Comprehensive Guide to Using Gas Canister Stoves in Cold Weather

[@scottbutler1561]

Thanks, Mark. This is the most accurate and comprehensive canister stove presentation relative to cold weather performance that I've ever seen.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@maritimeblaster]

I had these issues the other day trying to make lunch. Thank you, I wasn’t sure what I would have to do besides using my gasifier stove which can be difficult with my dog around. The warm water in a dish I think is going to be my solution. Brilliant!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it helped! Thanks for commenting

[@brashachilles9725]

Such well structured, informative, expert videos.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thank you for your kind words

[@bcamping1]

This is the best explanation of pressure regulator I ever heard. These two little stoves probably have very little jets. They are very efficient and slow. They probably show the difference of different fuels and temperatures the best.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Agreed. Thanks for commenting

[@donnybryan6762]

Great video. The amount of liquid in the tank does not affect the pressure. Only the temperature of the liquid affects the pressure. It takes energy to vaporize the liquid cooling the liquid. A smaller volume in the tank cools faster than a larger volume. Therefore, a smaller volume may appear to have lower pressure.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for the info!

[@eramaidenkulkija]

I was about to post this same comment. The pressure depends only of the temerature of the liquid.

[@andrewinaustintx]

Thank you for the excellent demonstration of the three work arounds for using an ISO-butane stove in colder temps. Since, I'm truck camping versus backpacking - I bring a trusty 45 year old SVEA 123 as part of my kit when headed to higher elevations, just in case.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I do love my SVEA 123 but they do require a bit more work than these type of stoves. Thanks for commenting

[@coreyschultz7018]

I never realized all the differences with fuel types as well as gaseous and liquid forms of dispensing. All great information. My choice is easy now! Thanks for your great info again!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@nyleshintz69]

As a gas fitter in B.C.,I outfit my cylinders with primarily propane in Winter or our colder climates in Autumn or Spring. Good to see you're still promoting something to the general public. I won't correct you here.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@wanttogo1958]

The copper strip you saw demonstrated by Krizakoni (sp?) in a YT video is actually called a Moulder strip credited to Bob Moulder(still living to my knowledge) as the original, recent anyway, person who refined the technique and wrote about it at Backpacking Light. If you search for Moulder strip online you will see the thread come up at the BPL site where the details of making and using one are described. You don’t have to be a member to read those entries online.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for the information. I will take a look

[@orilion1820]

Great speaking voice! Thank you for this content, very well done.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for commenting

[@genelucky4002]

I find I can warm the canister using a remote canister stove by simply placing the canister somewhat near the burner. I use a wind screen and leave it open on the canister side. I monitor the canister temperature to make sure the metal stays low enough that I can touch the canister is not ouch response. In additon to touching the canister to monitor its tempurature, listen to the stove. If it starts to roar the canister is beginning to over heat. Turn it down or off immediately.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, that would work. As you say, you would need to watch it closely. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mark, probably around 0 C is the coldest I'd encounter and haven't had an issue with Colman branded iso-butane, butane, propane 28-45-26 mix. or iso-butane @ 80-20 mix, on the Blade 2 or Windmaster, though i do usually pocket the canister for a while as a matter of course, just a good habit to get into i reckon. I have heard, (second hand), of the odd dodgy canister valve, (have you ?), so depending on the trip I'll often take 2 X 220 g jobs rather than a single 220 or 450 g, ...... for our old mate Just-in Case. Btw; on the other end of the scale, I'm struggling to find upper temp specs, it can go 40+ C here in summer and I am particularly concerned with leaving these fuels in a hot car for any length of time. Any info would be appreciated. Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hey Duke. Good question about upper temperatures. We rarely get above 30C here so I have not thought about it. I think I will do some research on this. Thanks for commenting

[@connosaurus]

Good information Mark. Happy to see the hand-warmer test!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@Pedenzo]

Mark, what about white gas stoves? (yeah, I'm always that guy....;-) I would love to see a comparison between W/G vs canister stoves. The amount of time to get the inverted canister stove going was longer that priming and lighting my beloved Svea. One thought, maybe you could try using some sort of priming pan with alcohol to warm up the inverted canister stove......great video, thank you!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I would love to make a video on white gas stoves. I am also thinking about one on alcohol stoves. Thanks for commenting

[@spinner2000]

Brilliant mark very comprehensive

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for commenting

[@borissorkin8819]

Mark, preheat tube on this stove would work much better with pot on the stove. The flame would spread wider and touch the tube. Without pot on top of the stove, the tube is not in the flame and less efficient. Thanks for the tips with paper clips and cooper strip. I will try them both.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I agree, I think I may have mentioned that at one point. I should have sown a pot being placed on all of them. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

Good on ya Boris, fair point mate. Cheers Duke.

[@956lizz]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! There’s always great videos on your channel

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thank you for your kind words

[@SnowyAspenHills]

A lot of information succinctly delivered. Guess we all have our favourite stoves for cold weather, for me it’s the SOTO StormBreaker works with white gas or inverted gas, I also use an Optimus Vega remote stove that will work with a canister inverted and has a stand to facilitate this. I find it a bit annoying when a manufacturer makes a stove that can work with an inverted gas canister but doesn’t provide a suitable means to support the canister inverted. Liked your Bull Dog clip work around. In the Uk RidgeMonkey make a USB heated canister cover that warms the gas to keep it working in cold temperatures.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Fire Maple makes on as well that I will ask them to send so I can share it. Thanks for commenting

[@clockworkvanhellsing372]

If you put some tablesalt on a stick and hold it into the flame, the flame would be much more visible in the video. Thank you for the demonstration. Some of the cheap chinese stoves conduct enough heat into their base, that they can run on an inverted canister without issues (at least mine can, and that one was realy cheap), so it might be worth it, to carefully try it out outside.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Interesting idea about using the salt. Thanks for commenting

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Great video Mark!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@Fellmandave1]

Really great video Mark. i have just bought a pressure regulator stove as was experiencing poor performance in the cold with my preheat tube type. I am still not convinced which is better, the pressure regulator stove or preheat tube type.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

So far, in real cold weather I lean towards the pre-heat tube with the tank inverted. It does take a bit to warm up though. Thanks for commenting

[@Fellmandave1]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft would be great to see the pre heat vs the regulator though, kind of what I was expecting then went a bit unscientific. subscribed!

[@stevensmith1911]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@redsorgum]

I think the hand warmer was an easier way to warm it. I would recommend one of those gas can sleeves, I’ve seen people use them, and they seem to work pretty good. You should have lit up a Trangia as a bonus……✌️🇺🇸🇨🇦✌️

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I may make a cold weather alcohol stove video. Thanks for commenting

[@theresamcpherson7352]

Thank you Mark!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@josephtremblay6562]

Trangia gas burner has both preheat tube, and pressure regulator, and high quality. I use this with a trangia T27, as well as an optimus polaris for extreme cold and higher elevation. They all fit in a T27, so bonus windscreen

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, that is one of the pros for the Trangia burner. Thanks for commenting

[@covenantking]

I’ve been thinking about using my Optimus Polaris in a 25 or 27 Trangia windcreen. Can you tell me how stable is it, do you use any adapter? and if you have ever damaged the aluminum windcreen with the Polaris at full heat? Thanks.

[@josephtremblay6562]

@covenantking I do not have the adapter, i use it in the closed position (as in I don't open the legs) and it is still stable that way. I do not crank the heat full either.

[@charliemcdowell5231]

It has a preheat tube but I believe it is not meant to use an inverted canister. Perhaps I’m mistaken?

[@brucematys8597]

Excellent video Mark and really appreciate the information shared. Cheers my friend.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for commenting

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦🖐🖐♥️🌲🌳🚍🚐🛣🚐🚍🌳🌲😎✊❄

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Great Demo Shared Mark ! I Use A Hand Warmer On The Bottom Of Mine When Needed. ATB T God Bless

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I like the handwarmers as well. Thanks for commenting Terry

[@karenporter3156]

Thank you! Another great video full of information.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@AtomicBleach]

Firemaple actually sells a insulated cowhide leather cover for your gas canister to help with performance in the cold.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, and I will likely ask them to send me one to share. Thanks for commenting

[@DrDennis]

Do all these gas stoves connect directly to 1 lb propane cans or do you need adapters? Great review.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

They all require the adapter for use with the propane cylinder but the adapter is quite inexpensive. I got mine on Aliexpress but Fire Maple also has them. Thanks for commenting

[@Chris-hx7ub]

Great video. Question for a canister stove with a pre heat tube i have msr windpro 2 in liquid mode what's the coldest you have been able to get then started? On the -25c day did you try to get that one stove started? I am trying to figure out limit of winter mix canister stove. Thanks.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I don't have the MSR Windpro 2 but I have a few stoves of similar design. I was able to get them started and use them at -25C using the winter blend fuel. They sputter and flare a bit until they heat up. A trick I use is to carry the canister inside my coat to help pre-heat it. Hope this helps

[@Chris-hx7ub]

@MarkYoungBushcraft thank you. Will keep canister in pocket while getting camp set up.

[@markmartello]

Nice video Mark. Can straight propane be used with a stove with a preheat tube? Thanks.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, it can but no need to invert the tank. Thanks for commenting

[@jacquelineatherstone9288]

Thank you mark for this great information sincerely Jacqueline Wichita ks

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am glad it was helpful. Thanks for commenting

[@jarmosalonen2068]

Farenheit? What happened to Celsius temperature measuring?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I kind of went back and forth. Should have done both right through. Thanks for commenting

[@MichaelR58]

Good informational video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@MrLabradorwildman]

Hi Mark, Posted Comment on wrong Video lol, should have posted on this one on using the Ultra Flame Propane Torch Fuel Canister, 226-g, it has the same thread has all the stoves and yes i pushed the canaster down in the snow and tried my sole master on top, i do like the regulator stoves i like the look at the one you was using can you place a link to it please i may get one and try my propane canaster with it. Great video thanks again Dave from Lab City.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Here is a link to one from Fire Maple firemaplegear.com/collections/shop-all-accessaries/products/z1-lpg-propane-canister-adapter Thanks for commenting

[@jimf1964]

That was pretty comprehensive. I’m sure it’ll help some people, and THANK YOU for pointing out that you need a stove to get hot water, and you need hot water to run your stove. Some real keypad experts are out there. Personally I find it odd that the very people (bush crafters , hikers etc) who are supposed to be so environmental, drop it without a thought when it comes to personal convenience. Except for the maybe 1% of people who refill their cans, canisters are so so wasteful. Manufacturing the steel, the extra shipping of raw steel, shipping to be filled, then to the store when full, even printing the canisters, etc…make these the worst choice. I don’t mind if people choose these, it’s just when they’re being so hypocritical about it.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

You make a good point about the environmental impact of the gas canisters. I heard Paul Kirtley argue that a few years ago and I resisted using the canisters at all. Now, I do refill my small canisters from the larger but even that, it is less impactful to use alcohol or wood. Thanks for commenting

[@danielkutcher5704]

Another alcohol and wood stove user, I assume. 👍

[@jimf1964]

@@danielkutcher5704 Another person who doesn’t really read a post before commenting, I assume. If you actually read my comment, I said that I don’t blame anyone for using a gas canister, if that’s what they like, but don’t go around claiming you’re pro protecting the environment if you do. I can’t begin to tell you how sick I am of people who claim to be environmentalists, yet will do nothing of their own accord, if it causes them the most minuscule of inconveniences, and then expect the government to do it for them. Not that it’s relevant, since I’m only calling out hypocrites, but I adore my firebox stove, I use alcohol on occasion, and white gas. Though I’m planning on buying a universal fuel MSR stove soon.

[@danielkutcher5704]

@@jimf1964 Apparently, you don't understand what 👍means. I agreed with your post. 🙄 I use alcohol and wood, and am environmentally responsible, and don't expect a pat on the back from anyone for driving tiny cars, recycling, etc. Your response startled me, but I will just assume that it was a simple misunderstanding on your part or a failure to communicate clearly on my part. ✌

[@jimf1964]

@@danielkutcher5704 Hey, I run into a lot of keyboard experts, so maybe I responded too quickly, or it was aimed at someone else. Sorry

[@per-ake]

Hi Mark, Will the FM polaris, being a regulated stove,will it run on propane with the appropriate tank adapter. I did try it with the MSR Reactor, which is regulated, but all I got was a very weak blue flame.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I wanted to conform before replying. I compared propane to isobutane on my FM Polaris and Campingmoon pressure regulated stove. I did not a small decrease in intensity between fuels. Interestingly, I noted a larger difference between the two stoves when using the same fuels. I cannot confirm but the difference may be due to the BTU difference between butane and propane. Isobutane would be my first choice but I would be happy with propane as well. Hope this helps

[@neemancallender9092]

I still have an Optimus 88 or 99 (cant remember) that comes in an aluminum container where the lid is a pot I have the pressure pump to act as a pressure stove Called a white gas or coleman fuel, but i just always used unleaded gas/petrol lowest grade i have used that stove in -40 and it started perfectly A liter of fuel would last ten days in the winter snowshoeing in the woods and mountains of Vermont and the Adirondacks, or the Scottish Highlands in the winter , cooking lentils and rice as my main evening meal I have another heavy aluminum pot, that i simmered the lentils, and used haybox method and wrapped the pot in thin closed cell foam, to get a slow cook Used the lid to boil water for coffee and tea, with a thin aluminum mug, almost as light as titanium Still lights up like a treat I also had the first MSR remote multi fuel stove, it was a beast Did not use it much, as it was bulky. i don't even think it had a model number Fond Memories

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

A classic for sure. I have an old Svea and Colemen that work the same way. Bit more work to use but they work so much better in the cold. Thanks for commenting

[@danielkutcher5704]

Was the early MSR an XGK? I had one, briefly, in the 1980s and replaced it with a Whisperlite when the model came out. I still have it.

[@wanttogo1958]

You have the 99. Good stove.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Yea, in reality propane ceases to vaporize well before -40 Celsius. Seen it tons of times. As for the others altitude plays a huge part on any canister stove as well. Spouting stats is great, the real world shows otherwise very quickly.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, I stated a number of times that the pressure and performance drop with temperature and that there is a point of diminishing returns.

[@David-e1b3t]

1:18 "And there's a winter mix of Isobutane, mixed with Cocaine." isn't hearing damage fun?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I hear you (pun intended) I wear hearing aids and still miss things

[@godottt]

Generally love your videos, but this one was a bit annoying as you did it almost entirely in Fahrenheit -- especially since you are Canadian. Let the Americans Google translate while watching instead of the rest of the world.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, my bad. I grew up learning Imperial until I was in my teens and the switch to Metric. Kind of think in both worlds. Thanks for commenting

[@wanttogo1958]

⁠@@MarkYoungBushcraftthe easiest method I’ve seen is just post the temperature not given on the screen for a few frames and keep talking. To my knowledge most schools in the U.S. are still teaching the metric system for length and volume measurements and Centigrade for temperatures.

[@colinsynstar]

Great video, Thanks

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting