We’re off in the morning for a (short) camping trip with the grandkids. Taking them to a waterfall where we’ll hike in and hammock camp for the night. Been digging out all my camping gear, as it hasn’t been used in several years. I packed my MSR Whisperlite stove and refilled my fuel bottles. I looked at Walmart the other day for another gallon of Coleman fuel but they didn’t have it. Anyone else use the Whisperlite? And is the white gas still available where you are? It seems it’s not as readily available as it once was.
Coleman fuel/white gas
- Thread starter treesmith
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- Replies 16
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stikine
Treehouser
In a pinch you can use regular unleaded in a whisperlite, it's just a bit dirty.
flushcut
TreeHouser
I’ve got the whisperlite international that will burn anything as long as you change the orifice. Gas, diesel, kerosene, white gas, fuel oil. The Whisperlite is pretty forgiving as far a fuel choices go. Just keep the jet clean.
Burnham
Woods walker
I also use a Whisperlite. I've never tried anything but Coleman white gas or equal that the hardware store sells, but if I was without, I'd maybe try the high-octane ethanol free gas I can get at a few stations around here.
Been a year or maybe even two since I bought any Coleman fuel. I wonder if it is available here...think I'll see about that.
Been a year or maybe even two since I bought any Coleman fuel. I wonder if it is available here...think I'll see about that.
lumberjack
Young man on the go
Why high octane?
Burnham
Woods walker
It has always been my understanding that Coleman fuel, and other brands of "white gas", are up in the low to mid 90's for octane rating...though I could be wrong. So that is why I suggested high octane.
Burnham
Woods walker
I just looked it up by google query, and I am completely wrong about the octane rating of Coleman fuel. It is very low, 50 to 55.
GardeningArborist
Treehouser
A lot more maintenance using gasoline.
Unless you know how to work on your stove the time spent looking for stove fuel may be well spent.
Unless you know how to work on your stove the time spent looking for stove fuel may be well spent.
Nutball
TreeHouser
Maybe use Stihl motomix if they have an oilless 4 stroke version.
flushcut
TreeHouser
It will burn dirty until the burner tube gets hot enough to vaporize the fuel. Most of the carbon will burn off once the stove gets hot.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #13
We met our middle daughter at Walmart to pick up her two youngest kids. While there, o checked sporting goods. They had four gallons of Coleman fuel so I grabbed one.
Next question for you Whisperlite owners…what size bottles do you use and how many do you take when you go camping. I only have two 11-oz bottles and I take both every time we go. Never need that much but should one get spilled or whatever, I have a spare. Looking at getting a 30-oz.
Next question for you Whisperlite owners…what size bottles do you use and how many do you take when you go camping. I only have two 11-oz bottles and I take both every time we go. Never need that much but should one get spilled or whatever, I have a spare. Looking at getting a 30-oz.
Burnham
Woods walker
On a long backpacking trip, say 10 days or so, I would take three small bottles, like yours. Under 8 days, just 2. I liked keeping my fuel loss potential low, so more small bottles beats fewer big ones. Plus, it is easier to pack more small heavy items than fewer larger heavy ones, for balance. Jasper knows... 
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What did the Coleman fuel cost?
.What did the Coleman fuel cost?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #16
$14.98. O saw a couple of places that showed (online) to have it in stock. Prices ranged from $15-$24.
So you know if there’s a shelf life in the stuff? Mine’s at least seven years old and smells the same as it did when new, and I can’t any difference in using it. This is only my fourth time using the Whisperlite. I waste more fuel lighting it than those who are fluent in its use.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #17
I wish I’d gotten pics of the setup getting out gear in. We first hiked to this waterfall several years ago with some friends. When I first saw it, I thought I’d like to bring the kids to camp there. It’s about a 40’ drop from the cliff on the entrance side, with a switchback climb down a cut in the cliff. There are sufficient “steps” and many exposed tree roots for handholds. But the thought of climbing down that cliff with a 50# pack on my back and my hip arthritis like it is didn’t interest me. So I took a 200’ hank of 3/8” double braid to zip line out gear across. My wife, daughters and grandkids went on down and crossed the creek after dropping their packs off with me up top. I threw the end of the line across to them and they secured the end to the base of a big hemlock. I pulled it as tight as I could and tied it off about head high. I then clipped each pack to it with a carabiner and using the tail of the line as a holdback, let each pack run down to them. I let the two lightest ones and a sleeping bag just fly across. This afternoon, we did the reverse and I pulled it all back up. Worked like a charm. #funwithropes
