There are a few camping essentials that avid campers and hikers the world over rarely take to the trail without. Depending on the kind of planned camping or hiking trip, a butane canister will be one of those essentials.
A butane canister is not only necessary on most hiking and camping trips, but they are also economically logical. The problem, however, is that these canisters are about as dangerous as they are useful when mishandled. That 8 oz. butane canister in your backpack could be the source of a lot of anguish on the trail if you don’t know what you are dealing with completely.
As such, we must take a closer look at butane canisters:
- What are they composed of?
- How to handle them properly
- Safety tips for hiking with butane canisters
Not only will this information increase your overall hiking and camping knowledge, but it will also increase your ability to handle fuel sources correctly while on the trail.
Table of contents
What Are Butane Canisters Used for?
Butane is a gas that has a wide range of uses in the commercial industry. It’s often used as fuel for heat sources such as lighters and as a propellant for deodorants. Butane canisters are used as torches, barbecues, cooking stoves, and camp heaters in the hiking and camping world.
Butane is a vaporous gas typically stored in high-pressure canisters and used as a fuel source. When it burns, butane is highly flammable and creates carbon dioxide and water vapor.
One of the biggest advantages of using butane gas canisters as a hiker and a camper is that you can easily and safely fuel your lightweight backpacking stove. These canisters are not only widely available but are also quite often very safe and convenient to use. Couple that with the fact that butane is much safer than propane gas, and you have a wonderful heat source.
Is Butane Better than Propane?
Yes, butane is better than propane in many ways, but not all.
Even though butane fuel is much cleaner and less toxic than propane gas, there are some instances in which propane gas is still used instead of butane gas. When you are hiking or camping in near-freezing conditions, you will need to warm up your butane canister before you can burn the butane gas as fuel. This can be a rather unpleasant and inconvenient experience. Propane gas, on the other hand, offers no such inconveniences.
That being said, butane is still better than propane for several reasons:
- Butane fuel offers more energy or cooking power than propane
- Butane is cleaner
- Butane is less toxic than propane
- Butane is safer to store than propane
This is all to say that if you aren’t hiking or camping in near-freezing conditions, butane gas canisters might be your best heat source option.
Tips on How to Safely Use Butane Canisters
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, portable gas canisters and gas stoves such as butane canisters are among the “Controlled Goods” category and, as such, should always carry the “Safety Mark” on them. It’s, therefore, the very first thing you should look for when you buy or use a butane can.
That being said, here are the most important safety tips for using a butane stove or canister.
- Look for the “SAFETY Mark”: Always make sure either your propane or butane canister fueled stove and the butane canister that goes with it have the “SAFETY Mark.” This will most likely be a big red sign on the side of the cans. This indicates that it has been tested and meets specific safety standards. The mark also carries a specific certification number that ties it to the supplier for accountability.
- Don’t use the stove in such a way that it traps heat: To safely use the butane stove, make sure that there’s enough airflow on the sides and top of the stove. Stifling the stove might lead to overheating and an explosion.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: In many cases, the stoves and cans will come with precise instructions on how to use them. Be sure to follow these instructions. For instance, don’t use pans that are larger than indicated by the manufacturer, as this will concentrate the high heat back onto the canister and might lead to an explosion.
There are other common safety tips, such as:
- Don’t run the stove overnight while you sleep
- Always remove the butane canister from the portable stove when not in use
- Always cap the canister’s valve, even when not in use
- Store the canister in a cool place and away from flames (even when empty)
- Do not attempt to fix any gas leaks or faults in the fuel canister yourself
- If you happen to smell a gas leak, put out any fires immediately and turn off the stove
Tips on How to Store Butane Canisters
As a controlled product, some rules and regulations govern the use and storage of butane cartridges and butane fuel canisters. For the most part, you will find the specific instructions outlined on a label that will most likely be affixed to the side of the canister. However, if you can’t find that label, here are some tips that should help.
- Store indoors: Butane canisters aren’t like propane cans, which are toxic and prone to leaks. You can and should store them indoors. However, you should ensure that it is in a cool place and away from children.
- Store at low temperatures: Store your canisters at temperatures of at least 32 degrees Fahrenheit and no more than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don’t leave butane canisters in your car: Even though you might have an overland truck you use when camping and overlanding, it’s advisable to remove your butane canisters from the vehicle after every trip. Do not use your car as a storage space for these canisters.
Note: You mustn’t store your butane canisters anywhere that gets direct sunlight. You should always keep them away from direct heat sources, including electrical outlets.
It’s important to note that butane belongs to the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) family. This gas is in a high-pressure canister, which is highly flammable and dangerous. However, when handled correctly, there isn’t anything to worry about.
By following the above safety and storage tips, you should be able to enjoy the convenience that comes with using butane torches and canisters on your next camping, hunting, or hiking trip.
Butane Canister FAQ
What’s the difference between LPG and butane?
It should be noted that butane is a type of LPG. However, unlike other types of LPG, butane has a much higher boiling point (-2 °C). This makes it ideal for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor uses. That’s one of the main reasons why butane can be used for fueling appliances such as portable gas heaters, camping stoves, and butane torches.
How long does a single can of butane last?
This will depend on a number of things, but mostly on how often you use it and the size of the canister. Butane canisters typically come in three different sizes (4 oz., 8 oz., and 16 oz.).
There’s a very good chance that you will end up buying the 8oz. option because the 4oz. is often too small for any meaningful camping or hiking trip that will last at least a day, and the 16oz. is just overkill.
In that case, you can expect the 8 oz. butane canister to last approximately 3–4 hours when running on low heat and about 2–3 hours on high heat.
What happens when butane gas touches your skin?
If butane gas touches your skin, it can cause a freezer burn or frostbite. That’s why you should not handle any repairs or refills yourself but allow professionals to do it.
Final Thoughts
Butane canisters are a great way to cook food while camping or in an emergency situation, but it’s important to use them safely. Make sure you store your butane canister in a cool, dry place and never leave it near a heat source. Remember to keep the valve closed when the canister isn’t in use, and always point the nozzle away from yourself and others when lighting it.
We have ways to save money on backpacking gear to other safety tips or favorite butane canisters, let me know in the comments below!
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