100% butane v. propane/butane mix

The picture shows it connected to a butane/propane canister I think when they say "butane" it's just short hand for butane, isobutane, and/or propane in any combination I don't think you'll find any canisters like that have just butane. Almost all of them have isobutane/propane. Different types of canisters sometimes have butane in them.

Thanks for the response, Jerry. Yes I saw that and assumed the same, but I contacted Coleman and the rep I spoke with gave the response that some of their older products were "designed for butane only" (there was definitely a curt liability-avoiding tone to the response). Just wondering if the presence of propane at all is of concern. If not, I wish Bic would make a mini-lighter with a blend so they wouldn't crap out at below-freezing temps..

If you put bic in your pocket it will be warm enough If you use a refillable lighter and use Ronson fuel, it's iso-butane which is good down to 25 F or so.

The volume of air per volume of fuel gas required for combustion varies with the fuel species. The orifices in stoves and the vents to let air mix in are selected to get that ratio right. Butane requires more oxygen per butane molecule than propane does. e.g. A given volume of butane/propane mix requires a little less oxygen than pure butane. This is actually a good thing since we're often hiking at altitude and want more oxygen for efficient combustion and to reduce CO generation. Propane is added to increase the vapor pressure in the canister allowing to operate at lower temperatures. But not so much propane as to require much thicker steel canisters (think of the 1-pound, green, propane cylinders and how much thicker that steel is).

Butane canisters exist of course, but they have the same connection as the butane/propane canisters. The picture in the ebay ad shows a butane/propane canister. Those are facts. Can you imagine trying to explain to a judge that your product was only meant for use with butane canisters and not with the identical butane/propane canisters. Good Luck. I think the reality is that the Colaman person you spoke to simply did not have enough product knowledge to have a clue what he was saying. He probably thought they were all the same things (butane vs butane/propane) – but different from the Coleman propane bottles. Sadly, it often turns out that the best explanation for really puzzling things (like this Coleman reply) is either ignorance or stupidity. Cheers

Thanks for the very helpful responses! If I end up purchasing one of these products I'll report on their ability to use propane blend fuels.