Katerina Swanson
When it comes to outdoor adventures such as backpacking, camping, or hiking, one of the most common questions is how much fuel to bring. The answer depends on several factors, including the number of people, the type of stove, the weather conditions, and the meals being prepared. A general rule of thumb is to bring enough fuel to boil one litre of water per person per meal, but other considerations, such as wind, elevation, and outside temperature, can significantly impact fuel usage. To avoid running out of fuel, many opt to bring extra canisters, while others calculate their fuel needs in advance to minimise weight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel required per person per meal | 1 litre of water |
| Fuel required for a solo weekend backpacking trip | 100g canister of stove fuel |
| Fuel required for two people over four days in summer | 8 oz canister of IsoPro fuel |
| Fuel required for two nights | 2.5 litres of water |
| Fuel required for a quick guestimate | A few quick sums |
| Fuel required for a detailed calculation | Meal planning |
| Fuel required for cold weather | Stove system or liquid fuel stove |
| Fuel required for high altitude | Liquid gas stove |
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What You'll Learn
How much isopro fuel for a solo backpacking trip
When preparing for a solo backpacking trip, it is important to consider how much isopro fuel you will need. Carrying too little fuel can leave you unable to cook meals or boil water, while carrying too much adds unnecessary weight to your pack.
The amount of fuel you will need depends on several factors, including the length of your trip, the number of people, the type of cooking or heating you will be doing, the temperature of the water, and environmental factors such as wind, elevation, and temperature.
A good rule of thumb is to plan for boiling one litre of water per person per meal. If you are simply boiling water for drinks and simple meals, a 230g canister should suffice for a solo trip. If you need to simmer water or cook more elaborate meals, you will need more fuel. Wind, cold weather, and elevation can also increase fuel consumption, so take these factors into account when planning.
To estimate your fuel needs, determine your stove's burn rate (grams per minute) and multiply it by the number of meals and hot drinks you plan to prepare daily. You can also weigh your fuel canister before and after your trip to calculate the amount of fuel you use.
By planning effectively and considering all relevant factors, you can ensure you have just the right amount of fuel for a safe and enjoyable backpacking adventure.
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How temperature affects isopro fuel usage
The amount of IsoPro fuel you need depends on various factors, including the number of people, the duration of the trip, the type of stove, and the meals you plan to cook. As a general rule, you should bring enough fuel to boil one litre of water per person per meal, considering your stove's boil time and total burn time. For instance, a small 100g canister of stove fuel is typically sufficient for a solo weekend backpacking trip.
Temperature plays a significant role in determining the amount of IsoPro fuel required. IsoPro fuel is a blend of propane and isobutane, designed to balance lightweight portability and cold-weather performance. Propane has a low boiling point of -44°F/-42°C, making it ideal for cold conditions as it readily boils and produces high-pressure vapour. Isobutane, on the other hand, has a higher boiling point of 11°F/-12°C at sea level. The blend ensures that IsoPro fuel remains in a gaseous state in cold weather, allowing it to be contained in a lightweight canister.
In cold temperatures, the liquid fuel inside the canister can turn into a gas, expanding and causing the canister's temperature to drop further. This phenomenon can affect the stove's performance, potentially slowing down the gasification process and increasing fuel consumption. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the canister off the cold ground and, if possible, warm it before use. Additionally, wind, low temperatures, and longer cooking times will increase fuel consumption.
On the other hand, extremely cold temperatures may require a higher amount of fuel. For example, skiing in Antarctica may necessitate up to 15 ounces (444 ml) of liquid fuel per person per day.
To accurately determine the amount of IsoPro fuel needed for your trip, it is advisable to consider the specific temperature range you expect to encounter and the associated fuel consumption patterns.
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How to calculate isopro fuel needs
Calculating your isopro fuel needs can be done in a few steps. Firstly, you need to make a meal plan. This will help you figure out how much water you need to boil and how long you will need to cook your food for.
As a general rule, you should bring enough fuel to boil one litre of water per person, per meal. If you are planning to boil water for two people over four days in summer, one 8oz canister of MSR isopro fuel will be enough. However, if you are camping in cold weather, you will need to adjust your calculations as low temperatures, wind, and melting snow can require 3-4 times as much fuel.
Once you know how much water you need to boil, you can calculate the boil time for your stove by multiplying the amount of water by the boil time for your particular stove. For example, 2.5 litres of water x 4 minutes boil time = 10 minutes total boil time.
If you are using a full canister, you won't need to make any further calculations. However, if you have a partially used canister, you can calculate how full it needs to be by finding out what percentage of your stove's total burn time is needed to boil your desired amount of water. For example, if your boil time is 10 minutes and your stove's total burn time is 60 minutes, you will need 17% of fuel.
If you are looking to save weight, it is worth taking a more detailed approach to calculating your fuel needs. However, if you are happy with a quick estimate, doing a few simple sums will help you work out how many canisters to bring and what size is required.
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Isopro fuel vs. other stove fuels
When planning a backpacking trip, it is important to determine how much stove fuel you will need. As a general rule, you should bring enough fuel to boil one litre of water per person per meal, and factor in your stove's boil time and total burn time. For a solo weekend backpacking trip, a small 100g canister of stove fuel is usually sufficient.
MSR's IsoPro fuel is an 80/20 blend of isobutane and propane that boosts the performance of canister stoves. It outperforms standard butane/propane mixtures and burns clean, reducing soot and clogs. IsoPro fuel canisters perform at a higher level throughout their life than fuel mixtures containing n-butane because isobutane has a higher vapour pressure. This fuel blend also works better in cooler weather (below 5 degrees Celsius).
Other stove fuels include the Jetboil Jetpower, Coleman 70/30 mix, Primus PowerGas, and Primus Classic. The Jetboil canister has been reported to run out quicker than the others. The Coleman 70/30 mix is priced at $5-$7 for an 8oz canister. The Coleman mix is suitable for "moderate" conditions, but may not work as well in cold weather.
For warm weather, there is very little difference between the various fuel blends. However, in colder temperatures, you may want to opt for blends with a higher proportion of propane and isobutane, as these boil at lower temperatures.
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Isopro fuel weight considerations
When planning a backpacking trip, it's important to consider how much Isopro fuel you'll need and how much weight you'll be carrying. Carrying too much fuel can add unnecessary weight to your pack, while carrying too little may leave you without a hot meal or morning coffee.
To determine how much fuel you'll need, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, plan your meals in advance. Calculate how much water you'll need to boil per person per meal, taking into account any drinks or meals that require boiling water. For a general estimate, plan on boiling one litre of water per person per meal.
Secondly, consider the boil time and burn time of your stove. Different stoves have different specifications, so refer to your stove's instructions or perform your own test to determine how long it takes to boil a litre of water and how long the stove burns on a given amount of fuel. Multiply the amount of water you need to boil by the boil time to get the total boil time for your trip.
Thirdly, adjust for external factors that will affect your fuel usage. Wind, low temperatures, melting snow, and elevation can significantly increase fuel consumption. For example, wind can triple fuel usage, and low temperatures can cause pressure to drop in fuel canisters, impacting the stove's performance. If you're camping in cold weather, consider a liquid fuel stove instead of a canister stove.
Finally, weigh your fuel canisters before and after your trip to get a better understanding of fuel consumption. Mark the weight of a full canister and weigh it again after each use to determine how much fuel is left. This will help you plan for future trips and ensure you're carrying only the necessary amount of fuel.
By considering these factors, you can calculate your fuel needs more precisely and avoid carrying excess weight on your backpacking trip.
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Frequently asked questions
A small 100g canister of isopro fuel should be enough for a solo weekend backpacking trip.
First, calculate how many people are in your group and how many hot meals and hot drinks each person will need. Then, multiply the number of people in your group by the number of hot meals and then add the number of hot drinks. This will give you a rough estimate of how much isopro fuel you will need.
To calculate how much isopro fuel you need to boil water, first, calculate how much water you need to boil. Then, find out how much water your stove boils per ounce of fuel used. Finally, multiply the amount of water you need to boil by the boil time for your stove. This will give you the number of minutes it will take to boil all the water.
