just_dave
Bay City, MI
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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I like the nostalgia of using the old white gas. I use the stove and lantern my parents camped with so it's maybe 40 years old. Not sure of the exact age. I don't use the lantern as they're too bright, but breakfast on the old stove can't be beat. Pumping up that old gas stove is one of those "if you have to ask you wouldn't understand" things. No propane for me, thanks. - Dave
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The_Vintagers
Georgia USA
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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I just sold the liquid fuel (dual fuel) stove and one of the two liquid fuel (dual fuel) lanterns I had as part of a tent camping equipment package.
I use propane, from a 20lb tank with a tree, and still carry a couple one pound bottles as reserve. Someone told me you can replenish the little ones from a 20lb, but, that is beyond me.
The liquid fuel, for me, is scary. It can be substituted with unleaded gasoline. In a pinch, you can drive your car home on Coleman's white gas (it will burn your car engine's valves), real volatile stuff.
My fear is my fear, but, propane is contained in some thick steel containers.
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brownja
connecticut
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Joined: 09/05/2003
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All white gas for me.
I have two different sized MSR bottles so I can carry just what I need.
And top up before each trip. You can't top up a propane cylinder.
Carrying a propane cylinder on a motorcycle or in a backpack would be just too heavy.
Plus, you never know how much you have in the cylinder or have any way to gauge how much you use in a typical weekend.
1990 Winne Chieftain 31 - Ford 460.
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bondebond
Central Kansas
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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The_Vintagers wrote:I just sold the liquid fuel (dual fuel) stove and one of the two liquid fuel (dual fuel) lanterns I had as part of a tent camping equipment package.
I use propane, from a 20lb tank with a tree, and still carry a couple one pound bottles as reserve. Someone told me you can replenish the little ones from a 20lb, but, that is beyond me.
The liquid fuel, for me, is scary. It can be substituted with unleaded gasoline. In a pinch, you can drive your car home on Coleman's white gas (it will burn your car engine's valves), real volatile stuff.
My fear is my fear, but, propane is contained in some thick steel containers.
The way to fill the little cans of propane is a simple brass adapter found here. Screws onto the 20lb tank and the 1lb. Open the valve - all done.
Myself, The Boss, and two wanna-be Bosses
2006 Jayco 1007
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frank6160
Alabama
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Joined: 04/07/2007
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I use white gas and wouldn't have it any other way. I own a couple of propane devices. I collect Coleman gas appliances. Don't throw them out not a lot to go wrong with them. Will always be a part of my camping. It's illegal to refill propane canisters and transport them.
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lilhowlinwolf
MB/Panama
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Joined: 12/09/2006
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I grew up with White Gas and still use it from time to time. I think most went to LP and Butane in the mid-80's when it was more available and easier to handle than the red cans. The cost has not gone up that much. I found an old can, rusted of course that still had the $3 price tag on it and I found a new can the other day $4. But it is the consistency of the fuel and the higher BTU's that keeps me using it.
Wolf
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lilhowlinwolf
MB/Panama
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frank6160 wrote:It's illegal to refill propane canisters and transport them.
I don't know about it being illegal to refill the small canisters, but it sure is a pain in the butt.
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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Joined: 04/03/2007
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I grew up on white gas, and my son's scout troop still uses it. Yes, the white gas appliances need more maintenance, like replacing pump seals and the occasional generator tube, but they last forever. But the main reason they kept them is that the troop does mostly winter camping (during the school season) and propane doesn't work well in freezing temperatures, whereas the white gas appliances don't skip a beat when it gets cold. White gas is a four season fuel, where propane is more like three seasons. (Ahh, winter camping -- nothing like not realizing it's morning because the tent got buried in snow overnight! )
And has been stated, don't lug around those heavy gallon tin cans. Get a couple MSR bottles, fill them with a filter funnel, and leave the big can and funnel at home. The MSR bottles are tough, sturdy, and light, and they have a spout that lets you fill the tanks cleanly and easily with minimal risk of spillage.
As for safety, both have risks. The white gas risks may be more obvious, but propane has it's risks as well (and its leaks can be under high pressure!) Don't get too complacent about propane, and don't write off white gas -- it still has its uses.
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2005
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I too use the MSR bottles for my Coleman fuel.
Funny thing is that the MSR fuel bottles require more maintenance than my Coleman stoves and lantern.
After about 8 years I had to replace the O ring for the cap on the MSR fuel bottle. My Coleman stove and lantern, purchased new in 1974, are still all original parts. I have oiled the pump seals several times with cooking oil or 30w oil, depending on what I had handy at the time.
The pump seals on all of my Coleman pumps are leather. I think they switched to a less durable material more recently.
Wayne in San Jose
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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lilhowlinwolf wrote:frank6160 wrote:It's illegal to refill propane canisters and transport them.
I don't know about it being illegal to refill the small canisters, but it sure is a pain in the butt.
The side of the 16.4 oz propane cylinder I have in front of me has several handling and storage warnings on the side. One of them is:
Quote:Never refill this cylinder. Refilling may cause explosion. Federal law forbids transportation if refilled - penalty up to $500,000 and five years imprisonment. (49 u.s.c 5124) Do not put on trains or passenger aircraft.
I did not add the bold, that's the way it's printed on the cylinder.
I have not looked up the cited regulation, but I would guess it deals with commercial transportation. I don't know how it would apply to a private individual who refilled a cylinder and transported it in their private vehicle. If someone is interested, perhaps they can look up the regulation and post back here.
I only post it to indicate that there is apparently a law in place about transportation of refilled disposable cylinders.
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