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Will Camp Fuel Freeze?

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February 13, 2021, 03:13 PM
OKCGene
Will Camp Fuel Freeze?
We are going to have a +3 Degree night tonight, then -4 with a high +7, a -9 low temp and then back into very cold positive lows. This Arctic blast sucks.

I have a couple gallons of liquid camp fuel, not Coleman, but the other brand of which I can't recall the name right this second. I'm not where I can read the label, but will be there later.

It's stashed in my attached garage. The water heater and furnace is in the garage in a closet. It adds some heat, always has, but we've never had lows such as these, at least as far as I can remember. I expect the garage to drop below 32 degrees.

Will the white gas liquid camp fuel freeze? Do I need to bring it inside? I'd rather leave it where it is if it'll be ok.

I also have the green 1 pound bottles of propane there as well.

A google search has not been clear for me. What do all y'all think?

Thanks!
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February 13, 2021, 03:17 PM
wreckdiver
I've got some that has been through years of freezing temps. Never been a problem.


_________________________________________________

"Once abolish the God, and the Government becomes the God." --- G.K. Chesterton
February 13, 2021, 03:28 PM
OKCGene
^^^^ Thanks
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February 13, 2021, 04:17 PM
hrcjon
The freezing point of all these petroleum distillates is roughly -100F. And since you are not trying to use it even if it did freeze when the temps came up it would be fine. I would worry way more about the water heater.


“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
February 13, 2021, 04:25 PM
tatortodd
I've seen 2 MSDS on Coleman Camp fuel, and:
  • one says 0F flash point meaning that it won't light, but unkown melting point (transition from solid to liquid).
  • the other one says 25F flash point (hard to believe) but says melting point is -130 (also hard to believe).



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    February 13, 2021, 04:56 PM
    Chris42
    Don’t think the white gas will be any problem. The propane bottles might hesitate to flow, but it won’t freeze.

    Tried grilling in the winter out on our covered porch. Had to use the industrial hair dryer/heat gun to warm up the tank enough to keep the grill lit.
    February 13, 2021, 06:58 PM
    corsair
    Short answer, no.

    White gas is the preferred fuel for alpine climbers and winter users not unusual for white gas stoves to run into the -40-50 range.

    The sealed pressurized canisters with the gas mixtures have a hard time operating, as the temps drop, they loose internal pressure thus they have a sluggish and inefficient output.
    February 13, 2021, 07:33 PM
    nhtagmember
    based on my rudimentary understanding of the chemistry, my best guess is that it will freeze at -273.15
    February 14, 2021, 09:00 AM
    sigcrazy7
    If your white gas were to freeze, you wouldn’t notice because you’d be battling far bigger problems.



    Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well. -Epictetus
    February 14, 2021, 10:06 AM
    Graniteguy
    I have climbed, hiked and camped in sub zero weather and have never had a problem with white gas freezing. (in the fall months I use a butane mixture
    and bring it in sleeping bag overnight)

    If it is in your garage, and you are not requiring it, it shouldn't be an issue anyway. The propane will not freeze either.
    February 14, 2021, 10:19 AM
    pbslinger
    A quick search of freezing point of white gas is -217F
    February 14, 2021, 11:22 PM
    Rightwire
    quote:
    We are going to have a +3 Degree night tonight, then -4 with a high +7, a -9 low temp and then back into very cold positive lows. This Arctic blast sucks.


    That is a beautiful fall day in Escanaba...

    You're fine with any type of liquid fuel.




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