The Truth About Gas - Propane, Butane and IsoButane - How to Use, When To Use and When Not To

Summary

The video compares butane, isobutane, and propane for camping and backpacking stoves, focusing on temperature, elevation, cost, weight, and—most importantly—fuel compatibility.

A cheap adapter does not make a stove safe to use with a fuel it wasn’t designed for.

Fuel types

Butane

• Common in camping and some backpacking stoves; uses a pierce/puncture-style valve.
• Best suited to warm-weather use. The presenter says it works well to about 50°F. Below that, performance declines and water takes longer to boil.
• Performs poorly above roughly 7,000 feet.
• Pros: Easy to find in warm conditions and inexpensive. The presenter cites about $27 for 12 cans.
• Cons: Poor performance in cold weather and at high elevation.

Isobutane

• The most common fuel for backpacking stoves; uses a Lindal valve.
• Available in warmer-weather blends without propane and winter blends that include propane.
• Pros: Lighter than propane and available in several canister sizes; performs better than butane in cool conditions and at elevation.
• Cons: More expensive than butane and still limited in severe cold.
• Approximate temperature and elevation ranges given by the presenter:
  • Summer blend: good performance to around 40°F.
  • Winter blend: good performance to around 35°F, with better performance than the summer blend.
  • Unregulated stove with a summer blend: may work to around 8,000 feet.
  • Regulated stove with a winter blend: may work to around 10,000 feet.
  • Stove designed for inverted isobutane use: may work to around 12,000 feet.

Propane

• Common for larger camping and overlanding stoves; its canister uses a pressure-regulator valve.
• Maintains performance in cold weather and at high elevation, according to the presenter.
• Pros: Strong cold-weather and high-elevation performance.
• Cons: Its higher pressure requires thicker, heavier canisters, making it impractical for many backpacking trips.
• Approximate room-temperature vapor pressures cited by the presenter:
  • Propane: 145 PSI
  • Isobutane: 50 PSI
  • Butane: 35 PSI

Stove design and compatibility

Fuel is only one factor in stove performance. The presenter also names the regulator, windscreen, burner-head size, heat output, and whether the stove has a heat spreader.

Backpacking stoves are generally designed for one specific fuel type. Using a different fuel can expose a stove to pressures it cannot handle and could cause it to fail or explode.

Some camping or overlanding stoves, such as certain Coleman or “Gas One” models, may be designed to use more than one fuel. Compatibility varies, so check the manufacturer’s specifications; don’t assume a stove is multi-fuel.

Fuel adapters can cost less than $10, but the presenter strongly discourages using one to convert a stove that is not rated for that fuel. A stove may appear to work briefly and still fail later.

A backpacking stove can be used for an overlanding setup, but it may have less heat output, a smaller burner, poorer heat distribution, and less capacity for heavy cookware than a larger camping stove.

Overall verdict

Choose fuel according to the stove’s stated compatibility and the expected conditions:

• Butane: Warm, lower-elevation trips.
• Isobutane: Many three-season backpacking trips.
• Propane: Cold-weather use when the added canister weight is manageable.

The main recommendation is never use an adapter to run an unapproved fuel. Manufacturer-confirmed compatibility matters more than convenience or cost.

Additional details

• Ratings: No numerical product ratings or scores were given.
• Speaker perspectives: One presenter provides the comparisons and safety advice; no other speakers offer separate views.