UKC

I got a 1-litre bottle of BBQ lighting liquid from Wilkinson with 50p.
I am wondering whether it is suitable for petrol stoves or multi-fuel stoves?
Personally I have got a MSR Dragonfly.
The label on the bottle says "Contains: Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated light EC No 265-149-8".

Coleman's fuel costs 10 quid per 1 litre, which is well over 10 times more expensive.
I would not like to use dirty petrol you can get from petrol stations for cooking especially in a tent (I know it is never recommended, but we all do when cold, don't we?). But I guess those BBQ lighting liquid is reasonably clean. Then its cheap price is certainly an attraction!

Any comment will be appreciated.
Masa

In reply to masa-alpin:

It doesn't burn, or at least the one i bought at the off-license didn't...
I think it's diluted somehow so that it'll only catch fire after it's been absorbed by the coal.

You may pull it off if you prime the stove first, nbut it really is not worth it.

If you are that concerned about price just use diesel or paraffin.

In reply to masa-alpin:

I use panel wipe, available from those motor factors that supply and mix paint. Costs about £15 a gallon.

In reply to masa-alpin:

i've seen someone try to use BBQ fuel in an MSR (can't remember which).

it 'burned' after a fashion. it spluttered lots. put out very little heat. smoked horrendously. coated the pans and everything else in thick black greasy soot and blocked the jets within minutes.

i believe it uses the some heavier distillates than petrol - as the aim is not to burn away rapidly, but to coat charcoal and burn slowly enough that the charcoal is alight by the time the fuel has gone.


i always used unleaded from the petrol station in my dragonfly. never had a problem with it.
if in a tent be very well ventilated. (i would never prime or light the thing in a tent).

In reply to masa-alpin:

BBQ lighter fluid is a crap fuel. For safety reasons it doesn't actually burn that well (to stop people burning their faces off at barbecues.).

In reply to masa-alpin: Burns terrible but have used it in a Colemans as an absolute last resort. Certainly wouldn't recommend it!

In reply to masa-alpin:
Don't bother you won't get a good flame out of it. A lot of them have added thickening agents as a safety feature and because the British public have the rather strange idea that thicker is better which will clog your stove.

Thank you very much, guys!! Most helpful.
I now definitely give up the idea of even trying BBQ lighting fluid for stoves!

As for unleaded petrol from petrol stations, I am sure it doesn't cause a short-term serious problem, AS LONG AS it is very well ventilated (I have used it a few times). However the nasty contents like some aromatic hydrocarbons in it may cause something serious in the long-term, such as, cancer. So personally I avoid it when possible.

Panel Wipe is interesting (thanks, Iwan!).
A quick research showed it may be worth using, if one chooses the suitable one carefully (avoid cellulose thinners-based or water-based Panel Wipes, and consult MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), etc). Here are some links I have found.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/UTN/14730
(NOTE: post by Ged Haywood)
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/UTN/8272
(NOTE: post by captain paranola)
http://www.network54.com/Forum/81021/thread/1089468726/Alternative+Fuel
(NOTE: post by PatrickS)

Cheers, Masa

In reply to masa-alpin:

A search of UKC threads also proves useful:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/info/search.php?forum=11&dates=0&n...
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/info/search.php?forum=11&dates=1&n...

These days, I'd recommend Aspen 4T chainsaw fuel.