Are you out of butane gas and stuck with a butane camping stove? Are you planning on camping in snowy areas and only have a butane stove? Suppose you’re stuck in any predicament where you have a butane stove but only propane gas. In that case, you’re probably wondering can you use propane in a butane stove or not.
Can You Use Propane in a Butane Stove
You can use propane in a butane stove by connecting a Lindal valve output adapter with the propane canister. Then you have to link the adapter with the butane stove.
While it’s better to use the intended butane gas for butane camping stoves, you can use propane gas in its place.
Propane and butane are two of the most popular camping fuels, and there are stoves designed for them. They are not interchangeable as they are different gases.
However, you can use propane in a butane stove easily by using a converter.
Converter for Propane Gas
You can’t just link a propane gas tank to a butane stove as they’re different gases. You need to use an adapter that can connect the propane gas to the butane stove.
This type of converters can be found mostly online and in some outdoor shops. It doesn’t have a specific name but is usually referred to as a “Lindal valve converter” or a “propane converter connecter.”
It is small and cylindrical but heavy. One side has a small but wider tip, and the other side has a longer tip. It can convert 1-pound propane gas canisters input to Lindal valve output that is required for butane stoves.
They cost somewhere between $10-$14 and are among the best items you can buy for camping. However, beware of fake and faulty products. The ones that cost or are cheaper than $8-$9 dollars are fake and defective most of the time.
Some converters cost more than $30 and look premium-quality due to the higher price, but they’re a scam as the real product costs much lower.
Why You might want to use Propane in Butane Stove:
There are particular situations like butane gas unavailability that make you ask can you use propane in a butane stove. There are some other circumstances where you should consider switching butane for propane. Such as,
Availability: Propane gas canisters are far more accessible than butane canisters. While both can be found in gas stations, butane isn’t available everywhere, which poses a huge problem while camping.
Cold Temperature: If you’re going camping in winter or a chilly area, you have to use propane over butane gas. Propane can last up to -410 F, but butane will start failing at 320 F.
Bigger Size: Propane canisters are more cost-effective than butane canisters. Butane standard canisters cost less than propane standard ones. However, the butane canister is 230g while the propane one is 1-pound.
Butane tanks can last you 2-3 days unless you drag several with you. Standard propane canisters will last you seven days and more.
How to Use Propane in A Butane Stove
While the process of linking the adapter may seem easy and simple, there’s a lot more to using a butane gas stove than just gas canisters.
How can you use propane in a butane stove? The step-by-step guide is given below.
1. Check the Manual: This should always be your first step. They usually give well-structured directions along with warnings. Remember to refer to these instructions if you can’t figure something out.
2. Gather Items: Make sure you have everything you need right at your disposal. You should have your butane camping stove, 1-pound propane gas canister, connection hose, and the adapter.
Needless to say, if you’re missing an item or two, don’t try to use your camping stove. It will cause problems or an accident.
3. Choose Set–up Area: You must have a suitable place where you assemble and use your butane stove. The surface must be stable and level. A bumpy area comes with the risk of your stove falling over and causing an accident.
If you’re in a place where the ground is uneven, and no leveled area can be found, dig into the ground to create a flat surface.
Cooking outdoors is far better than lighting up a stove inside the tent. It decreases the risk and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. However, some butane stoves offer indoor use, but it is advised against while you’re using propane gas.
4. Check the Stove: The next few steps will detail how to connect the propane canister and butane stove. Before those steps, your camping stove must be turned off.
Be sure to check if the dial points to “OFF.” Having your stove turned off during gas connection ensures gas pipe leak prevention.
5. Connect the Adapter: The cylindrical adapter has two sides. Attach the side with the shorter tip to the butane stove connection line. Screw it on tightly and securely.
Link the longer but thinner tip to the 1-pound propane gas cylinder and make sure it is secure and firm as well. Nobody wants a risk of gas leakage.
6. Check for Gas Leaks: Now that you have connected the butane stove and propane gas tank, you need to check for leaks before lighting the stove.
You must inspect for gas leaks before adding flames. A thorough checking will take the fear of accidental leakage off your shoulders, and you can work without worry.
First, take a spray bottle and fill it with soap water. Spray the water on the main connection links. If there is any sign of bubbles, it means that the connection is not secured or the products are defective.
Solve these situations before moving on to the stove lighting stage. If bubbles haven’t formed, you can move on to the next step.
7. Start Using the Stove: Discharge the gas. You can hear if the gas is running or not. Now, you need to light up a ring on your butane camping stove. You can use a match, lighter, or just the ignition of the stove.
8. Flame Size: Propane gases are more reactive than butane gases, which is why you need to keep the flame size small to medium. Do not let it rise too much lest it should cause a huge accident.
After you achieve a nice low and steady flame, regulate the necessary temperature. There you have it, a butane camping stove run by propane gas.
Precautionary Measures before using Propane in Butane Stove
Taking cautionary steps while using a camping stove is vital. Since you’re going to be using propane gas in a butane stove, you need to be extra careful. Some of the safety directions are given below.
Gas Volume: Do not raise the gas volume too high as propane has higher pressured than butane gas.
If you don’t keep the volume or flame low to medium, it will burst and cause a fire disaster.
Canister Maintenance: The propane gas canisters need appropriate storing. The smaller ones contain high pressured gas and can explode if not taken care of properly.
You need to store it in an upright position in a place with good air circulation. Do not take propane gas canisters near open flames. You must also never leave the canister attached to the butane stove while not in use.
Watch Your Stove: Leaving your camping stove unsupervised is a huge and silly mistake. If you are camping with children or pets, this is out of the question.
Multitasking, while butane stoves are burning, must be avoided at any circumstances. Turn off the stove if you need to leave for an emergency. Also, flammable products should not be near a powered stove as it will cause a fire blast.
Wind Protection: You must shield your butane cooking stove form the wind. While indoor cooking provides a calm atmosphere, the chance of fire and CO poisoning is high. So, outdoor cooking is the safest option.
You can do this by creating an aluminum foil ring with tall but leveled sides and places this around the butane stove burner. It needs to go under the cooking grate. It will defend your stove fire against the wind and restrict the heat to the middle for more even cooking.
Stove Set–up: Never assemble your stove directly on the leveled ground. You need airflow around the entire cooking area to avoid fire risk.
Generally, camping stoves are equipped with a setting stand, and you must use it. You need to be extra careful in winter and never put the stove on ice or snow surfaces. The heat of the stove leads to warm metal, and the stove might melt the stand.
Conclusion
Now you know if can you use propane in a butane stove or not. Most importantly, you know how to use one in a butane stove.
Propane gases are easy to find and very cost-effective products. You can use them longer than other canisters. They are ideal for winter camping.
Be sure to check the quality and price of the adapter you buy. You need to follow the directions carefully for a successful camping stove.
Don’t forget to be careful and store the propane gas tanks carefully. Have a safe camping trip!
Max, a passionate lumberjack and outdoors enthusiast, loves fishing, camping, and hunting. He has extensive experience in the great outdoors and is eager to join Outdoor Fun Mag to share his adventures and knowledge. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Max promises to bring laughter, learning, and an unforgettable outdoor experience.
