Do you use propane or butane on your boat ?

Question

Hi Boaties,

This old chestnut has reared itself again in my neck of the system.

I have been toddling the Inland Waterways for some 20 yrs now, on & off, and this issue periodicaly crops up.

I know that folks on residential narrowboats, and those that travel, but that is their "home" use propane mainly.

It is a bit cheaper, comes in huge cylinders etc.

But it makes the oven & hobs stink a bit. Plus it has a lower calofic value per kg.

I use butane, for the extra quid or two, as it doesn't stink, and most importantly, is availaible at many a place, even in remote areas. Boatyards, caravan sites, petrol stations, even a village canal-side little shop in Northamptonshire

Would you care to add to the current debate ?

Bob

Answer 1

I live in a mobile home year round and use bottled gas for heating and cooking.

I use propane because the gas doesn't freeze in cold weather butane does.

Answer 2

Butane and propane are interchangeable but you need the right regulator for each.

The advantage of propane is that it gases off freely when really cold. Butane may actually stop do so.

So if you use the boat in really cold weather have a standby bottle an regulator.

Did this in my caravan.

RoyS.

Answer 3

no but i used to sniff it

Answer 4

Well Bob, here in the colonies butane usually comes in small containers to refill cigarette lighters.  I just don't know where I would go looking for any larger quantities and I have lived all over the US at times.

I lived aboard for many years and always used propane.  On two different boats the first thing I did was replace a kerosene stove with a propane one.  Before moving to my boat, I spent 6 years using propane for heat and cooking in a remote desert home.

Can't say as I have ever been bothered by any  'stink'.  Even now, I have a motor home with 2 heaters, stove, oven and hot water heater all propane fueled.  I love it.

Answer 5

You could go all-diesel Bob.

Diesel ceramic hobs work fine, as do the ovens.

Safer, less space ( no cylinders), less humidity. OK to use in a closed space. Ready source of fuel already on the boat.

Although i dont' think you get diesel grills so if cheese on toast is your thing, stick with the butane.

Our current boat is all diesel. Our last one had propane ( if I'm getting it right - the red ones ? ) I didn't notice a problem with the heat or smell.