Comparing Propane Stoves to Liquid Fuel Stoves
Jonsky Sicuna asked:
While the propane stove is the stove of choice for camping beginners, it is far from perfect. There are many aspects of propane stoves that are less ideal compared to liquid fuel camp stoves but they have their strengths as well.
Heating Efficiency
Propane stoves are less efficient in heating because as the cartridge empties, it loses it’s burning efficiency. Temperature and altitude also has a big effect on efficiency. Colder temperatures higher altitudes make propane stoves less efficient and if it’s too cold the stove may not burn at all. Liquid fuel stoves burn consistently throughout.
Reliability
A backpacking stove must be able to take rough handling and still work perfectly. The more complex the stove, the more chances that something will break. Older versions of cartridge propane stoves use puncture fit coupling which I remember having a hard time with especially the first few times of using it as a boy scout.
Today’s propane stoves, however, are much more reliable with consistency in weight and pressure. Recent developments in design even make it usable in sub-zero temperatures. Reliability is a more of a matter of design rather than whether gasoline or propane is used for fuel.
Weight
Propane stoves may be lighter than gasoline stoves but you might end up carrying more fuel if you’re going to camp for a few days or more. If you use propane cartridge stoves for camping, use a bigger cartridge unless it’s going to be a really short trip. Bigger cartridges are lighter than many smaller cartridges holding the same amount of fuel.
Litter
Other than the weight problem there’s also the litter problem when you use propane stoves. You can’t reuse cartridge stoves and they need to be disposed when empty. In the backcountry, that means that you have to carry your litter until you can dispose it properly. Don’t throw it away on the trail like some irresponsible hikers.
Convenience
Propane stoves are more convenient because there is no preheating required and you can have heat almost instantly. Cartridge stoves are also cleaner and less noisy.
Safety
The predictability in lighting up a propane stove make it the preferred stove for mountaineers because they’re safer to use under tarps or inside tents. This should however be done with caution and with good ventilation only. There are quite a few known cases of deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning inside tents. Not to mention that it’s a fire hazard as well. Never under any circumstances use liquid fuel stoves inside tents or you might end up without a tent.
Although rare, propane stoves are also known for blowing up due to damaged rubber tips or other parts. Again, more complexity equals more parts equals more potential problems so keep it simple.
Fuel Availability
Gasoline stoves can use many different types of fuels and white gas is widely available. Propane cartridges may not be as readily available.
Cost
Initially, cartridge stoves are a lot cheaper than liquid fuel stoves but the running cost of propane stoves is higher because the fuel is much more expensive. If you camp regularly, you might spend 5 to 10 times more on cartridge fuel.
Wood Pellet Production Guide
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While the propane stove is the stove of choice for camping beginners, it is far from perfect. There are many aspects of propane stoves that are less ideal compared to liquid fuel camp stoves but they have their strengths as well.
Heating Efficiency
Propane stoves are less efficient in heating because as the cartridge empties, it loses it’s burning efficiency. Temperature and altitude also has a big effect on efficiency. Colder temperatures higher altitudes make propane stoves less efficient and if it’s too cold the stove may not burn at all. Liquid fuel stoves burn consistently throughout.
Reliability
A backpacking stove must be able to take rough handling and still work perfectly. The more complex the stove, the more chances that something will break. Older versions of cartridge propane stoves use puncture fit coupling which I remember having a hard time with especially the first few times of using it as a boy scout.
Today’s propane stoves, however, are much more reliable with consistency in weight and pressure. Recent developments in design even make it usable in sub-zero temperatures. Reliability is a more of a matter of design rather than whether gasoline or propane is used for fuel.
Weight
Propane stoves may be lighter than gasoline stoves but you might end up carrying more fuel if you’re going to camp for a few days or more. If you use propane cartridge stoves for camping, use a bigger cartridge unless it’s going to be a really short trip. Bigger cartridges are lighter than many smaller cartridges holding the same amount of fuel.
Litter
Other than the weight problem there’s also the litter problem when you use propane stoves. You can’t reuse cartridge stoves and they need to be disposed when empty. In the backcountry, that means that you have to carry your litter until you can dispose it properly. Don’t throw it away on the trail like some irresponsible hikers.
Convenience
Propane stoves are more convenient because there is no preheating required and you can have heat almost instantly. Cartridge stoves are also cleaner and less noisy.
Safety
The predictability in lighting up a propane stove make it the preferred stove for mountaineers because they’re safer to use under tarps or inside tents. This should however be done with caution and with good ventilation only. There are quite a few known cases of deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning inside tents. Not to mention that it’s a fire hazard as well. Never under any circumstances use liquid fuel stoves inside tents or you might end up without a tent.
Although rare, propane stoves are also known for blowing up due to damaged rubber tips or other parts. Again, more complexity equals more parts equals more potential problems so keep it simple.
Fuel Availability
Gasoline stoves can use many different types of fuels and white gas is widely available. Propane cartridges may not be as readily available.
Cost
Initially, cartridge stoves are a lot cheaper than liquid fuel stoves but the running cost of propane stoves is higher because the fuel is much more expensive. If you camp regularly, you might spend 5 to 10 times more on cartridge fuel.
Wood Pellet Production Guide
