I was browsing Wal-Mart for things that might be useful when I found a Coleman "2 in 1" fuel stove for ~$35.00. One of the fuels was Coleman fuel (obviously) but the other alternative was UNLEADED GASOLINE. I've never heard of gas being safe for a -stove-, but figured what the heck, I'll probably have half a gallon in the lawn mower long after I run out of propane. Hope this is useful to someone.

Merry Christmas, Frank

-- someone (chimingin@twocents.com), December 14, 1999

Answers

The closing was supposed to be:

Merry Christmas,

Frank

-- someone (chimingin@twocents.com), December 14, 1999.

I've seen that as well. I cannot imagine how it could be possibly safe considering the properties of gasoline.

This is one of my Y2K fears. People store gallons of extra gasoline around suburban america, and BOOM! They manage to take out their house and a few around them as well.

There are so many other, more clean burning fuels.. I put in a woodstove. I love it, very LOW tech. Wood will always burn.

Bryce

-- Bryce (Bryce@nospam.com), December 14, 1999.

we bought a "duel fuel" coleman stove about 8 years ago. have only used gas in it and have never had a problem. have used it many times, and suggested that my brother buy the same model for their y2k preps.hopefully when all this is over, people will realize that they should always be prepared to take care of themselves, not just for forseeable threats, but for those unexpected ones that can happen at any time. merry xmas, laura

-- laura cavallari (ladygoat13@aol.com), December 14, 1999.

The Coleman gas stoves work fine, but you should only use them outdoors.

It's a nice, clean, *hot* burning flame, there's no soot or residue, but I'd still not suggest cooking food directly on the flame, if that's what you were worrying about.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), December 14, 1999.

Ron, on that stove, one hopes ther is a pan between the flame and the food, but that's really the only precaution beyond ventilating the area it's used in. When the flame is nice and blue, the byproducts are water and Carbon Dioxide, and of course the usage of oxygen.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 14, 1999.

Yep, I got the same stove. Real solid, steady base. It came in handy when we lost power due to hurricane Floyd. Burned real clean. Used it in the garage with the door opened (due to the heavy showers). I was real impressed with the product. Doesn't burn alot of gas. Pans and coffee pot balance real well on this. No gas odor at all in the food (which was a concern). I recommend it to folks concerned about running outta propane. I got this stove cause in my budget it is not practical to try to store 2 fuel types.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 14, 1999.

I bought that duel fuel stove as well to give me another 2 fuel options besides propane (sorry Hank). An installed wood burner just wasn't practical, and I'm betting (hoping) that I'll only need them for a short time if at all.

Yes, I'm wary about using gasoline, but I'd rather have the option than not.

-- Servant (public_service@yahoo.com), December 14, 1999.

I'm not suprised to see a multi fuel stove, but I am suprised to see Walmart sell it. Multifuel stoves have been common in backpacking use for years. For example, my MSR MGK-II will burn kerosene, gasoline, alcohol (not great but works), white gas, aviation gas.

-- Bill (billclo@msgbox.com), December 14, 1999.

They carry a dual fuel lantern at Walmart, too. We have used both the lantern and the dual fuel stove when we camp and never had any problems. Don't understand how they work, but I know there has never been any problems in all the yrs we have used them.

Me

-- me (me@me.com), December 14, 1999.

merry christmas, frank.

works well enough!

-- mr underhill (prancing@pony.com), December 14, 1999.

Thanks for the posts, if I need it it, it's good to know others have used these without incident. Still being careful however,

Frank

Merry Christmas

-- someone (chimingin@twocents.com), December 14, 1999.

It is interesting that you do not correlate the volatility of "white gas" or Coleman fuel to unleaded gasoline. Coleman fuel is just as flammable and explosive as gasoline. Naptha (sp?) is a very volatile compound.

Please treat it with the same respect you would gasoline.

watchin' the fireball...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), December 14, 1999.

In response to:

It is interesting that you do not correlate the volatility of "white gas" or Coleman fuel to unleaded gasoline. Coleman fuel is just as flammable and explosive as gasoline. Naptha (sp?) is a very volatile compound.

Please treat it with the same respect you would gasoline.

watchin' the fireball...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), December 14, 1999.

I don't think that the volatility is any different, but was concerned with the toxicity of additives in gasoline when burned. (some years ago I was told using gas to light barbeques, etc., was dangerous for this reason as well as the chance of blowing yourself up). Actually, if one had to blow up in front of me, I think I'd rather have it be a plastic gas can than a 20# propane cylinder. But as someone posted, I suppose that if food's in a pan, and not on a grill, it's less likely to be contaminated by whatever you're cooking with.

-- someone (CI@twocents.com), December 14, 1999.