Are propane stoves safer than butane stoves?

[ganchan]

I seem to keep stumbling onto articles about explosions involving portable butane stoves that leak or don't seal off the canister completely. While of course propane stoves/canisters can develop dangerous issues as well, I was just wondering if they have a better reputation for safety than their butane counterparts?....

Also, which type of fuel is easier to store safely? I've heard that neither should be stored in a vehicle, period, but I don't see any alternative for travelers.

 

[ccbreder]

Same issues with any compressed hydrocarbon gas. Propane one pound bottles have been around and abused for many years, yet I hear very little about problems with them. Propane is available in bulk and refilling large bottles is cheaper than 1 pound cylinders.

 

[ganchan]

Same issues with any compressed hydrocarbon gas. Propane one pound bottles have been around and abused for many years, yet I hear very little about problems with them. Propane is available in bulk and refilling large bottles is cheaper than 1 pound cylinders.

I thought maybe there was something inherently flawed about the butane canister or cooker design....

The labels on both butane and propane canisters warns never to keep it in temperatures above 120F. I guess the inside of a vehicle never gets quite that hot, but I would imagine it can get close when the AC isn't running and you can't park in shade. 

 

[minimotos95]

Parked in the sun with reflectix in the windows my white van has got over 130f when ambient temps were under 100f.
The question is whether the warnings are to keep the lawyers happy or is there legitimate concern over the increase in pressure as temperatures rise that high.
I know propane is generally at a higher pressure than butane but butane is generally in thinner walled tanks.

I am interested in hearing more about this as I have the amazon $6 backpackers stove on the way to use when my 2 burner propane is too much of a hassle.

 

[akrvbob]

I can't really answer, but I think the bulk refillable bottles are the safest of all of them. Those bottles are extremely well made to Federal standards and are very, very safe. The hoses are more of a weak link but not much. I did have an old one simply start leaking at the crimp for no reason but age as far as I could see, now I replace them every 2 years (on odd-numbered years) just for ease of mind. Costs me $10 a year, $20 per hose, but I can live with that.
Bob

 

[ganchan]

Parked in the sun with reflectix in the windows my white van has got over 130f when ambient temps were under 100f.
The question is whether the warnings are to keep the lawyers happy or is there legitimate concern over the increase in pressure as temperatures rise that high.
I know propane is generally at a higher pressure than butane but butane is generally in thinner walled tanks.

I am interested in hearing more about this as I have the amazon $6 backpackers stove on the way to use when my 2 burner propane is too much of a hassle.

I'm interested too. Maybe the 120F warning is legal boilerplate, but most fiction contains a grain of truth, as they say. In the meantime, I'll work on my skill at preparing cold meals.... 

 

[ganchan]

By the way, how do you dispose of a mostly-empty fuel canister safely and responsibly when camping?

 

[Almost There]

By the way, how do you dispose of a mostly-empty fuel canister safely and responsibly when camping?

Most state and provincial parks/state forests etc that I've been in have special containers next to the dumpster specifically for disposing of the 1 lb tanks.

At home we keep the empties until we have a few to dispose of and then take them to the dump where they have a special bin for them.

 

[Bela's Mom]

I seem to keep stumbling onto articles about explosions involving portable butane stoves that leak or don't seal off the canister completely. While of course propane stoves/canisters can develop dangerous issues as well, I was just wondering if they have a better reputation for safety than their butane counterparts?....

Also, which type of fuel is easier to store safely? I've heard that neither should be stored in a vehicle, period, but I don't see any alternative for travelers.

I used propane bottles with a single burner for years.  They were stored in the bed of my pick-up which had a fiberglass shell over it, along with the rest of my gear.  My truck was parked in the sun everyday (unless it rained of course, lol) during hot, Texas summers with ambient temps above 100 degrees.  I'm sure the inside of the camper shell was hotter than that.  I never had a problem with a propane bottle exploding or leaking. 

Not saying it can't happen; just relaying my experience. 

 

[ccbreder]

Propane. In my career, I have known many plumbers and pipe fitters, electricians and mechanics. They all keep the one pound bottles someplace in their trucks. Usually without much thought to how they are stowed or what the temperature. I have never heard a story about one causing any problem except running out of gas.
My self prefers the refillable 20 pound-ers well anchored. But I still have at least one disposable some place with the tools.

 

[cdiggy]

^^^ ditto^^^. Have had propane/map tanks stores indefinitely with my plumbing tools and never gave it a second thought.

 

[highdesertranger]

ok the inside temp of your vehicle can easily exceed 120 degrees. as far as the disposable cylinders are concerned they can all leak equally(propane and butane) and they do. at least they do for me. the bulk tanks are much safer imo. they have an actual valve that you turn on and off. much more reliable than the pressure seal on disposables. as far as butane goes I really don't get it. for city dwellers ok but for others. why? let's review butane does not work at low temp or high altitude it's expensive compared to propane and out west here in small towns where propane is readily available butane is nowhere to be found. highdesertranger

 

[travlinman and wife]

also with butane be carful if you use a big pan it can redirect the heat over the canester and over heat it and cause a exploshin. happens all the time in korea.