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I was under the impression that the decision to use either Butane or Propane is based on the expected lowest temperatures your bottled gas will encounter?

 

Propane will still boil off - produce gas - in sub-Zero temps to -42C whereas Butane will only go as low as -0.4C - So, if you're storing gas in bottles outside, and you're expecting really cold temps, it would be better to run propane?

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20 minutes ago, alistair1537 said:

I was under the impression that the decision to use either Butane or Propane is based on the expected lowest temperatures your bottled gas will encounter?

 

Propane will still boil off - produce gas - in sub-Zero temps to -42C whereas Butane will only go as low as -0.4C - So, if you're storing gas in bottles outside, and you're expecting really cold temps, it would be better to run propane?

 

 

The 'best' is actually what is known as 'Camping gas Mix' which is either 60/40 or 70/30  where you get the benefit of the heat output of Propane but the low temperature capability of Propane.

 

Widely used for camping / hiking in the mountains.

 

 

Isobutane/Butane Blends

Basically, isobutane may allow you to operate your stove at subfreezing temperatures down to 11° F (-12°C) at sea level, that is - until the isobutane runs out.

 

 

Propane mixes (20-40% Propane) (Butane/Propane, Butane/Isobutane/Propane, Isobutane/Propane, IsoPro, IsoPropane)

The higher the propane content, the longer it will burn at lower temperatures.  You may still end up with most of the butane and/or isobutane remaining in the canister if using a stove below 31° F (0.5°C) or 11° F (-12°C) respectively depending on altitude.

 

 

Isopropane

The term isopropane suggests that this is structural isomer of propane, but since propane is a  three carbon hydrocarbon, a structural isomer doesn't exist.  Isopropane is instead a commercial term used to describe isobutane/propane mixes (and sometimes butane/propane mixes).  Manufactures claim this combo is great for low temperature use and improves fuel performance by decreasing the tapering off affect of butane alone.

 

 

 

 

Propane (LPG, Liquefied Propane Gas)

This is a great hot burning fuel that works at low temperatures and at high altitudes.  Due to high pressures of propane (close to five times that of butane at room temperature), propane canisters are often made from of thick heavy gauge steel.  Pure propane is not recommended for stoves designed to run mostly butane and/or isobutane without a pressure regulator or careful user control.

 

Propane is generally used for heavy duty stoves, lanterns, heaters and torches.  It can be much easier to find and more affordable than other gas fuels for stoves.  Propane is often available at hardware and grocery stores.

 

Boiling point: -43° F (-40°C).  Fuel will not vaporize well below its boiling point.

 

 

 

Butane (n-butane)

Works well at high altitudes but burns poorly below 40° F due to poor vaporization at low temperatures.  Butane is commonly used in backpacking and portable stoves, lighters, small torches and as a propellant for aerosol cans.

 

Boiling point: 31° F (-0.5°C).  Fuel will not vaporize well below its boiling point.

 

 

 

Isobutane

Isobutane is a structural isomer of butane with a lower boiling point.  Manufactures claim that isobutane provides a steady flow without tapering off as the canister empties and is added to butane to increase its performance.  Because of the greater vapor pressures of isobutane compared to butane, you may experience much greater gas flow.  This increased pressure can cause a stove to blow itself out if it is turned up too high or possibly even damage a stove not designed for isobutane.

 

Boiling point: 11° F (-12°C).  Fuel will not vaporize well below its boiling point.

 

 

 

Propene (aka propylene, methylethylene and MAPP Gas)

This is used for medium to heavy soldering and brazing and not intended for stove use.  It has an extremely low boiling point, which makes it useable after gas fuels used for camping fail to work in the bitter cold.

 

Boiling point: -54° F (− 47.6°C).  Fuel will not vaporize well below its boiling point.

Edited by Alan de Enfield
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2 hours ago, alistair1537 said:

I was under the impression that the decision to use either Butane or Propane is based on the expected lowest temperatures your bottled gas will encounter?

 

Propane will still boil off - produce gas - in sub-Zero temps to -42C whereas Butane will only go as low as -0.4C - So, if you're storing gas in bottles outside, and you're expecting really cold temps, it would be better to run propane?

Yes, although one should bear in mind that when the liquid gas evaporates as it is drawn off, there is a significant cooling effect, such that the temperature of the liquid will become less than ambient. How much less depends on the rate of draw off vs the cylinder size. So trying to draw off Butane even a few degrees above zero usually results in loss of delivery after a while, if the rate of draw off is high, eg for heating or cooking. Which is why nearly everyone in the U.K. uses propane - if they expect it to work in winter, that is.

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