Whether you are new to camping or are a seasoned camper, it’s likely you’ll need camping gas to fuel your stove, light your lamps, and maybe even power a heater. Do all camping appliances use propane, or are there different kinds of camping gas?
There are many different types of camp stoves and other camping equipment that utilize various kinds of camping gas. The four most common ones include white gasoline, kerosene, butane and propane.
What type of gas does a tent heater use? What kind of camping fuel is used in an RV, and how do you power it up when the tank runs low on propane? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more.
What Is White Gasoline?
White gasoline is a type of fuel that is extremely flammable and can be used in a camping stove, lantern or heater.
White gasoline stoves are portable and lightweight; however, they do require frequent refills as the gas burns quickly.
How Does White Gasoline Work?
White gasoline works the same way as kerosene, but it is more volatile. This means that it’s flammable at lower temperatures and can easily cause an explosion if there are open flames nearby. Campers should only use white gas in well-ventilated areas where they won’t accidentally set themselves or their equipment on fire with this highly
When Is White Gasoline Used When Camping?
White gasoline stoves are most often used in camping backcountry areas, away from civilization or other amenities such as a grocery store where they can be refueled with more gas. They’re relatively inexpensive to buy, but the downside is that white gasoline requires priming before you start it up, which is cumbersome and messy at times.
What Is Kerosene?
Kerosene is another type of camping gas that’s widely used when there is no access to white gasoline. It doesn’t need priming, and, in most cases, it can be easily purchased at a store or convenience store nearby.
How Does Kerosene Work?
Kerosene camping appliances use a wick to draw the fuel from the tank and into a burner. This means that there’s no electricity needed in order for it to work. It also doesn’t emit much odor when burning, which is perfect if you want to stealth camp or don’t like breathing in smelly outdoor equipment while camping.
What Is Kerosene Used for While Camping?
Kerosene is best used for the following camping needs:
- Heating water
- Lighting a campfire
- Lighting a fire for warmth or cooking
However, the lack of an odor and ease in which you can buy kerosene makes this one of the top choices when choosing what kind of gas to use during your next trip. However, kerosene heaters can emit pollutants that are not healthy to breathe in. Keep this in mind when choosing a tent heater.
Liquid Propane as a Camping Gas
The most common type of camping gas is liquid propane. This kind of fuel usually comes in a cylinder that you attach to your stove or heater, allowing it to run on this “camping gas.”
When you use liquid propane, it releases a gas that is easy to ignite and burns clean. It’s environmentally friendly as well because the byproducts of this camping gas are water vapor and carbon dioxide.
How Does Liquid Propane Work?
Liquid propane (LP) is the safest kind of camping gas because of its pressurized system. The propane is stored under pressure at all times, preventing it from leaking out of the cylinder.
What is Liquid Propane Used for When Camping?
There are many different types of appliances that can run on liquid propane when camping. They include cooking stoves, heaters, water heaters, and even refrigerators. This kind of propane is ideal for RVs as well because it’s safe to use in moving vehicles.
What Is Butane?
Butane is another common form of camping gas. This type can be found in lighters, stoves, and lanterns that are used for camping trips or emergencies at home. It’s also the kind you use to refill your lighter if it runs out during an outing.
How Does Butane Work?
Butane is stored in a liquid form and pressurized to become gas before it’s used. Butane has a very low boiling point, so as soon as you release the pressure on your stove, burner or lighter-it immediately turns back into a liquid.
What Is Butane Used for When Camping?
Campers use butane for different purposes. It’s most commonly used in camping stoves, lanterns, and heaters to cook food or provide light where electricity is not available.
What Is the Safest Camping Gas?
The safest type of camping gas is butane. It’s easy to transport because it is stored in canisters that are lightweight and take up minimal space. It is also easier on the environment because it is non-toxic, natural, and burns efficiently.
Which Camping Gas Is the Most Versatile?
Butane is the most lightweight if you need something you can carry in a backpack, while white gasoline might be the best option for long-term campers since it burns extremely well but is a little more difficult to handle than other options. Overall, the very best camping gas option is propane.
Camping gas comes in many forms, but the most versatile is propane. It works well for camping appliances that require cooking capabilities like grills and stoves. Many tent heaters also run on propane. Propane is versatile, efficient, stores well, and is accessible and cost-effective.
If you’re going camping and don’t want to worry about switching out different kinds of gas for your appliances, propane is the most versatile option.