Table of Contents

comparison of gas options for hiking or camping

see also:

Introduction

  • LPG gas cylinders
    • are usually stamped with a TARE weight which is their weight when empty
    • a “4kg” gas cylinder usually has a TARE weight of 4.5–6.6 kg and can contain 3.7kg of gas when full so will weigh TARE + 3.7kg when full
    • the pressure inside them is generally high at 600-900kPa
      • a pressure regulator is usually needed to attach to most appliances and this reduces pressure to a more manageable and controlled 2.75kPa
        • caravans often have this regulator at the gas cylinder and thus you don't need to add extra regulators into the system for each appliance connected to the gas line - these must be fitted by licensed gas fitters.
        • some appliances have an internal regulator such as the Mr Buddy camping heater, but these may also need a fuel filter to be used at the heater end of the hose to avoid it clogging up
  • hiking gas cartridges are made light with thin walls and use a MIX of isobutane and propane - DO NOT refill these with propane only as they may explode as propane has much higher vapour pressures and requires a much stronger cartridge!
    • they can be refilled with butane or with a similar butane/propane mix by using an EN417-to-EN417 adapter with an on-off control, but it may take some hours as fill rate may only be 25g/hr
  • LPG gas cylinders must not be transported long distances inside a vehicle
    • it is illegal because any leak (eg. valve moved to open during transport) can cause a major explosion!
    • the ideal location is secured on a roof rack or possibly in a roof pod - in either case they must be upright and preferably protected from full sun
  • gas may suddenly EXPLODE if
    • gas leak in an enclosed space which is then exposed to a spark or naked flame (eg. inside a car, inside a tent/house, inside a BBQ)
    • gas container is subjected to high temperatures such as in a fire or being close to stove flames (a risk of butane aerosol style canisters if an overly large pot or pan is used for the device)
      • if propane vapour pressure inside LPG gas bottles rises to a critical level which occurs around 60degC, the pressure relief valve will start releasing propane - this could cause an explosion so keep it out of the sun and away from hot areas
      • propane also auto-ignites at over 450°C
    • gas container is punctured
    • you refill a EN417 butane cartridge with propane only
    • explosions may also occur if there is a nearby flammable liquid such as petrol exposed to the flames of a gas stove
  • sudden large flames may occur unexpectedly
    • at a gas leak from a hose connector
      • BEFORE lighting a gas appliance and also after turning off the gas cylinder, ALWAYS check there are no leaks using a gas leak detectors
        • failure to do so may result in severe burns due to flames from the leak source, or worse, a gas explosion (especially if in a poorly ventilated enclosed space)
    • flammable materials nearby catch on fire
      • eg. stove tips over or someone wearing flammable clothes gets too close
  • nearly all gas devices can pump out odourless lethal carbon monoxide, especially when on low settings or when gas is running low - ALWAYS use in ventilated spaces - carbon monoxide poisoning - the silent camp killer

How much gas do you need?

Comparison of Australian gas options

feature butane aerosol can hiking cartridge propane canister 2kg LPG 3.7kg LPG 8.5kg LPG
main uses small camp stoves “pocket” hiking stoves camp heating, blow torches, camp stoves gas lights, 2-3 burner stoves designed for 3/8″ small BBQs, most stoves, camp heaters, pizza ovens BBQs, large stoves, caravans (fridges)
fitting MSF-1a / A4 bayonet EN417 screw BOM / Coleman Companion 3/8″ BSP-LH valve LCC27 or older POL LCC27 or older POL
issues butane will not work near 0degC expensive, may be impossible to replace in regional areas moderately expensive unless refill heavy, can't be transported inside vehicles, proprietary fitting, no Swan'n'Go option so may need a new one after 10yrs heavy, can't be transported inside vehicles very heavy, can't be transported inside vehicles
availability many shops, supermarkets camping stores only hardware stores, camping stores hardware stores, camping stores but refills may be harder to get petrol stations or hardware swap'n'go petrol stations or hardware swap'n'go
pros cheap, available very compact, works in the cold, great option for hikers refillable good for gas lights, proprietary stoves good compromise for car campers with roof rack or pod best for home use or caravans as very big to transport, but gives the cheapest gas
gas type butane or isobutane butane/isobutane/propane mix propane propane propane propane
working pressure 2atm 4atm 14.8 to 17.3 atm? 14.8 to 17.3 atm? 14.8 to 17.3 atm? 14.8 to 17.3 atm?
hydrostatic test proof pressure 24.7 to 29.6 atm? 24.7 to 29.6 atm? 24.7 to 29.6 atm?
amount of gas 220g 230g/430g 465g 2000g 3700g 8500g
up front empty cylinder cost nil nil nil $34 $45 $55
Swap n Go or gas purchase cost $11 for 4 ($14 for isobutane) $13 / $18 $12.50 refill $25 $35
cost per 100g excl. empty cylinder $1.25 $5.65 / $4.19 $2.70 (but potential to refill from LPG) $0.68 $0.41

Comparison of gas types

butane isobutane propane
chemical formula C4H10 C4H10 C3H8
boiling point 0.4°C -11.75°C -42°C
Vapour pressure
at 1.4°C kPa kPa 507kPa 5atm
at 21°C 215kPa 311 kPa 859kPa 8.5atm
at 25.6°C kPa kPa 1013kPa 10atm
at 58.1°C kPa kPa 2027kPa 20atm
at 94.8°C kPa kPa 4053kPa 40atm - this is why the bottles can explode!
relative density to air 2.0 2.1 1.53
flammable concentrations in air
flame temperature 1970°C 1975°C 1967°C
energy content MJ/kg 47.4 45.6 49.6
issues will not work at near 0°C or below more expensive than butane much higher vapour pressure so need much stronger container, you can't put propane alone into a butane/propane cartridge - it will explode