cdawley1
McDonough, GA, USA
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Hi,
I am not sure if this topic would belong in the tent camping section. I have 3 vintage Coleman lanterns and a Coleman stove that runs off of white gas. I tried to get them to work during the spring of this year, but couldn't and had to buy 2 propane cylinders, coleman propane lantern, and texsport 2 burner propane stove. Both the lantern and stove fire up instantly. Which setup would be the best to use? I have noticed in the past years, that the sporting goods stores such as Dick's & Sports Authority, along with Target and Walmart tend to carry a lot of propane items now. I like the fact that the propane seems safer and easier to use. Most of the TTs, PUPs, and 5'vers have the lp propane tanks. I thought about investing a little more money to get a better propane stove and a propane tree to hook up to a 20lb propane tank. Would this be a good option for camping or should I stick to the propane cylinders or the fuel lanterns & stoves?
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bondebond
Central Kansas
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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I remember all of the fun of watching my Dad have to pump the fuel cylinder and possibly get a flame on the stove. I even have a dual fuel single burner for when I do solo hiking and camping.
However, I first got a tree for LP tanks when they were very uncommon and very expensive. I've thoroughly enjoyed using an 11 lb. tank instead of the 20 lb tanks, purely for the camp stove and Coleman lantern.
I have had to use all three connections off the tree at the same time before: lantern, stove AND mini grill. Nice to have all of that and not have to worry about Coleman fuel or even the little propane tanks run out on me.
I do keep one of the small tanks on hand when tent camping, just in case I've blown it on the 11 lb. and run out. Always have a backup - whatever it is.
Myself, The Boss, and two wanna-be Bosses
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DutchmenSport
Indiana
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I grew up on white gas (my dad's generation of doing things). Now I do only propane. I vividly remember the Coleman 1 gallon metal gas can. Even as a kid, it seemed like a lot of work. However, in those days, we didn't have any other choice.
I'm all propane now. Actually, I have a 20 pound propane tank with a Coleman tree with 2 hoses and the lantern that sits on the top. I got away from the little cylinders. They were a pain, and having to keep extras on hand was a pain.
However, to switch over to propane will be an investment. Depending upon how frustrated you are with white gas, I probably would not switch over until my equipment started failing and needed replacing.
DutchmenSport
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cdawley1
McDonough, GA, USA
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I agree with you. My dad also grew up using the white gas type lantern and stove because it was the only thing available. During the early to late 90's, propane stoves and lanterns came out and the propane was expensive. I remember being in the boy scouts and using the tanks/tree combination. It was a lot easier to cook on as well. You didn't have to worry about pumping. I was testing out my white gas lanterns and stove to see if I could get them to work before heading off on a camping trip then find out that they don't work, but it seems like I can get the one of the lanterns to work and one of the stove burners to work. I also have a propane lantern and stove. I hooked up the lantern and it fired up and started working instantly. I think it is time for me to start watching for a better propane stove to go on sale along with the tree and a hose for the stove. I guess on the bright side, when my wife and I decide to get a PUP, we will already be used to cooking with propane.
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JudoJeff
Southwick, MA
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Hi,
Don't toss out the old white gas stove, just purchase the propane adapters and hook them up to the mini-tanks.
BTW: 10% ethanol gas will burn in them with a different adapter, otherwise it's not white gas and doesn't work.
I have just about everything item out there, and like the propane. My favorite and most useful item is the grille/stove combo. If you need an opinion on the stuff, just ask.
K1BE Jeff
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Patty98311
Arkansas
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Joined: 09/11/2006
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Still have the white gas lanterns, both of mine are over 30 years old would not hit the road without them. Propane lanterns are nice but if and when I ever convert it will be to electric lanterns.
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bondebond
Central Kansas
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When I was breaking down the campsite this last weekend, I noticed that someone had set a heater by the dumpster. I was curious about it because it was definitely from the "vintage" era.
It was a 5,000BTU platinum catalytic furnace than ran on white gas. It was old and battle worn. Can't say I didn't think about keeping it, but I'm pretty much done with white gas appliances. And I'm guessing it had issues (thus the proximity to the dumpster). Oh well. I do opine for the way things were occassionally. But then, I don't have to deal with fuel spills.
This same weekend, I didn't tighten one hose connection too well and the leaking propane caught fire from the Coleman stove nearby.
With my heart racing, I turned off the gas tank and moved myself between it and the PUP with the rest of the family in it. Not much room to go anywhere else anyway.
Phew. Close one. Just be careful in life, eh?
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2005
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One of my many stoves is a single burner white gas stove, the SVEA 123, aka the jet engine because of its roar. A friend has a single burner propane stove. These are both commonly used for backpacking. He was surprise to watch me boil twice as much water in half the time.
I have three single burner white gas backpacking stoves, three Coleman white gas stoves, a Coleman propane stove and the stove in the trailer. Also a Coleman white gas lantern.
DW hates the white gas appliances and will not light them. She grew up in an all electric home. Her dad was an electrician.
I grew up hunting and fishing with my dad in the woods, serious boon docking. I have been using white gas appliances since 1963, age 10. I have no problems with white gas appliances.
Many years ago DW demonstrated that my Coleman lantern is capable of producing flames in the forest 5 feet high. That was the last time she lit the lantern.
I think our daughter inherited her mothers knack, or lack thereof, for using gas appliances. As a sophomore in high school she accidentally demonstrated why chemistry labs have flame proof counter tops. Apparently alcohol and bunsen burners don't mix well. For the rest of her high school career she was exempt from active participation in any experiment involving flames. She was the note taker.
Please stay within your comfort zone. If white gas appliances make you nervous, please stick with propane appliances and/or electric appliances.
Wayne in San Jose
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jambo101
Montreal
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Joined: 01/07/2006
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My wife hates the white gas lantern so much she wont let me use it so come night time its candles or oil lamps and she only lets me use the Coleman double burner stove because her hunger overwhelms her sense of fear ..I havent got any propane appliances yet but now they have the containers standardized its the way i'm going on any future purchases.
"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."
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tvme
Medina, Ohio
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Joined: 04/10/2007
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PopBeavers wrote: ... Please stay within your comfort zone. If white gas appliances make you nervous, please stick with propane appliances and/or electric appliances.
Excellent advice. Some folks are terrified of propane.
I don't have any white gas stuff left- all propane now. I usually carry a kerosene lantern too. Still looking for an Aladin type cheap. But if I saw a white gas appliance cheap enough I'd bring it home. 
For those who really like white gas, the Amish convert old style propane tanks to a "floor lamps" with 2 mantles. They work great.
Bob
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