Gas Canister Fuel vs Liquid

[Kevin Dill]

I have always used a liquid fuel stove on previous AK hunts in temps down to the teens. No problems. Last year I took a new Primus ETA gas unit for an August hunt in mild temperatures. Loved that Primus gas system and the performance blew me away. All else being equal I would always choose the ETA gas unit on a solo hunt....which brings up my question:

Does anyone have solid experience using gas canister stoves/fuel in colder temps? What can you tell me about loss of performance or fuel issues?

I will be in the AK backcountry for 14 days by myself in mid/late September. Most mornings will be from 40F down to 25F on average. There could be mornings as cold as 10F but not typical. I want to take my Primus gas stove for its weight and fast performance but have no experience with it below frost temps. My research so far indicates I should be okay with it, but I'm looking for real world experience. Thanks.

 

[camping1601]

Seems like I only have problems when the canister gets pretty low and then it can be a real pita getting it warm to finish heating. I don't think I,ve used on below 20 degrees. If I was in your scenario I'd still use it for the convenience and bring an extra canister.

 

[mikkel318]

I have used a jetboil with the jetboil isobutane/propane canisters while winter camping in northern MN. I usually bring twice as much fuel as I need because the bottom half of the canisters really slow down with any temps below 0. Any temperature above that was not a problem.

I am not sure if they have made the canisters better for cold weather because I previously used a pocket rocket with a MSR brand canister a few years before that and it failed at around 20 degrees after a minute or two of use.

 

[16Bore]

Watched a K2 documentary and they were using JetBoils. I've never worried since.

 

[airlocksniffer]

I have had a Coleman Peak1 canister stove since the late 90's. I definitely notice lower output in the cold or when the can gets low. I've never used a remote canister stove but I think the option to invert the can would help. Also, canister stoves with micro-regulators (Soto stoves) may help as well. Can't really say as I've never used either.

 

[16Bore]

Kovia makes an inverted/upright remote stove that is badass too. My litmus test is pancakes in a Ti pan and it rocks...

 

[Kevin Dill]

A couple key points for me: The Primus rig I'm using is extremely efficient and fast. It uses less fuel to heat water faster. Way faster than my liquid fuel setup. My Primus is a tube / remote can setup which means I can invert the canister for less chilling and less retained fuel. One logical strategy is to use the close-to-empty canisters for late-day cooking when temps are warmer...try to use the newer cans during cold mornings.

 

[Yellowknife]

A couple key points for me: The Primus rig I'm using is extremely efficient and fast. It uses less fuel to heat water faster. Way faster than my liquid fuel setup. My Primus is a tube / remote can setup which means I can invert the canister for less chilling and less retained fuel. One logical strategy is to use the close-to-empty canisters for late-day cooking when temps are warmer...try to use the newer cans during cold mornings.

No experience with the ETA, but if it's designed you can invert it, you shouldn't have a problem. It will be liquid feed in that mode, and you aren't relying on vapor pressure anyway. And odds are, you wont' have a problem regardless. Certainly a little slower, but it will get the job done. "All Season" canisters and regulated stoves do help in marginal temps with a normal canister stove, but with the option of running inverted tends to help the most. Also, the longer you leave a canister stove running, the more chilled it gets (evaporation effect). With an efficient set up and just one guy, you will likely have your water boiled before it's even an issue.

I assume you can transport the canisters to wherever you are going?

Yk

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Have had to tuck a canister into the sleeping bag to keep it warm on more than one occasion, but all in all it is not a big deal. Inverted is the way to go when the temps, and the tank is low.