FUELS
Information From the Sierra Club
GASOLINE STOVES
Use only white gasoline. Take only the amount of fuel necessary. A 3-man, 2-day trip requires about 1 quart; a 6-man, 6-day trip requires about 3 quarts, if fuel is carefully used. Fuel is conveniently stored for carrying in 1-quart or smaller metal containers, either flat or round, with screw tops, tied into separate plastic bags. These should be kept out of the sun and away from flames and heat at all times. GASOLINE IS EXPLOSIVE. Always fill the stove before starting the meal. Fill only cold stoves.
BUTANE STOVES
The fuel in butane stoves - liquid petroleum gas - is under pressure in a cylinder or "cartridge". Each cylinder burns 3 to 4 hours of cooking time, which is usually enough for a weekend trip for a small group, and is then replaced by a full one. As with other stoves, 2 are faster and more efficient than 1 for groups larger than 2 people.
For those who can afford the extra weight, LPG (liquified petroleum gas) is practical for longer trips such as those by camper and trailer. A practical unit to burn this gas can be built by attaching 2 or 3 old stove burners by a plastic hose to a pressure-gauge unit that fits on the outlet of a small LPG tank such as the 5-gallon rental type. The burners are placed under pots supported by rocks or under folding-legged grill. The heat of each burner is controlled by a valve.
KEROSENE STOVES
Use only kerosene. The amount of fuel is about the same as that used by gas stoves. The same kind of container should be used, and the same care in packaging and storing. Kerosene does not evaporate as gas does but is more oily and has a more pervasive odor: keep it away from food supplies and clothing. Nor is ti explosive -- but keep it away from stoves except when filling. FIll only cold stoves, before starting the meal.
ALCOHOL STOVES
Alcohol is nonexplosive and nontoxic but evaporates easily. It is less efficient than the other fuels because it already contains oxygen, and therefor cooks a bit more slowly than gasoline, kerosene or butane. Half a pint will last for about 1-1/4 hours. Use the same kind of container as for the other fuels. Fill only cold stoves. Two stoves are better than one.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS STOVES
Some people think that 1 or 2 cans of STERNO (canned heat) is the best fuel in wet rainy weather. Other people, expecially "camper" campers, like the hibachi - the Japanese cast iron charcoal brazier. Hibachis vary in size but more measure 1 foot high by 1 foot in diameter; thus they are easily stored, and readily used. A handful or two of charcoal is enough to broil meat for 2 people.
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