How Long Does a Backpacking Fuel Canister Last?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking fuel canisters are an essential part of any backpacking or camping trip. They provide a reliable and easy way to cook food and keep warm in the wilderness, but how long do they last? The answer depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of fuel being used, the size of the canister, and how much fuel is being burned.

The most commonly used type of backpacking fuel canister is propane. Propane is a highly efficient fuel that burns very cleanly and produces a lot of heat.

A 16-ounce propane canister will last between 2-3 hours when used at maximum capacity. If you are using lower temperatures or shorter cooking times, it may last up to 6 hours.

Butane is another popular backpacking fuel choice. It provides less heat than propane but is still very efficient.

A 16-ounce butane canister should last between 5-7 hours when used at maximum capacity. Depending on the temperature and cooking time, it may last up to 12 hours or more.

Isobutane is the third most common type of backpacking fuel canister. It has similar characteristics to butane but burns even more efficiently than both propane and butane combined.

Isobutane has a higher boiling point than both propane and butane so it lasts longer in colder environments. A 16-ounce isobutane canister should last between 8-10 hours when used at maximum capacity and up to 18 hours in colder temperatures with shorter cooking times.

Other factors that affect backpacking fuel canisters include the size of the canister and how much fuel is being burned. Larger canisters will obviously last longer than smaller ones, while burning more fuel will reduce total burn time. Additionally, windy conditions or higher altitudes may reduce burn times as well due to increased air resistance and cooler temperatures respectively.

In conclusion, how long your backpacking fuel canister lasts depends on many different factors such as type of fuel, size of the canister, amount of fuel burned, temperature conditions, windy conditions, altitude etc.. Generally speaking though, a 16 ounce propane canister should last between 2-3 hours at maximum capacity while a 16 ounce butane or isobutane canister should last between 5-7 or 8-10 hours respectively.