I would like to post observations using the Asian Butane canisters so that others may be aware. I have tried it out with several of my pocket stoves and that my observations are: 1) the difficulty in adjusting the flame to stay constant and 2) the flare ups it produces. Compared to the normal propane/butane canisters having a lindal valve I did not encouter the above issues. My mom, has the standard cooker which accepts the asian canisters and does not seem to have the flare ups. Looking closely at the mechanism on my mom's cooker, it would seem that a regulator of some sort keeps the flow of butane constant hence no flare ups occur. Yes, the asian canisters are definitely cheap if you can put up with the above issues. For now, though it would cost $4 to $5 more than the asian butane canisters, I will shelf the idea of using the asian butane canisters. Please note the flare ups may be due to the liquid vaporizing as it exits the hot burner. Although I have a Primus gas burner that has a tube over the burner, I am unable to test it since the base at which to connect a Kovea butane adapter would not fit due to its wider collar. The choice is yours (as I have made up my mind to stick to the more expensive canisters). It was a nice experiment with Asian Butane Canisters. Perhaps some of those who have also tried using the Asian Canisters can share their thoughts Ron
They have a fuel pick up line in them, it is a short L shape. When the notch in the rim of the canister is at the top it is in the correct position for non liquid feed stoves. If it is at the bottom you are getting liquid feed. I have never had a flare up but my only gas stove has a pre heater loop. Dan
THIS TYPE of cooker is reaching epidemic levels here. I used one for awhile as a coffee maker. Cheap, reasonably powerful (as long as you remember to turn over the burner head BEFORE you try to light it!) and about as interesting as an old PC printer. Using it for a coffee heater meant running it flat out, I was getting about 45 minutes per 'fly spray' cartridge, rather less than I hoped for, about the same as my old GT106 on short cartridges. I gave it away and don't miss it. These get sold by the container load here, cartridges are freely available at about NZ$1-3 per, often sold in 3 packs. Yes they are easy, yes they work and no, I don't like them.
Here in Australia a number of these type of stoves have been subject to exploding gas canisters due to over heating.
Most explode due to the canister fitting not being secure enough and a resulting leak. Some have better clips than others
We get a lot of those style stoves over here. The build quality seems to vary a great deal, from quite good to bloody awful. Ones badged up as Camping Gaz seem to be reasonably well put together, others I've had have been terrible and got returned. We use them when camping sometimes as my other half feels more comfortable with easy to use gas stoves. Simon.
Years ago I bought the Campinggaz one, works like a dream (haven't used it anymore since I got to deeply into liquid fuel stoves ). The originals are a lot more expensive than the cheapo asian clones, but hey, you gets what you pays for! 8) . Never had a problem with cheap canisters though. Regards, Wim
I'm not interested in the stoves they're intended for, but the cartridges are a great source of cheap butane to refill/recharge a number of older butane stoves RM Rambler Lilor butane stove Calor-Dex stove Weedex butane stove John
I'm now using them via an adaptor on a couple of gas lanterns with no problem and on an Omnifuel and Booster clone again without problem. On the micro gas lamps I get about 7 hours of light per can. In terms of cost, they are about 30% the cost of regular cans. Best value in the UK for regular cans seems to be Cadac 500gm B/P mix for
Having seen Prescall's re filling ideas over the last wee while, and because I am cheap, I refilled all my old bic lighters from one of these cartridges. Worked, like a charm. Just pushed the 2 valves together.
You’re right Clancambo, there have been a number of incidents in Oz. Also, I’ve seen a warning on a UK boaties site. Wim, I agree “The originals are a lot more expensive than the cheapo asian clones, but hey, you gets what you pays for!” I decided to buy a Primus stove, for that reason. Here’s an extract from the letter I sent, when I returned the stove to them (at their request): “The problem I found was that gas was escaping from the hole above the gas canister. In fact, it ignited and a flame of about 50MM in height resulted. The problem occurred with several canisters: 3 Gasmate 95/5 Butane/Propane; and 4 Gasmate 80/20 Butane/Propane but it did not happen with the only Campmaster cartridge I had. I know that many manufacturers/suppliers of these stoves say that the stoves should only be used with their cartridges but I note that cartridges are required to comply with the same Australian standard – certainly all of the cartridges I used are marked as complying. All of the canisters were tested on another butane stove (from another manufacturer) and worked properly.” Primus did undertake to respond after they “tested” the stove. The stove was returned to them on 27 October 2008 – fortunately, I haven’t been holding my breath. The stove the cans worked on was a Gasmate but I’ve decided not to risk these stoves any more. The butane cans cost about $1.50 each, in 4-packs, from K-Mart and Big W. I use them with a Booster+1 and Trangia gas conversion – inverting is OK with both these stoves and helps a lot in cooler weather. All the best Leigh
Ron, I've had really good luck using the Asian "long" butane cans. You really do have to be careful to align things properly or you'll get flare ups. If you're using the Kovea type adapters, there are no safety devices of any kind. You need to make sure the notch on the collar of the canister is up or you'll get flaring. HJ
Hey HJ, I will keep that in mind. I really have not placed notice on the notch. Next time I do connect the butane canister I will ensure the notch is facing upward. Thanks Ron
