How much stove fuel do you need?
Running out is miserable, and hauling three extra canisters is dead weight. Enter the trip and how you cook, and get a fuel number and the canisters to pack.
Pack about
includes a small safety margin
Pack one 230 g canister.
210 g needed of 230 g packed
18
boils on the trip
10 g
per 0.5 L boil
Canister sizes and what they cover
Based on roughly 10 g of fuel per half-liter boil in mild weather. Cold and wind cut these numbers down.
| Canister | Boils (mild) | Typical trip |
|---|---|---|
| 110 g | about 11 boils | Solo weekend, minimal cooking |
| 230 g | about 23 boils | Solo 3 to 4 days, or a weekend for two |
| 450 g | about 45 boils | A week solo, or a small group |
Always pack a little more than the estimate, especially in the cold. See how we research and rate.
The stove those numbers assume
The canister math here maps to a standard isobutane burner. The MSR PocketRocket 2 is the proven default: 2.6 oz, 3.5 minute boils, and a decade-long reliability record. See all stove picks →
MSR
MSR PocketRocket 2
MSR
MSR PocketRocket 2
- Weight
- 2.6 oz
- Boil time
- 3.5 min (1L)
- Packed size
- 1.7 x 1.3 x 3.1 in
- Fuel
- Isobutane-propane canister
- Ignition
- Manual (no piezo igniter)
- Warranty
- 3-year limited
An ultralight folding canister stove that has been the default solo backpacking burner for a decade: fast boils, tiny pack size, and a long reliability record.
Researched, not personally tested: picks come from specs, verified-owner reviews, and expert sources, scored into the Kit Score. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from links here, at no extra cost to you. How we research →
Frequently asked questions
How much stove fuel do I need per day?
For simple boil-water meals, plan about 20 to 30 g of canister fuel per person per day in mild weather, which covers two to three half-liter boils. Cold, wind, and melting snow push that higher, sometimes well past 50 g per person per day.
How many boils can you get from a 230g canister?
About 20 to 23 boils of half a liter in mild conditions, since each boil uses roughly 10 g of fuel. That covers one person for three to four days of standard cooking, or a weekend for two.
How much fuel does it take to melt snow for water?
A lot more. Melting snow can use two to four times the fuel of heating the same amount of liquid water, so plan 50 g or more per person per day on winter trips and carry extra.
Can you fly with stove fuel canisters?
No. Fuel canisters are not allowed in checked or carry-on luggage on commercial flights. Buy fuel at your destination, and plan to use up, leave, or recycle the canister before you fly home.
How do I tell how much fuel is left in a canister?
Float it in water: a nearly full canister sinks, an empty one rides high, and where it sits in between shows roughly how much is left. Or weigh it and subtract the empty weight printed on the canister.
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