Coleman fuel questions:

[Martinjmpr]

As a result of hanging out with the "Tearjerkers" (teardrop camper owners), I've embraced a new hobby, collecting and restoring old Coleman camping gear, particularly lanterns.

I also just acquired an old 413H two burner Coleman Fuel (CF) stove. Previously I'd always used propane, but since I know I'm going to be carrying CF lanterns, I figured I might as well switch to a CF stove for cooking. Carrying CF means I don't have to stress out about whether my propane tanks will run out (and I guess it's the Scotsman in me but I always hate the idea of throwing out a propane canister that still has some fuel in it - just seems wasteful to me.)

As another plus, it seems to me that with liquid being considerably denser than even compressed propane, I can carry more days worth of fuel in less space.

But that brings me to my questions. Two, actually:

First, assuming you are cooking two meals a day (breakfast and dinner), running two burners at each meal, and running a CF lantern for light for 2 - 3 hours at night, how much CF should I figure on bringing for a 10 day trip? I'm thinking a gallon should be more than sufficient (and I've heard that in an emergency, you can substitute Regular Unleaded Gas - RUG - for CF, though this might cause long-term problems with the generators later on.)

Second question, for those who carry CF, how and where do you carry it? I don't like the idea of carrying volatile/flammable liquid inside the passenger compartment, which is why I carry my gas on the roof in 2 3 gallon RotoPax cans. Even though CF is not as smelly as RUG, I still don't want it in the passenger compartment. So if I put it on the roof (no other real options on my 4runner) what would be a good small can to carry it in? I know I can get a 1 gallon RotoPax for around $50 but I was hoping to find something a little less expensive. I don't mind shelling out $80 each for my RotoPax 3 gallon fuel cans but $50 for a 1 gallon seems like a lot.

I know some of the surplus stores have these miniature Euro-style "jerry cans" that are either 4l (1 gallon) or 5l (1 gallon, 1 quart.) Has anyone used these and more importantly, has anyone store such a can sideways? I just want to make sure it's not going to leak if I mount it flat on my roof rack.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BillTex]

As a result of hanging out with the "Tearjerkers" ...I've embraced a new hobby, collecting and restoring old Coleman camping gear, particularly lanterns.

...and I guess it's the Scotsman in me but I always hate the idea of throwing out a propane canister that still has some fuel in it - just seems wasteful to me.

Who are these People and why are they crying?

And why are you throwing out canisters that still have fuel in them?

In all honesty, we use CF for the Scouts...and 1 gallon lasts a LONG time...a season?
And that is burning multiple stoves/lanterns on our monthly camping trips plus at least one full week in the summer.

Unless you plan to burn a lot of fuel I would hunt down the 1 qt canisters as the CF does get stale if not used...

Good luck, Bill

 

[brushogger]

I personally prefer CF due to it taking up less space. 1 gallon lasts an incredibly long time. It also produces a hotter flame than propane, especially in cold temps and at higher altitudes in my experience. I've converted to LED lanterns with rechargeable batteries though. They don't attract the bugs as much.

 

[Yudda]

3 liter http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/PN-070-0573/Touratech-3-Liter-Fuel-Canister
2 liter. http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/PN-070-0580/Touratech-2-Liter-Spare-Fuel-Canister

Or maybe 2 of these...

1.5 ltr. http://www.amazon.com/New-Primus-Fu...8&qid=1388440347&sr=1-13&keywords=Fuel+bottle


Of the traditional fuel stove bottles... The trangias are bar none my favorite.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0F11B1QF4S1BBP6B0NH2

no affiliation.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I either carry the gallon jug of camp fuel (when appropriate) or more often just a MSR fuel bottle appropriately marked as CF.

While your right the RUG isn't as smelly as the CF, it's bad enough if you spill. We had a participant on the Relic Run this year puncture? a hold in a gallon jug of CF. Only a cup or so spilled but it was enough to give them headaches and send them packing for home to clean up the mess. Like RUG it is going to seep and soak into everything, carpet, sleeping bags, etc.

 

[ratkin]

Might take a look at the Kolpin Fuel Pack Jr. They have mounts that could be used on the outside of your vehicle.

www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/kolpin-fuel-pack-jr.aspx?a=686714

Hope this helps!

- Richard

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[madmax718]

I don't think you'd be using that much fuel in any given day/weekend, but just in case, you can get the MSR bottles (or any other White gas fuel bottle); soto, etc.MSR 30 oz bottle is 20 dollars.

Its a well tested seal and has been well proven in the field from back packers everywhere.

P.S.: you may already know this, but the less air space in the fuel, tank, the less evaporation and pressure can build. In other words, full tanks don't leak as easily. Smaller separate bottles wont slosh, and will keep fuel fresher.

4 of the MSR bottles is about one gallon.

 

[AndrewP]

Another vote for the MSR fuel bottles.

In 2 weeks of a Southern Utah trip earlier this year, I ran a lantern every night and we cooked on Coleman stove every night as well. I left with all the appliances full, and two 30oz MSR bottles, and still came home with white gas.

For the OP, I'll send you a link you may have seen but illustrates the point.

 

[goin camping]

In reverse order...

I lay 5gal "Euro" cans on their side all the time and they don't leak a drop.

You will be surprised how long it takes to empty a Coleman stove tank. If you took two gallons on a 10 day trip I suspect you'd bring more than a gallon home. The only Coleman product I have ever used that was thirsty was a tent heater.

 

[doug720]

I'm have used CF for all my camping needs for a long time. I mainly use Peak stoves and lanterns, but have box stoves and full size lanterns as well. These units are very thrifty on fuel with 2 liters being plenty for a week of cold weather camping, at least for us...

Any of the "Fuel" type bottles work great and do not leak. The only maintenance is maybe an o-ring, which I keep a spare in the camp box. The pictures show my camp box. The fuel bottles are in the right side and are red and silver.

Another advantage of Cf is when camping at altitudes above 8,000 feet. Propane has trouble the higher you go, where CF just keeps on working. I have cooked on ours at just under 12,000' and the stoves and lanterns worked fine.

Use it and enjoy the juice!

Doug

 

[Scoutn79]

I agree with the MSR (or similar) fuel bottles. I keep one in my truck (-15 F to 120+ F) always along with a backpack stove and cook kit just in case. Never had a leaking issue.
You fuel usage can vary greatly depending on how many you are cooking for and how cold/windy it is.
I would take a gallon, this will be enough, and keep track of your usage until you build up an average usage based on your style of cooking and lighting. I did this while backpacking so I didn't carry too much extra. If you are worried about leaking of the 1 gallon can once you fill up your lantern and stove squeeze the gallon can some before you tighten the lid that way if there is any expansion it will just push the can to its regular shape.
You could do a trial run at home. Put a measured amount of fuel in the lantern and run it for 3 hours then drain and figure fuel usage cook a few meals on the stove at home and do the same fuel calcs. This would at least get you in the ballpark.

Darrell

 

[doug720]

I forgot to add, before a trip, fill all the equipment with fuel. The tanks (fonts) are about as leak proof as there is. Just run them to empty for while to gauge your fuel use and plan from there.

If you stick with the same model and age of the Coleman equipment, spares are often interchangeable.

Good camping

Doug

 

[Martinjmpr]

RE: MSR bottles:

Unfortunately, I have had problems with the MSR bottle I have now. It's a SOB to open. It has the stupid "childproof" or "safety" cap and I still haven't figured the trick of opening it. Put pressure on and turn? Nope. Pull up? Nope. Put a little pressure on and turn? Nope. There's probably about a cup of fuel thats in the MSR bottle now that I can't get out without actually cutting off the cap (which I have considered!)

The only MSR bottle I'd consider would be one that doesn't have the #&%! "safety" cap!

 

[Lynn]

If you want to carry more volume, maybe those French wine cans discussed on another thread would be a good option...

 

[dms1]

I use the MSR type bottles, and I can store one of them inside my stove along with the stoves fuel canister. You can purchase NON child proof caps on the internet. I also store a coleman funnel , foil and tongs inside the stove to save space.