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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: How much fuel?
 
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butthead
07/09/2015 09:08AM
 
While I have a selection of liquid fuel containers from MSR bottles to Sig and discontinued Nalgeen, I like to use the 11 oz. size as the operating fuel tank. Makes keeping track of fuel usage easy, fits the pump pickup better (pickup tube reaches the end/bottom of the tank), and needs less pumping to pressurize.


butthead
 
Doughboy12
07/09/2015 12:07PM
 
quote butthead: "While I have a selection of liquid fuel containers from MSR bottles to Sig and discontinued Nalgeen, I like to use the 11 oz. size as the operating fuel tank. Makes keeping track of fuel usage easy, fits the pump pickup better (pickup tube reaches the end/bottom of the tank), and needs less pumping to pressurize.



butthead"



I had a lot of trouble with my 750ml bottle, now I see the problem...you are wise beyond your years. Thank you for the tip.
 
npduluth
07/02/2015 06:24PM
 
I am going on a 6 day solo trip this august and just purchased a Whisperlite International, I am wondering how much fuel on average I should bring. I will be boiling water most morning and dinners. I would like to have fish at least twice during the week. I have purchased a 30 fl oz bottle, will I need another bottle?
 
Jackfish
07/02/2015 06:37PM
 
My gut tells me that that's enough fuel. Are you sure you won't use your stove more than that? If you have any doubts, bring a smaller fuel bottle. Someone once said, "Be Prepared."
 
carmike
07/02/2015 08:26PM
 
Maybe I missed it, but I'd also post this in one of the other, more populated forums. I wish I could help you out, but I've never used a Whisperlite before.
 
butthead
07/02/2015 08:51PM
 
Should be fine. I use a Dragonfly and 2 11oz bottles of fuel. Never use it all, not even close.


butthead
 
boonie
07/02/2015 09:07PM
 
I use gas canisters, but a small one (4 oz. fuel) will last me for 6 days of boiling water for coffee @ breakfast and dinners. I just bring the water to a boil and use to rehydrate in a cozy. I also don't start the stove and let fuel burn while I get things ready. I also monitor it and turn it off as soon as the water boils.


I don't "cook" with it, but assuming you are talking about rehydrating other than briefly cooking fish twice, I'd think that would be more than enough. Steve brought his Coleman stove and a bunch of fuel last fall on his first attempt at freezer bag cooking, and was amazed at how little fuel he used in a week just to boil water.


You could do a test at home to get a baseline for how long an ounce burns. Just be sure to bring enough to cover variations due to temp, wind, etc.
 
Huntindave
07/02/2015 09:19PM
 
quote npduluth: "I am going on a 6 day solo trip this august and just purchased a Whisperlite International, I am wondering how much fuel on average I should bring. I will be boiling water most morning and dinners. I would like to have fish at least twice during the week. I have purchased a 30 fl oz bottle, will I need another bottle?"
I have the same stove, boil water for oatmeal and cocoa in the mornings. Dinners are fish or instant rice or instant potatoes, so much like your menu. I carry a 30onuce bottle and a 11ounce for extra/backup. I've gone 9 days and just got into my backup bottle. I suspect a 30 oz is fine for 6 days. I'd still take my 11oz backup, just because that's the way I operate, but it probably not totally needed for a 6 day trip.

FWIW; frying fish will use more fuel than boiling water. In my experience, cooking fish by boiling takes less fuel. That said, I prefer fried fish. If I boil fish, I'll boil my fish, set it aside, boil my water and rice, then add the fish to the rice just before eating.


 
Bannock
07/05/2015 09:00PM
 
quote Jackfish: "My gut tells me that that's enough fuel. Are you sure you won't use your stove more than that? If you have any doubts, bring a smaller fuel bottle. Someone once said, "Be Prepared.""


I agree. It should be enough, but take a backup (ie second) canister. You never know if you'll have a leak, puncture, bad seal, whatever. Be Prepared. :)