White Gas available in the camp stores?

[frankp01]

We're two lightweight campers (i.e., backpackers and bicycle touring enthusiasts) visiting Fort Wilderness in February. We're flying down, and I have pretty much all of the logistics taken care of. Thanks to Southwest flying will actually be a possibility, even with a good-sized tent and bikes.

The one thing I don't have worked out is fuel for our white gas stove. I know there's electricity, and we could bring a hot plate. But I love our little Optimus stove.

We'll have bikes. I haven't mapped the route to the closest Walmart... that's an option. I could always mail-order a can of white gas and have it shipped to the campground. But if the trading posts carry Coleman fuel then that resolves the last obstacle. Thoughts?

Phil

 

[heathriel]

Is White Gas propane? Because they have the little green propane cannisters for $7 each (ouch.)

 

[frankp01]

> Is White Gas propane?

No, 'white gas' isn't propane, it's a liquid (it's a lot like gasoline). Coleman sells it in gallon cans. I searched through the entire board looking for 'white gas' and did come across entries that said propane was for sale, but none that mentioned white gas. White gas isn't quite as commonly used. In a pinch I could use kerosene or actual gasoline, but white gas is oderless and burns a little cleaner.

White gas, as I understand it, is what automobile gasoline *used* to be, before the octane was ramped up and lots of additives added to the mix.

Phil

 

[becky1960]

I havent seen White Gas around for many years, I used to use it in place of Coleman fuel, I think it is becoming a thing of the past..

 

[ftwildernessrick]

The closest Walmart from my normal site in the 100 loop is 8.5 miles.

I just checked with the Meadow Trading Post and all they carry is the small propane bottles.

 

[frankp01]

> I havent seen White Gas around for many years, I used to use it in place of Coleman fuel

Sorry, I use 'white gas' and 'Coleman fuel' interchangeably. You can get Coleman fuel in Walmarts, and other brands of white gas in backpacking stores (like EMS and REI).

Phil

 

[frankp01]

The closest Walmart from my normal site in the 100 loop is 8.5 miles.

I just checked with the Meadow Trading Post and all they carry is the small propane bottles.

Thanks, that answers both questions. It looks like I'll either be shipping it to the campground or going for a quick 20 mile ride the day we arrive! I'll probably opt for shipping it in. I was hoping not to leave the campground much after we got there (other than two days in the parks).

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Also, since you are flying in & will need groceries, there are at least 2 grocery delivery services that will deliver to Disney property and it is definately cheaper than trying to buy supplies at one of the Outposts.

wegoshop.com & gardengrocer.com

They may be even able to get your fuel too, at the same time.
wegoshop always charges a fee, but garden grocer does not charge if over a certain price.

 

[frankp01]

Thanks for the tip on the shopping services. Using GardenGrocer had occurred to me, but I wasn't sure if it was an independent grocery shopping service or if it was tied to a specific store. Grocery stores don't usually stock white gas!

I was leaning towards mailing a box of foodstuffs in advance to the campground. I have four or five days' worth of pretty nice menus where nothing requires refrigeration, so it would be easy to send a few days' worth of food in advance.

After all of this, however, one member of the trip thinks they may want to spend one day at Universal (heresy!) to see Harry Potter. In that case I'd probably rent a car for one day, and just run all of our errands that day.

Thanks for the additional thoughts!

Phil

 

[chartle]

Thanks for the tip on the shopping services. Using GardenGrocer had occurred to me, but I wasn't sure if it was an independent grocery shopping service or if it was tied to a specific store. Grocery stores don't usually stock white gas!

I was leaning towards mailing a box of foodstuffs in advance to the campground. I have four or five days' worth of pretty nice menus where nothing requires refrigeration, so it would be easy to send a few days' worth of food in advance.

After all of this, however, one member of the trip thinks they may want to spend one day at Universal (heresy!) to see Harry Potter. In that case I'd probably rent a car for one day, and just run all of our errands that day.

Thanks for the additional thoughts!

Phil

I'm pretty sure they are not tied to one store and most likely use Super Walmart as one of their suppliers. Its kind of like ordering beer or spirits. Its not listed on their site but they can bring it.

The only issue maybe the "hazardous" material issue, I know its not but you never know. I was poking around GG's site and saw charcoal that wasn't Match Light and thought well they must then carry lighter fluid and lighter fluid is semi close to Coleman fuel. Well they don't have lighter fluid so I guess you need to call if there is no other way.

BTW, can you ship Coleman fuel? I guess it has to go ground only.

 

[frankp01]

BTW, can you ship Coleman fuel? I guess it has to go ground only.

I know it can be shipped, because it can be mail-ordered. I checked the UPS site, since my first thought was I'd do it myself. There's a bunch of red tape, and when I got to that point I thought I'd see if I could just buy it onsite. Since the mail order companies ship it, the red tape can't be that complicated.

Thanks for the info on the shopping services.

 

[chartle]

I know it can be shipped, because it can be mail-ordered. I checked the UPS site, since my first thought was I'd do it myself. There's a bunch of red tape, and when I got to that point I thought I'd see if I could just buy it onsite. Since the mail order companies ship it, the red tape can't be that complicated.

Thanks for the info on the shopping services.

I just reread your OP and looks like you are taking an Optimus stove. Do you have any problems flying with a stove that has been used.

I used to follow a few other hiking backpacking sites and there was always a discussion about taking stoves and fuel bottles that had been used.

If you do carry on I read stories about the TSA sniffing the stove and bottles looking for any fuel. One trick people did was to fill the fuel bottles with water but thats not going to work any more.

You may just want to bag it and pack a single burner hot plate and a extension cord. Even if you tossed it at the end of your trip it may be cheaper than a Grocer delivery.

 

[Specularius]

I would bet that if you get on this board a couple of weeks before you arrive and ask very nicely, that one of the fine upstanding members of this forum that may happen to be there at the same time could pick you up a can and bring it for you if you just reimburse them. The only payment a true Fort Fiend would require is a pitcher of Kungaloosh!!!

I know if I was going to be around, I would gladly help.

 

[frankp01]

I just reread your OP and looks like you are taking an Optimus stove. Do you have any problems flying with a stove that has been used.

You may just want to bag it and pack a single burner hot plate and a extension cord. Even if you tossed it at the end of your trip it may be cheaper than a Grocer delivery.

You know, I haven't flown with a stove since 9/11. The stove would be in checked baggage. I hadn't thought about even an empty stove possibly setting off an explosive detector. You may very well have a point.

I was planning on shipping a box of food in advance, and I could always include the stove in that. I know UPS must not check for explosives very well because I just bought a 1965 Coleman stove on eBay, and it (surprisingly) arrived with an almost full tank of fuel!

Phil

 

[frankp01]

I would bet that if you...ask very nicely, that one of the fine upstanding members of this forum...could pick you up a can...

That had actually occurred to me. Or I could go from site to site, looking for a camper who had a liquid-fuel stove, and ask if I "could borrow a cup of Coleman fuel". I really like being as self-sufficient as possible, though. And, in fact, part of the fun is sorting out all of these logistics.

Since the issue of whether I can even check the empty stove as baggage has been raised I may have to revisit the whole issue!

 

[chartle]

You know, I haven't flown with a stove since 9/11. The stove would be in checked baggage. I hadn't thought about even an empty stove possibly setting off an explosive detector. You may very well have a point.

I was planning on shipping a box of food in advance, and I could always include the stove in that. I know UPS must not check for explosives very well because I just bought a 1965 Coleman stove on eBay, and it (surprisingly) arrived with an almost full tank of fuel!

Phil

This is what I found

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=flying+with+a+camp+stove

This is from the TSA

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1187.shtm

 

[frankp01]

You beat me to the punch and did my homework for me! It looks, according to the TSA, that as long as the stove is completely vapor-free I should be OK. I rather like the stove, however, and don't want to risk losing it, so may mail it ahead (and back again).

A couple that runs the CycloTouring website lives in the Philadelphia area. They returned from an around-the-world cycle trip not that long ago. I may ask them how they managed getting their stove through airport security.

Phil

 

[LarryJ]

Thanks, that answers both questions. It looks like I'll either be shipping it to the campground or going for a quick 20 mile ride the day we arrive! I'll probably opt for shipping it in. I was hoping not to leave the campground much after we got there (other than two days in the parks).

I really don't think trying to bike to a WalMart is a good idea. The roads are not designed for both bikes and cars and I don't ever remember seeing a bike on 535.

Larry

 

[wak648]

I really don't think trying to bike to a WalMart is a good idea. The roads are not designed for both bikes and cars and I don't ever remember seeing a bike on 535.

Larry

Maybe you could help them modify their bike for a safer ride!

 

[LarryJ]

Maybe you could help them modify their bike for a safer ride!

Well that IMHO was an unhelpful post and can only take it as a sarcastic comment that is not needed for the OPs actual question and I have no idea what you are talking about modifying a bike to use it on a public road.

Why do you feel necessary to reply to my post vice addressing the OPs question.

Larry