Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Fuels For Portable Stoves
| Fuel type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| White gas | High heat output Spilled fuel evaporates quickly Readily available in the USA |
May produce sooty smoke Priming sometimes required, depending on the type of stove Spilled fuel highly flammable |
| Kerosene | High heat output Readily available internationally |
May produce sooty smoke Priming required Spilled fuel evaporates very slowly |
| Butane | Instant high heat output No priming required |
Lower heat output than white gas Canister disposal required High cost Poor performance in cold weather Potentially explosive |
| Propane | Better in cold than butane Larger containers refillable |
Limited availability High cost Canister disposal required |
| Alcohol | Quiet Clean burning Readily available |
May produce sooty smoke Lower heat output Longer cooking time Must be pre-heated in cold weather (not required for jellied alcohol ("Sterno")) |
| Unleaded automobile fuel | Inexpensive Readily available worldwide High heat output Spilled fuel evaporates quickly |
May produce sooty smoke Additives clog the stove Priming required Spilled fuel highly flammable |
| Wood (forest debris) | No carried fuel (weight) Free Readily available worldwide No toxic, spill, leakage issues |
May produce sooty smoke May require skill or additives to ignite when moist |
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)