Think you need a special fuel for every camping trip? You don’t. But you do need the right fuel for the trip you’ve actually planned—not just whatever’s left in the garage. Here’s the punchline: propane wins when it’s cold or you’re up a mountain; butane shines for summer, light packs and easy use.
If you’re wild camping in the Cairngorms during winter, grab propane. Setting up on a breezy Devon clifftop in May? Butane will do just fine, and your back will thank you for the lighter load. Most of us just want a brew when it’s chucking it down. Trust me, fuel choice makes a massive difference.
What Sets Butane and Propane Apart?
Think of butane and propane as cousins in the gas family—similar but with crucial differences.
Butane has a boiling point around -1°C. This means it stops turning to gas near freezing, making it unreliable for British winters or chilly early spring trips. The plus? Butane canisters are lighter and smaller, so you’ll barely notice them in your pack—ideal for lightweight summer hiking.
Propane has a much lower boiling point, about -42°C. Even on the frostiest Scottish morning, it’ll vaporise and run your stove. The catch? Propane canisters need to be thicker and heavier to cope with the pressure. Most are those big red bottles you see on car camping sites—creaky but reliable.
If you want the science: it’s all about vapour pressure. The lower the boiling point, the more energy the gas has to escape—even when it’s cold or high up.
You’ll see isobutane mentioned too. This is a tweaked version of butane that offers better cold weather performance, often mixed with propane in those silver-and-blue “four season” canisters. If you see a can labelled “propane mix” or “premium blend,” that’s probably it.
How Temperature and Altitude Change the Game
Most people think “gas is gas”—but don’t fall for this classic mistake. Temperature rules everything. I’ve sat on Dartmoor in October, wondering why my butane stove just hissed instead of roaring to life—it had turned cold overnight, and the gas didn’t want to leave the canister. Tea took ages. Never again.
At altitude, the air pressure drops. This makes it even harder for butane to vaporise, while propane keeps going regardless. Butane is brilliant if you’re camping at the beach or by a lowland river in summer. Try it above the treeline, in a howling wind, and your morning brew might never boil.
Real-world example: Wild camping by Snowdonia lake, mid-March. Butane stove struggled. My mate with a propane canister made cocoa while I shivered and poked at a lukewarm pan.
Butane vs Propane Stove: Weight and Packability
Let’s be real—every kilo counts on your back. Butane and isobutane canisters are lighter and often smaller (they’re the ones you see in blue, with screw or bayonet fittings). If you’re hiking or wild camping, these are easy to stash and won’t drag your tent’s porch down.
Propane is heavy. Those big red bottles are awkward. Most pure propane stoves are made for car camping, big barbecue setups, or family holidays where weight’s not a worry.
If you’re backpacking: Butane or an isobutane mix keeps your load light.
If you’re driving and pitching up from your boot: Propane gives you more cooking power and reliability, but at the price of bulk.
Finding the Right Option for High Altitude Camps
Above 1500 metres—or even higher, if you’re in the Alps—pressure drops, and camp kit starts showing its weaknesses.
Propane is king at altitude. Its low boiling point and high pressure shrug off thin air, so you can get your stove roaring even when the wind’s biting and the world feels closer to the sky.
Butane stoves, by contrast, might limp along—or stop working completely. That’s why you won’t see serious mountaineers with butane canisters on Ben Macdui in January.
Want to hedge your bets? Isobutane-propane blends offer a solid compromise. They’re not as good as pure propane at altitude, but far better than regular butane. Look for “four season” or “winter mix” cans.
Facing Cold Weather: Which Fuel Holds Up?
I’ve lost count of the times folk rock up at a frosty site with a butane canister, wondering why their stove barely coughs into life. Anything close to 0°C and butane’s going to sulk.
Propane works in the cold—end of story. Below freezing, propane stoves keep chugging along. Butane? It’s only happy until your breath turns to mist.
If you’re camping outside the “T-shirt months” or even just fancy a cuppa on a frosty morning, propane gives you a fighting chance.
Isobutane (alone or blended) can give you wiggle room if you’re worried about weight, as it performs better in the cold than regular butane. But for true four-season performance, propane cans are your safest bet.
What’s With Those Canister Colours?
It’s easy to get confused in the shop or rummaging through the boot. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Butane is usually in blue canisters.
- Propane comes in red or orange.
- Blends (isobutane/propane) are often in silver or have a splash of blue and red.
This colour code isn’t fool-proof—different brands love to break the rules—so always check the label. I’ve seen butane in green cans and propane in yellow on smaller market stalls. Read first, cook second.
Quick story: I once borrowed a mate’s “blue” canister for a frosty Dartmoor trip, assuming it was propane blend. Turns out it was pure butane. We were halfway through dinner before we realised why the stove barely worked.
Is Mixing Fuels Safe or Stupid?
Never try to mix fuels yourself. Let me repeat—don’t decant gas from one can into another at home or in the field. That’s DIY Darwin Award territory.
Commercial mixed fuels (like isobutane/propane blends) are safe because they’re made and sealed by professionals, with the right ratios and pressure. If a manufacturer says “propane mix,” you’re good. If you’re thinking of doing some “homemade” blend, step away. That trick you read on a forum isn’t worth the risk.
If your stove says it’s multi-fuel, it usually means it can safely burn mixes, not that you can create your own chemistry set.
Indoor Cooking: Is It Ever Safe With a Camp Stove?
Here’s where things get risky. Using any gas stove in a tent or camper can be deadly. Gas stoves create carbon monoxide when they burn—sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. It’s colourless, scentless, and kills people every year.
If you absolutely have to (maybe the rain’s biblical and you’re soaked), make sure the space is well-ventilated—windows or tent doors wide open, and keep a carbon monoxide alarm handy if you’re in a camper. Never cook in a zipped-up tent. It’s not worth risking lives for a bacon sarnie.
Just last summer, we heard about a fatal accident on a Cornish site because campers used their stove inside to keep warm overnight. Please, don’t be that statistic.
Cooking Without Electricity: Other Outdoor Fuel Choices
If you can’t or don’t want to use gas, there are some solid alternatives. Alcohol stoves (the “Trangia” type) are brilliant for backpackers. Alcohol is easy to find, cheap, and the stoves are light. But cooking is slow, and they don’t love the wind.
Wood stoves work in a pinch and give a great atmosphere—just make sure you’ve got dry wood and aren’t risking a moorland fire. Plus, there’s magic in a woodsmoke brew, even if your jacket picks up the smell for a week.
Solid fuel tabs (think “hexamine” or “Esbit” blocks) are ultra-light, work in any weather, but smell weird and take ages to boil anything bigger than a tin mug.
I usually carry a couple of hex blocks as backup. In the UK, with our unreliable weather, having “Plan B” for boiling water is always smart.
Which Fuel Should You Pack? Final Thoughts
Here’s the honest answer: it depends on where, when, and how you camp.
- For summer camping, mild spring/autumn trips, or ultra-light hiking: Grab butane or isobutane. Your pack will be lighter, your wallet a bit happier, and you’ll barely notice the canister until you need a brew.
- Heading above 1,000 metres, winter trips, or expecting a cold snap: Propane is your friend. Accept the extra weight and bulk for the sheer reliability. Never gamble with hot food when the weather turns.
- Want the best of both worlds? Look for isobutane/propane blends. They’ll handle spring chills and unexpected altitude, but won’t weigh your rucksack down like pure propane.
Always check your stove’s instructions—some only take screw-top (Lindal) cans, others need bayonet-style. Never force a canister that doesn’t fit.
A final tip: don’t assume shops in the middle of nowhere will stock your favourite gas (I once spent an hour in a Welsh village scouring for blue canisters—no luck). If in doubt, pack a little extra or bring a backup.
Camping in Britain gives you wild beauty—and wild weather. Knowing the difference between butane and propane means you stay fed, warm, and safe, no matter what the skies throw at you. After a few cold camps and one or two near-misses, I’ll never leave this choice to chance. And now you don’t have to either.
So, plan ahead, check your kit, and always pack the gas that works best for you. If you’ve still got questions, don’t be afraid to chat to more experienced campers on site—most of us love showing off our gear, and a quick conversation can save you hours of frustration (and a few cold dinners).
