propane vs butane

[akraus]

I have just purchased a Weber Baby Q to replace our Coleman grill/stove. Now I need a burner so that I can boil water and cook foods that won't be grilled. I am thinking about getting a propane one since our other devices use propane and I can refill the tank. Should I consider getting a butane stove?  Is butane better?
 
 If anyone has any recommendation as to what I should buy I would love to hear it. I would like something that is fairly small and compact. Here is what I am currently considering:
 
 Coleman Fold'N'Go Propane Stove
 
 Coleman Butane Stove
 
 Coleman Single Burner
 
 Thanks for any advice that you can give.

[AustinBoston]

Within the United States, propane as a fuel is easier to find and available virtually nearly everywhere.

BTW, what we call "propane" is usually not straight propane, but a mix of propane and butane.  How much of each depends on the climate of the place selling it.

Austin

[flyfisherman]

I have just purchased a Weber Baby Q to replace our Coleman grill/stove. Now I need a burner so that I can boil water and cook foods that won't be grilled. I am thinking about getting a propane one since our other devices use propane and I can refill the tank. Should I consider getting a butane stove?  Is butane better?

Propane is the better fuel. The only advantage that I know of for butane over propane (besides being cheaper) is that the butane will exert less pressure (psi) on the interior of the tank at it's optimum performance level, which of course, varies with temperature and altitude. For example:
propane @ 100 degrees = 196 psi
butane   "    "       "      =  37 psi
propane @  70 degrees =  127 psi
butane   "    "       "      =   17 psi
Also, higher altitude will decrease ambient psi

On the downside for butane, it's efficiency drops like a rock with the temperature. For example, butane will cease to "boil" (vaporize) at 15 degrees (F), whereas propane will not cease until -44 degrees (F).

For BTU output:
propane = 21,548 BTU's per lb.
butane   " 21,221   "       "    "

And butane weighs more:
propane = 4.2 lbs per gal.
butane   " 4.8  "     "    "

When you fill your L/P (liquid petroleum) tank at a propane dealer, what your getting is 100% propane. Don't know about some of these "exchange" places. My local propane dealer says it should be listed for a 20 lb tank.  Now, these 16oz disposable L/P tanks you buy at Wally-Mart and such places, vary with their propane content. They will run anywhere from 20 to 30% propane with the balance being butane.    

Remembering from some who have posted here before about visiting Mexico, what  was available there was butane only. AND ... some RV appliance manufacturers stress the importance of NOT USING butane but to use propane only. Also, my local propane dealer says that butane is not as clean a fuel as propane.




Fly