Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Isobutane fuel?
 
Author Message Text
HighnDry
07/08/2022 08:23AM
  
The Coleman is an Iso-butane/propane mix. I'm not sure if that's the same as what REI sells. I just haven't tracked down the chemical composition of the latter. It really confused my local hardware store when I asked them for that "iso" camping gas! :)
 
butthead
07/08/2022 08:43AM
  
Most all Lindal valved canister fuels share the same base fuels, butane in some form and propane. The % mix varies from 80/20 to 60/40 Butane/propane with brand and use, more propane better cold performance.


butthead
 
timatkn
07/06/2022 10:47PM
  
A week ago sierra trading post in Eagan had some, Walmart has the Coleman brand at most stores I think you can check inventory ahead of time at WAlmart, Cabelas in owatonna had some 2 weeks ago…


I’d call ahead or do an order online for in store pick up to guarantee items if you are worried.


T
 
Hammertime
07/06/2022 11:56PM
  
timatkn: "A week ago sierra trading post in Eagan had some, Walmart has the Coleman brand at most stores I think you can check inventory ahead of time at WAlmart, Cabelas in owatonna had some 2 weeks ago…



I’d call ahead or do an order online for in store pick up to guarantee items if you are worried.



T"


Thanks for the info! I’m not worried yet. In store pickup is a good call, I wish these could be shipped.


If/when I do find some I will be sure to let everyone know where to get them!
 
timatkn
07/07/2022 09:48AM
  
In addition I’ve never used the Coleman brand but I saw a comparison on YouTube and it performed favorably.


T
 
HighnDry
07/08/2022 08:34AM
  
Found it (on the REI website):


"80/20 blend of isobutane and propane is clean burning, delivering superior performance throughout the life of the canister and in colder temperatures"
 
Hammertime
07/09/2022 01:01PM
  
Midwest mountaineering is fully stocked with all sizes and several brands.


Thanks again everyone
 
NorthernRoads
07/08/2022 01:40PM
  
Midwest Mountaineering has a ton in all three sizes. 4oz, 8oz and 16oz. They have MSR, Jetboil and Primus.
 
jwmiller39
07/08/2022 03:34PM
  
Hammertime:
Thanks for the info! I’m not worried yet. In store pickup is a good call, I wish these could be shipped.



You can buy them on amazon, granted they upcharge you to ship them. I've had no problems getting them off amazon when in a pinch when my local supply is dry.
 
LarryS48
07/12/2022 10:13PM
  
The fuel for canister stoves is usually a mixture of either butane and propane, or isobutane and propane. Most brands use a mix of isobutane and propane (note the isobutane may not be completely pure and have a little butane in it). Coleman uses a mixture of butane and propane. So, the Coleman fuel is a bit different than the others. That said the butane in it burns fine in warmer weather. The difference comes when it gets cold out (below freezing kind of cold). To understand this it is useful to know the boiling points of these compounds. At one atmosphere pressure the boiling points are:
Butane 31 F
Isobutane 11 F
Propane -44 F


In order for a canister stove to work correctly you want to feed a gas not a liquid to the burner. The temperature that your fuel starts to liquify is a bit complex and depends on the mixture and pressure in the canister. However, the bottom line is that fuels containing butane will liquify before fuels containing isobutane. Hence, you will get better low temperature performance with isobutane/propane fuels than with the butane/propane fuel. If you are going in summer this isn’t likely to be a problem. In early spring or late fall, be careful. Propane, of course, would have the best performance at really low temperatures. However, getting much in a canister requires higher pressures. Hence, the propane only canisters have those heavy thick walls.
 
Hammertime
07/06/2022 09:19PM
  
Has anyone seen any around the twin cities metro lately? My local REI was out tonight.

I’ll call around tomorrow but thought I might check here first.

Thanks in advance!
 
lionman
07/06/2022 10:46PM
  
The Bloomington REI had some last week, although not many.
 
TomP
07/07/2022 03:19PM
  
We used the Coleman brand on MSR stoves this year. They worked well. No issues at all.