How Much Liquid Fuel Do I Need for Backpacking?

By Michael Ferguson

When it comes to backpacking, one of the biggest questions is “how much liquid fuel do I need?” This is a valid question, and the answer depends on several factors.

The type of fuel you’ll need depends on the type of stove you have. Some popular types of liquid fuels for backpacking are white gas, canister fuel, kerosene, and alcohol. White gas is a good choice for cold weather conditions because it burns hot and has a long burn time.

Canister fuel is popular due to its convenience, but it’s more expensive than other options. Kerosene has a longer burn time than white gas but is less efficient and produces more soot. Alcohol is easy to find and relatively lightweight, but it has a short burn time and doesn’t work as well in cold weather.

The amount of liquid fuel you need also depends on how often you plan to cook while backpacking. If you plan on cooking every day or every few days, you’ll need more fuel than if you plan on cooking only once or twice during your trip. Additionally, the amount of food you plan to cook will also affect how much fuel you need; meals that require boiling water or extended simmering times will require more fuel than simple meals that require only a few minutes of heat.

Finally, the length of your trip will determine how much liquid fuel you need. If your trip is short (less than one week), then one liter should be enough; if your trip is longer (over two weeks), then two liters should be enough. Of course, these are just rough estimates; for longer trips or if you plan on cooking frequently during your trip, then it’s best to bring extra fuel just in case.

Conclusion:

When planning for your next backpacking trip, make sure to consider the type of stove and fuel you’ll be using as well as how often and what type of meals you’ll be cooking while out in the wilderness. Additionally, take into account the length of your trip when determining how much liquid fuel to bring with you; for shorter trips one liter should suffice while two liters should be enough for longer trips.