Coleman fuel alternatives

[Charlie_K]

Recently the local Wal-Mart stopped stocking Coleman fuel for lanterns and stoves. Now they're carrying something called camp fuel, made by some company named Crown. It's advertised as for all gas stoves and lanterns, and half the price of Coleman's name brand fuel.

Does anyone have experience with this stuff? Is it basically the off-brand version of Coleman fuel and can be used in its lanterns? Or is it something that's going to clog the generator if it's used?

 

[Unk]

Camp fuel or white gas is just fine. I like Coleman products but would not pay a premium for the name on what is a generic product. Tissues don't have to be Kleenex.

Walmart would not steer you wrong..well, they might but not on this. Enjoy the savings.

Best.

 

[leghog]

Any white gas should work, but don't be mistaken. Not all white gas is the same.

Some brands do burn cleaner than others, and cleaner burning fuel means less maintenance over the years and more BTUs in the burn. Right now the cleanest burning white gas readily available in the USA is MSR SuperFuel. I don't use it. Coleman gas is very clean too. The MSDS/SDS of any alternative you might consider can give you much info you can use to determine how clean a particular brand will burn. Any fuel that burns "dirtier" will burn cooler too.

White gas varnishes so even with Coleman gas don't leave it stored in your lanterns and stoves long (more than a year or two). Nor would I use any fuel from a can opened more than three years prior.

All that said, without worry I'd use the Crown stuff from WallyWorld.

 

[Charlie_K]

White case varnishes so even with Coleman gas don't leave it stored in your lanterns and stoves long (more than a year or two). Nor would I any fuel from a can opened more than three years prior.

Does that mean it can induce rust from sitting for long periods of time, or that it clogs up the internals? And if it's the latter, what's the best way to break it out?

 

[leghog]

White gas varnishes so even with Coleman gas don't leave it stored in your lanterns and stoves long (more than a year or two). Nor would I use any fuel from a can opened more than three years prior.

Does that mean it can induce rust from sitting for long periods of time, or that it clogs up the internals? And if it's the latter, what's the best way to break it out?

Clog. Store stoves dry. If you store fuel for a year or more in a stove, pour it out. Refill half way, vigorously shake it up, pressurize it, release pressure, and pour that out. Refill and burn. Once clogged, you'll need to take it apart and clean it. I've never had a stove clog bad enough I needed to take it apart.