FAQ - International fuel names for backpacking stoves

Comments may be sent to the FAQ maintainer Roger Caffin

We have two lists of international fuel names here - there are more on the web. The many names for the different fuels would seem to be a source of some fascination for some people. The first list originally came from M Buckler. The maintenance of this list has since been taken over by Doron Papo (mid-2007), and he has a more up to date version of it at his web site. The second list was cribbed from the MSR web site. Both sources are acknowledged with thanks.

Some reformatting and tidying up of the borrowed html code has been done to remove the incredible loads of crap some "html editors" inject into files. I regret that this task is not yet complete. It may better to go to the web sources.

International Fuel Names according to M Buckler

This document contains:
* Translations for the names of fuels commonly used in backpacking stoves.
* Information about the availability of fuels in various countries.

Version: 40, March 2003

Introduction

This FAQ is designed to help you find the right fuel for your stove. The countries are ordered alphabetically except for the USA and UK which I have left at the top for reference. Abbreviated fuel names are put in quotation marks : eg. methylated spirits is also known as "meths". Alternative brand names are sometimes placed inside brackets.

The following list contains data for approx 43 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, 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, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Madagascar and lots of other places.

Table of Fuel Names

With the exception of Coleman fuel, all commonly available fuels from petrol stations and supermarkets are blended mixtures that vary in composition depending on the brand, the country and even the time of year (winter/summer). Fuels listed in columns 1 - 3 are petroleum based. Fuels in column 4 are alcohol based.

Column 1

Decane (mostly). Kerosene/diesel is a crude cut from oil refineries, boiling point range is approximately 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. May also contain up to 20% ethanol ("ethanol blended fuel").

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 and water.



Country

Fuel

1

2

3

4

U.S.A & Canada

kerosene

Gasoline

"Gas"

White Gas

Naphtha

Coleman Fuel

Blazo

Denatured Alcohol

Solvent Alcohol

U.K.

Paraffin

Petrol

Coleman Fuel

Methylated Spirit

"Meths"

Argentina (Chile, Boliva, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico)

???

???

???

alcohol

alcohol pura

alcohol de quemar

Australia

Kerosene

"Kero"

Petrol

Shellite

White gas

Mobilite

methylated spirits

"Meths"

"Metho"

Austria

Petroleum

Benzin Bleifrei

Reinigungsbenzin

Waschbenzin

White gas

Kocherbenzin

Reinbenzin

Fleckbenzin

Brennspiritus

Spiritus

Belgium

Petroleum

loodvrije benzine

Wasbenzine

???

Borneo

Minyak Tanah

AVTUR

Benzine

???

Spiritos

China

meiyou

Huo shui ?

qi you

????

????

Czech Republic

Petrolej

Parafin

Benzin

Technicky benzin

Denaturovany lih

Denaturovany alkohol

Denmark

Petroleum

auto benzin

rensebenzin

Ethanol (100 %)

Sprit

Husholdnings sprit

Egypt

al-kayruseen

zayt al-barafeen

zayt al-kaaz

WAKOUD

BENZEEN

GAAS ABYAD

White Gas

COHOL TIBY

COHOL SENAIY

Fiji

kerosene

???

White spirits

Shellite

???

Finland

Valopetroli

Petroli

bensiini

Kevytbensiini

Puhdistusbensiini

denaturoitu sprii

Sinol(tm)

Marinol(tm)

France

Petrole

fuel domestique

Essence

Petrol a Bruler

Essence filtree

Blanche sans plomb

Essence C

Essence a l'usage domestique

Alcool a Bruler

Alcool Denature

Alcool Methylique

Germany

Petroleum

Paraffinol

Petrol

Lampenoel

Benzin

Bleifrei

Auto-Benzin

Superbenzin

Kocherbenzin

Feuerzeug Benzin

Katalyt Benzin

Reinigungsbenzin

Reinbenzin

Fleckenbenzin

Wundbenzin

Spiritus

Brennspiritus

Methyl Alkohol

Greece

Parafinh

"Coleman fuel" ?

mequliko oinopneuma

Greenland

Petroleum

Benzin

Rensebenzin

Denatureret Sprit

Holland

Petroleum

Lampen-Olie

Benzine

Super

Loodvrij

Normaal 16

Wasbenzine

Coleman Fuel

Spiritus

Brand Spiritus

Alcohol

Hungary

Parafin

Olommentes benzin

Benzin

spiritus

denaturált szesz

Iceland

???

???

Hreinsad Benzin

Rodsprit

India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan

Kerosene

Petrol

(Gasoline)

methylated spirits

Indonesia and Malaysia

MINYAK TANAH

BENSINE

???

???

Iran

NAFT

Benzin

???

???

Ireland

???

???

???

Meths

Israel

Neft

Delek 91

Delek 96

Unleaded delek

Delek lavan

???

Italy

petrolio

petrolio lampante

Olio di Paraffina

Kerosene

Benzina per autoveicoli

benzina AVIO

Benzina bianca

 

Alcol denaturato

Japan

Toh-yu

Gasoline

White Gas

Coleman Fuel

Nen-ryo yoh

Alcohol

Kenya

Paraffin

kerosene

unleaded gas

???

???

Malaysia and Singapore

This is rather complicated. See the entry further on in this document.

Malta

kreosene

parifin

pitrolju

Petrol

octane

???

Alcohol

ethanol

Methylated spirit

Surgical spirit

Mexico

Petroleo

Gasolina

gasolina blanca

???

New Zealand

Kerosene

Petrol

White Spirit

Shellite

Callite

Britolite

Pegasol

Fuelite

Methylated Spirit

Norway

Parafin

Bensin

Renset bensin

Heptan

Katlyt bensin

Rod-Sprit

Philippines

kerosene

gasoline

Coleman fuel

denatured alcohol

Poland

nafta

"benzyna bezolowiowa"

benzyna rektyfikowana

Denaturat

alkohol metylowy

Portugal

Petroleo

Gasolina sem chumbo

Benzina de desengorduramento

"Alcool  95%"

ex-USSR (Russia)

kerosene

benzine

???

Methyl Alcohol

(metilovy spirt)

South Africa + Zimbabwe

paraffin

petrol

Benzine

Methylated Spirits

"Meths"

Spain

Parafina

Petroleo

Keroseno

Petroli

Gasolina

sim plomo

Becina, Blanca

Solvente

Gasolina domestica

Benzina pura

Alcohol Metilico

Alcohol de quemar (Metilico)

Sweden

Fotogen

T-Gul

Taendvaetska

Lysfotogen

Blyfri bensin

Rengoerings bensin

Industribensin

Kemiskt Ren Bensin

Statoil miljø

T-Sprit/Roedsprit

T-Roed

Metanol

T-br=E4nsle

Switzerland

Petrol

Bleifrei

Reinbenzin

Wundbenzin

Brennsprit

Switzerland (German speaking part)

Petroleum

Bleifrei

Reinbenzin

Wundbenzin

Feuerzeug Benzin

Brennsprit

Switzerland (German/Italian speaking part)

???

???

Benzin Gereinigt

???

Thailand

NAUM MAUN GAS

NAUM MAUN REI SARN

BENZENE KAOW

White benzene

"COMFORT"

Alcohol

Turkey

Gazyagi

Parafin

Kursunsuz benzin

White Gas

Benzin

Ispirto

Venezuela

kerosen

gasolina

Gasolina blanca

alcohol para quemar

alcohol luz

Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" Confusion. (May 1996)

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:

Some Notes on White Gasoline

<elliot@mail.utexas.edu.fuel> writes....... (May 1996)

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.

Some Notes on Coleman Fuel

<F-Schmidt@cox.net.fuel> writes.......(Feb 2003)

(Frank Schmidt, Senior Project Engineer, Appliances-Fuels-Patio Grills, The Coleman Co.)

Coleman Fuel was developed in the early 50's as a replacement for "white gas" which in the US was readily available at hardware stores and gas stations. This was the original motor fuel, no tetraeythlead, or additives, also know as casing head gas, water white color. Was also used as a cleaning agent for mostly white materials, also a fuel for outboard motors and early powered lawnmowers. This source started to disappear in the 50's due to technology.

The Coleman fuel of today has not changed in years, it is a blended naphtha with no lead compounds, and a paraffinic type. The benzene content is controlled to .5% by wt. or less and we add a rust inhibitor along with a green dye for identification. I will attach the specification for the fuel for your information. One point, you might find interesting is Coleman Fuel is the preferred fuel for fire eaters, have several inquiries a year as to the benzene content and is it safe.??

I also would like to inquire if your site, could be used by the Coleman Co. as a reference link in our site.

PS: The specification is titled (US Market) there is no other one.

Some Notes on Diesel Fuel

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

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.

Some notes on Kerosene

<StewartAG@aol.com.fuel> writes ..... (April 1996)

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.

Benzine and Benzene Confusion

<Geoff.Rehmet@gfsa.co.za.fuel> writes ....(Oct 1998)

Benzene refers to the Benzene ring molecule C6H6 (6's should be subscript) if I recall properly. This is not a good fuel, and is also nasty stuff - I recall being warned in chemistry class at university that it is carcinogenic. Benzine is the same as white gas. (I actually resorted to the Concise Oxford English Disctionary a short while ago to jog my memory on this subject!).

Other WWW links

The following link no longer works. If anyone knows where the file went, please let me know. "Suitability of aviation fuels in camping stove" discussion. (Part of the Newscastle University Mountaineering Club web pages) http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~numc/grnland/fuel.html

Optimus stove fuel information http://www.optimus.se/faq/#fuels

Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Africa

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.

(Editors note: Unleaded petrol is now available (June 1996) in South Africa)

White Spirit/Coleman Fuel is rarely available and then only in specialised camping shops and is really expensive. Benzine 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.

Argentina

Came across your web information sheet while doing some research for our next long distance bicycle tour. We just completed Argentina to Alaska and can provide you with some fuel information regarding some of the countries you had listed in question. We use a Trangia so are more aware of alcohol availability than other things, but will try to give other fuels where we know.

Argentina, Chile, Boliva, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico:

Meths is called 'alcohol' (pronounced al-col) or alcohol pura (somtimes alcohol de quemar)

In Argentina and Chile it can be found in Farmacias, but ask for 96% (96 grado) or you will end up with a 70% mixture. In smaller villages you could always find it in the biggest (or only) shop, though often in tiny bottles.

In Bolivia and Peru you can find it in pharmacies no problem. Also, can check in liquor stores, though less common.

In Ecuador you need to go to paint stores with your own container. They keep it in big drums and simply top up your bottle.

In Colombia the pharmacies carry both 70 and 96%, the 70 being much more common. It can be frustrating finding 96%, but if you perservere you will find.

In Belize you can find it in Ace hardware stores as Denatured alcohol.

In Mexico it really varies, depending on the state. On the Yucatan you can buy it in some grocery stores as Alcohol Pura, a drinking alcohol from cane, that is 96%. In Chiapas it is very hard to find. All their alcohols seem to be 70% grade or below. In the other states north of Chiapas you can find it sometimes in pharmacies (though watch out for the grade) and in licquor stores, again alcohol pura, but ask for 96%. They also sometimes have a stand on a street that sells only alcohol pura at 96%. If you ask around, particularly at hardware or paint stores they will usually direct you.

Generally if the pharmacies don't carry the right grade, ask in hardware or paint stores we found that someone there always knew where to find it.

Australia

"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.

<jch@cs.rmit.edu.au.fuel> writes....(Feb 1999)>

White spirit has been designed for the dry cleaning industry and has had a flame inhibitor added to it to try and reduce the risk of fire when using it hence why it does not burn very well. If you cannot buy 'shellite' then you can use 'unleaded petrol' from any garage in almost every shellite burning stove, it works fine in Coleman and all the MSR models including the Whisperlite. The only thing to note is that unleaded petrol has a higher flash point and requires a little bit more care in handling to make sure you do not burn yourself. Once the fuel is in the stove there are no problems but fill stoves and bottles well away from any flames.

Editors Note: ( June 1995 ):

"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.

Editors Note: ( March 2003 )

Shellite is available in one litre plastic bottles from the larger Woolworths supermarkets in Western Australia.

Methylated spirits in Western Australia is available in brown or coulourless plastic bottles in supermarkets and hardware stores. It does not contain the coloured dye typically seen in methylated spirits found in the UK.

Unleaded petrol can contain up to 20% ethanol.

Austria

"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.

Austria uses the same names as Germany

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.

Shellite has more terms: 'Reinigungsbenzin' is common, also called: "Waschbenzin", some bigger outdoor and sport shops sell "white gas" or "Kocherbenzin". Fuel stoves are well known in Austria, more than in other parts of europe. For MSR and Coleman it's quite easy to get spare parts. Check www.upaway.at (that's where I get things from)

As I am an Austrian, I would correct the entries for Austria as following (same applies for Germany):

* Petroleum (Lampenöl for lanterns only, it is less smelly and often coloured. I am not sure if it works well with stoves)

* Benzin Bleifrei (in any case go for the Bleifrei which means unleaded, use 91ROZ better than 95ROZ. Contains less additives, will not block your device that fast.)

* Reinigungsbenzin, Waschbenzin, Reinbenzin, Fleckbenzin (Do not use Wundbenzin from pharmacies, this is extremely pure and extremely expensive. You do not need it, really. Use Feuerzeugbenzin for petrol lighters like Zippo only, it contains special substances which prevent the petrol from fast evaporation. And it is expensive, too).

* Brennspiritus, Spiritus

And here is where you get that stuff:

* Petroleum: Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Lampenöl: Supermarket, Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Benzin bleifrei, Autobenzin: Tankstelle (Petrol station)

* Reinigungsbenzin, Waschbenzin, Reinbenzin, Fleckbenzin: Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Brennspiritus: Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Feuerzeugbenzin: Supermarket, Tabak-Trafik (Tobacco shop)

Belgium

BTW: in Belgium (Dutch speaking part of Vlaanderen) the list for Holland can be used.

Borneo

Borneo Fuel Names also applies to Sumatera and Indonesia generaly.

Kerosene "Minyak Tanah" available everywhere as it is the main cooking fuel.

Aviation Grade Kerosene "AVTUR" only from registered dealers in 200l drums.

Gasoline "Benzine" available everywhere.

2 stroke mixture" Benzine campur" available pre mixed in most places. In small places

look for the fuel station identified by lots of 200l drums outside.

Diesil "Solar" available everywhere.

Methlylated spirits "Spiritos" often died purple and put in old softdrink bottles with crown seals.

Karbit "carbide" available from little little hardwareshops. This is used for simple brazing in many parts of Indonesia.

China

Kerosene in China would be known as HUO SHUI aka FIRE WATER.

This is the first time in my life I have heard someone would call kerosene `huo shui'. Might be called so in some (very limitedly used) regional dialect.

In mandarin, which can be understood across China, kerosene is called "meiyou" (``coal oil'' if you want to split the word and read meanings form charactors that make the word. )

Interestingly "mei you" for kerosene sounds nearly identical to the chinese expression for "nothing" "there isn't", or "don't have". If you are in a shop and ask for "mei you", the guy behind the counter repeats "mei you", or "mei you mei you", you are out of luck. :-)

Gasoline: "qi you" ( "q" reads "ch" -- "chi you" i.e. ``vapour oil'' )

Leadless gaseline: "wu qian qi you" uncommon in china.

White gas: never heard of in china.

Diesel: "chai you" ( ``firewood oil'' )

One can also look for bottled cigarette lighter fuel.

99.5% chinese will get lost if you ask for these:

"distilled" gasoline: "zhi liu qi you"

For experiment or as solvent : "rong ji qi you"

If you really want, you can find chemical grade pure petrol in petroleum chemistry related stores. But only in a hand full of the largest cities. Most people never heard of camping stove that burns anything other than alcohol or kerosene, if they have heard of camping stoves at all.

you can find petrol whereever there is a petrol station. that is what I used. unleaded becomes more available. some cities started to ban leaded petrol completely. But I think you will find leaded more often particularly in remote places.

Czech Republic

Petrolej, Benzin, Technicky benzin, Denaturovany lih or Denaturovany alkohol should be commonly available in 'Drogerie' (Drug store) or 'Barvy-Laky' (Paints) stores.

Denmark

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."

Corrections for Denmark.

"Petrolium" is should be spelled "Petroleum"

"Ethanol" is correct, but a lot of people in stores won't know what it is, the daily name is "Sprit" or "Husholdnings sprit"

Egypt

kerosene - 3 names:

al-kayruseen

zayt al-barafeen (literally, "oil of parafin")

zayt al-kaaz

Fiji

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

Valopetroli, bensiini and sprii are generic names, Sinol and Marinol are brand names, but also in common use.

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.

Besides the listed choices, "Lampyoljy" (lamp oil) has always worked fine for me. It's a clean kerosene, generally dyed blue or some other color. The very best and cleanest is Shell Erikois Valopetroli, but the other stuff works just fine.

You have to look far and wide to get "Coleman Fuel" in Finland, but much to my surprise, it is available at the Shell shop in Kilpisjärvi, a few km up the road from where the Kalottireitti comes out, just near the Retkeilykeskus. It's in little barely marked suspicious looking square tin bottles.

France

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. [Note added by RNC: This may be so in big cities, but in the mountains and in smaller villages you won't find it. Along the French side of the Pyranees I think we saw a few larger towns where you might be lucky, but we found gas canisters in far smaller villages.]

``Essence'', alone, is leaded 88 octane petrol.

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! [Few of those in the mountains these days - RNC.]

(Editors note: "Essence normale" is leaded petrol/gasoline.)

Many moons ago while traveling in France I had a hard time finding kerosene (column 1) for my Optimus. I finally found it at a gas station, sold as "fuel domestique" from a tap at the back of the station. You needed to provide your own container though.

I was in France earlier this year and the only stuff I could find to use in my multifuel stove was "petrole desaromatisee". Have you ever heard of this and if so can you tell me what it is in English ?

I found Camping Gaz stoves to be the most practical solution for cooking when flying/cycle touring in France. Supermarkets in tourist areas carry the cartridges and stoves. The old style piercable canisters are rapidly being replaced by resealable CV-xxx style canisters [French Twist-Click, not the screw thread found in the rest of the world - RNC] that can be left behind at the camp site if you need to catch a flight.

Some people have reported success using "Petrole Desaromatisee" in place of "Essence C" or Coleman fuel. This can be found in some supermarkets.

Germany

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).

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!

1

2

3

4

Petroleum

Paraffinol

Petrol

Lampenoel

Benzin

Bleifrei

Auto-Benzin

Superbenzine

Loddvrije bensine

Kocherbenzin

Feuerzeug Benzin

Katalyt Benzin

Reinigungsbenzin

Reinbenzin

Fleckenbenzin

Wundbenzin

Spiritus

Brennspiritus

Methyl Alkohol


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.

Lampenoel ist *not* petrol. This stuff killt my msr xgk2 generator. In pharmacies they often use METHANOL for Methyl Alkohol.

The line about Germany contains some errors. About the first column I'm not sure, Petroleum and Lampenoel are good, while I've never heard of "Paraffinol" or "Petrol" -- maybe these are technical terms. Maybe you want to add Diesel, that's the truck fuel, and Kerosin, that's the aeroplane fuel. But Petroleum is the normal name for that smelly stuff one puts into kerosene lamps, Lampenoel is usually non-smelling.

The second column: Benzin is a good general name for petrol. Bleifrei means unleaded -- that's standard now, so in daily life the names Normal (or Normalbenzin) and Super (or Superbenzin, without the trailing e) are used (Normal is something like 92 octane, Super 98). Auto-Benzin is a name I've never heard, but it's meaning is obvious, it's good for differentiating between fuel for cars and fuel for lighters etc. Loddvrije bensine is dutch for unleaded fuel. In the fourth column: Methylalkohol is methanol, so I don't know whether it should be in there.

Greece

In Greece, I ran a heating stove on diesel fuel. This is sold at petrol
stations and pumped like regular diesel, but is not taxed. Diesel is pretty cheap anyway, but this stuff is cheaper. The name of diesel is Petrelaio (pron. petreleo) and the heating fuel is Petrelaio qermansh (pron. Petreleo thermansee) and has a pink colour added. For paraffin/kerosene (for use in lamps etc) ask for Parafinh (pron. parafeenee) in a hardware store Sidhropoleio (pron. Seedeeropoleeo).

As for Coleman fuel/white gas, I don't know for definite, but I guess it is imported as 'Coleman fuel' by some stores in downtown Athens. I doubt very much whether you'd get it out of the city.

Alcohol is readily available in pharmacies or Farmakeio (pron. farmakeeo) and goes by the wonderful name of mequliko oinopneuma (pron. metheeleeko eenopnevma - literally 'methylated spirit').

Greenland

The names for the fuels in Greenland is the same as in Denmark, that is Petroleum (not petrolium) Benzin, Rensebenzin, Ethanol is normally called "Denatureret Sprit"

Holland

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

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').

Hungary

Reading your fuel table, I am able to replace some ???-s in the
hungarian line (column 4) : the name is spiritus or denaturált szesz.

Iceland

I was just looking at your faq and noticed a number of blanks for iceland. I can help with the meths equivalent. I was on an expedition there in 1992 and we used 'Rodsprit' (I'm not entirely sure of the spelling) to prime our parafin stoves. Sure enough it is fairly red, but slightly less flammable than ordinary meths.

India/Bhutan/Nepal/Pakistan

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.

For your information, in Pakistan, methylated spirits is known as exactly that: methylated spirits ! (bought some today in the chemist in Lahore).

Indonesia and Malaysia

Kerosene is MINYAK TANAH Available from little roadside shops that sell watered down petrol. The watered down petrol is known as BENSINE. Other helpful words: API (fire), FLAMU (flame).

Iran

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.

Ireland

Meths: In Ireland it's the same as the UK but you will need to sign for it, explaining your use/requirement of it.

Italy

I found your "Fuel Name Faq" very useful and complete, even if there are
some mistakes in Italian translation:

N°1
Commonly known as "petrolio" or "petrolio lampante"

N°3
"Benzina bianca" is correct but not very well known; better if you ask for
"benzina AVIO" that is a trade mark.

N°4
"Alcol denaturato" (not "denaturo")

Japan

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

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.

Malaysia and Singapore

As a backgrounder, Singapore and Malaysia are multi racial with Chinese and Malays making the majority of the population. Among the Chinese, many dialects are used, and they can sound as different as English is to say Vietnamese. So here goes:

 

Teochew

Hokkien

Cantonese

Mandarin

Malay

Kerosene

Tou Yew

Thor Yeew

For Sway

Huo Yew / May Yew

Minyak Tanah

Petrol

Tiang Yew

Tian Teew

Chair Yow

Tian Yew / Chi Yew

Minyak Patrol

White Gas is Non existant in these parts, closest equivalent is unleaded petrol

Unlead Gas

 

 

 

Woo Chian Chi Yew

Minyak Patrol Perlombong

Methylated Spirit

Huay Chiew

Huay Chiew

For Chow

For Chiew

Minyak Sprit

Malta

1) kreosene,parifin,pitrolju

2) Petrol,octane

3) ?

4) Alcohol, ethanol,Methylated spirit,Surgical spirit

Localy Kerosene is illegaly used as a cheap substetute for Diesel in diesel engines of over 3l. capacity in a ratio of 40% ker & 60% diesel. In Malta kerosine is 60cents/british gallon & Diesel is at 72cents. With this mixture Diesel engines work very well with only a slight reduction in output power & sadly a high polution exhaust emission.

Mexico

In Mexico, at least in the area around the volcanoes, your "Column 3" fuel ("white gas" or "Coleman fuel") is called "gasolina blanca".

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.

In New Zealand another white spirit name has appeared - Fuelite. It's
available at Caltex garages and I assume it replaces the brand name Callite,
previously sold at Caltex outlets.

Norway

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).

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" ?

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

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.

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.

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]".

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)

Regarding table of fuel names: For norway:

Column 3: You may add "Katlyt bensin"

Column 4: If you want an alternative to you may use "Isopropanol" and this is usualy possible to get in ordinary hardwear stores. The price is approx equal to "Rød sprit" = "denaturert sprit" It is sold under name "Teknisk Isopropanol" and is a blue liquid.

If you have problems with getting any of this all gasolinstations has "kondensfjerner" (condese remover) which is a fuel additive used to reduse problems caused by a small persentage of water in gasoline or diesel systems. "kondensfjerner" is a little bit more expensive, and includes additves we dont need in stoves. This may result in some soot. Usually I prefere to use "Teknisk Isopropanol".

Regarding: the Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas". In Norway white spirit is the same as in England.

Some more comments: It is possible to by gasoline stoves in Norway, but it is no import of Coleman fuel. Unleaded car gasoline is generally used on ordinary white-gasoline stoves. (This cause trouble, nobody talks about it.) Treaditionally stoves for kerosene is used, burners like multifuel burners from Optimus is used on most of the stoves, thees have less problems with clogging.

"Fritids-parafin", or "Lampe-olje" is usually ok to use as replasement for kerosene or diesel, but it may have another viscosity and it may cause problems in low temperature ore high mountains. (I dont know why.) Ordinary kerosene is widely available, and tousends of single-unit dwellings use kerosene for heating, and may have a barrel. In winter season diesel may contain near 50% kerosene in cold areas. Most backpackers uses butane stoves or alcohol stoves. Propane is widely used in cabins and caravans, and newer boats. Kerosene stoves is much used in boats, and by MC-people and scouts. Kerosine stoves is used by armed forces.

Philippines

Here is the list of available fuel when backpacking in our country.

1-kerosene (easily obtainable, even in the provinces)

2-gasoline (easily obtainable)

3-coleman fuel, available in some department stores, only in manila, but rather expensive (ironic, considering a lot of people use their stoves)

-lighter fluid; ziponol is expensive, as is other kinds. the most popular kinds are those readily available in hardware stores and supermarkets. they come in small red plastic bottles and are relatively cheap, easy to store and pack up. they usually have queer brands like "sure flash," "fuji," "caltex," and some other rot.

4-denatured alcohol (easily obtainable)

There are also some shops in manila which sell butane/propane canisters for the bluette burners (both new and old models) as well as some coleman outfits.

Poland

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.

Portugal

I used a Trangia stove in Portugal and I used "Alcool 95%" which can be bought in most Farmácia (pharmacies).

Russia

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)

Paraffin is freely available at garages and plenty of other stores.

Petrol at garages.

Methylated Spirits is available at most stores except in the Cape Province where you can only get it at chemists/pharmacies.

Unleaded petrol is now available throughout South Africa. It was introduced at the start of 1996, and should be easy to find in most places. Its also a little cheaper than standard petrol.

Benzine (can be found in any hardware store in South Africa, and is quite cheap) is perfectly safe to use as a fuel in a stove or lamp. Obviously follow the same precautions that you would when handling it, as you would with any fuel, i.e. try not to get in on your skin (although it no more dangerous than turpentine), don't inhale it excessively, and obviously don't drink it. Benzine is almost odorless, and is completely clear, like water.

I have never seen any outdoor shop actually stocking Coleman Fuel, or benzine, for that matter. As mentioned in the FAQ, benzine is readily available at hardware stores, and can sometimes (at a price) be obtained from pharmacies. Benzine works out to be about twice the price of petrol, about ZAR5/l as opposed to about ZAR2.50/l (ZAR1.00 = USD5.87 when I last checked).

As an aside: anyone considering using South African diesel in their stove should be warned that diesel has a rather high sulphur content here. I would suspect that that will result in quicker clogging of jets and fuel lines.

Spain

Unleaded petrol/gas is "Sin plomo"

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.

Meths: in the northern part it can be found in pharmacies, but in the south, shops sell it as a camping fuel.

Sweden

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.)

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.

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. <T-Gul> (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. <Taend- vaetska> is what you should ask for if you ask for <T-Gul> by name in a store. It literally means a liquid used for lighting a fire or barbeque. The label of <T-Gul> also says "pure n-paraffin". <T-Gul> 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 <T-Roed>.

Column 2: <Blyfri bensin>, 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: <Rengoeringsbensin> (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 <Industribensin> or industrial gas/petrol, which can be bought at specialized paint shops. Both can be used instead of Coleman Fuel.

Column 4: <T-Roed> which is a brand name for a spirit which is used as fuel for Trangia stoves (and similar) and for cleaning windows (!). <T-Roed> is what the bottles read nowadays. It's actually the same as <T-sprit> and <Roedsprit>, it's only a change in name. When asking for it by name <Roedsprit> 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: <T-Roed> 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 <Metanol> (which is methanol or wood-alcohol) which can be had in paint shops. A 50-50 mixture of <T-Roed> and <Metanol> is the best. Heating as much as the <T-Roed> and leaving as little soot as the <Metanol>.

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 temperatures. 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 <butangas>. 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).

Recently I bought an Optimus 111b which runs on White gas. I had no idea where to get it, but after some searching I found "Kemiskt Ren Bensin" (heptan/heptane) at a paint shop. It was sold in 1 litre (34 SEK/approx. 5 US$) and 5 litre (a bit cheaper), which is much cheaper than at the chemist't.

Changes to the info covering Sweden:

Column 1: Kerosene (100% pure paraffin) is available at most gas stations under the name "Lysfotogen" in plastic 1 liter bottles and 5 liter cans.

Column 4: A new alcohol fuel named "T-br=E4nsle" is available at most gas stations in plastic 1 liter bottles and 5 liter cans. It's an optimized mix of ethanol and methanol that leaves no soot on your pots and burns hotter than previously available alcohol fuel.

A few remarks:

(Kerosene) In my MSR XGK, I have found that T-Gul works, but it is a bit sooty. At most gas stations (e.g. Statoil) you can get something called "T-Blå," or "Statoil Blå" which seems to burn cleaner. "Tändvatska" is charcoal lighter fluid, and is the most sooty of them all. The bigger STF facilities (e.g. Saltoluokta) do well at stocking both alcohol (T-Röd) and kerosene (T-blå), so you can pretty much count on getting off the plane, taking the bus, and buying fuel at one of these places.

I have just received some information from optimus in Sweden. I asked for a sugestion of fuel to my 123R Svea Stove, and a trademark as an example.

The anwer was that "Statoil miljø" was the best product commonly available in scandinavien.

Statoil is a major oilcompany here, approxematly of the same size as Shell. Statoil miljø is a product designed as fuel for garden-maschines with a 4-stroke gasoline engine. This product is almost free of benzene and other additives.

This information is not schecked or tested by me, but it seems OK.

(Information from Optimus)

Heptane is not so common is Sweden but it is called Heptan. Very similar. Environmental gasoline is found on every gas station. Most commonly in 5 liter cans. The vary in name but use to be called: Miljöbensin, Alkylatbensin or Gräsklipparbensin.

Switzerland

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.

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.

Living in the German speaking part of Switzerland, I would like to add some comments to the list. The names are mostly the same in Austria, Germany and the North and Eastern part of Switzerland - they use all the same language (German):

Column 1

"Kerosin": You won't find this in the stores - it's jet fuel

"Petroleum": (or abbreviated Petrol): Used for stoves and laterns. Easy to find in any bigger supermarket or hardware-store (usually in 1 Liter plastic bottles).

"Diesel" (for cars): You find that at most, but not at all gas stations

Column 2

"Bleifreies Benzin" or "Bleifrei": What you get at any gas station. If you want to use such gas for stoves, you should get unleaded gasoline, which is called "Bleifreies Benzin" or simply "Bleifrei". Leaded gas = verbleites Benzin.

Column 3

"Rein-Benzin" (or "Reinbenzin" or "Benzin gereinigt"): White gas (USA). Much cleaner than Bleifrei, and so better for most stoves (e.g. MSR Whisperlite). Costs about 4 times more than Bleifrei. You get that in any pharmacy ("Drogerie").

"Feuerzeugbenzin": Forget it, it's gas for lighters - quantity is small and the price high.

"Wundbenzin": surgical spirit. Too expensive to burn in stoves...

Column 4

"Brennsprit" or "Spiritus": (for stoves like the Trangia). You find that at any bigger store and also in many smaller ones. It's used in spirit burners which are quite common in Swiss kitchens (ever heard about Swiss cheese fondue or Raclette?). Usually sold in 1 Liter plastic bottles. I think the difference to alcohol is just that there's something poisonous added that you can't drink it (and so it's cheaper - less taxes).

Switzerland is a country with 4 official and 3 really used languages (German/French/Italian). Everything sold in stores is always labeled in all three languages. But if it would be useful, I could check the Italian and French names of the fuels.

Thailand

White gas/Coleman Fuel: also know as "BENZENE KAOW" or "White benzene" available from large stationary stores, under the brand name of "COMFORT(r)" and costs about $US 4 per gallon.

Naphtha: One can also look for bottled cigarette lighter fuel under brand name of "RONSONOL" and costs about $US 0.5 per bottled( 4.5 fl.oZ - 128.5 ml).

Kerosene: "NAUM MAUN GAS" available everywhere in THAILAND. Usually has blue colour and costs about $US 0.5 per liter.

Diesel: "Diesel" avaliable from gas stations.

Alcohol: "Alcohol" available from drug store.

Unleaded gas: "NAUM MAUN REI SARN" available from gas stations.

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 or from any pharmacy at the perscription counter. It has a coloured dye in it.

U.S.A

"Charcoal lighter" is a clean substitute (for Kerosene) and available in any store.

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.

Column 4: In the United States and Canada it is available in Hardware stores as denatured alcohol, but if you get into more northern states (ie. they have cold winters) you can use DryGas or gas-line antifreeze which is meths as well and much cheaper than denatured alcohol. Be sure it is gas-line antifreeze, bottles will actually say under the poison instructions that it is meths. In Canada they also sell it as Fondue fuel in grocery stores, but it is much more expensive this way if in smaller bottles.

Venezuela

Here is my contribution to your fuel FAQ. I'm from Venezuela.

Throughout the country one can obtain "kerosen" (+kerosene, column one) be it in a large supermarket or a small store in a remote area. In small stores one usually has to take your own container. Only once did I have problems with adultered kerosen that caused problems. Once I tried using chopper fuel in my trusty Optimus 111, its called kerosina, worked great!

Regular gasoline,for automotive use, is simply "gasolina", unfortunately it is all leaded.

"Gasolina blanca" is white gasoline, and is what I use for the white gasoline lamps or stuff that needs Coleman Fuel. It is harder to come buy, but one should ask at gasoline stations or if there is a printing shop in the vecinity ask them. It is regularly use for cleaning in such situations. In any case get it while in the big cities or towns as it is unavailable in small towns and rural areas.

Finally methylated spirits is "alcohol para quemar" or "alcohol luz". Not readily obtainable but if you ask around you will eventually get it. Ask for it at drug stores or "farmacias" It is usually sold in its own container but it is a good idea to bring your own as sometimes the container will be a glass bottle with a cork on top.

For those that use camping gasz, the blue fuel canisters are available in the cities and some large towns. Look for them in sporting goods stores or hardware stores (ferreteria). They are expensive and a cheaper, compatible brazilian version may be available. It is also worth asking for camping fuels in hardware stores as they frequently stock stoves and lamps. Hope this is of use for anybody wanting to enjoy Venezuela.

Zimbabwe

Paraffin at most garages and stores.

Petrol at garages - not reccomended - I'm reluctant to run my car on this stuff!

Benzine at hardware stores - may be difficult to find.

Meths at most hardware stores and chemists and in some other stores.




Fuels Around the World

This chart is a guide for finding fuel when traveling internationally. Always look for MSR White Gas [written by MSR of course! RNC] -- the highest quality fuel available. Other common white gas brands include Coleman, Crown and CampLite. Unleaded auto gas may be used in your stove. However, additives will lead to rapid clogging, making frequent fuel line cleanings necessary. Do NOT use leaded fuels!

Country U.S. Fuel Name Translation Available
Australia white gas shellite yes
  kerosene kerosene yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas petrol yes
  mineral spirits white spirits yes
  aviation (AV) gas AV gas, jet al yes
Belgium white gas wasbenzine yes
  kerosene petroleum yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas loodvrije benzine yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas kerosine yes
Denmark white gas renset benzin yes
  kerosene petrolium yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas auto benzin yes
  mineral spirits rense vaedske no
  aviation (AV) gas fly benzin yes
France white gas essence “c” yes
  kerosene petrole yes
  diesel gas oil yes
  automobile gas essence normale, yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas _____________ no
Germany white gas reinbenzin, fleckenbenzine, yes
  kerosene petrol yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas superbenzine, yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas flugbenzin, AV gas yes
  jet fuel kerosin yes
Holland white gas wasbenzine yes
  kerosene petroleum yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas loodvrije benzine yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas kerosine yes
Israel white gas delek lavan yes
  kerosene neft yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas delek natul 95, delek natul 98 yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas jet fuel no
Italy white gas benzina bianca yes
  kerosene kerosene yes
  diesel gasolio per autotrazione yes
  automobile gas benzina per autoveicoli yes
  mineral spirits solventi usati nei, yes
  aviation (AV) gas benzina avio yes
Japan white gas white gasoline yes
  kerosene hakutohyu yes
  diesel keiyu yes
  automobile gas gasoline yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas jet nenryou yes
Spain white gas becina blanca, solvente yes
  kerosene keroseno, petroleo yes
  diesel gasoleo automocion yes
  automobile gas gasolina automocion yes
  mineral spirits disolvente yes
  aviation (AV) gas keroseno aviacion yes
Sweden white gas ren bensin, industri bensin yes
  kerosene fotogen yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas bilbensin, blyad, blyfri yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gas flybensin yes
  other t-gul, tenol, t-rod yes
Switzerland white gas reinbenzin, fleckenbenzine, yes
    wundbenzin  
  kerosene petrol yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas superbenzin, bleifreibenzin yes
  mineral spirits _____________ no
  aviation (AV) gasflugbenzin, AV gas yes
  jet fuel kerosin yes
Taiwan (phonetic) white gas ba hay yao, fai phat yao yes
  kerosene moo yao yes
  diesel tai yao yes
  automobile gas hay yao yes
  mineral spirits hoy jake yao yes
  aviation (AV) gas _____________ no
United Kingdom white gas white gas yes
  kerosene paraffin yes
  diesel diesel yes
  automobile gas petrol yes
  mineral spirits white spirits yes
  aviation (AV) gas aviation fuel no