Kind of an odd question with no particularly good reason to do it, but I’m wondering if any of the stove tinkerers on here know if there are any issues running a propane stove on an isobutane canister. I’ve seen a million and a half adapters for doing the inverse, but didn’t see anything demonstrating a Isobutane canister on a stove designed to use propane, probably because nobody in their right mind would ever choose to run much a more expensive fuel unless they were looking to cut weight on the cartridge which is largely a moot point as most propane stoves are heavy and geared towards car camping and not at all lightweight.

I recently got a bug up my leg and finally hacked up a Coleman LP regulator assembly to make it a flexible line instead of that annoying rigid tube, I’m reasonably confident I can be trusted to keep the tank upright and find this much easier to connect and prefer the flexibility of being able to put the tank in a different spot. The couple of parts I sourced allows me to now easily connect to an isobutane cartridge and it seems to work but I’m wondering if there are any potential safety issues or potential damage that could be done to the the LP stove.

The only real reason I’d ever consider doing this is when camping in VNP. I’ll bring the two burner LP stove and my Jetboil as well for quick hot water. If I knew I could use the isobutane from the Jetboil in a pinch then I’d forego bringing a spare 1lb LP for the main stove, pretty negligible space/weight gain but a gain nonetheless.

Hi Ragged good to see ya post again been some time!
I would no think the fuel conversion will hurt. Close enough in BTU output between the fuels. Biggest difference is the vapor pressure of the liquefied gas, and changing from propane to isobutane drops that significantly. While more expensive in fuel cost the much lighter cans are easier to store, transport, and I feel dispose/recycle.
That is some beautiful work on the plumbing, something you are known for.

I'd guess it works fine!? You probably could have gotten away without the regulator as many isobutane stoves are un-regulated, but you would still need a control valve. Look for a supply of 16 oz canisters (cheaper than 2 8oz and 4 4oz).

Did you consider using the bayonet(?) valved butane cans? Not as good in cold but cheaper.

butthead

PS: Rylen my 11 year old G-son is getting into scouting/camping. He will eventually be the possessor of gramp's fancy saw scabbard! bh

I have not tried a two burner but have ran a single burner Coleman off isobutane with the proper adapter. Worked just fine. Like mentioned, Go for the isobutane/propane mixes over the butane mixes if it’s going to be cold. I like Olicamp and MSR but I’m sure others are fine. I just make sure I know the mix % before purchasing.

butthead: "Hi Ragged good to see ya post again been some time!
I would no think the fuel conversion will hurt. Close enough in BTU output between the fuels. Biggest difference is the vapor pressure of the liquefied gas, and changing from propane to isobutane drops that significantly. While more expensive in fuel cost the much lighter cans are easier to store, transport, and I feel dispose/recycle.
That is some beautiful work on the plumbing, something you are known for.


I'd guess it works fine!? You probably could have gotten away without the regulator as many isobutane stoves are un-regulated, but you would still need a control valve. Look for a supply of 16 oz canisters (cheaper than 2 8oz and 4 4oz).


Did you consider using the bayonet(?) valved butane cans? Not as good in cold but cheaper.


butthead


PS: Rylen my 11 year old G-son is getting into scouting/camping. He will eventually be the possessor of gramp's fancy saw scabbard! bh"

So glad to see you chime in, you defiantly came to mind when I was asking the questions. My thoughts were all along the same, as you can see by the flames in the pic it works, I just figured I'd double check before I run it any more, loving that new Coleman Apex stove and would hate to damage it. The regulator body and brass valve connection were both threaded with 5/16-40 female, so it was a pretty easy mod, just tossed a chunk of 5/13 stainless in the lathe and made a double nipple to take the place of the longer bent tube.

I've been refilling some of my isobutane empties with cheap restaurant supply butane for a good bit, stuff is dirt cheap, just prefer the wider base that the isobutane form factor offers. I also use the Flame King refillable 1lb tanks so the propane refills aren't too costly, likely .75cents-$1, whatever a pay per/lb on for the 20lb tanks I fill from, couldn't imagine paying $5-6 for those disposables not to mention the waste factor.







Glad to hear its still kicking around, I still use mine as well, I should probably upgrade, I'm sure I'll break down and add a Boreal and/or big Silky to the collection someday but not yet!

The Canvas tent is still being used, great hot tent with the Colorado Cylinder stove!