Community Forums

wagonmaster2 · 01-12-2017, 10:04 AM

Will regular unleaded gasoline at $2/gal work just as well as Coleman fluid at $8-$9/gal in Coleman laterns and cook stoves? I know we used to buy white gas before unleaded came out.

Podivin · 01-12-2017, 10:07 AM

I don't KNOW for sure, but to me that seems like an explosion/big fire just waiting to happen (think: molotov cocktail).
I would guess that coleman fluid is closer to kerosene than it is to gasoline.

Clay L · 01-12-2017, 10:14 AM

It depends on the age/model. There are newer ones designed for both Coleman fuel and regular unleaded gasoline.

beenthere · 01-12-2017, 10:15 AM

i wouldnt do it.. although coming home from camping in '76 we ran out of gas and used the coleman in the subaru.. but in lantern the fires as gas burns at different rate and starts at differrent rates..

Unplanned Tourist · 01-12-2017, 10:19 AM

It will be marked as a "Dual Fuel" stove or lantern if it can take reg. gas. Check the label to see. They do make Dual Fuel stoves and lanterns. If it is not labeled as dual fuel, it is Colman Fuel only. Good luck.

FIRE UP · 01-12-2017, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

Will regular unleaded gasoline at $2/gal work just as well as Coleman fluid at $8-$9/gal in Coleman laterns and cook stoves? I know we used to buy white gas before unleaded came out.

I've done it several times. One of the things that most people don't understand is the volatility of Coleman fuel. Coleman fuel is darn near the same refinement of gasoline. Only, there's no additives in it. The chemical make up is about as it close as it gets without actually being GASOLINE. I won't go in to all the specs etc. as you can find those for yourself. I used gas in my Coleman lantern for a few years before switching BACK to Coleman.

My lantern is not a "Dual fuel" lantern, it was never labeled as such but, a the system (the pump and pressure vessel) converts liquid to gas and as such, it burns the gas in the mantle. No one has to believe me here. Just look up the specs on both and see for yourself. Good luck.
Scott

SilverBob · 01-12-2017, 10:54 AM

Coleman fuel (white gas) is actually Naptha. It's quite different than gasoline. Unless your appliance is specifically designed to burn gasoline, it can be VERY unsafe to use it.

photopilot · 01-12-2017, 10:58 AM

Back in the day, you could buy "White gas" and burn it in Coleman lanterns. It was gas with no lead or additives, unlike unleaded fuel today. As has been mentioned, you can burn regular gas in lanterns marked "dual fuel" only. Not sure if the stoves are dual fuel or not. Coleman fuel is harder to find these days, but carried at my local Wal-Mart. I'm not sure which is worse- $10/gal camp fuel or 1 lb. propane bottle lanterns. I hate the waste when using bottles.

Walt

twinboat · 01-12-2017, 10:59 AM

My Father used Sunoco 260 gas in his Coleman stove and lanterns for years.

Back then it was the only lead free gas sold at stations.

As posted above, white gas ( Colman ) is lead free gas without the " engine cleaning " additives.

From the net;

Though Coleman fuel has an*octane rating*of 50 to 55 and a flammability similar to gasoline, it has none of the additives found in modern*gasoline*and should not be used as a substitute for gasoline.[citation needed]*While itwill*function as a fuel for gasoline engines, its high combustion temperature and lack of octane boosting additives could damage engine valves[ci

powercat_ras · 01-12-2017, 11:04 AM

The Coleman lantern generator will last longer if only used on white gas / Coleman fuel.

j.smith · 01-12-2017, 03:04 PM

I have a dual fuel backpacking stove and while it will work on either fuel, using unleaded gasoline will result in the stove requiring much more maintenance. The stove fuel is much cleaner burning than regular gasoline. You will probably find that the cost of maintenance will far exceed the cost differential for the better fuel.

Murf2u · 01-12-2017, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

Will regular unleaded gasoline at $2/gal work just as well as Coleman fluid at $8-$9/gal in Coleman laterns and cook stoves?

I use my Coleman stoves a LOT and I can't begin to guess how many hours a gallon of naphtha gas lasts. I doubt I use even 1 gallon a season.

So the difference might be what? $5 a year?

marjoa · 01-12-2017, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Podivin

I don't KNOW for sure, but to me that seems like an explosion/big fire just waiting to happen (think: molotov cocktail).
I would guess that coleman fluid is closer to kerosene than it is to gasoline.

Ditto!

We use Lanterns with rechargeable batteries.

Unplanned Tourist · 01-12-2017, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf2u

I use my Coleman stoves a LOT and I can't begin to guess how many hours a gallon of naphtha gas lasts. I doubt I use even 1 gallon a season.

So the difference might be what? $5 a year?

I'm with you there!

We have 2 Colman stoves and a lantern that all use Naphtha gas. Love the fact that they use so little fuel and burn bright and cook hot. My wife cooks a lot when we are out, and outside cooking is the best!