Ok Last time bug everone about this I want to take the snow peak but msr has a new one call the super fly. They say it will take all the fuel cartrides on the screw on cartrides on the market. What i want to know is how easy it is to get the fuel cartrides on the A.T the cartride is petty light so i do not mind carry two of them thank for the help>

OLNY 45 DAYS LEFT :welcome

Any stove that takes screw top (threaded) cartriges take any cartrige with threads. Camping gaz are the blue ones that you see and they do not have a threaded top cartrige. I could be wrong, but one of the MSR stoves CAN take camping gaz and threaded cartriges. Its probably this one. So the fuel cartrige does not need to be MSR to work with MSR stoves, just threaded and possibly with the superfly, the camping gaz as well. The snow peak (or msr, peak one, primus) can take msr, snow peak, peak one, primus ect cartriges. The exception is the camping gaz which can only take camping gaz cartriges. The big green things are another story as well and not compatable with any backpacking stove. If you are in doubt, ask an outfitter, they can pull out stove and show you.
TB

I'm also interested in knowing specifically which trail towns have stores selling standard 4 oz. or 8 oz. canisters. Specifically trail towns in PA, MD, WV, and VA. :) I know there's a canister FAQ with a short list here on WhiteBlaze, but I suspect it's an old list. Be nice to hear from recent hikers.

It shouldn't be too difficult. But, it will require good planning on your part. You'll have to get to an outfitter/sports store/hardware store(maybe) where they sell the appropriate cartridge. Whereas, most hostels along the trail will have white gas/denatured alcohol available for topping off a fuel bottle.

So, logistically, you'll need to know your consumption rate compared to your next possible resupply.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

I go thru the small (4oz?) cartridge in 5 days. That's coffee in the morning, and my meal at night with a cup of tea. But, i should add that if someone has a fire , i'll use it instead. But i figure 5 days for a small cartridge. (and i cook my noodles for about a minute and then just let them sit with the lid on) (and i have a windscreen which i believe is a must)
If i don't think i can buy it in a town (although you usually can), i'll mail it in my mail drop. As long as it goes by truck (not first class) it's legal to mail via USPS. (as far as i know unless they changed the law since 2002??? )

Cannisters that will fit all sorts of stoves are freely available up and down the Trail; the spots mentioned in the Article are still accurate tho you can add Franklin, Fontana Dam, Gatlinburg. You need to exercise a little caution (i.e. you might want to carry a back-up small sized cannister) between Harpers Ferry and Kent, but otherwise, you'll have no problems. Plus, you'll see discardded partially full cannisters in just about every hiker box you encounter, so if there are times you think you might need a few days extra to get to a town/outfitter, you'll have ample opportunity to pack an extra can. I've carried cannister stoves for around five years now, believe me, fuel availablity is not a problem.

I've carried cannister stoves for around five years now, believe me, fuel availablity is not a problem.

Jack, do you use the 4 oz or the 8 oz canisters, and do you typically carry a spare? The unfortunate thing about canisters is the "dead weight" of the canister itself compared to the fuel inside.

I'll bet anything those "partially full" canisters in hiking boxes occur precisely in places where new canisters are easily obtained. So why would I take one of those into the woods instead of a full one? :rolleyes:

I agree with Boston, it takes about 2 cartridges to get good at figuring out how much is left pretty accurately.
I also crush the canisters with 2 rocks as soon as they are empty to save space in my pack and carry out.
It's about the same as 2 empty beer cans.
don't worry about it so much, you just build a fire if you run out early.

Does anyone think that the canister stoves are better than an old trusted MSR whisperlight? ive got a great tinie tiny lantern which works on the canister...not even sure I'm going to bring it..but i am at least comfortable with the canisters...is there anyreason to upgrade to the canister stove?

ahodlofski,

If you are still debating what type of stove to take, also consider an alcohol one. And, assuming you are planning for a "thru" hike, I'd suggest leaving the lantern at home. Otherwise, you'll be mailing it home... At night, you sleep. Whatever else you might do at night can be adequately illuminated with a headlamp.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

Does anyone think that the canister stoves are better than an old trusted MSR whisperlight? ive got a great tinie tiny lantern which works on the canister...not even sure I'm going to bring it..but i am at least comfortable with the canisters...is there anyreason to upgrade to the canister stove?


Better in what way? There's nothing wrong with the Whisperlite, except that it's a bit heavy, and most folks these days are looking to minimize weight. Canisters are quicker to start, of course (no priming.) I love my old Whisperlite, but I've become somewhat of a "weight weenie"...

For winter hiking, or hiking as a couple or group, the Whisperlite still makes sense.

They're free.

I also am confused when many people say that it's hard to guess how much fuel is left?
It is really easy, you shake the canister and you can feel how much fuel is left..not hard at all. :rolleyes:

Eliminate the guesswork, use one of these (http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=274).

If I did not use alcohol, cannisters would be by next choice. Generally cannisters of some type are available in the towns along the trail. One time when someones cannister ran out I lent them mine to use. I would always carry two cannisters on the trail because you can't really tell when they are going to run out. A lot of people drop the cannisters early in hiker boxes because of this.
Also I think they are expensive, bulky and not biodegradable..

Also I think they are expensive, bulky and not biodegradable..

For the energy contained within them, they're competitive with alcohol. Alcohol has the advantage of not needing a pressurized metal container.

A typical 4 oz (100 gram) canister weighs 7 oz. and will boil 7 quarts of water or thereabouts. From my experience so far, that same amount of heat energy would require about 12-15 fluid oz. of alcohol, and weigh about 9-12 oz (plus maybe 1 oz. for the bottle.)

If it weren't for the 3 oz of "dead weight" in the butane canister, nobody would bother with alcohol stoves, except possibly to save a few pennies. Alcohol comes out ahead for very short trips (or frequent resupply) and/or very modest usage requirements.

Thanks...I was kinda thinking about leaving the lantern behind...we're actually only going to be able to do one month..this august we're going to do as much of maine as we can... I was also thinking anything i'd really like to do at night would be fine with the headlamp too...

I'm thinking weight weenie might be good for me...i'm hearing maine is tough tough tough...and I'm 32 male and about 170lbs...my parnter is female and about 103lbs...so there is a concern with weight... i know she wont be able to haul as much schtuff as my 6'2 190lbs friends used to be able to do...lol. Im assuming that white gas is readily available along the trails? not hanging from trees...but in towns...lol.

Plus...i'm thinking whats the point in hiking for a month if you are hauling your whole life with you right? Minimize minimize minimize...

OK...lantern gone...and MSR whisperlight...you stay... unless anyone tells me i wont be able to get gas along the way like it seems you can get canisters...

You know what though? Is the cooking potential/weight ratio TOTALLY off with the whisperlight? White gas is not light...but it does run for a while...damn it man..lol

We're going to do a lot of mid semester weekend hikes so i'll try to work this out i guess.

You know what though? Is the cooking potential/weight ratio TOTALLY off with the whisperlight? White gas is not light...but it does run for a while...damn it man..lol


You can save a few oz by going with the simmerlite instead, and using the 11 oz bottle instead of the 22 oz.

Whisperlite was the standard on the AT for years and years, but what with "ultralight" thinking, it's hard to justify. I've done most of my AT hiking over the years with a Whisperlite, but I think those days are over. I'll see how it goes with a canister stove. I may take a AGG (pepsi can) alcohol stove and a few oz of alcohol as backup.

Do you remember how long you got out of a 11 or 22 oz bottle of white gas with your whisperlite? there are two of us...and was thinking 2 meals a day cooked...at most. Never ever ran out of fuel on the short trips i've made.

I once got 16 oz of fuel to burn at "medium" flame for about 3 hours (controlled test indoors, with a brand new stove.) MSR claims around 15 liters of water boiled with 11 oz of fuel -- see the comparison chart on the MSR website.

Interesting thread. I just gave away my Whisperlight as it hadn't been used in about 6 years. We get along fine with an alcohol stove for the kind of cooking we do (boil, soak, eat)

August in Maine = plenty of daylight. I sure wouldn't mess with a lantern. All you're going to want to do is sleep once the sun goes down anyway. Those hills will do a number on you!

The night= sleep thing kinda makes sense...I'm SOOOO Looking forward to my mini section of the AT... while we're on the cooking topic...any place to look for good food ideas? i hate to bring the premade meals unless i have to... Seems like you dont need to bring that much food between resupplies as well even in maine..which is good because i hate weight. :-)

The talk about the lantern reminds me of a time when we first did the JMT back in 90 with my brother and Choo choo. Anyway, my brother brought 8 AA batteries along (this was in August) and we wondered why, after about 5 or 6 days, he asked if any of us needed any batteries as he hadn't even used his headlamp yet. We were pretty tired at the end of every day to think about staying up reading or writing. Unless you plan to sleep in most days and do a lot of late night partying, you probably won't be using much in the way of lights after dark in August.
My opinion of the whisperlite: way too heavy, too loud, too many parts to go wrong and clean, not simple, has been known to clog and best used as an antique or vintage ebay item rather than a long distance hiking stove.
Hiking is best when kept simple.

My opinion of the whisperlite: way too heavy, too loud, too many parts to go wrong and clean, not simple, has been known to clog and best used as an antique or vintage ebay item rather than a long distance hiking stove. Hiking is best when kept simple.

From personal experience, the only part of the above that I'd agree with is the too heavy part. Other than that, I love my (17 year old) Whisperlite. It's been 100% reliable over all those years. YMMV, of course.

I have to say...ive had mine since 1992...and it's never failed me...every backpacking trip and every car camping trip...its all ive ever used...i do see your point about too heavy though..especcially with the price of new super light stoves and fuels.

You keep mentioning the "weight" thing, so I'll again mention the alcohol stove.

- unless you go stoveless, nothing is lighter (at least I don't think 1 oz is heavy)
- nothing is less complicated (pour in denatured alcohol and light)
- no breakable parts (unless you step on it:eek: )
- fuel is readily available
- fuel can be stored in 20 oz soda bottle (after drinking soda, of course:D )
- if you are crafty, you can make it yourself

Of course, if cooking for 2 it might not be the best. But each of you could carry your own and prepare your own food...

As for food, Lipton Sides are popular. Add a tuna/chicken packet. Everyone has at least one Ramen stuffed in their pack. Peanut butter with bagels/tortillas. Beef Jerky, trail mix and absolutely everybody's favorite - Snickers. Oatmeal and Pop Tarts, also...oh, and, don't forget the Mac-n-cheese...Anyway, this stuff is easy to get, easy to prepare and doesn't cost as much as prepared, dehy meals...

See you on the trail,
mt squid

You know whats funny...I was at EMS the other night and looked at the premade backpacking dinners...man they seem like a bit of a rip off!!! I like the lipton dinners suggestion...ramen, tuna/chicked in those super light foil pouches too. My only fear is that I'm lactose intolerant...so I'm gonna have to be careful out there...you know cuz those lactoses are hidden everywhere...

I'm going to have to look around the super market at this stuff more over the next couple months.

Is there anyone who carries fresh veggies on the trail for a little while? I assume this isnt a problem provided you dont choose super squishy ones...lol.

You know whats funny...I was at EMS the other night and looked at the premade backpacking dinners...man they seem like a bit of a rip off!!!

Ayup. But nice to have one in your food bag, for those nights when you really want a hot meal, away from a shelter, in foul weather. Just a thought.

I like the lipton dinners suggestion...ramen, tuna/chicked in those super light foil pouches too... I'm going to have to look around the super market at this stuff more over the next couple months. Yep, I'm always scoping out the supermarket shelves for "hiker friendly" foods. Soup mixes often work well. Alessi soups (bean, lentil, etc.) are great -- but use half. (They're meant to feed a family.) Always check the cooking times in the directions. If you carry a pot cozy, you can deal with some of that slow-cooking stuff as well.

Is there anyone who carries fresh veggies on the trail for a little while? I assume this isnt a problem provided you dont choose super squishy ones...lol.Onions will keep, as will carrots, green peppers, etc. But they're heavy. So if you carry those, plan to consume them quickly -- ie., by the first or 2nd night out of town. Thing is, you'll often have a full belly leaving town anyway...

...my parnter is female and about 103lbs...so there is a concern with weight...

I hope she doesn't take that the wrong way..:D

Panzer

It's not hard. If you can tell how much beer is left in your can without peering into it, you can tell how much fuel is left in the canister..:rolleyes:


Wish it were that easy.

Beer: 12 oz fluid, can weighs 0.5 oz
Canister: 3.5 oz fluid, can weighs 3.5 oz

Please remember this is the Straight Forward forum. Edits will continue from this point forward.

The management

Before you buy you may want to also consider expense. Canisters typically cost 4-5 times more than alcohol. A 6 month hike may cost you $180 just for fuel vs. $40. Add another $50-$80 for the stove itself and you're talking $200 more than a alcohol stove.

Before you buy you may want to also consider expense. Canisters typically cost 4-5 times more than alcohol. A 6 month hike may cost you $180 just for fuel vs. $40. Add another $50-$80 for the stove itself and you're talking $200 more than a alcohol stove.

Sly, can you tell us more about:

1. your daily "budget" for alcohol (ahem... fuel) consumption.
2. your typical daily stove usage
3. recommended resupply interval
4. amount of fuel carried
5. stove performance in windy conditions

Sly,
Your math seems to be off. For $4/cartridge assuming 1 cartridge/week, for a 24 week hike its only 96 dollars. Hiker box finds make it less. Cartidge stoves are used very successfully every year on the AT and as far as performance, have the best range. They are hotter, much easier to adjust the heat and have the best range of heat. If you don't want alcohal or white gas, they are an excelent stove.
TB

One a week? Others have said a 4 oz canister is good for about 4 days, so I figured a $1 a day.

One a week? Others have said a 4 oz canister is good for about 4 days, so I figured a $1 a day.


Can't answer the question without describing actual stove usage.

Sly, can you tell us more about:

1. your daily "budget" for alcohol (ahem... fuel) consumption.
2. your typical daily stove usage
3. recommended resupply interval
4. amount of fuel carried
5. stove performance in windy conditions

Sure, I'll probably have my post deleted cuz it's not about canisters but...

1. 2-3 oz a day (fuel and ahem the same drinking)
2. morning coffee, sometimes oatmeal and dinner with a hot drink.
3. every 5-7 days
4. up to 20 oz.
5. fine with a wind screen.

Sure, I'll probably have my post deleted cuz it's not about canisters but...

1. 2-3 oz a day (fuel and ahem the same drinking)
2. morning coffee, sometimes oatmeal and dinner with a hot drink.
3. every 5-7 days
4. up to 20 oz.
5. fine with a wind screen.

Thanks for that, Sly, very useful info.

Can't answer the question without describing actual stove usage.

I just did...

FWIW, Sly... my own usage would probably be similar. I think we're both in that cusp/nether region where alcohol and canister are about the same, in terms of "ounce-days." I'm thinking one might get about 30 cups of water boiled with a 4 oz. canister. For me, that means 10 dinners and a cuppa tea with each dinner. I don't usually have hot breakfasts (but that could change now that I'd be carrying a faster/more convenient stove.)

a couple of Idiots throw a iso-butane canister in a camp file.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d2d80df7f8

I posted this on another thread but I think this is actually a better place to post it. Its important to realize how much damage can be done by putting one of these things in the camp fire.

Panzer

On the AT and PCT I used a Whisperlite. No problems, never ran out of fuel using a 11 oz bottle. On the CDT, I used alcohol. No problems, never ran out of fuel.

Next year, various trails totaling about 1800 miles, I'm thinking of using a canister, but the fuel costs, resupply hassles may change my mind. Since I can't find my titanium pot, earlier today I was very close to buying a Jetboil PCS Java and 3 canisters at REI which has a $20 off coupon for a $100. purchase.

I'd say I boil 5-6 cups a day. If a 4 oz canister lasted 5-6 days, it wouldn't be too bad. The problem is where I'm going, I'd have to carry 2 canisters and rely on mail drops for resupply further adding to the expense.

One last post concerning the advantages of canister stoves (white gas too) over alcohol or zip stoves for that matter. Not so much in the east but certain western states often have open fire restrictions during dry/drought times. Only pressurized stoves with shut off valves are allowed unless there's a total ban.

One last post concerning the advantages of canister stoves (white gas too) over alcohol or zip stoves for that matter. Not so much in the east but certain western states often have open fire restrictions during dry/drought times. Only pressurized stoves with shut off valves are allowed unless there's a total ban.

Good point. I remember hanging out at Dan Quinn's barn in Vermont -- didn't feel comfortable lighting up the Zip on the porch there. If it hadn't been for a bit of horse-trading, I'd have eaten a cold dinner that evening.

I'd say I boil 5-6 cups a day. If a 4 oz canister lasted 5-6 days, it wouldn't be too bad. The problem is where I'm going, I'd have to carry 2 canisters and rely on mail drops for resupply further adding to the expense.

With usage like that, you're better of with a Simmerlite and small (11 oz.) fuel bottle. 11.3 oz total for burner unit, pump, and fuel bottle. The fuel in that bottle will boil 15 quarts (60 cups) of water. But you've used the Whisperlite.. so you know what that's all about.