colman fuel

rancher1913 · #1 12/06/12, 05:13 PM

does anybody know the makeup of colman fuel. was always told it was basicly white gas which is I believe is just unleaded gas. anybody use an alternative thats cheeper than colman fuel that works and is safe.

Wis Bang 2 · #2 12/06/12, 05:33 PM

According to Frank Schmidt a Senior Project Engineer at The Coleman Company, the fuel was developed in the early 1950’s as small motor fuel for lawnmowers, outboard motors as well as an industrial cleaning agent.

The popularity of Coleman Fuel as motor fuel declined in the late 1950’s with advancement of other, better fuel technologies but it has since remained the go-to choice for heating camp coffee in the morning.

So what is Coleman Fuel made of? In its simplest form it's a petroleum product either derived from natural gas or distilled from oil, coal tar or peat (partially decayed vegetation matter) due to its high carbon content. It also has a several other chemicals mixed in which include cyclohexane, nonane, octane, heptane, and pentane.

Coleman Fuel is ideal for small stoves and lanterns due to its refined purity and high heat output. It also doesn’t give off the black smoke and toxic fumes that regular gasoline or kerosene does.

Though it’s almost as flammable as gasoline, don’t put it in your car’s tank as the lack of some additives will cause engine knocking and eventually destroy your engine valves. Both of those are generally not good things.

**Cabin Fever** · #3 12/06/12, 05:46 PM

Coleman fuel is not unleaded gas, it is naptha or a naptha product.

With that said, Coleman lanterns and stove with a grey (silver) colored tank can use either Coleman fuel or unleaded gasoline.

Rick · #4 12/06/12, 06:12 PM

Does anyone know the shelf life of this fuel? I have some that is 7 years old that I've never used.

simi-steading · #5 12/06/12, 06:41 PM

Lasts forever.. pour it in and use it.. I've used it older than that.. Kinda like kerosene when it comes to how long it lasts...

Kevingr · #6 12/06/12, 06:44 PM

I've got a partial gallon here that's over 20 years old. Still works, not sure if it's still as potent as when it was new, but my stove works just fine with it.

rancher1913 · #7 12/06/12, 06:54 PM

what prompted this was I came across a gallon can of fuel labeled "gasoline for camp stoves" on a stores shelf and had a price of 10 bucks.

Rick · #8 12/06/12, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevingr

I've got a partial gallon here that's over 20 years old. Still works, not sure if it's still as potent as when it was new, but my stove works just fine with it.

Good news and thanks for the feedback! We have a couple gallons and a stove and lantern, but sounds like no need to use it up!

Nimrod · #9 12/06/12, 09:39 PM

I like the long storage life of the fuel although it costs a lot now. I figure the lantern and stove are good preps and I still use both when I go camping.

I am still using the stove dad bought in 1956 when he took me camping for the first time and the lantern I bought in 1965 with my first paper route money. Now is a good time to collect a few spares too. CF had a stove he bought for $20 at an auction that was a little newer than mine but the same model. It is almost new and has the box. When he saw how beat up mine is he sold it to me for the same $20. Thanks CF. I would buy a spare lantern of one comes up.

o&itw · #10 12/07/12, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

Lasts forever.. pour it in and use it.. I've used it older than that.. Kinda like kerosene when it comes to how long it lasts...

In the heat kerosine (K-1, which is the purest) will go "bad" in less than a year. Good kerosene is clear and colorless. Once it starts yellowing it is not much good except for charcoal lighter, and then it will stink.

Wis Bang 2 · #11 12/07/12, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevingr

I've got a partial gallon here that's over 20 years old. Still works, not sure if it's still as potent as when it was new, but my stove works just fine with it.

I ran thru the small plastic bottle of 'new' fuel quickly using my old camp stove for cooking during the recovery from 'Sandy', then I opened the 20+ yr old can out and kept on cooking.

woodsy · #12 12/07/12, 06:31 PM

Hard to beat coleman fuel for longevity, got some from 1997 here that still flames on !

**clovis** · #13 12/07/12, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Does anyone know the shelf life of this fuel? I have some that is 7 years old that I've never used.

Rick,

I bought a partial gallon can of Coleman fuel at a garage sale for 25 cents about 4 years ago.

The can itself was rusted beyond belief, and I kicked myself at the time for wasting a quarter. The can was from the late 70's or possibly, the early 80's

About a month ago, my dad needed some Coleman fuel for a party. This is a source of light for 80+ people.

My dad thought nothing of pouring the contents into his vintage, pristine lantern, which is almost as old as I am, and the fuel burned perfectly all night long.

Old Vet · #14 12/08/12, 05:19 AM

The only problem with using inferior grade fuel in any cook stove or lantern is you will have to change the part that makes it get hot faster because it is also called a filter.

plowjockey · #15 12/08/12, 07:45 AM

"white gas" is pure petroleum distillate, which is why it lasts.

It's the processing (if cracked) or anti-knock additives (now including wonderful ethanol) that make "gasoline", go back quickly.

IMO, if white gas is good for 7 years, then there should be no reason it won't last 20 years - or 200 for that matter.

http://coleman.custhelp.com/app/answ...TXp6MjNlZGw%3D