Camping stove fuel – should I use T-röd (methylated spirits), Tenol, gas or LPG?

Which fuels can you use in a camping stove?

The fuel you should use depends on the burner in your camping stove. Our Trangia spirit burners use alcohol-based fuel, such as T-Tenol or T-röd. Our gas burners are used with gas canisters containing a mixture of propane, butane and/or isobutane.

It is important to use the right fuel for the right burner. Trangia spirit burners must not be used with petrol, diesel, paraffin, lamp oil or other petroleum- or oil-based fuels.

T-röd, T-sprit or Tenol – which spirit fuel is best for a Trangia stove?

T-röd, T-sprit and T-Tenol are all alcohol-based fuels that can be used in Trangia spirit burners. The main differences are their composition and how much soot they produce during use.

In Sweden, our first recommendation for Trangia spirit burners is T-Tenol from Kemetyl. The burner is designed for alcohol-based fuels with an alcohol content of at least 70%. T-Tenol is a good first choice because it burns well.

T-röd and T-sprit work too, but the amount of soot can vary depending on the composition and quality of the fuel.

Which gas should you use with a Trangia gas burner?

Our gas burners use gas canisters containing a mixture of propane, butane and/or isobutane. The canister must have a threaded valve complying with EN417, the international standard that Trangia gas burners are designed to work with.

Not sure whether a spirit or gas burner is the best choice for you? Read our guide to spirit stoves vs gas stoves to find out which option suits you best.

Gas canisters for Trangia gas burners

Trangia gas burners are used with gas canisters that have an EN417 threaded valve. Common sizes are 100, 230 and 450 grams. The best size depends on how long you will be away and how much you plan to use the stove.

For shorter trips, a smaller canister can be convenient to carry, while a larger canister is more suitable when you will be using the stove frequently or over several days.

Which camping stove fuel works best in cold weather?

Low temperatures affect both spirit fuel and gas. A spirit burner can still be used in cold weather, but it takes longer to reach full heat output. At around +5 °C and below, you can use a preheater for a faster start and better performance.

Temperature also affects gas performance, making the gas mixture particularly important. For very cold conditions, we recommend a gas designed for usage in the winter, such as Primus Winter Gas, which is developed to work effectively to down around −22 °C.

How much fuel should you bring?

The amount of fuel you need depends on several factors: how many people you will be cooking for, how many meals you plan to prepare, the type of food you will cook, and the temperature and wind conditions. The more often you bring water to the boil and the longer you cook, the more fuel you should plan to bring.

For the spirit burner, 100 ml of fuel provides approximately 25 minutes of burning time. This can be a useful starting point when planning how much spirit fuel to bring, but actual consumption varies depending on the weather, heat output and how you cook.

For gas, it is similarly useful to consider how often you will use the stove and how long you will be away. On longer trips, it is wise to bring some extra fuel to make sure you have enough for the whole trip.

Storing and transporting camping stove fuel in a fuel bottle

When taking spirit fuel on a trip, it is important to store it in a suitable container. Our fuel bottles with safety caps are designed to make refilling the spirit burner safe and easy. They come in several sizes, allowing you to choose the amount of fuel to suit the length of your trip.

Choose the right fuel for your Trangia stove

The fuel you should use in your camping stove depends on the burner you use, how long you will be away and the temperatures you expect. In Sweden, our first recommendation for the spirit burner is T-Tenol, while our gas burners are used with compatible gas canisters with an EN417 threaded valve.

Want to see which fuels are recommended in different countries? See our fuel list. You can also learn more about our different burners and how to use them in our guide to Trangia burners.