Which fuel?

“Hi, Im just now starting to get back into camping after about 10 years of no camping. Im starting to assemble some gear together and found myself with a question. Im not sure if I should use propane or the propane/butane mixture. I plan on doing both backpacking and regular one site camping. What I really want is a reliable fuel with alot of use per tank. Weight isnt much of an issue, as Im a Marine and im used to carring 100+ lb packs. I dont want a liquid fuel because I dont like the "slushing" back and forth feeling in my pack that a liquid gives. Some suggestions of stoves and lanterns would be great too. I picked up a Peak 1 stove and lantern but am not sure if they were a good choice. Thanks for the help. -Brian”

“if you don't mind the weight then carry the propane - its the best choice for canisters for colder weather - just don't do as too many people do and leave the empties out in the backcountry”

“Brian,

You on a budget for these items and if so, how much would you be willing to spend. You can build your own alcohol stove for nothing using Pepsi cans and burning denatured alcohol. You will not feel "slushing" of the liquid in your pack because you will not need much. That is unless you plan to cook 3 meals a day and schedule week long trips.

You can spend upwards of 120 on a good stove, but we can get you lower than that.

Let us know what you will be cooking (free dried, ie. just boiling water, full meals), when you plan on cooking (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and anything you can think of, and we will pick out a few for you.”

“I think more than likely ill be cooking at dinner for sure and maybe for lunch. I plan on mainly eating freeze dried meals and occasionaly some other simple meals that would consist of boiling water. As for price, Im not too concerned about money but if a cheaper stove is just as good as a more expensive stove or lantern, Id rather go for the cheaper. Idealy I would like to only carry one kind of fuel to run both my lantern and stove, but im open to other ideas also. I tried out my butane/propane lantern and I wasnt really impressed with the light output, it cant even light up a room. The stove decent, but if im going to carry a propane lantern (ill be returning the butane/propane lantern) I want my stove to be propane too. Idealy I want long lasting tank life for both items. Thanks for your help. -Brian”

“I would go with a jetboil. The only drawback is at high elevation 10,000' and up it is slower to boil and seems to loose effecency. I have backbacked for 3 weeks with the same small canister and still had fuel to spare. I don't use a lantren insted I use a led hedlamp.”

“Brian, I'm not sure what you mean when you refer to "one site" camping. Are you planning on hiking to the site over distance or pull into a public campground? If it's the latter, I don't think I would shoot for a "one size fits all" approach. I second the recommendation for the JetBoil and headlamp. Even though the Marines made you carry a 100 lb pack that doesn't mean you still have to. Try dropping say 65lbs with smart gear shopping and "lighten up, Dude"!”

“100#??? Jeeze what we in the Rangers would have given to tote that..(LOL) actually I have managed to pare down to 40 or so and it makes a WORLD of difference. I started trying to take the candle lanterns (still carry one) and then tried the various "lightweight lanterns". Owned them all Camping Gaz, Primus, Coleman Dual Fuel, heck name it I used it.

THOUGHTS- the ones like Camping Gaz REALLY lit up the site...but the mantles and globes break at the most inopportune times.

The metal screen ones (primus etc) don't put off a whole lot more light than a candle lantern. In the end I started carrying a nice head lamp, got a small light with the "illumination cone" on it and does just fine. I backpack to get away from the bright light...there is nothing neater than a campfire, and lanterns took away from that.”

“I am a lightweight nut so a lantern cannot be found in my pack. I simply use a headlamp and I would not know where to begin with the lantern. I do have the Coleman lantern that uses mantles and burns Coleman fuel, but I think that will be overkill for your intent.

As for the stove, I have been using a Pepsi can alcohol stove for the past 2 years now and have grown accustomed to it. I do have my eyes on this little number though.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=6077381&parent_category_rn=4500453&vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC”

“Got that for my son...Still waiting to hear any more reviews.”

“I think im going to get a jetboil. Sounds like they are very efficient and decently priced. Do I have to use their brand of fuel or can I use any propane/butane mix with a jetboil? One off topic question that I dont want to start a thread for- when it comes to water do you carry it or use something such as an iodine tablet and purify it from a stream or lake? Thanks to everyone for all your help. -Brian”

“you can use any canister fuel.”

“Katadyn Pro Hiker water filter.”

“I use the same as Chappy, I think that's a pretty popular filter. A lot of folks I've hiked with swear by Aqua Mira. Check it out.”

“Thats a cool filter, I didnt even know they made such a device. So you just pump the water and drink with no chemicals? I think Im gunna have to pick up one of those tomorrow. Thanks, Brian”

“I did some research on filters and im kinda nervous about viruses. Im only going to be camping in the US and Canada but Im still worried about them. I cant seem to find a level 3 filter for the pro hiker, can someone point me in the right direction? Im also looking at the First Need Deluxe Water Purifier, any opinions on that?”

“The First Need is a good filter and will be the next filter I get once my current one dies.”