In order to carry enough fuel on kayak trip in Canada I need a cheep fuel bottle to refill my Primus. I also want to dispose it after the trip and don't take it on the plane. R.J. Secor suggest to use a lexan Pepsi bottle: http://www.climber.org/gear/EmptyPackages.html#secor Has anybuddy experience with plastic bottle for fuel? Is the lid resistant against Gasoline? Because packing of drinks varies over time and in different countries, what kind of bottle is suitable at the time in canada?
Hello, I am thinking about the pitfalls of using a soda bottle or water bottle as a fuel bottle. The cap on a plastic bottle is really meant as a one time use so you may be able to make the cap a little tighter by using an o-ring at the base of the bottle thread and then tighten the cap down with the o-ring compressed between the bottle and the cap. In most cases you would need to use nitrile rubber so the fuel would not deteriorate the rubber but, for short term use it would work. How about using a rubber glove or even a condom over the top and then just fitting the cap over top? Even placing it inside a zip lock bag would add more protection. Just a few ideas off the top of my head. Others no doubt will be able to add more ideas to this thread. Chuck
SHOULD WORK-- someplace i saw fuel for sale in plastic bottles--and i read in the "thru hiker" that old pop bottles are used all the time without problems..you might want to "google" this and see what the hike/camp sites have on this..if your going to be starting near civilization i would get fuel just before you start and not take any on the plane-- unless it's the float plane thats taking you too the drop off--
I think in the Complete Walker book, they mention destruction testing these bottles for water and they will withstand a lot of abuse and being thrown down a rocky hill side with no leakage. I guess as far as liquids go the sodad bottles are fine. I do not know if they will stand up to fuel but would be worth a try. Good Luck, Jim Henderson
Last year i withness a fellow hiker being burned after fuel spilled on his clothing. In no time all of his clothing where on fire. It was so fast like an explosion. After the fire was put away this guy had second degree burn on his back, burned hair and no more t-shirt . One member of his party had to help him out to the wood to the nearest hospital to get medical attention. If you plan to be in the wilderness away from help, why taking risk with fuel container? You might not notice a small leak in your improvided fuel bottle until you light your stove and then your expensive down jacket is bursting into flamme. A fuel bottle cost $10.00 in Canada, you decide for yourself but i think it is a wise investment. Tom Ram
If I should cary kerosene, i would use a soda-bottle, gas may dissolve some plastics, probably not the bottle, but the cap or sealing? You have to do some tests. By reason of static electrisity plastics may not be good for wgas, I have only heard about it, but wold not like toa be there when it ignites. Have a nice trip dsk
FALSE ECONOMY-- i'll go with TOM on this one--a pin hole in a pop bottle would be a disaster-- SIG and MSR fuel bottles are still a good deal and last forever..
Greetings, I have to agree, solidly, with Tom Ram! Why take a chance on an accident that might not only ruin your trip, but also the rest of your life??!! Were it me, I'd buy a good, REAL fuel bottle, use it, then, give it to someone after my trip, and call it good!!!! Ask any burn victim THEIR opinion, and I'll wager they'll beg you to go the safe route. Just my 2-cents, but worth consideration. Take care, good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
For Kero or Gas use poly propylene or poly carbonate. both are very stable and will not soften. the Polycarbonate (Lexan) is also more impact resistant than some of the metal bottles, but I generally go with the metal ones for safety reasons. The only exception rigtht now is my square .75 liter Kerosene bottle is poly pro (the #5 on the bottom) because that s what was available - Looks like a bottle of water>
How about good old PTFE tape on the thread for a good seal reworking, does for most everything else. On the physical strength of 1ltr drinks bottles there was a recent TV programme here where 3 teams were asked to devise various means of launching one as high as possible, which included one team who produced there own hydrogen from electrolising water and filling the inverted bottle and igniting it, bottle a little mleted but went up, the winners if I remember correctly pressurised theirs with water and vented it. I think a good test of bottle ruggedness if ever there was one. Must admit to never been out anywhere long enough yet with a paraffin stove to justify carrying that much extra fuel, but with the above comments would seriously consider drinks bottles. Look what happened to rigid structures with aircraft and tall buildings. Simes
I use all sorts of fuel containers. I put a little fuel in and invert the bottle for a few weeks, this will show any problems with the seals degrading, todate, the 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre bottles have all held up without problem. My favourites are the smaller 250ml bottles, you can pack a few and thus distribute the weight. I use these for meths / denatured alcohol, or kero; I still use an aluminium flask for naptha (ex hospital ether bottles, half litre, no problem with cap seals todate). These plastic bottles are made to hold water or juice, and I favout the 'pull top' type so I can squirt the fuel Had no problems up to now, and if you respect your pack, and not just 'dump' it heavy on the ground, you should have no worries I did have a strange look from one camper, who saw the ether bottle next to a Trangia,,,,,,, "you burn ether in that" he asked,,,,,,,,,,, "of course, what do you use" I replied (he backed off a few feet, maybe I should not have added that it makes for "fine sniffing")
I did have a strange look from one camper, who saw the ether bottle next to a Trangia,,,,,,, "you burn ether in that" he asked,,,,,,,,,,, "of course, what do you use" I replied (he backed off a few feet, maybe I should not have added that it makes for "fine sniffing") That is great, sounds like a blast pulling that one on people - I got to find an ether bottle.
I am a fuel junkie and always take far more than i'll ever use, just in case. My older brother got caught one night many years ago away from the camp and some what lost. I say that because he knew where the camp was he just didn't know how to get there in the dark. Anyway, he was without food, no water, (but there was snow) and only a small tube of matches. He made it throough the night because of the matches which i had given him to carry. I'm sure the small fire he made kept him cheered up. My "day" pack is a students book bag (cheap if bought at a yard sale) but it holds all the things i'd need to get through two or three days of being lost. included is a SVEA 123 and a small MSR aluminium fuel bottle. these are the best in my mind (what little i have left) because they are sturdy, relitively cheap, will replenish the 123 three times, and are strong enough that i can use them for other things besides holding fuel. I used one a few years ago while deer hunting to wedge in the crevas of a rock wall to step on while resting. In my mind (again what little i have left) these types of fuel bottles are the best for any situtation. Plastic is okay but Al is not that much heavier, it is stronger, and is much harder to prick a hole in when packing things away. Lance
