Everything about canister gas

Get to know Primus Gas

Welcome to the world of Primus gas – the perfect solution for your outdoor cooking needs! Primus gas is a high-performance gas that is developed to provide superior performance  and experience when cooking outside. Regardless of the conditions. It is easy to use, reliable and highly efficient, making it perfect for a range of camping and outdoor activities.

Psst! Explore our tutorials and videos to get the most out of your Primus gas stove. From lighting tips to safe canister use, we provide all the info you need for reliable outdoor cooking. See all our tutorials here

What is canister gas?

Canister gas is a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a convenient, portable, and reliable fuel source. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or bikepacking – canister gas is an excellent option for powering your portable stove, heater, or lantern. However, choosing the right type of canister gas for your needs and using it safely requires some knowledge and attention. To prepare you for your first adventure with a camping stove and camping gas, we answer the most critical questions about canister gas and its use below.

Let’s start with the basics. Canister gas is a blend of different gases stored in a canister. One example is Primus Power Gas, a mix of propane and isobutane that ensures excellent performance from spring to autumn. Even with temperatures below the freezing point, it still provides enough power to run a stove. Therefore, this fuel type is ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities. The canister gas is stored in a metal canister with a valve to control the gas flow. The canister is pressurized, and the gas is in liquid form inside the canister. When the valve is opened, the gas is released in its gaseous form and can be ignited for use. Such gas canisters are convenient and therefore fit into any backpack. Power Gas, for example, is already available in a compact 200-gram canister. Because of this handiness, gas-powered stoves are such a popular accessory for many outdoor enthusiasts.

What kind of gas do the Primus gas canisters contain?

We are often asked this question. The answer: The gas used in camping canisters comes from crude oil and behaves similarly to other substances like water. It can appear in a solid, liquid, or gas form. The boiling point of the gas determines the transition between liquid and gas forms.

Propane has the lowest boiling point at -42 degrees Celsius, isobutane has a boiling point of around -10 degrees, and butane has a boiling point around the freezing point of water.

When using a gas canister with a camping stove, the liquid inside the canister boils and turns into gas when the valve is opened. Occasionally, you can see frost forming on the outside of the canister due to the same process. When running the stove at high gas flows, the canister can cool down so much that frost forms on the outside.

What gas types does Primus have?

To deliver the best experience in various outdoor conditions, Primus offers different canister gas types:

SO, What outdoor gas type is right for you?

Well, it depends on the weather conditions you'll be facing and your personal preferences. If you're going camping in the summer, then the summer gas is the way to go. If you're going camping in the winter, then the winter gas is the best choice. If you want a gas canister that can be used in a variety of conditions and want to support sustainable practices, then the power gas and the SIP power gas are surely the best options. No matter which gas canister you choose, you can be confident that Primus has optimized it for the conditions it will be used in. Happy camping!

How do I connect the camping gas canister to my stove?

Gas canisters are not only lightweight and compact but also incredibly easy to use. To get started, simply remove the protective cover from the valve and connect the canister to your stove. Primus stoves and canisters are designed to fit perfectly together, so no special adapters are needed.

Each canister has a male thread that seamlessly screws into the female thread on your stove. As you make the connection, a small pin in the valve opens a non-return valve, and you might hear a reassuring hissing sound as a bit of gas is released. This is perfectly normal and ensures a tight seal with the o-ring. Just give it a final twist, and you're all set! Now you can ignite your stove and enjoy your outdoor cooking adventure with ease.

1. Always follow the recommended way of use as stated in the manual.
2. Remove the cover from your gas canister before use, as it doesn't serve any purpose other than covering the threads.
3. When connecting your gas canister to your stove, keep tightening until the hissing sounds stops and the o-ring has been compressed to seal the connection.
4. Be mindful of the temperature when storing your gas canister. Don't expose it to temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius.

Use your gas stove the way it's meant to be used, and don't be afraid of it. Gas stoves can be used safely if you follow the instructions and use them carefully.

How do I carry the gas canister in the safest way?

Being out in nature means that you might face challenging conditions and rough terrain. However, this is no obstacle to taking a stove and a gas canister with you. The canisters are very robust and can easily be carried in a backpack.

The only thing you need to be concerned about is the temperature. You shouldn’t expose the gas canister to a temperature above 50 degrees Celsius. That means that you can also transport the gas in your car. However, avoid letting it lie directly under the car’s front window in the bright sunshine. This is one of the places where you can easily reach such hot conditions.

How much gas do I need for my stove?

Now you’re ready to go. However, to plan your adventure perfectly, you should estimate beforehand how much gas you’ll need. Indeed, this question is difficult to answer since it depends on how much you use the stove. It also depends on the circumstances, like the temperatures and the wind. Based on our experience, we can give you the following guidelines:

- 100 grams of gas can boil 10 litres of water in a traditional pot (in optimal conditions since factors like altitude, wind, temperature, etc. can influence the amount of gas needed)
-100 grams of gas can boil 15 litres of water in a specific PrimeTech pot which increases the efficiency of the stove. The reason: Thanks to an integrated heat exchanger in the bottom of the pot, efficiency is increased by 50% compared to conventional pots. That means your water will boil faster, and your fuel will last longer.

A tip: Record how long your gas canisters last. Over time, you’ll get a deeper understanding of your consumption and will therefore be able to estimate the needed amount more accurately.

How much gas is left in my canister?

Do you have an old canister from your last trip at home? Then you might be wondering how much gas is left in that container. The best way to find that out is to weigh your used canister on a scale and calculate precisely how much gas is left.

For example: If you have a canister with 100 g of gas, it weighs 200 g from start. So if you have a used canister at home that weighs 165 g, you have already used 35 g of gas and have 65 g left for your next trip. The following table should be a good support when doing this:

If you are already on the road and wondering how much gas you have left, it is a bit more difficult. The best way to find out the remaining amount of fuel without a scale is to shake the canister and hear how much liquid gas is inside it. However, that requires some experience since you need to get a feeling for the weight and the sound over time.