australia:fuel_gas
Table of Contents
comparison of gas options for hiking or camping
see also:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaOvPP2K3Fg how to refill gas canisters and which ones you can't refill
Introduction
- there are a range of options for portable gas for hiking or camping, each with their pros and cons
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″ | 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 | 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 |
NB. LPG gas bottles must be within 10 years from the stamped date to be permitted to be refilled
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 |
| 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 |
australia/fuel_gas.txt · Last modified: 2026/08/06 13:58 by gary1 · Currently locked by: gary1