European Stove Fuel(s)

fuel.papo-art.com/ has names of different fuel types in countries all around the world.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=7119 has some details on availability

Newton

The names you will need will be on the list.

Broad comments – depends where you are heading really….? If the GR10/11/HRP (you mention France/Spain?) then I would use alcohol.

France; Alcol a Bruler is easy to get in most supermarkets – in 1 litre bottles usually. I have 'topped up' in friendly refuges (speaking French helps). The stuff is a little syrupy, does not burn as clean as Heet – but has a lovely parfum and therefore has dual use….

Screw-in gas (MSR type) available in specialist shops in larger towns. Otherwise you will have to go for the much more widely available puncture type 'camping gaz' cartridges. You can sometimes get screw in canisters in hardware stores but they are generally for blowtorch use and are taller/thinner.

Spain; yes well…more difficult. Quemar/ Metalico is reasonably easy to get in supermarkets and hardware stores. Gas can be a bit of a nightmare – difficult even. You can sometimes get screw in canisters in hardware stores but they are generally for blowtorch use and are taller/thinner.

If you are flying in, most towns of airport size will have a specialist shop, or a Decathlon, or Intersport where you can get gas – both countries. Alcohol – supermarkets.

I usually get bored/vexed with the gas hunt and now carry a tri-ti; meths, wood and bits are available to burn pretty often – even in the high mountains, and there are few if any restrictions on that.

@ Andrew,

Thank you for that link it was very helpful. I used Google Translate for the French and Spanish. Interesting that the Spanish translates "to burn" and the French translates to "burner". ;-)

@ Ed,

I'm interested in the Camino de Santiago along the traditional route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela.

Quemar/ Metalico translates to "burn metallic". Am I correct that this refers to gas canisters?

I gather from your last comment that it is easier to go with the alcohol stove and / or wood stove than trying to find canisters in the correct cylinder to mate up with a particular stove.

Thank you both ;-)

Party On,

Newton

Quemar/ Metalico translates to "burn metallic". Am I correct that this refers to gas canisters?

No – that is what the Spanish call Alcohol and I call meths.

I shoud add – gas can be OK, but for real flexibility you might want to carry a piercable/screw type adapter.

Along the Camino I doubt you'd have that many problems with obtaining either gas or alcohol as it passes through lots of places to buy.

BTW, you will find alcohol in supermarket in the household cleaning section.
Also called Alcool Denature and Alcool Methilique in France .
In Spain it is Alcohol Metilico not Metalico ( methylated spirit…)
You can also buy it in chemist shops or pure Ethanol in the spirit section also in supermarkets (similar price to vodka …)
Franco

Ed and Franco,

Thank you very much for the helpful information.

Party On,

Newton

The best option for met stoves is medical alcohol, bought in pharmacy or in supermarkets, there are two kinds, one is 96% ethanol plus a bittering ingredient usually bitrex, that's the kind you want, the other kind is Iso mixed with water. I don't recommend methanol, as the quality is highly irregular .

Regarding fires. They are banned in Spain from June to mid September, and you can't make a fire in a natural reserve or national park any time of the year. Big fines and prision if you are responsible of a big fire.

Khader,

"Regarding fires. They are banned in Spain from June to mid September, and you can't make a fire in a natural reserve or national park any time of the year. Big fines and prision if you are responsible of a big fire".

Those are two very good and informative bits of information especially the last one. :-0

Is using your alcohol stove in a natural reserve or national park in Spain from June to mid September considered making a fire and also prohibited?

Thanks for your help

Party On,

Newton

I couldn't find any reference, alcohol stove aren't mentioned anywhere on the normative, not even wood stoves, so they both are technically legal as only open fires are mentioned. Anyway I guess any "Guarda Forestal" (ranger) will fine you if you're using a wood stove unless you talk him out. There is a natural reserve in la Rioja where I've used an "everythingnice" woodgas stove, but I know the Rangers over there and asked them in advance.

Cheers