White Gas

Basics

• The MOST COMMON + generic term for a Specialized Liquid Fuel
  • It is mainly used in Pressure Lanterns / Liquid Fuel Stoves designed for use with it, and thus is often called “Camp Fuel”
  • The fact that the Coleman brand made+makes much of the devices that use it has lead to it often being called “Coleman Fuel” as well
• Essentially it is akin to a modern formulation of Old Formulation Gasoline
  • Early automobile/pre-automobile “gasoline” was typically “Drip Gas” / Natural Gas Liquids derived…NOT a specified product
    • Given they were a common technology of the time (due to Rural Electrification still going on etc) the “heyday” of the technology was from this period, hence it is the go-to specification
      • Newer “dual fuel” lanterns can run on “pump gas” / “mogas” (aka standard, albeit preferably Ethanol Free Gasoline )
      • Multifuel Liquid Fuel Pressure Stoves typically run “cleanest” on White Gas (or [[Fuel Alcohol, albeit that can have corrosion issues, Material Compatibility Issues , and overall isn’t advisable unless specifically designed in (or if it is not stored in the stove; the stove is stored DRY)
        • ”Heavier” fuels such as Kerosene or Diesel etc foul the Vapor Generator more quickly, necessitating more frequent maintenance (also may clog the nozzle)

Sourcing

Proper White Gas

Coleman Brand

• Often can be found in Walmarts
  • A Walmart Listing for “Coleman Fuel 1 Gallon” ( ‘’’~14 USD online as of this edit’’’ )
• Has the composition changed over time?
  • The reddit post pointed out how Butane/Propane were added to the name/description
    • This MAY have just been an ai slop type (as often happens in niche products in e-commerce etc)
    • It COULD however also hint that it is now Butanized Naphtha
• A 32oz Can at Academy Sports+Outdoors

Crown

• Mentions having [[Metal Deactivators[]
• An Amazon Listing for “PACKAGING SERVICE CO - CFM64 Camp Fuel, 32 oz”
  • 32usfloz=1quart or 1/4 gallon so this is NOT what the picture shows
  • As per many of the reviews point out
  • 946ml
• Need to see if this is due to Hazmat Shipping Regulations ?
  • Ie large filled containers of gas are hard to ship?

MSR

• The MSR Page on the Product
  • Quote:
    • ” Due to hazardous materials shipping restrictions, we do not sell SuperFuel online. To purchase, please see your local retailer.“
  • Also mentions quote:
    • ”The highest performance white gas on the market. Superior Performance: Designed to improve stove performance, with fewer cleanings and less maintenance. Clean-Burning: Tested to be 100% pure. Reduced Clogging: No dyes or additives to solidify and cause clogs.”
      • ”Highest Preformance” reeks of marketing hype, but MAYBE it’s Specific Energy/Vapor Pressure etc?
      • Also potentially doesn’t have Rust Inhibitors then, for better or for worse?
      • The pure claim is a bit odd since neither Naphtha or Gasoline are a “pure” substance; they are all a mix of chemicals with some specified/similar properties (Boiling Point, Octane and/of Vapor Pressure, etc)
• A 2004 MSDS for MSR Superfuel
  • ”CONTAINS:​95-100% LIGHT HYDROTREATED DISTILLATE (68410-97-9)[270-093-2]”
  • Also sidenote, despite getting rid of the waaaaaaaay cooler MSDS acronym, DAMN isn’t a modern SDS easier on the eyes lol
  • According to This Klean Strip Brand of VM&P Naphtha is essentially the same thing?
    • GRANTED product reverse engineering solely from a SDS, ESPECIALLY when they hide info like exact percentages etc may not be right; a proper HPLC / Mass Spectrometry test etc would be ideal
    • Also there is the potential for Material Compatibility Issues (Re G100UL etc)
• A Neptune Mountaineering Listing Titled “MSR SUPER FUEL 1 QT” ( ‘’’About 16 USD each as of this edit’’’ )

Is there a Shortage/Phase Out

• To-Do:
  • Determine if the current listings are New Old Stock etc
    • Could potentially email each company for official comment?
• Could TRY and ask around / dig to see if anyone knows about it (if working in sales/logistics, or hopefully even the damn factory where they fill the cans!)

Potential Substitutes

Lighter Fluid

• Lighter Fluid / Zippo Fluid etc may be similar formulations

Naphtha

• Naphtha / Petroleum Naphtha / Natural Gasoline and such may be similar / similar enough
• Main issue is, as with “Gasoline”, Naphtha is an industry term for a category of chemicals that fit a similar list of requirements, not a specific chemical or STRICT standard
  • Thus even with CAS Numbers etc you can still end up getting slightly, yet significantly enough, different materials under the same name

Ethanol Free Gasoline

• Either from a pump (re Ethanol Free Gasoline ), or in shelf sold containers at Lawn Equipment/Home Improvement Stores such as this:
  • A Home Depot Listing for “ 4- Cycle Ethanol-Free Fuel 110 oz. (1-Pack)”
    • ~24 USD for the 3.253L Can as of this Edit

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Coleman Fuel
• A Post on Learn to Drill . Com titled “What is White Gasoline”
• A PSA by the Australian Institute of Petroleum Titled “ THE COLOUR OF AUSTRALIAN UNLEADED PETROL IS CHANGING”
  • Compares Dyed and Undyed Gasoline
    • Despite being undyed, most gasoline is still a pale yellow
      • Although i’ve never heard the term “Yellow Gasoline” perhaps it’s a historical term
      • ”Red Diesel” is sometimes used to refer to Off Road Diesel
• On potential shortage/phaseout due to being largely obsolete:
  • A Reddit Post in the Context of Fire Poi/Baton Arts etc
• A Video by the YouTube Channel “Retro Tech & Electronics” Titled “Antique Coleman 425 Stove Testing Out Different Fuels for Performance” ( ‘’’ ~21 Minute Watch’’’ )
  • They tested:
    • White Gas (the control (new) at ~18:30, and older staler white gas at ~16:40 timestamp)
    • Naphtha
    • E-10 Gasoline (at ~12:30 timestamp)
    • Kerosene (at ~04:00 timestamp)
      • This did require an external pre-heat of the Vapor Generator + fouled the generator long term, but otherwise worked fine once up to temperature
    • Denatured Alcohol and Isopropanol ( at ~01:50 Timestamp)
• A Video by the YouTube Channel “Cutler’s Antiques” Titled “How long does Coleman fuel last? Let’s test a 50 year old can of white gas!” ( ‘’’ ~21 Minute Watch ‘’’ )
  • They used a lantern for testing, and didn’t do much timing, so this was far more of a binary “it works/doesn’t work” + a qualitative smell+visual test, BUT interesting nonetheless
  • The old can was metal and had a metal stopper/seal press fit under the cap, so that probably helped with moisture+oxygen etc + Fractional Evaporation (Fuel Storage) concerns somewhag cheating on the test