Camp Stoves - Pressurized Liquid

"If you're not in New York, you're camping out.” - Thomas E. Dewey, NY Governor

Pressurized liquid stoves (like kerosene and white gas) are very popular with campers. When my parents camped, we used a Coleman two burner stove for cooking. Single burner stoves are great for hiking and survival. Some models are "multi-fuel", able to burn kerosene, unleaded gasoline, diesel, white gas, and even jet fuel.

Liquid "gas" operates well in very cold weather (sub-zero Fahrenheit) and is cheaper than pressurized gas like propane. It is readily available world-wide. Liquid gas stoves are the most difficult to get started. They must be pumped/primed/pressurized before starting. While white gas (Coleman fuel) is relatively clean, burning other fuels will create soot that will eventually clog
the fuel lines and require a cleaning.

Liquid gas is very flammable and so is anything it gets spilled upon. Do NOT use liquid fuel inside a tent and be very careful when pouring the fuel outside.

White gas stoves (Coleman) are fairly easy to use and produce a great amount of heat. However they produce vast amounts of carbon monoxide. NEVER use a Coleman Fuel stove indoors. Never store white gas fuels in the house or near a heater, it is highly volatile and can explode under the right conditions.

Coleman fuel has a tendency to evaporate even when the container is tightly sealed so it is not a good fuel for long-term storage. Because of its highly flammable nature great care should always be exercised when lighting stoves and lanterns that use Coleman fuel. Many serious burns
have been caused by carelessness with white gas.

Kerosene (Range Oil No. 1) is the cheapest of all the storage fuels and is also very forgiving if you make a mistake. Kerosene is not as explosive as gasoline and Coleman fuel. Kerosene stores well for long periods of time and by introducing some fuel additives it can be made to store even longer. Do not store kerosene in metal containers for extended periods - the moisture in it will cause rust. A 55 gallon drum stores in the back yard, or ten 5 gallon plastic containers will provide fuel enough to last an entire winter if used sparingly.

Bottom Line

I had no problem priming Coleman stoves and lanterns as a child. I continued to use Coleman in my college days as I traveled and camped and have fond memories of the meals I cooked.

http://www.endtimesreport.com/BF-2412.html. http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/category_main.asp?CategoryID=2000

Travel Notes

Always let the pressure out of the fuel canister when you finish cooking. Never travel with a pressurized canister.

Coleman has a web page about airplane regulations and trying to take your stove with you when you fly. http://www.coleman.com/coleman/msds/travel.pdf
The pressurized fuel canisters are forbidden and must be removed from the stove. Some carriers will not allow any previously used fuel-burning appliance to be transported. Coleman fuel-burning appliances should be declared to the airline prior to transporting, whether checked in or with carry-on luggage.