Letter Re: Some Experiences With Propane and White Gas Campstoves

James,

I am a Scout Master in a local Boy Scout troop. After years of camping with Scouts it has become apparent to me that most propane camp stoves have a very short life span, even the name brand units. They work great for the occasionally camp out but they start leaking around the connections and they are not field serviceable. Many years ago, I was given an old Coleman white gas stove. I cleaned it up and have used it extensively over the last 30 years. Other than replacing the few parts, which are field serviceable, the stove is still going strong. I also purchased a propane adapter so that I could run the stove on propane in addition to white gas. I believe that the fuel flexibility and ruggedness of the Coleman white gas stove are two characteristics that are valuable considerations for anyone looking for a camp stove. Just recently, I found a Coleman white gas camp stove on Freecycle. I replaced the only part that was keeping the stove from working, a leaking cap on the gas tank. Now I have a second stove. If your readers have opted for a propane camp stove they many want to consider changing to the rugged, field serviceable white gas model. Thanks for all you do. – J.S.R. in Kalifornia