Canister Fuel

[trailrunner3]

General Question:
How long does a 8oz Canister of Isopro fuel last?
Is one canister enough for 1 person for a week-long hike?

[fvrwld]

That depends on a lot of things.

-What stove are you using?

-Will you be cooking or just boiling water and for how many meals a day?

-What time of year/What will the temperature be?

Regardless, I don't think I would ever feel comfortable just bringing one cannister for a week long trip. You could always bring a smaller one as a back-up.

[Wildernessphoto]

General Question:
How long does a 8oz Canister of Isopro fuel last?
Is one canister enough for 1 person for a week-long hike?

I agree with Val's assessment. You need to know how much food your cooking too. my Northern lights stove will burn 3.7 oz per hour.

http://www.gearforadventure.com/northern_lights_alpha_ti.htm

When I was cooking for 6 people, and using a 20 cup coffee pot to cook my meals in. I would boil water in the morning for coffee and oatmeal, then then cook supper in the same coffee pot. I would then put the canister on my butane lamp, and run it at night until the fuel ran out.
At that time, with that many people, and using the lamp, I was using a canister a day.
But you can cut that down considerably if you are cooking smaller portions, and no light.
the quantity of fuel depends on so many factors, it's hard to say...I'd bring back-up, or plan on cooking on a wood fire (if your not in the eastern High Peaks) when you run out.

[Dick]

That depends on a lot of things.

-What stove are you using?

-Will you be cooking or just boiling water and for how many meals a day?

-What time of year/What will the temperature be?

Regardless, I don't think I would ever feel comfortable just bringing one cannister for a week long trip. You could always bring a smaller one as a back-up.

Val is correct on these points. Even if you're only boiling water, I'd bring more fuel, just to be safe. You might want to do a one-day trial burn before you go and see how much you burn. Multiply that by the number of days (meals, whatever) and you'll have a good answer. But I'd still bring some extra because...you never know.

Dick

[trailrunner3]

Thanks for the help.

I'll be using a MSR PocketRocket. The location will be in the Georgia Mountains in May (section hiking the AT). The temperatures are roughly the same as the adirondacks in the middle of june. (70's during the day, 40-50 at night). I intend to use the stove primarily (actually exclusively) for boiling water.

Also -- Is there a way to measure the amount of fuel remaining in a canister?
I heard a rumor that if you put the canister in water, it will float, and the water line is the approximate amount of gas remaining. Any truth to this?

[Kevin]

Also -- Is there a way to measure the amount of fuel remaining in a canister?
I heard a rumor that if you put the canister in water, it will float, and the water line is the approximate amount of gas remaining. Any truth to this?

I look for the condensation line after I'm done using it. Not 100% accurate but good enough. Shaking it works too, if I hear splish splash I know I have a few more uses. I always carry a full backup so these methods are fine for my uses.

[redhawk]

I agree with all that's been said, especially the part about carrying a spare since you aren't accustomed to it yet.

You can also help conserve your consumption by using any water you have been carrying during the day which has warmed in the air and then filling your bottles. I often see people pump water from a stream to cook with while there is still water in thrie bottles. Then you have to use more fuel to get it to boiling temperature.

You can also do things like dehydrate pasta and then you only have to heat water and rehydrate and not cook it in boiling water for several minutes.

[fvrwld]

Acording to the MSR website the Pocket Rocket will boil 16 liters of water with 8 oz of fuel. It did not mention under what conditions though.

[Dick]

Northern Lights Ti

For Val, Gary, Judy, or anyone with experience with the Northern Lights Ti:

I hear you all have one of these. I was looking at the MSR Pocket Rocket for weight savings and easy packing. The issues I've read about the P.R. are that they are somewhat unstable with a pot on them, they don't perform well in cold weather (I'll continue to use my Dragonfly for that), and they're a problem in windy weather. The corrollary to the windy weather issue is that it's not adviseable to use a windscreen, as it could overheat the canister. I'm guessing these are common issues with similar styled stoves. Have you had windy/instability issues with your Ti, and if so, how do they compare with larger stoves, and how did you solve them?

The Northern Lights Ti is 3 oz., just a half-oz. less and cheaper than the Pocket Rocket. I've heard lots about the P.R., but nothing about the Ti. It doesn't show up on most gear sites, and I can't find the web site of the company itself. Perhaps this is a new stove? What drew you to the Ti? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks for your help.

Dick

[Wildernessphoto]

For Val, Gary, Judy, or anyone with experience with the Northern Lights Ti:

Have you had windy/instability issues with your Ti, and if so, how do they compare with larger stoves, and how did you solve them?

The Northern Lights Ti is 3 oz., just a half-oz. less and cheaper than the Pocket Rocket. I've heard lots about the P.R., but nothing about the Ti. It doesn't show up on most gear sites, and I can't find the web site of the company itself. Perhaps this is a new stove? What drew you to the Ti? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks for your help.

Dick

Hi Dick,
I love my Ti, and have had no issues with wind. I was concerned because the burner was so small, and I didn't know if it would blow out. The salesman fired it up in the store for me and put a pot of water on for me. The flame flowed right up around the sides of the pot on high. I couldn't believe how well it worked. The flame tends to shoot out away from the stem of the stove and not "up" at the bottom of the pot. The flame heats the bottom evenly. I was impressed that flame covered the whole bottom, and not just one spot. It boils very fast.
The fact it worked so well, had a piezo ignition, and was so small and light, sold me on it. I have 6 stoves and this one is the only one I carry anymore. It fits well inside my pots, and being only 3 oz. it's GREAT! For titanium and a stove with a built in piezo lighter...It's very reasonable in price.
I've used mine for a year now and can't say enough good things about it. I highly recommend it.

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/northern-lights/alpha-ti/review/7870/

[Dick]

Hi Dick,
I love my Ti, and have had no issues with wind. I was concerned because the burner was so small, and I didn't know if it would blow out. The salesman fired it up in the store for me and put a pot of water on for me. The flame flowed right up around the sides of the pot on high. I couldn't believe how well it worked. The flame tends to shoot out away from the stem of the stove and not "up" at the bottom of the pot. The flame heats the bottom evenly. I was impressed that flame covered the whole bottom, and not just one spot. It boils very fast.
The fact it worked so well, had a piezo ignition, and was so small and light, sold me on it. I have 6 stoves and this one is the only one I carry anymore. It fits well inside my pots, and being only 3 oz. it's GREAT! For titanium and a stove with a built in piezo lighter...It's very reasonable in price.
I've used mine for a year now and can't say enough good things about it. I highly recommend it.

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/north...i/review/7870/

Thanks, Gary. Where did you buy it? Any problems with getting fuel canisters for it? (I'm new to canister type stoves). I like the sound of the flame coverage, though the idea of flames shooting up the side of the pot so much sounds a little inefficient. Automatic starter is attactive feature. Are you familiar with similar stoves that you could compare it to? Still wondering why you never hear much about this stove.

Dick

[Wildernessphoto]

Thanks, Gary. Where did you buy it? Any problems with getting fuel canisters for it? (I'm new to canister type stoves). I like the sound of the flame coverage, though the idea of flames shooting up the side of the pot so much sounds a little inefficient. Automatic starter is attactive feature. Are you familiar with similar stoves that you could compare it to? Still wondering why you never hear much about this stove.

Dick

I got mine at EMS in Fayettville last spring. The flames only shoot up the side of the pot when it's on the highest setting, and he did that because I explained my concern about hot-spots, with smaller burners. That's when he showed me how the flame lays even on the bottom of the pan.

I have 4 primus stoves, and a coleman peak 1 in canister stoves, and all of them use the same threaded canisters. no problem getting fuel. any kind of MSR, Coleman, Primus gas will fit. The only one that I know of that won't fit is Gaz
I've still got 2 Gaz fuel canisters from 10 years ago...

[redhawk]

The only one that I know of that won't fit is Gaz
I've still got 2 Gaz fuel canisters from 10 years ago...

Gez Gary, I have a Gaz stove here. Why is no one surprised?

hawk

[Wildernessphoto]

Gez Gary, I have a Gaz stove here. Why is no one surprised?

hawk

HEY!!
sounds like I finally found someone to take it off my hands.
Sounds like we need to hook-up!

I'll bring it next time I come.
(if I remember)