Water bottle to carry camp stove fuel?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TX
Posts: 122
Bikes: Homemade Custom Tourer, EPX 303, Schwinn Homegrown, Trek 7.3 FX, Robinson SST, Trek Fuel EX7
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Water bottle to carry camp stove fuel?
Can you use a water bottle to carry camp stove fuel?
My camp stove uses alcohol fuel and the recommended type is the yellow Heet bottles (Methyl Alcohol) , which if you look at the bottom of them they are labeled recycling symbol # 2 - HDPE (high density polyethylene).
I don't currently own a fuel bottle holder like the MSR ones, but I have tons of old cycling water bottles lying around, which these are labeled recycling symbol # 4 - LDPE (low density polyethylene).
Can I save a few bucks and reuse my water bottle to carry the the Methyl Alcohol?
Let me preempt the joke - "only if you want to accidentally drink fuel"
My camp stove uses alcohol fuel and the recommended type is the yellow Heet bottles (Methyl Alcohol) , which if you look at the bottom of them they are labeled recycling symbol # 2 - HDPE (high density polyethylene).
I don't currently own a fuel bottle holder like the MSR ones, but I have tons of old cycling water bottles lying around, which these are labeled recycling symbol # 4 - LDPE (low density polyethylene).
Can I save a few bucks and reuse my water bottle to carry the the Methyl Alcohol?
Let me preempt the joke - "only if you want to accidentally drink fuel"
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 2,470
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't think I'd use a water bottle to carry fuel if it were of the plastic variety. I'd be worried it' gum up the stove in some way.
#4
Riding
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 1,909
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro; Motobecane Nemesis Pro
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would take the safe route and keep fuel stored in designated containers. Besides the safety aspect of it you can't be sure the plastic the bottles are made of are of the type that won't deteriorate from exposure to fuel.
Then again, if it's just alcohol - similar to isopropyl - I wouldn't be overly concerned.
Then again, if it's just alcohol - similar to isopropyl - I wouldn't be overly concerned.
#6
Having used an old water bottle to store denatured alcohol, I can say it's not the best idea. I don't think anything from the plastic will leach into the fuel, and the stoves are pretty bombproof.
However, I did once take a swig of the denatured alcohol, and it was extraordinarily unpleasant. I use a designated fuel bottle now.
However, I did once take a swig of the denatured alcohol, and it was extraordinarily unpleasant. I use a designated fuel bottle now.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Cannondale t1, Koga-Miyata World Traveller
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
The risk is not as much when you are on tour, as when you are at home and have a half water bottle of poison that looks like water. It could sit on your shelf for months, or years, and some poor soul is bound to take a swig.
#8
#9
Formerly Known as Newbie
I have the Trangia fuel bottle, but it's too large for my short trips. I often use a small PET soft drink bottle, but I mark the bottle excessively to make it very clear it's not exactly Diet Coke.
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
#10
Senior Member
I used a water bottle but also put a skull and cross bones on it. However, I would not do it again since those bottles leak a lot! Just go to walmart and buy a plastic or metal bottle that doesn't look like a drinking bottle. Shoudl cost 2-3$
#11
Senior Member
I have used plastic bottles (yogourt-drink ones) to store excess fuel when I buy a new batch on tour. I havent noticed any problems with it.
The safety issue is worth noting esp if you have children around.
The safety issue is worth noting esp if you have children around.
#13
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Yes you can store alcohol fuel in a water bottle, but be sure to label it well.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,568
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Liked 1,589 Times
in
1,230 Posts
I learned several decades ago that HDPE and LDPE often became brittle after a few years of using them for 80 proof beverages that contain ethanol. But, you can buy such beverages in polycarbonate bottles, so polycarbonate is not degraded by ethanol whereas some other plastics are. Note that those beverages are not methanol which may have different degradation characteristics on plastics.
You might consider buying a real fuel bottle. White gas and alcohol evaporates off of the outside of the bottle in minutes while you are packing your gear, thus you can pack the bottle and your gear won't smell. I have carried white gas in bottles sold for the purpose of camp fuel for several decades without any mishap.
I have carried a fuel bottle in a water bottle cage, but only when it contained diesel that did not readily evaporate off of the bottle.
You might consider buying a real fuel bottle. White gas and alcohol evaporates off of the outside of the bottle in minutes while you are packing your gear, thus you can pack the bottle and your gear won't smell. I have carried white gas in bottles sold for the purpose of camp fuel for several decades without any mishap.
I have carried a fuel bottle in a water bottle cage, but only when it contained diesel that did not readily evaporate off of the bottle.
#15
Senior Member
The Heet bottle is as close to the perfect container as you are likely to find.
- It is the perfect size.
- It doesn't leak, at least in my experience.
- You get a new one when you buy fuel
- It has a nice long neck for easy pouring
BTW, alcohol is fine in plastic water bottles, but why risk someone drinking it?
#16
Senior Member
In college, my room mate and I drank beer, lots of it. One day we bought some everclear when we were in Reno. We pulled it out one night and each took a swig. That was all that was needed, it was put up on a shelf and was never touched again. Kind of like a fire extinguisher, you hope you never need it, but it is there if you do.
#17
Banned
MSR 22oz sized fuel bottle fits in a water bottle cage ,
the one set of bosses Beneath the down tube
on a touring bike frame, is a great location for it,
I cinch it tighter with a spare toe strap so it won't bounce out.
Profile original reinforced nylon Bottle cages are versatile and work great
in this situation too..
the one set of bosses Beneath the down tube
on a touring bike frame, is a great location for it,
I cinch it tighter with a spare toe strap so it won't bounce out.
Profile original reinforced nylon Bottle cages are versatile and work great
in this situation too..
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-11-11 at 10:06 AM.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TX
Posts: 122
Bikes: Homemade Custom Tourer, EPX 303, Schwinn Homegrown, Trek 7.3 FX, Robinson SST, Trek Fuel EX7
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1
The Heet bottle is as close to the perfect container as you are likely to find.
BTW, alcohol is fine in plastic water bottles, but why risk someone drinking it?
The Heet bottle is as close to the perfect container as you are likely to find.
- It is the perfect size.
- It doesn't leak, at least in my experience.
- You get a new one when you buy fuel
- It has a nice long neck for easy pouring
BTW, alcohol is fine in plastic water bottles, but why risk someone drinking it?
- I don't want to carry it in my panniers
- I want to carry multiple bottles worth
- I had planned to use my 3rd bottle cage on the underside of the down tube
- The shape of the Heet bottle doesn't fit well in the cage
#20
ah.... sure.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 4,107
Bikes: Specialized.... schwinn..... enough to fill my needs..
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
MSR 22oz sized fuel bottle fits in a water bottle cage ,
the one set of bosses Beneath the down tube
on a touring bike frame, is a great location for it,
I cinch it tighter with a spare toe strap so it won't bounce out.
Profile original reinforced nylon Bottle cages are versatile and work great
in this situation too..
the one set of bosses Beneath the down tube
on a touring bike frame, is a great location for it,
I cinch it tighter with a spare toe strap so it won't bounce out.
Profile original reinforced nylon Bottle cages are versatile and work great
in this situation too..
As noted though... the Heet bottles work well also.. I like having the fuel outside my panniers and secure, and this just works. So I'm sticking with it.
#21
It's true, man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd be at least a little concerned that I or someone else would grab a 'water' bottle to use to put out a small fire.
#22
Bike touring webrarian
I use an aluminum bottle I got for volunteering. It isn't good for drinking because it can't be squeezed. It fits nicely in a bottle cage. I've put tape over the top and written DO NOT DRINK all over it.
Here's a photo:
While the plastic one holds water, I use a Camelback, so making a mistake is unlikely!
Ray
Here's a photo:
While the plastic one holds water, I use a Camelback, so making a mistake is unlikely!
Ray
#23
Full Member
In college, my room mate and I drank beer, lots of it. One day we bought some everclear when we were in Reno. We pulled it out one night and each took a swig. That was all that was needed, it was put up on a shelf and was never touched again. Kind of like a fire extinguisher, you hope you never need it, but it is there if you do.
They had a couple of pint-sized bottles and I asked what they were going to use them for. They smiled and said they would offer the girls cokes with about a teaspoon of it in it and the night's outcome was almost always favorable. Who says hillbillies are dumb.
Last edited by John N; 02-11-11 at 11:38 AM. Reason: Forgot quote
#24
Dirt Bomb
I have Coleman fuel in one of those metal hip flasks that they sell everywhere now. Stores well, doesn't leak. Just be certain to label it clearly.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 617
Bikes: soma double cross DC, giant reign
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's what I am doing on my current South America tour. So far so good. I'm using medical alchohol bought from farmacias. It comes in a plastic bottle, and they leak easily.
I realized there is room in the rear triangle of my LHT for a small water bottle, so I installed a fourth cage with pipe clamps. I'm really happy with how it's going. It's a spot I would never reach to for water, so accidentally drinking it is not an issue.
I realized there is room in the rear triangle of my LHT for a small water bottle, so I installed a fourth cage with pipe clamps. I'm really happy with how it's going. It's a spot I would never reach to for water, so accidentally drinking it is not an issue.