help me stop poisoning myself (with my stove)

I should add that I have a gas cannister stove for use here in Australia, or anywhere else where I think the cannisters are going to be readily available.

The "White Gas" or "Coleman Fuel" sold at Walmart (approx $6-8 per gallon) is essentially gasoline without the addatives and extra refining. It also doesn't clog up the jet like automobile fuel. See the link below for more names of what white gas is called in diffent areas of the world, and technical info about stove fuel chemistry (about 2/3 of the way down the page).

http://zenstoves.net/Petrol.htm#Fuels

ps: Kerosene requires a jet with a different size hole, is comparatively very hard to light, and clogs the jet (not as much as automobile fuel though). Typically, with Kerosene, you need to prime the stove using some denatured alchohol.

In some areas, canister fuel is easier to find than liquid fuels (French Alps region for instance). In other areas, Kerosene is the only thing available (Nepal, etc).

If you add info about which area you'll be hiking in, liters of water you need to boil per day or meal, and days between resupply points, you will probably get some good feedback about which stove types are best for your needs.

Thanks John for your response.

Funnily enough, I have never had a problem with the jet getting clogged by automobile fuel. I once needed to change an O-ring on the fuel bottle, but other than that this stove has had absolutely zero maintenance whatsoever.

I guess I was after a "take-anywhere" stove with fuel that is available everywhere in the world. I used my Coleman on trips through Morocco, France and Alaska and filling up from a petrol station was pretty convenient. If ULP is the only fuel that is readily available worldwide then I guess I will need to have a few different stoves for different regions.

My next trip is to Nepal, Khumbu region at 4000-5500m altitude. I was thinking of taking a small stove for making the occasional lunch or hot drink. It's a luxury rather than a necessity… most of the time you can just stop in the next village and have a hot drink or food. Last time I was there I thought it would have been nice on off-trail daytrips however.

I wonder whether I could pick up any gas cannisters in Kathmandu. Since it's only for occasional use I would only need one or two and no need to resupply. Otherwise I could try using the kerosene generator on my current stove. I haven't got a different fuel "jet" though. A gas cannister stove would be much lighter and more convenient for occasional use though.

By the way, I am shocked that Coleman does not warn users about the dangers of using unleaded petrol/gasoline as a fuel. Here's what they say on their "Choosing a fuel" webpage:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/choose_fuel.asp

"Unleaded Gasoline
Our DualFuel™ appliances are made to accommodate automobile fuel. Coleman’s modified valving even allows for differences between summer and winter blends. At 1/10 of the cost of propane, unleaded gas is the cheapest of all appliance fuels. And it’s available everywhere, of course. In an emergency, you can siphon gas from the tank of your RV or car to use in a DualFuel lantern or stove. Although it’s the most economical fuel to use, you’ll extend the life of your appliance by using purer Coleman™ Fuel most of the time.
Main advantages: availability and low cost."

Hi Ashley

The hazard of unleaded petrol was far greater when it contained lead. It still contains benzene, which is a carcinogen, but if you use it outside and stay upwind you won't run into too many hazards these days. I think!

Kero is fine, and the fuel of choice in Nepal because they use it for lighting and cooking. It doesn't go whoomp. It has to be primed with metho if you want the jet to stay clean.

In some countries (Africa comes to mind) you may find petrol is easier to buy. Dunno what's in it though.

I used a Peak 1 with kero for many many years until I switched to gas – to my wife's huge relief. Kero smells.

If you want to replace the Peak 1 with a multifuel stove, look at the Coleman Fyrestorm (no kero though), the Coleman Denali (a bit heavy, but all fuels) or the Brunton Vapor AF.

Cheers
Roger
Sydney

"The hazard of unleaded petrol was far greater when it contained lead. It still contains benzene, which is a carcinogen, but if you use it outside and stay upwind you won't run into too many hazards these days. I think!"

Yes, but unfortunately I have been known to use it inside my tent vestibule (in bad weather) or even inside a room when travelling (only cement rooms in developing countries!). Still, hopefully I haven't clocked up too many nasties.

I'll probably take a tiny canister stove to Nepal and hunt around in Kathmandu for a canister or two. If I can't find one no big deal.

Will also stick to coleman fuel where possible for the peak 1. Otherwise kero. Better smelly than poisoned!

Thanks for your advice…

Hi Ashley

> but unfortunately I have been known to use it inside my tent vestibule (in bad weather)
Yeah, I know … :-)

> hunt around in Kathmandu for a canister or two
You really ought to be able to find a few canisters in the Thamel district shops. They sell EVERYthing else, after all! They do collect second hand gear from expeditions, including partly-used and left-over canisters.

Cheers

My experience in Nepal was that you could find canister all the way up the Khumbu including Namche. My recollection in Nepal was that all my hot drink needs were met at the numerous tea houses found everywhere along the way. I carried a stove & tent all over the place in 2000 and never used it as we stayed in very well run tea houses everywhere…