Fuel Price Survey Results (as of Dec 2011)

Ah, the joy of not being stuck in a city… :^)

Since Jim went to all the work to cather that data, I went out and found the comparison points were I could. Two conclusions:

Home Depot doesn't charge Alaskans more than Californians. SLX alcohol $15.98/gal in either state. $6.69/quart in either state.

While Walmart charges us 12% more than you southerners. Coleman white gas gallon: $10.84 in AK, $9.68 in CA. Coleman propane/butane mix canister, 220g: $5.47 in AK, $4.88 in CA.

But I could find Camping Gaz, MSR, and Coleman canisters; SLX and green alcohol, kerosene and kerosene substitutes in our 5,000-person town (Kenai). REI in Anchorage would have a much bigger selection.

Getting further into the bush, I'd consider a stove that uses old-style 16-ounce propane-only canisters because they are the most readily available at camping, hardware and grocery stores. And are the cheapest for their fuel content.

sarbar wrote: > Psssttt: You can still blog to your hearts contentment and be an adult. You just have to make time for it is all. That is what I do! I write in the morning for example, before my kids are up. And hey, the leaves will always wait for you. Or at least they will start mulching on their own ;-)

Good plan, Sarah. Now, if I can just get myself to live within those limits. I went out and did more testing yesterday and now I’m all antsy to get it written up. I’m such a gear nerd. lol.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

Since Jim went to all the work to cather that data, I went out and found the comparison points were I could. Two conclusions:

Home Depot doesn’t charge Alaskans more than Californians. SLX alcohol $15.98/gal in either state. $6.69/quart in either state.

While Walmart charges us 12% more than you southerners. Coleman white gas gallon: $10.84 in AK, $9.68 in CA. Coleman propane/butane mix canister, 220g: $5.47 in AK, $4.88 in CA.

Interesting data points. In my one trip to AK in 1991, I did find prices typically higher. Interesting that Home Depot doesn’t pass that along. Actually, though Home Depot (in my opinion) overcharges for SLX. I’ve seen it in smaller hardware stores for less.

But I could [not?] find Camping Gaz, MSR, and Coleman canisters; SLX and green alcohol, kerosene and kerosene substitutes in our 5,000-person town (Kenai). REI in Anchorage would have a much bigger selection.

Could find or could NOT find? I assume “not”. I’m surprised that kerosene was not available since it is frequently used for heaters. Maybe everyone is just using propane now. I usually see kero in rural areas more frequently than in the city, but I may have been in a farming/ranching area.

Getting further into the bush, I’d consider a stove that uses old-style 16-ounce propane-only canisters because they are the most readily available at camping, hardware and grocery stores. And are the cheapest for their fuel content.

I’ve heard that elsewhere too that in a lot of small towns, the 16.4oz/465g propane cylinders are all you’ll find. You can get a Kovea adapter on eBay that will allow you to run standard backpacking threaded gas stoves off of a 16.4oz/465g propane cylinder. Unfortunately they’re stainless steel (heavy), but I guess that’s the least of your worries if you’re carting around those heavy steel cylinders.

Is white gasoline fairly available?

There is better 100% propane for backpacking — if you can find it.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

The Coleman 8 oz. Butane/Propane mix canisters have sold in the Walmarts hereabouts for $2.50 USD for several years … until this winter, when the price spiked up into the $3-4 range, with no consistent pricing yet. The prices in the outdoor chains and local shops have always been much higher than the $2.50.

This canister consistently lasts me 6-7 days of trekking – no other equivalent one, MSR, Primus, etc., comes even close, whether labelled BU/PR mix or Isobutane.

It will be interesting to see where the Walmart price settles for the next camping season. Glad I have a bucket full of them that will take a season or two to use up.

Wow. $2.50 is a steal of a deal for a 8oz/227g class canister.

Not sure why Coleman would last longer than other brands though. They should all be about the same. [scratches head]

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

I use to be able to get the Brunton 8 oz canisters at Sports Authority (or Chalet, can't remember which at the moment) for $3.50. I went to get some just before labor day this year and they no longer carried them. I knew I should have bought a bunch when i had the chance!

Hi, Larry,

Yeah, that was Sport Chalet. That really was a great price, but they stopped carrying Brunton. Looks like they’re phasing out Snow Peak. What’s up with Sport Chalet?

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

"Wow. $2.50 is a steal of a deal for a 8oz/227g class canister."

That's a steal. I was in three different stores today, and the general price for a 4-oz canister was $4.50-$4.95. For the 8-oz canisters, it was $5.95-$6.95.

–B.G.–

I was in three different stores today, and the general price for a 4-oz canister was $4.50-$4.95. For the 8-oz canisters, it was $5.95-$6.95.

The prices you saw are pretty much the going rate. One of the reasons for my Fuel Price Survey is just to give people an idea of what the going rate is so that they can identify deals.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving