ullearn

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"

busted knuckles

I used an old aluminum water bottle, painted it blue and drew a skull and bones on it.

Northwestrider

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.

twobadfish

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.

KD5NRH

Just use Everclear in the stove so you don't have to worry (too much) about accidentally drinking it.

fuzz2050

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.

skilsaw

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.

Gotte

Excellent point.

Juha

This.

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

zeppinger

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$

MichaelW

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.

Rowan

Is the problem with the Heet bottle that it won't reseal?

If they do, why not just use the Heet bottle stowed in your pannier?

I am not sure I understand the issue here.

wahoonc

Yes you can store alcohol fuel in a water bottle, but be sure to label it well.

Aaron

Tourist in MSN

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.

staehpj1

+1

The Heet bottle is as close to the perfect container as you are likely to find.

1. It is the perfect size.
2. It doesn't leak, at least in my experience.
3. You get a new one when you buy fuel
4. It has a nice long neck for easy pouring

BTW, alcohol is fine in plastic water bottles, but why risk someone drinking it?

busted knuckles

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.

fietsbob

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..

ullearn

The reason I don't want to use the Heet container is because:

- 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

Erick L

I use these bottles to carry alcohol fuel. Took a while to make the label.

kayakdiver

I also run an MSR(22 oz.) bottle in my 3rd cage. Even with MSR fuel pump installed I don't have toe issues... YMMV depending on your bike. When I do a short tour and bring along my alcohol stove I use the same MSR bottle with standard MSR cap. Never had it even approach coming out while riding.

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.

truman

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.

raybo

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

John N

In college, a couple of buddies were really from the true hillbilly part of the region. On Sunday night after returning from home, they brought some homemade moonshine their grandpa had made. I tried it with the warning to sip it, not drink or gulp it. It was extremely smooth, not the least bit burning. Then they had me try some one Everclear. Even a small sip was absolutely horrific. After just about an ounce of the Grandpa Shine, I was plastered. However, in the morning I felt totally fine.

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.

sknhgy 

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.

pasopia

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.