Propane or Fuel
 

I have a Coleman propane stove and lantern. As I was thinking about preps, I thought switching to the duel fuel models might be better - as far as finding fuel to use them. The duel fuel are definitely more expensive (especially since I already own the propane models).

Then I just read the TnAndy uses the propane one - who am I question Tn Any :).

Any thoughts on which style would be the best/easiest to get fuel for?

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

If you were camp living, definitely dual-fuel. Propane is harder to get and more expensive, especially in small quantities...even for my RV, which has a 60 gallon propane tank, propane dealers are always trying to gouge me. The home delivery price around here is about $1.75 a gallon, but for RV's, they want $3. You can buy 1 gallon of unleaded gas for the same price as 100, plus you can fill your gas tank up and siphon it out as you need it.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

Propane here. Run the grill, lanterns, Buddy heaters, Weber Q, and the RV (heat, fridge, hot water, stove). Shelf life of propane = forever.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

I love propane, but dual-fuel is always the preference if possible. Options, options! :ok: Having more of them can make things much easier.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

I'm propane in the RV (and solar/inverter/charger, shore power electric, and generator) but if I were car camping, dual fuel. When I was bumming around years ago in my VW camper, I lived on the beach for awhile...there were plenty of others doing it and they all ran the stoves and lanterns on unleaded.

Personally, I'm starting to develop a wood-fired backup plan...starting with a wood fired brick oven. I knew an old architect with one of the coolest houses I've ever seen...his kitchen was one part modern (top of the line stove, dual ovens, refig, etc) and one part wood fired, he had a cooking fireplace with iron hooks for pots and a rotisserie for cooking meats, and right next to it he had Mexican style tiled charcoal cooktop. During the winter, he alway had the fire place going and was cooking something in it. He even had a basement with a natural spring in it (they built the house over the spring and they had it set up for natural cooling of foods...we're talking mid to late 1800's when the house was built). His house started out as an old German-Texas homestead and he turned it into a hacienda style compound...in his day he was well known and his house was featured in Architectural digest and other mags.

Wood-fired is the best back up there is.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

That sounds good to me. My stoves are running right now - coffee made from kettle hot water in hand. You still building that brick oven? That project is deserving of it's own thread...looking forward to the photos.

Speaking of fuel, lamp oil is another worth mentioning. Good light, long burn time, and shelf stable.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

I haven't even started the oven construction...I've been assembling materials and tools (some craigslist, some new), but I have it designed. I've done plenty of masonry work before, but never a fireplace or brick oven, so it's a learning curve and that slows you down. It's going to take awhile.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

The best fuel or combination is the one that works for you and your situation.

I only post what I've tried and works for me......which in the short term, and for the purpose of convenience, is propane. Long term, wood is the way to go for me, as I live in the middle of a hardwood forest. With average rainfall, you can cut a cord a year off an acre and never run out.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

In upstate NY I've had problems with my propane Coleman stove freezing up when I'm ice fishing. Of course it's usually well below freezing out.

I bought the propane so I wouldn't be spilling fuel in my fishing sled, in hindsight, I would have been better off though.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

I really like propane. It is expensive. You can get a filler adapter to fill the small tanks from a larger tank. I have a freind who does this. I have a Mr. Heater that I sometimes carry into the front room cause it stays a little chilly there. I've got a salamander, camp stove, camp light, various torches that all run on propane. Never had a problem. I don't use my camp stove in real cold weather though.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

Had propane for years, just bayed 2 dual fuel Colemans. Diversification.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

Not to hijack this thread, but what are you paying to fill a 20 lb tank? Best place here is $15 for a "used" tank and $17 to purge and fill a new one.

That's (assuming 4.2 gallons per 20lb tank), $3.57 and $4.05 per gallon respectively.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

I know a guy who has a large propane tank in his yard to heat his house, run the stove etc.

This particular tank has a fitting with a hose attached that allows him to fill 20lb tanks from his large tank. No motor or power required.

He fills my 20lb tanks for $5.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

That's right around what I've been paying.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

If you're getting a full 20lbs, he is probably going in the hole. That's about a buck/20 a gallon, and I'd be surprised if he can buy it for that.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

Probably has a sub-prime loan on his house and put the propane on a credit card. He, he. Log off the property and stay until a swat team comes and drives him off.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

$2.29 a gallon here.... OR $ 15 FOR A 20LB tank.

Re: Propane or Fuel
 

I thought the same thing but who am I to argue with the guy.