Propane Stove Considerations
While the propane stove is the stove of choice for camping beginners, it is far from perfect. It's not perfect but they're good enough for many people.
Heating Efficiency
Gas comes out of the canister when the valve is opened which is pushed out by pressure inside the cannister but when there is less gas in the canister, there is also less pressure so you see a smaller flame with the same valve opening. Temperature and altitude also has a big effect on efficiency. A propane stove might not work below a certain temperature and above a certain altitude depending on the propane mixture in the canister.
Reliability
A camp stove must be tough enough to handle rough conditions subjected inside a backpack. A simple stove has less chance of being broken than a more complicated stove. Puncture fit coupling was once popular with propane stoves but they're not very easy to install and you might end up losing a lot of fuel.
Today's propane stoves, however, are much more reliable with consistency in weight and pressure. Some propane stoves can even be used in very cold weather. The type of fuel used does not have as much effect on reliability as the design.
Weight
Propane stoves may be lighter than gasoline stoves but you might end up carrying more fuel if you're going to camp for a few days or more. To save on weight, use bigger cartridges on a long trip. Bigger cartridges are lighter than many smaller cartridges holding the same amount of fuel.
Litter
When you carry a lot of fuel you will also need to carry a lot of litter. Used cartridges need to be disposed in the appropriate place. If you're hiking, you need to carry the empty cartridges with you until you an appropriate place to dispose them. An empty cartridge should never be thrown in the wild.
Safety
When lighting up a propane stove, you would know that the flame is small because you turned the knob just a little bit. When starting up a liquid fuel stove, things can get a little bit unpredictable. So it's safer to use the propane stove inside a tent. This should however be done with caution and with good ventilation only. There are quite a few known cases of deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning inside tents. You also risk getting your tent and other gear burst into flames. Never under any circumstances use liquid fuel stoves inside tents or you might end up without a tent.
A big concern about using propane stoves is that they're known to blow up but it's not really an explosion but more of a rapid venting of gas which results in a flare-up. A simple stove has a reduced risk of this happening.
Convenience
To light up a propane stove, all you need to do is turn the knob and light up the gas. Some even come with automatic ignitions you don't even need to light up the gas. It's simple to use and it's the main reason why people don't want to convert to liquid fuel stoves.
Fuel Availability
Propane stoves have limited options with type of cartridge it can use. You may end up with anything to cook your food if the fuel cartridge you need is not in your area.
Cost
Even though propane stoves are cheaper, the fuel is much more expensive. But if you regularly use, you're going to be spending a lot more on fuel.
Heating Efficiency
Gas comes out of the canister when the valve is opened which is pushed out by pressure inside the cannister but when there is less gas in the canister, there is also less pressure so you see a smaller flame with the same valve opening. Temperature and altitude also has a big effect on efficiency. A propane stove might not work below a certain temperature and above a certain altitude depending on the propane mixture in the canister.
Reliability
A camp stove must be tough enough to handle rough conditions subjected inside a backpack. A simple stove has less chance of being broken than a more complicated stove. Puncture fit coupling was once popular with propane stoves but they're not very easy to install and you might end up losing a lot of fuel.
Today's propane stoves, however, are much more reliable with consistency in weight and pressure. Some propane stoves can even be used in very cold weather. The type of fuel used does not have as much effect on reliability as the design.
Weight
Propane stoves may be lighter than gasoline stoves but you might end up carrying more fuel if you're going to camp for a few days or more. To save on weight, use bigger cartridges on a long trip. Bigger cartridges are lighter than many smaller cartridges holding the same amount of fuel.
Litter
When you carry a lot of fuel you will also need to carry a lot of litter. Used cartridges need to be disposed in the appropriate place. If you're hiking, you need to carry the empty cartridges with you until you an appropriate place to dispose them. An empty cartridge should never be thrown in the wild.
Safety
When lighting up a propane stove, you would know that the flame is small because you turned the knob just a little bit. When starting up a liquid fuel stove, things can get a little bit unpredictable. So it's safer to use the propane stove inside a tent. This should however be done with caution and with good ventilation only. There are quite a few known cases of deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning inside tents. You also risk getting your tent and other gear burst into flames. Never under any circumstances use liquid fuel stoves inside tents or you might end up without a tent.
A big concern about using propane stoves is that they're known to blow up but it's not really an explosion but more of a rapid venting of gas which results in a flare-up. A simple stove has a reduced risk of this happening.
Convenience
To light up a propane stove, all you need to do is turn the knob and light up the gas. Some even come with automatic ignitions you don't even need to light up the gas. It's simple to use and it's the main reason why people don't want to convert to liquid fuel stoves.
Fuel Availability
Propane stoves have limited options with type of cartridge it can use. You may end up with anything to cook your food if the fuel cartridge you need is not in your area.
Cost
Even though propane stoves are cheaper, the fuel is much more expensive. But if you regularly use, you're going to be spending a lot more on fuel.
