Many more data files, including lists of Sierra peaks
and bear boxes, gear techniques, etc, can be found at
http://www.climber.org/data/index.html
A more current version of THIS file can be found at
http://members.iinet.net.au/~mbuckler/fuel/fuel36.htm
and occasionally on rec.backcountry.
From: (Mike Buckler)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: The Fuel Name FAQ version 24
Date: Tue, 04 Jun 1996 10:53:12 GMT
-----------------
The Fuel Name FAQ
-----------------
Version: 24
3rd June 1996
Editor: Mike Buckler
New: Iran, notes on white gasoline, printing info.
Updated: "white spirit / white gas" info.
Contents
--------
1) Introduction.
2) Table of fuel names.
3) Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" confusion.
4) Some notes on White Gasoline
5) Some notes on diesel fuel
6) Some notes on Kerosene
7) Alphabetical listing of notes for various countries
1) Introduction.
----------------
o This FAQ is designed to help you find the right fuel for your stove.
o It is posted on a semi regular basis to rec.backcountry.
o It started out as the "Worldwide Alternative Names for Fuels"
file but the name changed to allow for easier WWW indexing.
o The countries are ordered alphabetically except for the USA and UK which I
have left at the top for reference.
o Abbreviated fuel names are put in quotation marks eg. methylated spirits
is also known as "meths".
o Names that are to long to fit on one line are started with < and finish
with >, eg for France | |
o Alternative brand names are sometimes placed inside brackets.
o The document is formatted for an 80 column display and uses white spaces
instead of tab characters. The table section needs to viewed using a fixed
space font ( eg. Courier ).
o Printing: For the weight conscious, you can print this document onto 2
pages (4 sides) of A4 size paper using the following settings. Font:
Courier 6 pt. Margins left and right, top and bottom : 6mm (0.25 inches).
Two Columns with a 3mm (0.1 inch) gap and a vertical line between.
o This document is also available by anonymous FTP from
ftp://darkstar.cygnus.com/pub/backcountry/fuel.names.txt
o *Note* Please do not send Email to the address
which appears in old versions of this file.
The following list contains data for approx 39 countries. I would like
to expand the list to cover the rest of the world. Hope you can help.
Info needed for ....
Morocco, Algeria, Greece, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Romania,
Albania, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Borneo,
Philippines, China, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Oman, Afghanistan,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, New Guinea, N+S Korea, Cameroon, Gabon,
Congo, Zaire, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somali Rep,
Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Madagascar
and lots of other places.
Perhaps people could post translations of this document to non English
speaking networks.
2) Table of fuel names
----------------------
Column 1 = Decane (mostly)......kerosene/diesel is a crude oil cut from oil
refineries, boiling point range is app. 180 to 280 C.
May have pink or blue colour added (U.K.).
Column 2 = Pentane, Hexane....the same as for column 1, but a boiling point
range of 25 to 200 C .
Slight yellow colour.
Column 3 = 60% Hexane + 40% Heptane ? Usually colourless ?
Column 4 = 95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol approx. Usually has purple colour
and bad taste added. May also contain propanol.
1 2 3 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.A. | kerosene | Gasoline | White Gas | Denatured Alcohol |
+ | | "Gas" | Naphtha | Solvent Alcohol |
Canada | | | Coleman Fuel | |
| | | Blazo | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.K. | Paraffin | Petrol | Coleman Fuel | Methylated Spirit |
| | | | "Meths" |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Australia| Kerosene | Petrol | Shellite | methylated spirits|
| "Kero" | | White gas | "Meths" "Metho" |
| | | Mobilite | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austria | Petroleum | Bleifrei | Reinigunsbenzin | Brennspiritus |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belgium | Petroleum| | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Czech | Petrolej | Benzin | Technicky benzin | Denaturovany lih |
Republic | Parafin | | |Denaturovany alkohol|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denmark | Petrolium | auto benzin| rensebenzin | Ethanol (100 %) |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Egypt | al-kayruseen | ? | ? | ? |
| zayt al-barafeen | | | |
| zayt al-kaaz | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiji | kerosene | ??? | White spirits | ?????? |
| | | Shellite | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finland | Valopetroli |bensiini | Kevytbensiini | denaturoitu sprii |
| Petroli | | Puhdistusbensiini | Sinol(tm) |
| | | | Marinol(tm) |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
France | Petrole | Essence | Petrol a Bruler | Alcool a Bruler |
| | | Essence filtree | Alcool Denature |
| | | Blanche sans plomb| Alcool Methylique |
| | | Essence C | |
| | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany | Petroleum | Benzin | Kocherbenzin | Spiritus |
| Paraffinol | Bleifrei | Feuerzeug Benzin | Brennspiritus |
| Petrol |Auto-Benzin| Katalyt Benzin | Methyl Alkohol |
| Lampenoel |Superbenzine| Reinigungsbenzin | |
| | | Fleckenbenzin | |
| | | Wundbenzin | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greenland| Pettreleo | | | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holland | Petroleum | Benzine | Wasbenzine | Spiritus |
| Lampen-Olie| Super | Coleman Fuel | Brand Spiritus |
| | Loodvrij | | Alcohol |
| | Normaal 16| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hungary | Parafin | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iceland | ????????? | ???????? | Hreinsad Benzin | ???????????? |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
India | Kerosene | Petrol | ????????? | Meths ???? |
Bhutan | | (Gasoline)| | |
Nepal | | | | |
Pakistan | | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iran | NAFT | Benzin | ??? | ??? |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Israel | Neft | Delek 91 | Delek lavan | ????? |
| | Delek 96 | | |
| | Unleaded delek | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Italy | | per autoveicoli>| | |
| Kerosene | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japan | Toh-yu | Gasoline | White Gas | Nen-ryo yoh |
| | | Coleman Fuel | Alcohol |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenya | Paraffin |unleaded gas| ???????? | ???????? |
| kerosene | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mexico | Petroleo | Gasolina | ????? | ??????? |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
New | Kerosene | Petrol | White Spirit | Methylated Spirit |
Zealand | | | Shellite | |
| | | Callite | |
| | | Britolite | |
| | | Pegasol | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norway | Parafin | Bensin | Renset bensin | Rod-Sprit |
| | | Heptan | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poland | nafta | "benzyna || alkohol metylowy |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portugal | Petroleo | | desengorduramento>| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ex-USSR | kerosene | benzine | ????????????????? | Methyl Alcohol |
(Russia)| | | | ( metilovy spirt )|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
South | paraffin | petrol | Benzene | Methylated Spirits |
Africa | | | | "Meths" |
+ | | | | |
Zimbabwe| | | | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spain | Parafina | Gasolina | Becina, Blanca | Alcohol Metilico |
| | | Solvente | |
| Petroleo | sim plomo | | quemar> (Metilico)|
| Petroli | | Benzina pura | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweden | Fotogen | | bensin> | T-Roed |
| Taendvaetska | | Industribensin | Metanol |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Switzerland| Petrol | Bleifrei | Reinbenzin | Brennsprit |
| | | Wundbenzin | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Switzerland| Kerosen | Bleifrei | Reinbenzin | Brennsprit |
German sp. | | | Wundbenzin | |
part | | | Feuerzeug Benzin | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Switzerland| ??? | ??? | Benzin Gereinigt | ???? |
German/ | | | | |
Italian sp | | | | |
part | | | | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turkey | Gazyagi | | Benzin | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" confusion. (May 96)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Depending on which country you are in, "white spirit" can be one of several
substances. In the UK it is "turpentine substitute" ie. paint thinner and is
not recommended for burning.
In Australia it is a cleaning solvent but it is not the same as the stuff
in the UK. Again it is not recommended for burning.
In New Zealand white spirit used to be a common name for white gas but now
days it may be mis-understood as meaning "turpentine substitute".
Referring to one of the brand names is probably a more reliable way of
getting what you're after ( see the entry for New Zealand).
The Material Safety Data Sheet for Coleman fuel gives the following
composition:
Solvent naphtha (CAS #64742-89-8) 45-50%
Aliphatic petroleum distillates (CAS #64742-88-7) 45-50%
Xylene (CAS #1330-20-7) 2%
Toluene (CAS #108-88-3) 2%
4) Some notes on White Gasoline
-------------------------------
writes....... (May 96)
Coleman fuel and white gasoline are not the same. Coleman fuel contains
components that are much less volatile than gasoline (such as naptha).
This is what makes it safer to use in a stove or lantern. White gasoline
is simply gasoline that contains no antiknock additives. Commercial
unleaded gasoline contains additives that will likely damage your stove
unless it designed to accept this type of fuel (some are).
I suppose the question really is: Can I use white gas in my stove? Answer
is: probably. If it is clean and contains no additives, it will burn just
fine. It is more dangerous to handle since it is more volatile, but
clean, pure white gas will probably not damage your stove. At least it
has never harmed my Svea 123.
5) Some notes on diesel fuel
----------------------------
writes.......(Dec 93)
Don't forget that some multifuel stoves will run on Diesel, which has
the advantage of a very high calorific value per unit mass. In UK, this
is "Diesel" or "DERV", the latter for road vehicles specifically. Its
also possible to get hold of agricultural or "Red Diesel", which is
free of excise duty, but under no circumstances should you use it in
a road vehicle ! In Spain, diesel is "Gazoleo A".
Editors note: The name "diesel" is used in Australia, Belgium, Denmark,
Germany, Holland, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and the UK,
Japan - Keiyu.
Italy- Gasolio per autotrazione.
France - Gas oil.
6) Some notes on Kerosene
-------------------------
writes ..... (April 96)
I have a recommendation for those seeking Kerosene. The International
Specifications for Kerosene are almost if not exactly the same as commercial
Jet-A Fuel. Both products have very stringent % of sulphur content.
Since I market petroleum products in the NW (Seattle-Vancover,BC and parts of
Alaska) I have been purchasing Jet A in bulk and selling it as Kero for
years. It works very well.
A good test for quality is check to see if the jet a is water white with no
smell.
I would think most airports around the world would have this product and
would part with a few gallons for the needy camper. Besides, it is usually
inexpensive compared to other kero like products.
7) Alphabetical listing of notes for various countries
------------------------------------------------------
Africa
------
writes.........(Dec 93)
The most practical stoves for hiking/camping etc in most of Africa are
simple "meths burners" - meths is relatively cheap and availability
isn't usually a problem. Meths stoves can be a bit difficult to get
going if it's cold but I've always managed - even in temperatures well
below freezing.
Paraffin is the most freely available fuel throughout southern Africa - but
I haven't found a small stove that really works with it.
Petrol throughout southern Africa is leaded - it can be used in an emergency
in pressurised stoves, but clogs up the jets really quickly.
White Spirit/Coleman Fuel is rarely available and then only in specialised
camping shops and is really expensive. Benzene is around but you might
have to hunt a bit, it's quite expensive and sometimes has all sorts of
odd additives that stop it burning properly and clog up the jets.
Austria
-------
writes.......(Dec 93)
"Bleifrei" is particularly low octane - 91 or 92, so the stuff most people
use in cars is the higher octane stuff which isn't so nice in stoves.
writes...................(July 95)
Austria uses the same names as Germany
writes........(Jan 96)
In Austria kerosene is called "Petroleum" and should not be mixed up
with "Kerosin" which is jet fuel!
Denatured Alcohol would be translated as "Brennspiritus" and white gas
is "Reinigunsbenzin" and rather expensive.
Since fuel stoves are less popular over here than in the US, it is very
difficult to get stove fuel in sport shops.
Ask for "Reinigungsbenzin" or "Brennspiritus" in the next "Drogerie" or
take auto gaz "Benzin Bleifrei" at the petrol station.
Australia
---------
writes.......(Dec 93)
"white spirits" and "white gas" are NOT the same. White spirit
is some kind of cleaning fluid, IF you can get your stove to run on it it
will clog it up fairly quickly.
Most hardware stores sell "Shellite" in one litre plastic bottles Usually
made by "diggers." ( there are other brands but diggers is the most common)
Kerosene and Methylated spirits are usually available from supermarkets, as
well as hardware stores, again under the "diggers" brand. In the Northern
Territory you will often not find Methylated spirits on display. Ask at the
check-out, or counter. Also N.T. (and Qld. ??) Methylated Spirits is dyed
purple, this has no effect on the stove.
Editors Note: ( June 95 )
"White gas" is also available under the brand name of "Mobilite"
and costs about $A5 per litre in small quantities (750ml glass bottles)
from hardware stores.
Belgium
-------
writes.......(April 96)
BTW: in Belgium (Dutch speaking part of Vlaanderen) the list
for Holland can be used.
Czech Republic
--------------
writes.........(Dec 93)
Petrolej, Benzin, Technicky benzin, Denaturovany lih or Denaturovany alkohol
should be commonly available in 'Drogerie' (Drug store) or 'Barvy-Laky'
(Paints) stores.
Denmark
-------------
writes .....(June 95)
Column 4 (95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol) are not for
sale in Denmark, but instead we use 100% Ethanol which is almost as
good when the temperature are not to low - and it seldom is in
Denmark, due to our very flat country (highest top apptoc. 180 m over
sea...) anyway this product substitutes what the norvegian/swedish people call
Rod-Sprit and is called "husholdnings-sprit" or simply "sprit."
Egypt
-----
writes......(Oct 95)
kerosene: al-kayruseen
zayt al-barafeen (literally, "oil of parafin")
zayt al-kaaz
Fiji
-----
writes.........(Dec 94)
While in Fiji in September we were using kerosene and white spirits/Shellite.
No problems getting either in villages on Vanua Levu.
We were sea kayaking round the island and I was carrying a 5 litre drum of
kerosene on deck. The white spirits was distributed around the rest of the
fleet in 1/2 and 1 litre containers and stowed in the kayaks.
Finland
-------
kiravuo@gamma.hut.fi writes.......(Dec 93)
Valopetroli, bensiini and sprii are generic names, Sinol and
Marinol are brand names, but also in common use.
mk59200@cs.tut.fi writes........(Dec 93)
White Gas (kevytbensiini) is apparently very hard to find (maybe
because nobody uses it here). According to manufacturer's info
Sinol(tm) is for unpressurized stoves (Trangia etc.) while Marinol(tm)
is for pressurized stoves (Optimus? never seen one), but in practice
they should be interchangeable.
France
------
writes.......(Dec 93)
Coleman fuel is also available as ``Essence C' 'in French supermarkets
and hardware shops. It's dirt cheap.
It worked fine in a Coleman Peak One and an MSR Whisperlite, with no
fouling or peculiar smell from either or excessive filth from priming
the MSR
``Essence'', alone, is leaded 88 octane petrol.
writes.......(Dec 93)
Petrol/Gasoline in France is called "Essence", but the relevant stuff
for stove fuel is unleaded, which is called "Sans plomb", or, more
easily, just comes out of the green nozzles at filling stations !
(Editors note: "Essence normale" is leaded petrol/gasoline.)
Germany
-------
writes.......(Dec 93)
I spent a year in Germany, and discovered that White Gas, or Coleman
fluid, as we call it here in USA is known as Reinigungsbenzin
(literally, cleaning gas). I purchased it in an Apotheque (Apothecary).
writes.....(April 94)
Lampenoel (kerosene) is often coloured and has added "smells"
Lead-Free, (bleifrei, sans plomb, loodvrij, sim plomo) fuel is almost
universal for cars that will stand it without burning out their engines!
writes................... (July 95)
|> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
|> Germany | Petroleum | Benzin | Kocherbenzin | Spiritus |
|> | Paraffinol | Bleifrei | Feuerzeug Benzin | Brennspiritus |
|> | Petrol |Auto-Benzin| Katalyt Benzin | Methyl Alkohol |
|> | Lampenoel |Superbenzine| Reinigungsbenzin | |
|> | | | | bensine> | Fleckenbenzin | |
|> | | | Wundbenzin | |
|> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not quite correct:
Col 1 main name is "Diesel"; "Petroleum" is a cleaned version. The other names
are unusual. One more name is "Heizoel", but you need that only when you want
some 1000 liters for your big tank. The only difference to Diesel is the tax
;-)
Col 2: "Benzin" is the generic name. "Bleifrei" means unleaded, "Superbenzin"
("Superbenzine" is plural) is higher octane. "Loddvrije bensine" is not German
but Dutch.
Col 3: Never heard "Katalyt Benzin".
Col 4: Better don't ask for "Methyl Alkohol", I never heard someone use it
for "Spiritus" since that is mostly Ethanol.
BTW: "Sprit" is a generic name for gas as well as for alcoholics, no matter
if drinkable or not. Each liquid that burns may be called "Sprit", either
in the throat or in motor or a stove.
Holland
-------
writes......(Dec 93)
cat 1: Lampen-Olie... sometimes okay, often more like a vegetable oil.
,the 'non-smelling' version is almost always good: "reukloze lampen-olie"
but contains a perfume which makes my stove (Whisper=Lite" clog up once in
a while.
cat 2: "Super" = high octane, "Loodvrij"= unleaded.
cat 3: Wasbenzine, Colman fluel, both well known
writes.......(Dec 93)
The name 'coleman fuel' or 'coleman brandstof' is commonly used in Holland (or
The Netherlands). Stangely enough I can't recall a pure Dutch term (I don't
think there is one). It is sold in all outdoor equipment stores and in some
recreational stores ('kampeerwinkels').
India/Bhutan/Nepal/Pakistan
---------------------------
writes........ (Dec 93)
Petrol(Gasoline) is available at any Petrol Pump. Buy the higher grade if
you are not sure.
Kerosene is available at most roadside grocery shops or "ration" shops.
Methyl Alcohol-Most Drug Stores stock it. I have never used it in any
stove so can't vouch for it.
White Gas-Could never find it.
Iran
----
writes..... (May 96)
In Iran the product mentioned in first column is called NAFT second is
BENZIN then there is less refined substances for diesel and heating
followed by bitumen that is called GHIR. The NAFT is used for lamps as
well as cooking,and in the heating stoves, different grade of Benzin for
cars and airplanes.
Japan
-----
writes..........(Dec 93)
Gasoline is available at gas station. Usually they also have kerosene,
ie. Toh-yu. "Toh" is pronounced like in "TOFU", and "yu" is like "you".
White Gas (most likely the one sold by Japan Coleman) is available at
bigger sports goods retailer. Sometimes also available at hardware
store (again, bigger one). Alcohol is available at drug store. Ask
"Nen-ryo yoh" (the one as fuel), or you will get the one for
disinfection. Pronounce something like "Al-coal" for "Alcohol".
Kenya
-----
writes.......(Dec 93)
Paraffin/Kerosene is available everywhere in Kenya, because its what they
use for lighting charcoal cooking fires. Having said that, there was a
desperate shortage of it everywhere in January/February when we were there,
and I suspect that this occurs unpredictably but perhaps quite frequently
from time to time.
Unleaded gas is pretty much unobtainable, but there must
be plenty of diesel about - we saw a tanker of it lying in the road spilling
the stuff everywhere while people variously stood about smoking and waving
traffic onto the edge of the road.
New Zealand
-----------
White spirit (4 brand names) available from garages. Probably safer to ask
for one of the brand names rather than just "white spirit".
Meths from hardware stores.
Norway
------
writes........(Dec 93)
Parafin is available at most garages, at times under the name
"Fritids-parafin", or "Lampe-olje" (the latter is a more refined
version, doesn't smell).
Bensin is available at garages, and so is White Spirit.
Rod-Sprit is available at stores selling paint etc. and also Liquour-shops!!!
(even if it is poisonous).
writes.....(Dec 93)
The problem is the product called "White spirit" in Norwegian. It is a
somewhat
kerosene-like product, but more refined. It is intended for use as paint-
thinner removing paint-stains etc. It is cleaner and lights easier than
kerosene, but it is not at all comparable to petrol. I use it from time to
time
as a substitute for kerosene in my stove, and it works great.
On the other hand there is "Renset bensin", which is unleaded, highly refined
petrol. It is sold at pharmacies, and is intended for removing stains, and
also
medical use. This product is very expensive, very explosive: not exactly the
ideal stove fuel.
But what confuses me is: this seems to be the product referred to for a lot of
other countries.
So what do you think? Are you looking for "White spirit" or "Renset bensin" ?
writes......(Dec 93)
Actually you are looking for something in between, my Whispherlight get some
hick'up when using "White spirit" because the petroleum jet is to big for
using "White spirit" directly, the white gas jet is somewhat small, so you
don't get enough fuel through it. Another popular use of "White spirit" is
lighting a barbeque with it.
Never use "Renset bensin" you just waist your money, use unleaded 98
octane fuel. Some gas station sell a gasoline typ with an additive based
on potassium, this one should not be used in MSR's or Coleman's
writes........(Dec 93)
While in Norway and Sweden recently I looked closely at "Renset bensin" and
"tecknisk bensin" for use in my SVEA stove. The Norwegan product was clearly
marked as a mixture (60/40??) of Hexane and Heptane (with 1 or 2 percent of
other "-anes", like pentane). The Swedish product was not labelled as to
contents. I did purchase about 200 ml, good for about 1 hour cooking, but
now I don't recall from which country. There was no problem since the stove
is designed to use explosive fuels. Later I switched to Primus (TM) brand of
butane and a new stove because it was much more available and cheaper.
There are some interesting cultural differences with regard to the "explosive"
fuels.
>It is sold at pharmacies, and is intended for removing stains, and also
>medical use. This product is very expensive, very explosive: not exactly
>the ideal stove fuel.
This is quite true for Norway and Sweden. If you go to a pharmacy and say
you are going to use this product in a stove they will just as likely call
"the men in white coats" to take you away. But if you say you are going to
use it to clean wounds, this is OK.
Now, in the US if you went to a sports store and said you were going to use
Coleman Fuel (TM for extra pure white gasoline) - someone would say you were
very crazy.
writes.......(Dec 93)
True, the norwegian's get slighty crazy if they someone light
a stove fired by gasoline, normally they move about two meters away.
They learn gasoline == dangerous, kerosene == safe.
Further it is forbidden in Norway to sell stoves
fired by gasoline.
Writes.........(Jan 95)
A minor correction to your information on Norwegian names in the FAQ:
Your "Rod-Sprit" in column 4 (Denatured Alcohol/Solvent Alcohol)
should be spelled "R{/o}dsprit" where "{/o}" is a slashed "o" (can
be compared to the German (e.g) umlauted "o".
Extra hyphenation and capitalization is an ill decease spreding into
the Norwegian language (from English)! [Oh, BTW: :-)]
It means, literally, "Red spirit/alchohol]".
and writes ......
June 95)
Searching for Coleman fuel.
A merry chase around Trondheim.... Most people had no idea what I wanted,
although a variety of unsuitable fuels were offered. One hardware
shop even displayed a Coleman-Fuel stove, but the staff couldn't tell me
where to get the fuel!
Eventually a knowledgeable assistant in a sports shop came up with the
answer - a chemists! The second chemist I tried produced a half-litre
glass bottle of "heptan" (no fancy name). At last, the right stuff!
Pour into stove+Sigg bottle and ... hot food, melted snow!
=> Coleman Fuel in Norway (probably Sweden too): "Heptan" from a chemist.
(See the entry on Sweden)
Poland
------
writes.......(Dec 93)
USA: Poland:
Kerosene: hm, I am not sure, but try to ask for 'nafta', or express it
slightly longer 'nafta do lamp naftowych', what means that you want
something which is burned in the lamps...
There exists something called 'olej parafinowy' but I do not
know how it works. Better forget it.
'Nafta' burns easily, but if you think of the
fluid of the Indian kerosene kind, which does not burn when
you light a match and drop onto the fluid surface, I am wrong.
Gasoline: 'Benzyna', different octane numbers, leaded: the lower ones are
called 'niebieska benzyna' (blue gasoline), the better
'zolta benzyna' (yellow gasoline),
unleaded gasoline (probably the best when used in stoves)
'benzyna bezolowiowa'. Fuel for diesel engines is oft called
'olej napedowy', or in slang 'diesel'.
White gas: 'benzyna rektyfikowana', 'benzyna oczyszczana', or when not
undestood, 'benzyna - rozpuszczalnik do farb i lakierow',
or 'benzyna do wywabiania plam', what means, that you want a fluid
with which you may remove paint stains or solvent or thinner
for some sort of paints. Beware of 'rozpuszczalnik do farb
olejnych' - thinner for oil paints. Just explain somehow,
that you need it for a stove ('benzynowa maszynka do gotowania',
people use also the name of the German firm: 'juwel').
Denaturated Alcohol: 'Denaturat', 'alkohol metylowy', usually with
a beautiful skull and crossed bones symbol, and with horrible
violet-colour addition. You may try also to burn 'spirytus',
but this is 99 per cent pure alcohol for consumption and
extremely expensive just to use as fuel...
Availability: 'benzyna rektyfikowana' in the shops with the chemical products
what in Poland means, that there is sold everything from the soap
and washing powder up to thinners and paints: 'sklep chemiczny',
'farby i lakiery', etc. Some hardware shops probably too.
There you may ask also for 'nafta', but try to explain,
what you want to do with it... ('do lampy naftowej').
'Denaturat' could be also probably bought there,
but usually you may get it in the liquor shops (yes!) 'monopolowy'
or even in the shops with food or hardware (smaller towns,
villages).
'Benzyna' - fuel stations, but sometimes there are problems when
you come with a PLASTIC bottle, for just 1 liter...
They may say it is dangerous and would not sell you anything.
In such a case try to come with a metal bottle or bigger
(2-5 liter) can (pol.: 'kanister') or try to ask some driver
for help.
Burning qualities: The division of the qualities is clear - 'nafta' for
lamps or stoves, where you may highly pressurize the fuel,
'denaturat' for the slightly old-fashioned alcohol stoves, where
a surface of the liquid burns, 'benzyna rektyfikowana' is probably
the best thing for stoves with limited or no possibility to
pressurize the fuel (Whisperlite, Coleman). 'Benzyna' - if you
have to use it, use the unleaded super ('bezolowiowa super'),
when not available - down the octane scale. 'Diesel' the worst.
Russia
------
writes........(Dec 93)
Petrol could be obtained in fuel-station, if you find one. But usually
there are very long lines for fuel and nobody is permitted to buy without
order. TIP: ask driver of lorry/bus/taxi to sale (or just present) several
liters. It usually works if you ask <2-3 liters. If you need more, repeat
procedure. Taxi drivers usually sale benzine about 4-10 times more
expensive than in fuel stations.
Don't try to find white gas. Nobody knows what it is. Learn to use petrol
(if your stove isn't intended for petrol, be ready to clean it in the
field). Trying to buy methyl alchohol (or cheap alchohol) isn't good idea.
Kerosene may be obtainable, but you can never predict it. Besides that some
places don't sale goods to visitors. If so, you can usually ask somebody
in the place to buy it for you.
The best obtainable fuel is a solar. Fuel stations don't sale it to
travelers but most drivers of big lorries let you suck it. Bring house >2 m
long (if you buy petrol from car/bus/... you need to suck it too!)
It is good idea to have somebody speaking Russian and preferably local
language for negotiations. Foreign language and cash may attract crimes.
In general, you usually can find fuel in the initial point of your trip
(you can't bring it in the plane) but it takes time. Consultations are highly
recommended! In 1990 we had to delay start to 20-days mountain expedition
in Tyan'-Shan' for 1 day because we couldn't obtain fuel!
South Africa (Lesotho and Swaziland)
------------------------------------
writes.........(Dec 93)
Paraffin is freely available at garages and plenty of other stores.
Petrol at garages.
Benzene is available at most hardware stores - beware of buying stuff called
benzine - it doesn't work.
Methylated Spirits is available at most stores except in the Cape Province
where you can only get it at chemists/pharmacies.
Spain
-----
writes.......(Dec 93)
Unleaded petrol/gas is "Sin plomo"
writes ............ (Dec 94)
Last summer in Madrid we bought something called Benzol in a store that sold
paint supplies. It burned well with a high heat content but "ate" the rubber
"O" rings on my whisper-light international.
Sweden
------
Alan Malkiel writes......(Dec 93)
In Sweden, Vit Bensin is also sold as "teknisk bensin". (Technicial Gasoline)
(It is used as a cleaning solvent, sold in small bottles, and rather
expensive.)
and writes ......
(June 95)
Searching for Coleman Fuel.
I explained everywhere "like the petrol you put in cars, but without the
additives. "Vit Bensin" didn't work. Did I mean "Rod Sprit" (meths), or
parafin? Yes they'd heard some people use low-octane unleaded petrol. No joy
-
but I only tried garages as everywhere else was shut.
writes.......(July 95)
Column 1
Fotogen means kerosene (generic). It's fine
to buy some kerosene provided you buy 5 gallons or more. It's
what you buy if you (very few do) use it for heating a room
or a home. (meaning T-Yellow, just like T-Roed means
T-Red. Both indicate the color of the label, T-Roed itself
is also pale red whereas T-Gul is colorless) is what it says
on the label of the 1-liter plastic bottles that you can buy
in any gas station, grocery store or supermarket. is what you should ask for if you ask for
by name in a store. It literally means a liquid used for
lighting a fire or barbeque. The label of also says
"pure n-paraffin". is the fuel to use for your
Whisperlite or other multi-fuel stove. As a primer (for
preheating) you could use a small quantity of .
Column 2
, meaning unleaded
gas/petrol. Available from the green nozzles at *any* gasstation
anywhere in the country. Bil bensin, Teknisk bensin, Ren bensin, Industri
bensin
mean leadedgas/petrol which you should *not* use in your stove.
Column 3
(where oe actually is an "o" with two dots over
like the German o-umlaut), which is a spot-removing liquid bought
at pharmacists (Apotek). The other entry is or
industrial gas/petrol, which can be bought at specialized paint
shops. Both can be used instead of Coleman Fuel.
Column 4
which is a brand name for a spirit which is used as fuel
for Trangia stoves (and similar) and for
cleaning windows (!). is what the bottles read nowadays.
It's actually the same as and , it's only
a change in name. When asking for it by name would
be the best name to use. It is sold in 1-liter plastic bottles
(and 5-liter plastic containers if you do a lot of cooking) at
gas stations and almost all grocery stores (except for the
smallest ones). You might have to ask for it by name at the
counter. A tip: leaves a lot of sooty residue on your
pots and the inside of your Trangia (or similar) stove. If you
mix it with 10-15 percent plain water you don't get as much
soot. Or buy (which is methanol or wood-alcohol)
which can be had in paint shops. A 50-50 mixture of
and is the best. Heating as much as the and
leaving as little soot as the .
I would also like to comment on butane cartridges. The ones available
in Sweden nowadays are Primus brand butane/propane mix, which can be
had in 220 gram and 450 gram sizes. The cartridges are grey. The 80 pc
butane/20 pc propane mix means that it burns better at low tempe-
ratures. Due to a law that says that butane-cartridges and other
gas-containers should be kept in a safe area in case of fires there
are now fewer places that sell them. Sporting goods stores and (major)
supermarkets do, but you might have to ask for them by name
. I asked for butane cartridges at a couple of gas stations
today, but they no longer had them, because of the law.
When planning a trip to Sweden some approximate prices could be
interesting:
T-Gul SEK 20.00/liter
Unleaded gas SEK 7.50/liter
T-Roed/Roedsprit SEK 33.00/liter
Metanol SEK 40.00/liter
Industribensin *) SEK 44.00/liter
Butane/propane cartridges
220 gram SEK 49.00 each
450 gram SEK 79.00 each
Which means that the cheapest way to cook would be to bring a Coleman
Peak1/MSR or similar stove for unleaded gas along with you. The
unleaded gas/petrol is also available everywhere. Fuel for a
multi-fuel MSR or Coleman (T-Gul) is also available almost everywhere.
(The most common stove among Swedish backpackers is a methylated
spirit burner like the Trangias).
Switzerland
-----------
writes........(Dec 93)
Most supermarkets throughout the country sell kerosene and methanol. White
gas is available in chemists and pharmacies (Apotheke, Drogerie), but they
might insist on using special bulky glass bottles and will inform you about
the danger of the stuff you buy. You better tell them that you know what
you're doing and keep a funnel at hand to fill your own fuel bottles outside
the shop and return the bottles afterwards. Kerosene and methanol are sold
at about twice the price of normal, unleaded gas (bleifrei), whereas white
gas sells at about 4 times the price of unleaded.
writes ............ (Dec 94)
Two years ago while camping is Switzerland, I discovered that you could go to
a pharmacy (Drogerie) in the German/Itilaian sections of Switzerland and ask
for Benzin Gereinigt which seemed to be the same a Coleman fuel. You need to
have your own fuel bottle as they filled your bottle from a larger container.
U.K.
---
Paraffin available from some garages. Coleman fuel only from some
camping stores.....If you ask for white spirit, you will be given
"Turpentine substitute" ie. paint thinner.
Meths from hardware stores.
U.S.A
-----
writes......(Dec 93)
"Charcoal lighter" is a clean substitute (for Kerosene) and available
in any store.
writes..... (Jan 95)
Denatured alcohol is almost universally available in the USA, but,
you have to look in the right place. A common use is as thinner
for Shellac - a common wood finish. So you can find it in paint stores
or in the paint section of more generalized hardware or building supply
stores. It may be labelled "shellac thinner", but will usually
also say "denatured alcohol" or "alcohol stove fuel" in smaller print.
The last alcohol I bought cost $10 for a gallon. As a comparison, Coleman
Fuel is about half that price, and unleaded automobile gasoline
is currently about $1.10 per gallon.
Zimbabwe
--------
writes.........(Dec 93)
Paraffin at most garages and stores.
Petrol at garages - not reccomended - I'm reluctant to run my car on this
stuff!
Benzene at hardware stores - may be difficult to find.
Meths at most hardware stores and chemists and in some other stores.
--------------
End of FAQ