheap and abundantly available that it’s the fuel of choice for many a global nomad.
Diesel is frequently more readily available than white gas. Unfortunately, like kerosene, the quality varies, and it has a nasty odor and can quickly block your stove. The expedition-ready XGK EX stove can handle diesel better than almost any other burner on the market, requiring less maintenance with such filthy fuels.
While auto gas (petrol) may appear to be an obvious backup fuel considering the abundance of gas stations in many areas, it should only be used as a last resort. Although it burns hotter than kerosene, it has drawbacks, such as the additives and impurities in gasoline clogging your stove quickly due to the superheating process of backpacking stoves.
To burn spirits, you’ll need a special alcohol-burning stove; these stoves aren’t classified as regular stoves “Stoves that run on “liquid fuel.” Alcohol stoves are frequently manufactured at home and are popular among the fast-and-light set since they are ultralight.
There are more types of stove fuels available, but these are the ones you’re most likely to come across. Understand the sorts of fuel your stove can handle before you go, lest you end up miles from the next town with a fuel you can’t use.
Click the chart for fuel name translations. Also, in the comments section below, share your own experiences with getting fuel in foreign places.
Are all butane canisters the same size?
These come in 100, 220, 250, 445, and 500-gram sizes and contain a mixture of butane and propane gas. They can be found in most camping stores throughout the world, including those in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Are camping gas canisters interchangeable?
Most camping stoves only work with screw-on canisters, while others only work with Easy-Clic canisters. However, there are two types of stoves: screw-on and Easy-Clic, which allow you to use either type of canister.
All of the stoves listed below work with both screw-on and Easy-Clic canisters. To utilize aerosol canisters or puncture cartridges, they’ll still require one of the adaptors listed above.
Can you refill butane canisters?
Butane has a lower vapor pressure than whatever combination was initially in your hiking canister. Refilling with butane is relatively safe.
Can butane canisters explode?
Butane gas canisters are a fantastic way to fuel a stove or heating equipment while camping because they are inexpensive, easy to use, and lightweight. Gas canisters can build up pressure and explode if handled or stored incorrectly.
How long does 8 oz butane last?
With this Chef Master butane fuel refill canister, you can turn up the heat at your next event! This butane fuel refill is ideal for countertop portable burners and will keep your food hot and at a comfortable eating temperature for your valued guests! This canister can also be used with a matching torch to crystallize caramel, sugar, or meringue for delectable desserts. This gasoline refill canister is the method to make all of your demands easier and doable where electricity is not easily available, from tailgating and other outdoor events to parties and off-premise catering trips. Each 8 oz. butane canister will burn for around 2 hours on high heat and 4 hours on low heat, giving you all the cooking power you need.
Is butane safe to store indoors?
We provide emergency preparedness training to a wide range of people. “Where is the safest place to keep gasoline (or diesel, kerosene, Coleman fuel, butane, propane, or alcohol) for an emergency?” is one of the most often requested questions. The answer is… it is debatable. The answer varies depending on the type of fuel used and where you live.
You have a lot more possibilities if you live on a 10-acre farm than if you live in a one-bedroom apartment. The issue is that gasoline is essential for everyone’s survival. You’ll need it to boil water, cook your food, maintain communications, and avoid dying from frostbite. Let’s take each of these sources of energy one by one.
When it comes to carefully storing fuel, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Make sure you do your own research to make sure your knowledge is correct. Improper fuel storage could lead to poor fuel performance at best, and death and property loss at worst. Don’t take a chance!
Safety Data Sheets Provide Accurate Information
Studying the Safety Data Sheet for each fuel is one of the greatest ways to find correct information on it. This is the most up-to-date information available, as it comes directly from the manufacturer. For each of the fuels we discuss, I’ve included a link to an SDS sheet.
A detached shed is the safest place to store gasoline in general. Let’s look at the exact storage needs and circumstances for each of these fuels, as well as some potential storage places.
Best Way to Store Gasoline
The safest location to keep fuel is in your car’s tank. We recommend that you keep your tank at least halfway full at all times. One-half tank of gasoline should be enough to get you out of immediate danger if you need to flee.
Gasoline is a hazardous fuel to keep on hand. It should be kept in an appropriate red container in a cold, well-ventilated environment. Unapproved containers may disintegrate, releasing volatile gasoline liquid and fumes. It is critical to utilize only certified gasoline canisters. Make sure the containers are securely closed and labeled.
Our prepper friend allowed us to look into his fuel storage system and has given us permission to share it with you as long as we don’t expose his name or location. It’s simple to accomplish. Let’s refer to him as Bob.
Bob wishes to stockpile enough gasoline to be able to flee to a location 800 miles away in the event of a disaster. He has a gasoline generator that must be capable of running for at least 48 hours. His goal is to always keep 50 gallons of gasoline on hand.
Bob is well aware that storing this much gasoline in his garage or anyplace near his house is exceedingly hazardous. He makes the conscious decision not to do stupid things. When gasoline is not exposed to extremes of temperature, it stores well. He found a secondhand chest freezer and buried it in a shady spot distant from his house to solve his gasoline storage problem.
The next issue that needed to be solved was ventilation. To enable cross ventilation through the freezer, he drilled two holes to fit 2-inch vent pipes (lower front on one end and upper back on the other). To keep the vents dry and prevent vermin from getting in, they are screened and elbowed down.
The gas cans are kept off the freezer floor on custom pallets, which allows for better ventilation. The gasoline is kept in certified 5-gallon gas cans in an underground freezer. To assist insulate the contents from temperature variations and provide some operational security, the freezer is maintained covered.
An above-ground gasoline storage tank is a safe choice for storing bigger amounts of gasoline. These tanks are used to refill equipment on-site in farming and commercial operations. If this alternative appeals to you, look into the rules and laws in your area.
To preserve quality, gasoline should be rotated or stabilized every 9-12 months. To extend the life of the gasoline for several years, a good fuel stabilizer should be used at least once a year. Gasoline accounts for a significant portion of the energy we consume in our daily lives. For many people, storing a fair supply of gasoline makes sense.
Best Way to Store Diesel
Many of the same storage requirements apply to diesel as they do to unleaded gasoline. It’s a flammable liquid, so keep it away from open flames, heat, ignition sources, and direct sunlight. Static discharge protection is required. Diesel can build up a static charge, which can generate a spark and serve as an ignition source.
Diesel must be kept in a cool environment. The pressure in sealed containers rises when diesel is stored in a heated atmosphere. Make sure you only keep it in certified containers, the majority of which are yellow. Close the container tightly and store it in a well-ventilated area.
When used for construction or farming, diesel is usually stored in above-ground tanks. When storing in lesser quantities, keep it in the same places you’d keep gasoline, but make sure it’s in containers that are certified for diesel fuel.
Best Way to Store Kerosene
K-1, K-2, and Klean Heat kerosene are available for purchase. Some kinds can be purchased in containers or poured similarly to gasoline.
Kerosene should be kept in a cool, well-ventilated area when not in use. It should be kept in its original containers or in blue, vented containers that have been certified. Store away from strong oxidizers. It is less fickle when it comes to storage than gasoline and diesel.
Best Way to Store Coleman Fuel or White Gas
Coleman fuel should be stored similarly to unleaded gasoline, with the exception that it should be kept in the original bottle. Keep the original containers away from heat, sparks, open flames, and oxidizing materials in a cool, well-ventilated environment.
Best Way to Store Butane Cartridges
Preppers often use butane cartridges as a source of fuel. Compressed fuel in a can could be hazardous to keep in big quantities. Over time, the can will degrade and the butane may escape. We recommend keeping the amount of canisters you have on hand to a minimum and rotating them.
The can must be kept cool and not exposed to temperatures more than 50°C/122°F. Heat, sparks, an open flame, oxidizers, and direct sunshine should all be avoided. It’s best to keep the container in a well-ventilated environment. Because butane is heavier than air, it should never be kept in basements, cellars, or other low-lying areas where vapors can collect. Do not keep in automobiles or other similar settings where excessive heat could result in an explosion.
Following one of our seminars, a woman contacted us and revealed that she had a large number of these canisters sealed in 5-gallon buckets in her garage. According to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines in the Safety Data Sheet, this strategy has two major flaws.
- The butane canisters are not well ventilated in sealed 5-gallon buckets.
- The temperature in most garages may fluctuate significantly, and it may go dangerously close to 50°C/122°F.
Butane canisters are similar to little bombs that are waiting for the ideal conditions to detonate. I’d keep the amount of canisters I store to no more than 8-12 and keep them in my pantry where the temperature can be controlled. While not ideal, a limited number of people in this regulated area would not make me feel uneasy.
Remember that butane canisters are not suitable for storage in basements, therefore don’t keep them in a basement food storage room.
I fell in love with our little butane stove during our 90-day Grid Down Cooking Challenge. You can learn more about these useful stoves by visiting Butane Stove: Cooking for Power Outages in a Portable and Convenient Way
Best Way to Store Propane
One of my favorite fuels for emergency preparedness is propane. We make a concerted effort to keep all of our gas tanks topped off. Propane tanks are much safer to store than liquid fuels, which is a big plus.
One-pound disposable propane containers are convenient for emergency situations, but they are not as safe to store for longer periods of time as bigger propane tanks. I would not recommend storing big quantities of disposable propane bottles. The container’s seal may deteriorate with time, allowing propane to escape into the atmosphere.
Leaks in these containers should be examined on a regular basis. Propane, like butane, will not evaporate but will concentrate in a low-lying location, posing an explosive threat.
Propane should be kept away from flames, sparks, heat, strong oxidizers, and extreme temperatures in a well-ventilated environment. When chlorine dioxide is present near propane, it can cause an explosion. Only store in approved containers, and keep the valve closed. Explosive vapors may be present in empty propane containers. Whether your propane containers are full or empty, be careful where you keep them.
Our 20-pound propane tanks are kept in a popup tent trailer away from our house. This keeps them out of the sun and protects them from the elements. Not the best option, but we’re doing the best we can with what we’ve got.
One of our students proposed keeping the 20-pound propane bottles in a 150-gallon deck box, which is commonly used for garden equipment storage. The deck box should be kept out of direct sunlight in a shaded location. Cross ventilation would be required in the deck box (large holes drilled on both sides of the box). It may be a terrific method to keep 20-pound gas bottles out of the house and protected from the elements.
Propane, rather than gasoline or diesel fuel, is a superior alternative for garage storage. However, keeping huge volumes of fuel in a garage should always be avoided.
Best Way to Store Alcohol
Because it is not explosive like many other fuels, alcohol is an excellent storing fuel. Simple storage precautions are recommended. Keep the container well covered and away from sparks, open flames, and strong oxidizing agents. It’s best to keep alcohol in its original container.
The shelf life of alcohol is limitless. In our basement storage area with our food storage, we keep a reasonable amount of Everclear, SafeHeat, and denatured alcohol. That way, it’ll be ready to use whenever we need it. Only alcohol is a fuel I’d feel safe storing in my basement alongside food. When utilized as a prepper fuel, the fact that it never goes bad is a huge plus. Always keep the amount of fuel you store indoors or in your garage, including alcohol, to a minimum.
Unless you reside in a climate with extreme temperature variations, you may be able to securely keep denatured alcohol in your garage, according to the Safety Data Sheet. Storage requirements for alcohol are far more flexible than those for other fuels.
Because it creates very little, if any, carbon monoxide when burned, alcohol is an excellent choice for cooking and heating indoors. Learn more about alcohol as a fuel source in our piece, Best Alcohol Cooking Fuels for Campers and Preppers.
Best Storage Locations for Fuels
Any fuel should be stored in a detached, insulated shed that is sheltered from direct sunlight and temperature extremes on both ends. Stability of temperature is ideal. Never store gasoline in a structure you can’t afford to lose if it burns down.
Fuel is essential for survival, yet most of us must make do with what we have because we do not live in an optimum climate for fuel storage. When storing fuel, safety must be a major priority. If you store fuel incorrectly, your homeowner’s insurance policy may be voided if you have a fire. Check with your insurance agent to be sure you’re adhering to your policy’s restrictions.
In the event of a fire, a flammable storage cabinet is an excellent way to store fuel and keep it confined. The storage cabinets have self-closing hinges and are ventilated. These metal cabinets are costly, but they allow you to properly store fuels in your garage. To avoid static build-up, it’s critical to ground storage cabinets.
Always store fuel in containers intended particularly for that fuel and follow all storage recommendations on the Safety Data Sheet from the manufacturer.
Legal Restrictions and Common-Sense Practices
We highly advise you to observe all applicable legal standards and use common sense when storing your fuel. Depending on where you live, there will be different legal restrictions on gasoline storage. Your local fire department will be the finest source of factual information for your area. Our post Safe Emergency Fuel Storage Guidelines contains an example of legal guidelines.
Fuels are hazardous and must be treated with caution. Always keep in mind the people who may be affected by the fuels you store. Make them the most important thing in your life.
How Much Fuel Do I Need to Store for Emergencies?
How much fuel do you need to keep on hand in case of an emergency? That is debatable. What are you getting ready for? How long do you think you’ll be without access to public services?
The photo depicts a large backup generator for a local public utility, complete with diesel fuel tanks. In most cases, you won’t require something that outstanding to meet your demands in an emergency. If money isn’t an issue, you may put in fantastic backup solutions for your home. The majority of us are just concerned with stockpiling enough fuel to last till things return to normal.
Check out this Action Plan – Fuel Safety and Storage to get you started calculating how much food, water, and other supplies your family will require to get through a catastrophe. Spending a little effort and money now could go a long way toward ensuring that you have the fuel you need to cook your food and remain warm if you lose power or natural gas.
Conclusion
Water, food, air, and fuel are the four essential necessities for survival. This puts fuel at the top of the priority list. Storing fuels is far riskier than storing grains or water. Make sure you set up some extra time.
in learning about the fuels you keep on hand and the best procedures for keeping them securely. For more information on a variety of fuels, check see our post How to Safely Store Fuel for Emergencies.
Do you have to use Iwatani butane?
Is it possible to use different brands of butane in my Iwatani stove or torch? To ensure maximum performance and customer safety, all Iwatani butane products must be used with Iwatani brand fuel.
Is Camping Gaz propane or butane?
Campingaz, originally Camping Gaz, is a brand of compressed, mixed butane/propane gas available in tiny, lightweight disposable canisters and larger, refillable cylinders for use as a camping and caravanning fuel. The fuel gas is compressed into a liquid before being sold in distinctive blue metal containers. Cookers, lamps, heaters, barbecues, refrigerators, and other gas-powered appliances, as well as more general camping goods such as sleeping bags, bear the brand name.
