Propane or White Gas

[JLH911]

So what do you guys prefer for a camp stove Propane or White Gas?

Pro's and Con's?


I would think the obvious advantage to Propane is not having to deal with possible spilling of fuel like the gas fueled ones.

Oh and what do you guys think of Colemans?

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

We still run a Coleman two-burner white gas stove we got as a wedding gift 20 years ago. Runs great! I had to replace the leather cup on the plunger once. I've been tempted to switch to propane for the convenience of running stove/lantern/portable BBQ off of one tank and distribution pole. In a weird way, I enjoy the fuss of filling with fuel, pumping the air pressure up, and 'choking' it (like my 60) till it runs warm enough to burn blue. Truth be told, I think the propane stoves are less fussy and simpler to cook with, but just can't bring myself to ditch the gas stove. I have no idea what the quality of newer white gas stoves are like.

Butt

 

[MANUCHAO]

Jose.. white gas burns really good on cooooold weather... propane not so hot and if you are using a butane mixture it will separate and freeze rendering it useless.. unless you sleep with it in your tent.
For most of my car/camping I used propane as stated if you take a 11 or 20 lbs tank you could run several things from the one tank...

If you do use white gas get a specific white gas container and store it outside spillage of this stuff really sucks......

 

[jonheld]

I have both from Coleman. The white gas stove hardly gets used anymore. I like the propane for making coffee in the morning. Burns like a jet engine.

 

[e9999]

propane, more versatile, less mess

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I have both: a propane stove and a white gas stove. I have 4 gal of white gas left, but I hate dealing with it. I bought a propane conversion yesterday!

 

[Hondo352]

If you use white gas always be ready with extra fire fighting supplies.

John

 

[rusty_tlc]

I have both, and use them both.
Gasoline stoves work better over a wider range of conditions; cold, altitude, etc. I agree the can pose a spillage problem but it's never happened to me in 30+ years (other than during re-fueling). I think if you use reasonable care there shouldn't be an issue.

Propane is more convenient but may not work so well in cold weather or at high altitude. I have a propane grill so when that goes along I take the propane stove. It takes up a bit more space because I have a small re-fill able cylinder for fuel. If you get a propane stove get a small cylinder. They pay for them selves in short order. The green bottles get expensive fast if you camp much.

One thing I like about gasoline is the smell. For me the smell of Coleman fuel mingled with coffee brewing and breakfast cooking brings back memories of all the camping trips with my family growing up.

Here is a suggestion, you can find both types of stoves at garage sales for a few bucks. I saw three or four of each for under $10 the last time we went garage sale shopping. Buy one of each and try them both out. Then you can see which suits you best. Both types are basically indestructible, even if they are damaged they are easy to repair.

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you use white gas always be ready with extra fire fighting supplies.

John

 

[IH8Wood]

I like white gas (aka girl scout juice) for starting a camp fire.

 

[JLH911]

I have both, and use them both.
Gasoline stoves work better over a wider range of conditions; cold, altitude, etc. I agree the can pose a spillage problem but it's never happened to me in 30+ years (other than during re-fueling). I think if you use reasonable care there shouldn't be an issue.

Propane is more convenient but may not work so well in cold weather or at high altitude. I have a propane grill so when that goes along I take the propane stove. It takes up a bit more space because I have a small re-fill able cylinder for fuel. If you get a propane stove get a small cylinder. They pay for them selves in short order. The green bottles get expensive fast if you camp much.

One thing I like about gasoline is the smell. For me the smell of Coleman fuel mingled with coffee brewing and breakfast cooking brings back memories of all the camping trips with my family growing up.

Here is a suggestion, you can find both types of stoves at garage sales for a few bucks. I saw three or four of each for under $10 the last time we went garage sale shopping. Buy one of each and try them both out. Then you can see which suits you best. Both types are basically indestructible, even if they are damaged they are easy to repair.

Which refillable cylinders are you talking about? Pics?

Thanks

 

[Bogo]

I'm exclusive white gas, but then that's what I've had for years. My Coleman white gas burning stove is over 40 years old and still working nicely. Every so often the plunger seal needs replacement and there is a tube that crosses over the primary burner that needs replacement after allot of use. Parts are still available. I recently replaced the flapper valves in the pump. I also have the original MSR backpacking stove that sounds like a jet taking off. Both it and the Coleman will work nicely at 12k feet.

 

[Hondo352]

I watched a camper light his motorhome on fire and it took 4 ext. and the bucket brigade. We were 15 miles in the NF north of Pagosa Springs Co. I still use white gas in my heaters
John

 

[rusty_tlc]

Which refillable cylinders are you talking about? Pics?

Thanks

One of these in the #5 size

 

[rusty_tlc]

I watched a camper light his motorhome on fire and it took 4 ext. and the bucket brigade. We were 15 miles in the NF north of Pagosa Springs Co. I still use white gas in my heaters
John

That isn't typical of gasoline stove use.

But it does sound pretty typical for RV campers. Yet another reason I'm glad we sold the Travel Trailer and elected to avoid camping in places accessible by motor home.

 

[Atoyot1031]

We still run a Coleman two-burner white gas stove we got as a wedding gift 20 years ago. Runs great! I had to replace the leather cup on the plunger once. I've been tempted to switch to propane for the convenience of running stove/lantern/portable BBQ off of one tank and distribution pole. In a weird way, I enjoy the fuss of filling with fuel, pumping the air pressure up, and 'choking' it (like my 60) till it runs warm enough to burn blue. Truth be told, I think the propane stoves are less fussy and simpler to cook with, but just can't bring myself to ditch the gas stove. I have no idea what the quality of newer white gas stoves are like.

Butt

Butt,
You can pick up a converter at Wally World that allows you to run propane on yer old white gas Coleman. I did this with my 30 yo Coleman triple burner. I run everything off a 20lb propane with the 3-way tree on it. It holds a lantern on top. It can run both the triple burner and the Weber Go Anywhere at the same time, and then run both the Big Buddy Heater and Buddy Heater at night. This way you can have yer nostalgia w/o the PITA factor.

I like white gas (aka girl scout juice) for starting a camp fire.

That's why I still carry it.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Butt,
You can pick up a converter at Wally World that allows you to run propane on yer old white gas Coleman. I did this with my 30 yo Coleman triple burner. I run everything off a 20lb propane with the 3-way tree on it. It holds a lantern on top. It can run both the triple burner and the Weber Go Anywhere at the same time, and then run both the Big Buddy Heater and Buddy Heater at night. This way you can have yer nostalgia w/o the PITA factor.



That's why I still carry it.

You probably could have found a used propane stove for less than the conversion kit.
I never cease to be amazed at the almost brand new camping equipment I find at garage sales. People buy a bunch of expensive stuff, use it once or twice and find out camping really isn't there thing. The gear sits in the attic/garage/basement for five years then they sell it at a garage sale for pennies on the dollar.

 

[land crusher]

Gas. Cheap and available everywhere, including your cruiser. Coleman liquid fuel stoves and lanterns are bombproof.

 

[JLH911]

You probably could have found a used propane stove for less than the conversion kit.
I never cease to be amazed at the almost brand new camping equipment I find at garage sales. People buy a bunch of expensive stuff, use it once or twice and find out camping really isn't there thing. The gear sits in the attic/garage/basement for five years then they sell it at a garage sale for pennies on the dollar.

I'm going to check out some Garage sales soon but if I don't see any and next time you see one, pick it up and sell it here to someone...like me!

 

[rusty_tlc]

I'm going to check out some Garage sales soon but if I don't see any and next time you see one, pick it up and sell it here to someone...like me!

Sounds like a good idea for a sideline.