How Much Fuel Should I Carry ?

So how do you calculate the correct amount ? going beyond the number of meals & the number of days , we will look at the criteria you need to consider when thinking all about your trip as a whole Here`s what to factor into your fuel formula and why ?. As a baseline for fuel consumption it is important to calculate how many people will be on your trip and how many hot meals & hot drinks you group will require. Some members of the group will eat their breakfast cold, then you might possibly need less fuel, whereas firing up the stoves for a morning cup of nice coffee will cut into your fuel consumption in the long run. The is the easiest to determine by multiplying the amount of people in your group with the amount of hot meals, then add the number of hot drinks your group is planning on. This number will give you a rough idea about how many liters of water that you need to boil . Once this estimate for example a MSR Pocket rocket uses 1oz of fuel per 2 liter`s of water to boil. Then do the math for total once's / grams of fuel. But please keep in mind this is just a good rough estimate, it definitely gives you a scope-a good place to start with.

 

Conditions can affect your consumption

Traditionally stoves are tested at sea level approx 70`F temperature's with no existent wind these conditions are rarely the case for much of our bushcraft expeditions . seasons & their fluctuating temperature's, altitude, & wind play a big part in a stoves overall performance . In general , water temperatures reflect air temperatures , meaning the warmer the ambient temperature, the warmer the water & the quicker it could boil & the less fuel burned. cold temperatures can affect a fuel canister by causing the pressure to drop. Upright canisters can usually work down to about 20 degrees. But the farther the mercury drops, the more the stove struggles and more fuel is consumed. When it comes to high altitude, the higher we go, it turns out, the faster the water boils

but raw food will actually cook slower-much slower. For every 18`F drop in boiling point roughly the change from sea level to 10,000 foot cook time will double. Finally, the wind is definitely a major consideration. For open flame-burner like for instance a MSR Pocket Rocket a 5 mph wind can cause as much as 3 times more fuel use in a given cooking period.

Final Thoughts on Fuel

There can be many nuances that can affect fuel consumption the more time that is spent in the bushcraft arena the more you start to recognize  how it can impact it. this fuel trip criteria offers a common baseline that could be worked from , but the mastering fuel needs is experience, and a big part of the process is definitely Trial & Error.

​

Tips on getting the most of your stove

Use a wind screen

Use a lid & resist opening & closing the lid

Placing you canister in warm water will help in cold temperature's

​

​