Had to choose between a propane stove and a liquid fuel one for my trip into the Smokies

I was planning a 5 day hike in the Smokies back in October and couldn't decide between my little propane canister stove or a liquid fuel one. I went with the propane since it's lighter and easier to use, but halfway through day 3 the canister started losing pressure in the cold mornings. Took forever to boil water for coffee... my buddy with the liquid fuel stove was done and packed up before I even got started. Would I be better off just switching to liquid fuel for winter trips, or is there a trick to making propane work when it's below freezing?

2 comments

2 Comments

tara7931mo ago

Man, that's totally backwards logic. Keeping a propane canister in your sleeping bag is a fire hazard waiting to happen, whether you think it's sealed or not. I've seen cheap canisters seep gas, and you don't want that stuff leaking next to your face while you're asleep. Plus, you're just gonna warm it up, then pull it out into freezing air the next morning, and it'll drop back down in ten minutes anyway. The liquid fuel stove is just flat out more reliable in cold weather, no tricks needed. Propane is fine for summer car camping, but for winter hiking you're just asking for cold coffee and frustration.

the_william1mo ago

Has anyone tried keeping the propane canister inside their sleeping bag overnight to keep it warm?