International Fuel Names

This document contains:

> Translations for the names of fuels commonly used in backpacking stoves and lanterns.

> Information about the availability of fuels in various countries.

I would like to thank the original writer and editor of the list Mike Buckler on letting me continue his work and keep this list updated

Version: 63

September 2009

Current Editor: doron.papo@papo-art.com.fuel

Original Editor and Writer: mbuckler@opera.iinet.net.au.fuel till March 2006

New: None

Updated: Ecuador, Peru

Note: Anti-spam measure - remove the ".fuel" from the end of all email addresses.

> Introduction

> Table of Fuel Names

> Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" Confusion.

> Notes on White Gasoline

> Notes on Coleman Fuel

> Notes on Diesel Fuel

> Notes on Kerosene

> Benzine and Benzene Confusion

> Other Links

> Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Introduction

> This document is designed to help you find the right fuel for your stove lantern or lamp.

> The countries are ordered alphabetically except for the USA and UK which were left at the top for reference.

> Abbreviated fuel names are put in quotation marks e.g. methylated spirits is also known as "meths".

> Alternative brand names are sometimes placed inside brackets.

> The following list contains data for over 60 countries.

I would like to expand the list to cover the rest of the world. Hope you can help. Info needed for  all locations not on the list, lots of other places.

Perhaps people could post translations of this document to non English speaking networks.

---

Table of Fuel Names

Note: With the exception of Coleman fuel, all commonly available fuels from petrol stations and supermarkets are blended mixtures that vary in composition depending on the brand, the country and even the time of year (winter/summer). Fuels listed in columns 1 - 3 are petroleum based. Fuels in column 4 are alcohol based.

Column 1

Decane (mostly). Kerosene/diesel is a crude cut from oil refineries, boiling point range is approximately 180° to 280° C. May have pink or blue color added (U.K.).

Column 2

Pentane, Hexane. The same as for column 1, but a boiling point range of 25° to 200° C. Slight yellow color. May also contain up to 20% ethanol ("ethanol blended fuel").

Column 3

60% Hexane + 40% Heptane? Usually colorless?

Column 4

95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol approx. Usually has purple colour and bad taste added. May also contain propanol and water.

 

Country	Fuel
	1		2	3	4
U.S.A & Canada	Kerosene		Gasoline "Gas"	White Gas Naphtha Coleman Fuel Blazo	Denatured Alcohol Solvent Alcohol
U.K.	Paraffin		Petrol	Coleman Fuel	Methylated Spirit "Meths"
Argentina (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico)	Kerosene		Nafta	solvente bencina	alcohol  alcohol puro  alcohol de quemar
Australia	Kerosene "Kero"		Petrol	Shellite White gas Mobilite	methylated spirits "Meths"  "Metho"
Austria	Petroleum		Benzin Bleifrei	Reinigungsbenzin Waschbenzin White gas Kocherbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckbenzin	Brennspiritus Spiritus
Belgium	Petroleum		loodvrije benzine	Wasbenzine	brandalkohol brandspiritus
Bolivia and Chile	Kerosene		Gasolina	???	Alcohol puro
Bulgaria	парафин (parafin) керосин (kerosin)		бензин  (benzin) Bessoloffo benzin - без олово бензин	ekstraktsionen benzin	Spirt
Borneo	Minyak Tanah AVTUR		Benzine	???	Spiritos
China	meiyou Huo shui ?		qi you	???	Jiu Jing
Czech Republic	Petrolej Parafin		Benzin	Technicky benzin	Denaturovany lih Denaturovany alkohol
Denmark	Petroleum		auto benzin	rensebenzin	Ethanol (100 %) Sprit Husholdnings sprit
Egypt	al-kayruseen zayt al-barafeen zayt al-kaaz		WAKOUD BENZEEN	GAAS ABYAD White Gas	COHOL TIBY COHOL SENAIY
Fiji	kerosene		???	White spirits Shellite	???
Finland	Valo petroli Petroli		bensiini	Kevytbensiini Puhdistusbensiini	denaturoitu sprii Sinol(tm) Marinol(tm)
France	Pétrole Pétrole lampant Pétrole de chauffage Petrol a Bruler		Essence	Essence filtree Blanche sans plomb Essence C Essence a l'usage domestique	Alcool a Bruler Alcool Denature Alcool Methylique
Germany	Petroleum Paraffinol Petrol Lampenoel		Benzin Bleifrei Auto-Benzin Superbenzin	Kocherbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin Katalyt Benzin Reinigungsbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckenbenzin Wundbenzin	Spiritus Brennspiritus Methyl Alkohol
Greece	Parafinh			"Coleman fuel" ?	mequliko oinopneuma
Greenland	Petroleum		Benzin	Rensebenzin	Denatureret Sprit
Holland	Petroleum Lampen-Olie		Benzine(All Petrol), Loodvrije Benzine(Lead free Petrol) Euro 95(Low Octane)Super 98 (High Octane)	Wasbenzine Coleman Fuel	Spiritus Brand Spiritus Alcohol
Hungary	Petróleum		Benzin Olommentes benzin	Sebbenzin Tiszta benzin	spiritus denaturált szesz
Iceland	steinolía Lampaolía		Bensin	Hreinsad Benzin	rauðspritt (raudspritt)
India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan	Kerosene		Petrol (Gasoline)		methylated spirits
Indonesia and Malaysia	MINYAK TANAH		BENSINE	???	???
Iran	NAFT		Benzin	???	???
Ireland	Decane		Petrol	Nafta petroleum distillate	Meths Methylated spirits
Israel	Neft		Delek 96 Delek 95 Benzin Natul	Delek lavan Benzin lavan	Alcohol
Italy	petrolio petrolio lampante Olio di Paraffina Kerosene		Benzina per autoveicoli	benzina AVIO Benzina bianca	Alcol denaturato
Japan	Toh-yu		Gasoline	White Gas Coleman Fuel	Nen-ryo yoh Alcohol
Kenya	Paraffin kerosene		unleaded gas	???	???
Laos	???		???	???	Alcool
Malaysia and Singapore	This is rather complicated. See the entry further on in this document.
Malta	kreosene parifin pitrolju	Petrol octane		???	Alcohol ethanol Methylated spirit Surgical spirit
Mexico	Petroleo	Gasolina		gasolina blanca	???
New Zealand	Kerosene	Petrol		White Spirit Shellite Callite Britolite Pegasol Fuelite	Methylated Spirit
Norway	Parafin ennveske lampeolje fritidsparafin	Bensin		Renset bensin Heptan Katlyt bensin 4takt miljøbensin (statoil)	Rod-Sprit Kondensfjerner Hjemmebrent 95%
Philippines	kerosene	gasoline		Coleman fuel	denatured alcohol
Poland	nafta	"benzyna bezolowiowa"		Benzyna ekstrakcyjna rozpuszczalnik ekstrakcyjny	Denaturat Spirytus alkohol metylowy
Portugal	Petroleo	Gasolina sem chumbo		Benzina de desengorduramento	"Alcool  95%"
Romania	Kerosen Petrol lampant	Benzina Benzina fara plumb		Nafta Naphta Benzina nafta	"Alcool etilic de origine agricola 96%" Alcool Tehnic
ex-USSR (Russia)	kerosene	benzine		???	Methyl Alcohol (metilovy spirt)
South Africa + Zimbabwe	paraffin	petrol		Benzine	Methylated Spirits "Meths"
Spain	Parafina Petroleo Keroseno Petroli Queroseno	Gasolina sim plomo		Becina, Blanca Solvente Gasolina domestica Benzina pura	Alcohol Metilico Alcohol de quemar (Metilico)
Sweden	Fotogen Lysfotogen Statoil Blå Aspen_Kaminbraensle	Blyfri bensin		Industribensin Kemiskt Ren Bensin Statoil miljoe Alkylatbensin Miljoebensin 4-takt	T-Sprit/Roedsprit T-Roed Metanol T-braenlse Tenol
Switzerland	Petrol	Bleifrei		Reinbenzin Wundbenzin	Brennsprit
Switzerland (German speaking part)	Petroleum	Bleifrei		Reinbenzin Wundbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin	Brennsprit
Switzerland (German/Italian speaking part)	???	???		Benzin Gereinigt	???
South Korea	???	???		???	???
Thailand	NAUM MAUN GAS	NAUM MAUN REI SARN		BENZENE KAOW White benzene "COMFORT"	Alcohol Isopropanol
Turkey	Gazyagi Parafin	Kursunsuz benzin		White Gas Benzin	Ispirto
Venezuela	kerosen	gasolina		Gasolina blanca	alcohol para quemar alcohol luz

 

Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" Confusion. (May 1996)

Depending on which country you are in, "white spirit" can be one of several substances. In the UK it is "turpentine substitute" ie. paint thinner and is not recommended for burning.

In Australia it is a cleaning solvent but it is not the same as the stuff in the UK. Again it is not recommended for burning. In New Zealand white spirit used to be a common name for white gas but now days it may be mis-understood as meaning "turpentine substitute".

Referring to one of the brand names is probably a more reliable way of getting what you're after (see the entry for New Zealand).

The Material Safety Data Sheet for Coleman fuel gives the following composition:

·         Solvent naphtha (CAS #64742-89-8) 45-50%

·         Aliphatic petroleum distillates (CAS #64742-88-7) 45-50%

·         Xylene (CAS #1330-20-7) 2%

·         Toluene (CAS #108-88-3) 2%

Notes on White Gasoline

<elliot@mail.utexas.edu.fuel> writes....... (May 1996)

Coleman fuel and white gasoline are not the same. Coleman fuel contains components that are much less volatile than gasoline (such as naptha). This is what makes it safer to use in a stove or lantern. White gasoline is simply gasoline that contains no antiknock additives. Commercial unleaded gasoline contains additives that will likely damage your stove unless it designed to accept this type of fuel (some are).

I suppose the question really is: Can I use white gas in my stove? Answer is: probably. If it is clean and contains no additives, it will burn just fine. It is more dangerous to handle since it is more volatile, but clean, pure white gas will probably not damage your stove. At least it has never harmed my Svea 123.

Notes on Coleman Fuel

<F-Schmidt@cox.net.fuel> writes.......(Feb 2003)

(Frank Schmidt, Senior Project Engineer, Appliances-Fuels-Patio Grills, The Coleman Co.)

Coleman Fuel was developed in the early 50's as a replacement for "white gas" which in the US was readily available at hardware stores and gas stations. This was the original motor fuel, no tetraeythlead, or additives, also know as casing head gas, water white color. Was also used as a cleaning agent for mostly white materials, also a fuel for outboard motors and early powered lawnmowers. This source started to disappear in the 50's due to technology.

The Coleman fuel of today has not changed in years, it is a blended naphtha with no lead compounds, and a paraffinic type. The benzene content is controlled to .5% by wt. or less and we add a rust inhibitor along with a green dye for identification. I will attach the specification for the fuel for your information. One point, you might find interesting is Coleman Fuel is the preferred fuel for fire eaters, have several inquiries a year as to the benzene content and is it safe.??

I also would like to inquire if your site, could be used by the Coleman Co. as a reference link in our site.

PS: The specification is titled (US Market) there is no other one.

Notes on Diesel Fuel

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Don't forget that some multifuel stoves will run on Diesel, which has the advantage of a very high calorific value per unit mass. In UK, this is "Diesel" or "DERV", the latter for road vehicles specifically. Its also possible to get hold of agricultural or "Red Diesel", which is free of excise duty, but under no circumstances should you use it in a road vehicle ! In Spain, diesel is "Gazoleo A".

Editors note: The name "diesel" is used in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and the UK,

Japan - Keiyu.

Italy- Gasolio per autotrazione.

France - Gas oil.

Notes on Kerosene

<StewartAG@aol.com.fuel> writes ..... (April 1996)

I have a recommendation for those seeking Kerosene. The International Specifications for Kerosene are almost if not exactly the same as commercial Jet-A Fuel. Both products have very stringent % of sulphur content.

Since I market petroleum products in the NW (Seattle-Vancover, BC and parts of Alaska) I have been purchasing Jet A in bulk and selling it as Kero for years. It works very well.

A good test for quality is check to see if the jet a is water white with no smell. I would think most airports around the world would have this product and would part with a few gallons for the needy camper. Besides, it is usually inexpensive compared to other kero like products.

Benzine and Benzene Confusion

<Geoff.Rehmet@gfsa.co.za.fuel> writes ....(Oct 1998)

Benzene refers to the Benzene ring molecule C6H6 (6's should be subscript) if I recall properly. This is not a good fuel, and is also nasty stuff - I recall being warned in chemistry class at university that it is carcinogenic. Benzine is the same as white gas. (I actually resorted to the Concise Oxford English Disctionary a short while ago to jog my memory on this subject!).

Other links

Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Africa

<jewitt@aqua.ccwr.ac.za.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

The most practical stoves for hiking/camping etc in most of Africa are simple "meths burners" - meths is relatively cheap and availability isn't usually a problem. Meths stoves can be a bit difficult to get going if it's cold but I've always managed - even in temperatures well below freezing.

Paraffin is the most freely available fuel throughout southern Africa - but I haven't found a small stove that really works with it.

Petrol throughout southern Africa is leaded - it can be used in an emergency in pressurized stoves, but clogs up the jets really quickly.

(Editors note: Unleaded petrol is now available (June 1996) in South Africa)

White Spirit/Coleman Fuel is rarely available and then only in specialized camping shops and is really expensive. Benzine is around but you might have to hunt a bit, it's quite expensive and sometimes has all sorts of odd additives that stop it burning properly and clog up the jets

Argentina

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes.... (Nov 1999)

Came across your web information sheet while doing some research for our next long distance bicycle tour. We just completed Argentina to Alaska and can provide you with some fuel information regarding some of the countries you had listed in question. We use a Trangia so are more aware of alcohol availability than other things, but will try to give other fuels where we know.

Argentina, Chile, Boliva, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico:

Meths is called 'alcohol' (pronounced al-col) or alcohol pura (somtimes alcohol de quemar)

In Argentina and Chile it can be found in Farmacias, but ask for 96% (96 grado) or you will end up with a 70% mixture. In smaller villages you could always find it in the biggest (or only) shop, though often in tiny bottles.

In Bolivia and Peru you can find it in pharmacies no problem. Also, can check in liquor stores, though less common.

In Ecuador you need to go to paint stores with your own container. They keep it in big drums and simply top up your bottle.

In Colombia the pharmacies carry both 70 and 96%, the 70 being much more common. It can be frustrating finding 96%, but if you perservere you will find.

In Belize you can find it in Ace hardware stores as Denatured alcohol.

In Mexico it really varies, depending on the state. On the Yucatan you can buy it in some grocery stores as Alcohol Pura, a drinking alcohol from cane, that is 96%. In Chiapas it is very hard to find. All their alcohols seem to be 70% grade or below. In the other states north of Chiapas you can find it sometimes in pharmacies (though watch out for the grade) and in liquor stores, again alcohol pura, but ask for 96%. They also sometimes have a stand on a street that sells only alcohol pura at 96%. If you ask around, particularly at hardware or paint stores they will usually direct you.

Generally if the pharmacies don't carry the right grade, ask in hardware or paint stores we found that someone there always knew where to find it

<juan_caiti@argentina.com.fuel>writes.... (Jan 2007)

I tried in the past to contact the site owner and couldn't, as Doron, to have an answer. At that time I wanted to add in the column 3 the name for Argentina: solvente or, less common, bencina.
Also I'd like to make some comments:
1. for Argentina the comments on alcohol are right if methanol and ethanol are both included because "alcohol de quemar" is methanol, while alcohol or alcohol puro is normally the name for ethanol.
2. The names are not necessarily the same in the countries described. In all of South American countries the language is spanish but with little differences. As example in Chile de diesel fue is called diesel but in Argentina we call it gas-oil; they call alway bencina the coleman fuel, we call solvente; we call nafta the car fuel and they call it bencina but if you say nafta in Chile they will understand. And so on. The names are fine for Argentina, but not sure for other SA countries
3. Kerosene, or kerosén or querosene or querosén is Ok.
Regards,
Juan

<neil.somers76@gmail.com.fuel> writes.... (Sep 2009)

I have been in Ecuador for over 3 weeks now and have looked all over for white gas. I could not find it, but instead used lighter fluid. This works ok, but is very expensive as cooking fuel:

Komet brand,USD 4.50 / 100 mL, Available from Case de Los Deportes, San Gregorio 115-5 y Avenida 10 de Agosto, Quito Keep up the good work! Neil

(Additional update :) )

The fuel I was talking about (white gas) is fuel number 3. Maybe you could remove ´Ecuador´ from the table , as I tried for a whole month to find it.

I am in Peru and can find bencina (column 3) everywhere!

Cheers, Neil

Australia

<daryl@menzies.su.edu.au.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

"white spirits" and "white gas" are NOT the same. White spirit is some kind of cleaning fluid, IF you can get your stove to run on it it will clog it up fairly quickly.

Most hardware stores sell "Shellite" in one liter plastic bottles Usually made by "diggers." ( there are other brands but diggers is the most common) Kerosene and Methylated spirits are usually available from supermarkets, as well as hardware stores, again under the "diggers" brand. In the Northern Territory you will often not find Methylated spirits on display. Ask at the check-out, or counter. Also N.T. (and Qld. ??) Methylated Spirits is dyed purple, this has no effect on the stove.

<jch@cs.rmit.edu.au.fuel> writes....(Feb 1999)>

White spirit has been designed for the dry cleaning industry and has had a flame inhibitor added to it to try and reduce the risk of fire when using it hence why it does not burn very well. If you cannot buy 'shellite' then you can use 'unleaded petrol' from any garage in almost every shellite burning stove, it works fine in Coleman and all the MSR models including the Whisperlite. The only thing to note is that unleaded petrol has a higher flash point and requires a little bit more care in handling to make sure you do not burn yourself. Once the fuel is in the stove there are no problems but fill stoves and bottles well away from any flames.

Editors Note: ( June 1995 ):

"White gas" is also available under the brand name of "Mobilite" and costs about $A5 per liter in small quantities (750ml glass bottles) from hardware stores.

Editors Note: ( March 2003 )

Shellite is available in one liter plastic bottles from the larger Woolworths supermarkets in Western Australia.

Methylated spirits in Western Australia is available in brown or colorless plastic bottles in supermarkets and hardware stores. It does not contain the colored dye typically seen in methylated spirits found in the UK.

Unleaded petrol can contain up to 20% ethanol.

Austria

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

"Bleifrei" is particularly low octane - 91 or 92, so the stuff most people use in cars is the higher octane stuff which isn't so nice in stoves.

<k.kretschel@dlr.de.fuel> writes...................(July 1995)

Austria uses the same names as Germany

<Werner.Koch@uibk.ac.at.fuel> writes........(Jan 1996)

In Austria kerosene is called "Petroleum" and should not be mixed up with "Kerosin" which is jet fuel!

Denatured Alcohol would be translated as "Brennspiritus" and white gas is "Reinigunsbenzin" and rather expensive. Since fuel stoves are less popular over here than in the US, it is very difficult to get stove fuel in sport shops. Ask for "Reinigungsbenzin" or "Brennspiritus" in the next "Drogerie" or take auto gaz "Benzin Bleifrei" at the petrol station.

<markus@runout.at.fuel> writes.....(May 2002)

Shellite has more terms: 'Reinigungsbenzin' is common, also called: "Waschbenzin", some bigger outdoor and sport shops sell "white gas" or "Kocherbenzin". Fuel stoves are well known in austria, more than in other parts of europe. For MSR and Coleman it's quite easy to get spare parts. Check www.upaway.at (that's where i get things from)

<Andreas.Ganzera@avl.com.fuel>...(June 2002)

As I am an Austrian, I would correct the entries for Austria as following (same applies for Germany):

* Petroleum (Lampenöl for lanterns only, it is less smelly and often coloured. I am not sure if it works well with stoves)

* Benzin Bleifrei (in any case go for the Bleifrei which means unleaded, use 91ROZ better than 95ROZ. Contains less additives, will not block your device that fast.)

* Reinigungsbenzin, Waschbenzin, Reinbenzin, Fleckbenzin (Do not use Wundbenzin from pharmacies, this is extremely pure and extremely expensive. You do not need it, really. Use Feuerzeugbenzin for petrol lighters like Zippo only, it contains special substances which prevent the petrol from fast evaporation. And it is expensive, too).

* Brennspiritus, Spiritus

And here is where you get that stuff:

* Petroleum: Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Lampenöl: Supermarket, Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Benzin bleifrei, Autobenzin: Tankstelle (Petrol station)

* Reinigungsbenzin, Waschbenzin, Reinbenzin, Fleckbenzin: Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Brennspiritus: Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Feuerzeugbenzin: Supermarket, Tabak-Trafik (Tobacco shop)

Belgium

<moh@hacom.nl.fuel> writes.......(April 1996)

BTW: in Belgium (Dutch speaking part of Vlaanderen) the list for Holland can be used.

<mickbikx@tiscali.be.fuel> writes.....(April 2006)

For the frenchspeaking part of Belgium, the same names as used in  

France...

Coleman's fuel is available in campingstores.

<erwin.minnebo@telenet.be.fuell> writes.....(November 2008)

Hello there,

 I was checkin your fuel chart en saw you missed the Belgium description,

for column 4.We called it brandalkohol/ brandspiritus. Greetings, Erwin

Bolivia and Chile

<mreznicek@pretensa.com.fuel> writes......(October 2006)

Hello:Here are some of the fuel names for Bolivia and Chile:

Gasoline = Gasolina

Kerosene = Kerosene

Alcohol pura should read Alcohol puro (ending in “o”, not “a”)

These are the names in Argentina:

Gasolina = Nafta

Please let me know any questions you may have, as our company has a chemical engineer and we can ask him anything.

Best regards,Miguel Reznicek

PRETENSA LTDA Ing.

La Paz - Bolivia

Borneo

<MucaloP@kpc.co.id.fuel> writes.....(Feb 99)

Borneo Fuel Names also applies to Sumatera and Indonesia generally.

Kerosene "Minyak Tanah" available everywhere as it is the main cooking fuel.

Aviation Grade Kerosene "AVTUR" only from registered dealers in 200l drums.

Gasoline "Benzine" available everywhere.

2 stroke mixture" Benzine campur" available pre mixed in most places. In small places

look for the fuel station identified by lots of 200l drums outside.

Diesil "Solar" available everywhere.

Methlylated spirits "Spiritos" often died purple and put in old softdrink bottles with crown seals.

Karbit "carbide" available from little little hardwareshops. This is used for simple brazing in many parts of Indonesia.

Bulgaria

<general.specific@gmail.com.fuel> writes.....(Jan 2007)

Hi,Fuel no.3 is called "ekstraktsionen benzin" in BULGARIA

<henry_seefield@btinternet.com.fuel> writes........(April 2009)

Just in case you didn't get to find out when you were there, fuel names in Bulgaria are as follows:

 English ............. Petrol ,Bulgarian ......... бензин  (benzin)         

So I guess:

Lead-free petrol .......... Bessoloffo benzin.  Literally без (without) олово (lead)  benzin   but this may not be correct                         |    

Available at a Petrol station ........... бензиностанция  (benzinoctantciya)

 Paraffin = either парафин (parafin), or керосин (kerosin).

China

<steven@moe.edu.sg.fuel>writes.....(Jan 1997)

Kerosene in China would be known as HUO SHUI aka FIRE WATER.

<mhuang@bu.edu.fuel> writes........(April 1998)

This is the first time in my life I have heard someone would call kerosene `huo shui'. Might be called so in some (very limitedly used) regional dialect.

In mandarin, which can be understood across China, kerosene is called "meiyou" (``coal oil'' if you want to split the word and read meanings form charactors that make the word. )

Interestingly "mei you" for kerosene sounds nearly identical to the chinese expression for "nothing" "there isn't", or "don't have". If you are in a shop and ask for "mei you", the guy behind the counter repeats "mei you", or "mei you mei you", you are out of luck. :-)

Gasoline: "qi you" ( "q" reads "ch" -- "chi you" i.e. ``vapour oil'' )

Leadless gaseline: "wu qian qi you" uncommon in china.

White gas: never heard of in china.

Diesel: "chai you" ( ``firewood oil'' )

One can also look for bottled cigarette lighter fuel.

99.5% chinese will get lost if you ask for these:

"distilled" gasoline: "zhi liu qi you"

For experiment or as solvent : "rong ji qi you"

If you really want, you can find chemical grade pure petrol in petroleum chemistry related stores. But only in a hand full of the largest cities. Most people never heard of camping stove that burns anything other than alcohol or kerosene, if they have heard of camping stoves at all.

you can find petrol whereever there is a petrol station. that is what I used. unleaded becomes more available. some cities started to ban leaded petrol completely. But I think you will find leaded more often particularly in remote places.

<henry_seefield@btinternet.com.fuel> writes........(April 2009)

Just in case you didn't get to find out when you were there, fuel names in Bulgaria are as follows:

 English ............. Petrol ,Bulgarian ......... бензин  (benzin)         

So I guess:

Lead-free petrol .......... Bessoloffo benzin.  Literally без (without) олово (lead)  benzin   but this may not be correct                         |    

Available at a Petrol station ........... бензиностанция  (benzinoctantciya)

 Paraffin = either парафин (parafin), or керосин (kerosin).

Czech Republic

<akhain@sequent.com.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

Petrolej, Benzin, Technicky benzin, Denaturovany lih or Denaturovany alkohol should be commonly available in 'Drogerie' (Drug store) or 'Barvy-Laky' (Paints) stores.

Denmark

<jqrn@mi.aau.dk.fuel> writes .....(June 1995)

Column 4 (95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol) are not for sale in Denmark, but instead we use 100% Ethanol which is almost as good when the temperature are not to low - and it seldom is in Denmark, due to our very flat country (highest top apptoc. 180 m over sea...) anyway this product substitutes what the norvegian/swedish people call Rod-Sprit and is called "husholdnings-sprit" or simply "sprit."

<ole@kjeldgaard.mail.dk> writes ....(Feb 2003)

Corrections for Denmark.

"Petrolium" is should be spelled "Petroleum"

"Ethanol" is correct, but a lot of people in stores won't know what it is, the daily name is "Sprit" or "Husholdnings sprit"

Egypt

<jkh@gnn.com.fuel> writes......(Oct 1995)

kerosene - 3 names:

al-kayruseen

zayt al-barafeen (literally, "oil of parafin")

zayt al-kaaz

Fiji

<a.ferguson@chem.canterbury.ac.nz.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1994)

While in Fiji in September we were using kerosene and white spirits/Shellite. No problems getting either in villages on Vanua Levu.

We were sea kayaking round the island and I was carrying a 5 litre drum of kerosene on deck. The white spirits was distributed around the rest of the fleet in 1/2 and 1 litre containers and stowed in the kayaks.

Finland

<kiravuo@gamma.hut.fi.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Valopetroli, bensiini and sprii are generic names, Sinol and Marinol are brand names, but also in common use.

<mk59200@cs.tut.fi.fuel> writes........(Dec 1993)

White Gas (kevytbensiini) is apparently very hard to find (maybe because nobody uses it here). According to manufacturer's info Sinol(tm) is for unpressurized stoves (Trangia etc.) while Marinol(tm) is for pressurized stoves (Optimus? never seen one), but in practice they should be interchangeable.

<rtp1@midway.uchicago.edu.fuel> writes....(Oct 1998)

Besides the listed choices, "Lampyoljy" (lamp oil) has always worked fine for me. It's a clean kerosene, generally dyed blue or some other color. The very best and cleanest is Shell Erikois Valopetroli, but the other stuff works just fine.

You have to look far and wide to get "Coleman Fuel" in Finland, but much to my surprise, it is available at the Shell shop in Kilpisjärvi, a few km up the road from where the Kalottireitti comes out, just near the Retkeilykeskus. It's in little barely marked suspicious looking square tin bottles.

<a.willman@surfeu.fi.fuel> writes….(May 2006)

France

<I.G.Batten@fulcrum.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Coleman fuel is also available as ``Essence C' 'in French supermarkets and hardware shops. It's dirt cheap. It worked fine in a Coleman Peak One and an MSR Whisperlite, with no fouling or peculiar smell from either or excessive filth from priming the MSR

``Essence'', alone, is leaded 88 octane petrol.

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Petrol/Gasoline in France is called "Essence", but the relevant stuff for stove fuel is unleaded, which is called "Sans plomb", or, more easily, just comes out of the green nozzles at filling stations !

(Editors note: "Essence normale" is leaded petrol/gasoline.)

<svante.wendel@wendel.se.fuel> writes..(May 2000)

Many moons ago while traveling in France I had a hard time finding kerosene (column 1) for my Optimus. I finally found it at a gas station, sold as "fuel domestique" from a tap at the back of the station. You needed to provide your own container though.

<mike@clockwork.freeserve.co.uk.fuel> writes... (Sept 2002)

I was in France earlier this year and the only stuff I could find to use in my multifuel stove was "petrole desaromatisee". Have you ever heard of this and if so can you tell me what it is in English ?

Editors Note: (March 2003)

I found Camping Gaz stoves to be the most practical solution for cooking when flying/cycle touring in France. Supermarkets in tourist areas carry the cartridges and stoves. The old style piercable canisters are rapidly being replaced by resealable CV-xxx style canisters that can be left behind at the camp site if you need to catch a flight.

Some people have reported success using "Petrole Desaromatisee" in place of "Essence C" or Coleman fuel. This can be found in some supermarkets.

<gerard.metron@wanadoo.fr.fuel> writes….(Sept 2003)

I have the only one web site in France about pressure lanterns, and your are in my links. http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/lampes_a_pression/

I know the french names for different fuels quite well, and I have some remarks to formulate:

US kerosene, UK paraffin, lamp oil = pétrole, pétrole lampant, pétrole de chauffage

"Fuel domestique" (wrong in your 1st column) is the low tax version, red coloured (for domestic heating) of diesel (no colour).

US, UK diesel = (ancient) gas oil, (recent) gazole, (today) diesel.

"Pétrole à brûler" is not common, and not right in the 3rd column. It would be the same as "pétrole" or "pétrole de chauffage" of the 1st column. You can suppress it.

Germany

<Noah_Coccaro@HAMPSTER.BOLTZ.CS.CMU.EDU.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

I spent a year in Germany, and discovered that White Gas, or Coleman fluid, as we call it here in USA is known as Reinigungsbenzin (literally, cleaning gas). I purchased it in an Apotheque (Apothecary).

<PETER@EMBL-Hamburg.DE.fuel> writes.....(April 1994)

Lampenoel (kerosene) is often coloured and has added "smells"

Lead-Free, (bleifrei, sans plomb, loodvrij, sim plomo) fuel is almost universal for cars that will stand it without burning out their engines!

<k.kretschel@dlr.de.fuel> writes................... (July 1995)

1	2	3	4
Petroleum Paraffinol Petrol Lampenoel	Benzin Bleifrei Auto-Benzin Superbenzine Loddvrije bensine	Kocherbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin Katalyt Benzin Reinigungsbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckenbenzin Wundbenzin	Spiritus Brennspiritus Methyl Alkohol

Not quite correct:

Col 1 main name is "Diesel"; "Petroleum" is a cleaned version. The other names are unusual. One more name is "Heizoel", but you need that only when you want some 1000 liters for your big tank. The only difference to Diesel is the tax ;-)

Col 2: "Benzin" is the generic name. "Bleifrei" means unleaded, "Superbenzin" ("Superbenzine" is plural) is higher octane. "Loddvrije bensine" is not German but Dutch.

Col 3: Never heard "Katalyt Benzin".

Col 4: Better don't ask for "Methyl Alkohol", I never heard someone use it for "Spiritus" since that is mostly Ethanol.

BTW: "Sprit" is a generic name for gas as well as for alcoholics, no matter if drinkable or not. Each liquid that burns may be called "Sprit", either in the throat or in motor or a stove.

<P.VOLLMAR@LINK-GOE.de.fuel> (Peter Vollmar) writes... (Dec 1996)

Lampenoel ist *not* petrol. This stuff killt my msr xgk2 generator. In pharmacies they often use METHANOL for Methyl Alkohol.

<mbelow@post.uni-bielefeld.de.fuel> writes........(Sept 1998)

The line about Germany contains some errors. About the first column I'm not sure, Petroleum and Lampenoel are good, while I've never heard of "Paraffinol" or "Petrol" -- maybe these are technical terms. Maybe you want to add Diesel, that's the truck fuel, and Kerosin, that's the aeroplane fuel. But Petroleum is the normal name for that smelly stuff one puts into kerosene lamps, Lampenoel is usually non-smelling.

The second column: Benzin is a good general name for petrol. Bleifrei means unleaded -- that's standard now, so in daily life the names Normal (or Normalbenzin) and Super (or Superbenzin, without the trailing e) are used (Normal is something like 92 octane, Super 98). Auto-Benzin is a name I've never heard, but it's meaning is obvious, it's good for differentiating between fuel for cars and fuel for lighters etc. Loddvrije bensine is dutch for unleaded fuel. In the fourth column: Methylalkohol is methanol, so I don't know whether it should be in there.

Greece

Tim Cunningham<timc@ibo.org.fuel> writes ....(July 2000)

In Greece, I ran a heating stove on diesel fuel. This is sold at petrol stations and pumped like regular diesel, but is not taxed. Diesel is pretty cheap anyway, but this stuff is cheaper. The name of diesel is Petrelaio (pron. petreleo) and the heating fuel is Petrelaio qermansh (pron. Petreleo thermansee) and has a pink colour added. For paraffin/kerosene (for use in lamps etc) ask for Parafinh (pron. parafeenee) in a hardware store Sidhropoleio (pron. Seedeeropoleeo).

As for Coleman fuel/white gas, I don't know for definite, but I guess it is imported as 'Coleman fuel' by some stores in downtown Athens. I doubt very much whether you'd get it out of the city.

Alcohol is readily available in pharmacies or Farmakeio (pron. farmakeeo) and goes by the wonderful name of mequliko oinopneuma (pron. metheeleeko eenopnevma - literally 'methylated spirit').

Greenland

<fleis@meyer.fys.ku.dk.fuel> writes.......(Aug 1998)

The names for the fuels in Greenland is the same as in Denmark, that is Petroleum (not petrolium) Benzin, Rensebenzin, Ethanol is normally called "Denatureret Sprit"

Holland

<dirk.vangulik@cen.jrc.it.fuel> writes......(Dec 1993)

cat 1: Lampen-Olie... sometimes okay, often more like a vegetable oil.,the 'non-smelling' version is almost always good: "reukloze lampen-olie" but contains a perfume which makes my stove (Whisper=Lite" clog up once in a while.

cat 2: "Super" = high octane, "Loodvrij"= unleaded.

cat 3: Wasbenzine, Colman fluel, both well known

<millenaar@jach.hawaii.edu.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

The name 'coleman fuel' or 'coleman brandstof' is commonly used in Holland (or The Netherlands). Stangely enough I can't recall a pure Dutch term (I don't think there is one). It is sold in all outdoor equipment stores and in some recreational stores ('kampeerwinkels').

<ajvuik@gmail.com.fuel> writes.......(September 2007)

I also have a couple of comments on the translation to Holland:
First of all it's better to call it Dutch, because Holland is just 2 provinces of the country Netherlands who all talk Dutch ;)
Second is for Col. 2: Petrol is in Dutch: Benzine(All Petrol), Loodvrije Benzine(Lead free Petrol), Euro 95(Low Octane), Super 98 (High Octane) 'Normaal 16' doesn't exist.
And in Col. 4: 'Spriritus' and 'Brand Spiritus' are the same. Considering the topic 'Brand Spiritus' would be the most prudent to keep.
Hungary

<akos@belgonet.be.fuel> writes... (Aug 2001)

Reading your fuel table, I am able to replace some ???-s in the
hungarian line (column 4) : the name is spiritus or denaturált szesz.

<attila.hargitai@geohidroterv.hu.fuel> writes ….(March 2003)

The chemical in the first column is called "petróleum" in hungarian, not paraffin (paraffin is a solid white thing, usually hexadecane). the chemical in the third column is "sebbenzin" or "tiszta benzin" (sold in pharmacies as decontaminating agent), basically a kind of purified gasoline, while gasoline is called "benzin". "Olommentes" means led-free. And to make you confused "kerozin" in Hungary is the name of jet-fuel.

Kerosene = petroleum

Diesel = gázolaj

Gasoline = benzin

Coleman fuel = tiszta benzin, or sebbenzin

Jet fuel = kerozin

Iceland

<ROB.JONSON@balliol.oxford.ac.uk.fuel> writes.... (Jan 1997)

I was just looking at your faq and noticed a number of blanks for iceland. I can help with the meths equivalent. I was on an expedition there in 1992 and we used 'Rodsprit' (I'm not entirely sure of the spelling) to prime our parafin stoves. Sure enough it is fairly red, but slightly less flammable than ordinary meths.

<tonet@runbox.no.fuel> writes.... (Sep 2006)

-We spent this summer camping in Iceland. 

I think the equivalent of kerosene (what we call parafin in Norway) is "steinolía" in Icelandic. "Lampaolía" is a more refined (and more expensive) version.

Tone T., Hafrsfjord

<bruce_mcadam@yahoo.co.uk.fuel> writes.... (Jul 2008)

In Iceland, alcohol (meths) is sold as rauðspritt (raudspritt). I think the current
entry is a misspelling.
Available from some garages and Byko hardware stores.

Cheers,Bruce McAdam Reykjavi

<dave@drw.me.uk.fuel>writes.... (Apr 2009)

Hi,Just to let you know the name for Petrol under Iceland is: Bensin
As per this website for one of the fuel companies (that I bought fuel for an MSR from whilst there!)http://www.orkan.is/ Dave.

India/Bhutan/Nepal/Pakistan

<RKOHLI@aardvark.ucs.uoknor.edu.fuel> writes........ (Dec 1993)

Petrol(Gasoline) is available at any Petrol Pump. Buy the higher grade if you are not sure.

Kerosene is available at most roadside grocery shops or "ration" shops.

Methyl Alcohol-Most Drug Stores stock it. I have never used it in any stove so can't vouch for it.

White Gas-Could never find it.

kirstenlatimer@hotmail.com writes........(Dec 2001)

For your information, in Pakistan, methylated spirits is known as exactly that: methylated spirits ! (bought some today in the chemist in Lahore).

Indonesia and Malaysia

<steven@moe.edu.sg.fuel> writes.....(jan 1997)

Kerosene is MINYAK TANAH Available from little roadside shops that sell watered down petrol. The watered down petrol is known as BENSINE. Other helpful words: API (fire), FLAMU (flame).

Iran

<atavakli@cftnet.com.fuel> writes..... (May 1996)

In Iran the product mentioned in first column is called NAFT second is BENZIN then there is less refined substances for diesel and heating followed by bitumen that is called GHIR. The NAFT is used for lamps as well as cooking,and in the heating stoves, different grade of Benzin for cars and airplanes.

Ireland

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes..... (Nov 99)

Meths: In Ireland it's the same as the UK but you will need to sign for it, explaining your use/requirement of it.

<sean.ohaonghusa@hp.com.fuel> writes …(March 2004)

The names for all the fuels are the same in Ireland as in the UK. Generally companies will regard Ireland as being part of the UK market, so the brand names are identical too. Your contributor on Ireland notes that you have to sign for Methylated Spirits and explain usage. This may be true if you buy it in a pharmacy, but I always buy it in camping or hardware shops and have never had to sign anything.

<grittysoap@hotmail.com.fuel> writes..... (Aug 2009)
Failte!
Great site! I wish to notify you on the names of fuels here in the Republic of Ireland.
Column 1
Decane (mostly). Kerosene/diesel is a crude cut from oil refineries, boiling point range is approximately 180° to 280° C. May have pink or blue color added (U.K.).
If you want Diesel for home heating or for your automobile it is simply called Diesel, As for kerosene for home heating, it's just called Kerosene, rarely ''Home heating oil''.
Column 2
Pentane, Hexane. The same as for column 1, but a boiling point range of 25° to 200° C. Slight yellow color. May also contain up to 20% ethanol ("ethanol blended fuel").
If this is used for your car etc. then it's callled ''Petrol'' like in the UK.
Column 3
60% Hexane + 40% Heptane? Usually colorless?
Naphtha is somtimes labelled as such and though often as ''lighter fluid'' used in Zippo lighters etc. and less commonly now ''petroleum distillate.''
Column 4
95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol approx. Usually has purple colour and bad taste added. May also contain propanol and water.
Called Methylated spirits.
The purple is from an aniline dye and  pyridine or some Denatonium salt is also added.
As for the statement below, well it's a complete fallacy I've never seen Methylated spirits labelled as ''Meths'' although colloquially speaking, some do call it ''Meths'' and I've never had to sign for it or explain why I wanted it, even when I was a minor(which was around 1999) I can't imagine anyone trying to drink it.
''Ireland
<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes..... (Nov 99)
Meths: In Ireland it's the same as the UK but you will need to sign for it, explaining your use/requirement of it.''
Beannacht

Italy

Giuliano Da Broi <giuliano.dabroi@tin.it.fuel> writes...(Feb 2001)

I found your "Fuel Name Faq" very useful and complete, even if there are
some mistakes in Italian translation:

N°1
Commonly known as "petrolio" or "petrolio lampante"

N°3
"Benzina bianca" is correct but not very well known; better if you ask for
"benzina AVIO" that is a trade mark.

N°4
"Alcol denaturato" (not "denaturo")

<angelo@metamorfosi.com>   writes ….(Nov 2003)

First I must say the Italian translations are not correct in this old version.

With so many names I might be confused :-) but, if I understood well:

(1) The fuel used in Diesel cycle engines (without spark plug) has a yellowish colour and is normally called "gasolio" or, to be technically correct, "gasolio per autotrazione". Sometime, but not often, it's also called "diesel". Could be bought everywhere at gas stations (AGIP, SHELL, ESSO, ...) along the roads.

Almost same name "gasolio" or "gasolio da riscaldamento" (which means gasolio for heating purposes) for practically the same product (but with different additives and different taxes) for the fuel used in big central heating systems.

The fuel once used in lamps is called "petrolio" ("petrolio lampante" is another but very old name) and has a light yellow colour.

The fuel used for stoves (small heating systems inside living rooms) has a bluewish colour (for tax reasons), is called "kerosene" and could be bought in supermarkets.

The fuel used in turbine engine airplanes (Jet-A fuel) is called "kerosene" too but is transparent and, except for some additives, is probably very similar to the kerosene for heating purpose.

(2).The fuel used in Otto cycle engines (with spark plug) is called "benzina" and could be bought at gas stations. Only the unleaded one is available right now in Italy. It has often (but not always) a greenish colour and is also called "benzina verde" (green) or "benzina senza piombo" (unleaded) to distinguish it from "benzina super" (not available anymore) which was red and was the old one with lead added to increase the Octane Number.

The fuel used in piston engine airplanes has a transparent colour and different additives and is called "benzina avio".

(3) The product generally used for cleaning stains from fabrics is called "benzina avio" too (it is probably a different product) and could be bought at supermarkets. To clean fabrics it's also common to buy "trielina" (practically pure thrichloroethylene) or one can also buy "petrolio" but it's less common.

(4) To disinfect wounds or for house cleaning purposes (especially glasses) we use "alcool etilico denaturato" which is normally called "alcool". It has bright pink colour and bad taste added and could be bough in supermarkets. Could also be used for old lamps but I think it was more expensive.

In supermarkets you can also buy "alcool puro" (pure alcohol) which is transparent and you can drink to get drunk.

Now I have to ask you something. I'm translating the manual for my hanggliding and paragliding rescue parachutes. To clean the fabric from oil or grease stains it's suggested to use "benzina avio" for cleaning purposes. How can I write it in English to avoid misunderstandings, considering it would be read by people of different countries (most of them not English mother language). I thought to call it "white gasoline for cleaning purpose" do you think it would be clear enough to avoid misunderstandings? It would not be clever to use a wrong product to clean a parachute :-(

Japan

<tsuchiya@sedona.intel.com.fuel> writes..........(Dec 1993)

Gasoline is available at gas station. Usually they also have kerosene, ie. Toh-yu. "Toh" is pronounced like in "TOFU", and "yu" is like "you".

White Gas (most likely the one sold by Japan Coleman) is available at bigger sports goods retailer. Sometimes also available at hardware store (again, bigger one). Alcohol is available at drug store. Ask "Nen-ryo yoh" (the one as fuel), or you will get the one for disinfection. Pronounce something like "Al-coal" for "Alcohol".

Kenya

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Paraffin/Kerosene is available everywhere in Kenya, because its what they use for lighting charcoal cooking fires. Having said that, there was a desperate shortage of it everywhere in January/February when we were there, and I suspect that this occurs unpredictably but perhaps quite frequently from time to time.

Unleaded gas is pretty much unobtainable, but there must be plenty of diesel about - we saw a tanker of it lying in the road spilling the stuff everywhere while people variously stood about smoking and waving traffic onto the edge of the road.

Malaysia and Singapore

<torque@pacific.net.sg.fuel> writes.....(Sept 1997)

As a backgrounder, Singapore and Malaysia are multi racial with Chinese and Malays making the majority of the population. Among the Chinese, many dialects are used, and they can sound as different as English is to say Vietnamese. So here goes:

	Teochew	Hokkien	Cantonese	Mandarin	Malay
Kerosene	Tou Yew	Thor Yeew	For Sway	Huo Yew / May Yew	Minyak Tanah
Petrol	Tiang Yew	Tian Teew	Chair Yow	Tian Yew / Chi Yew	Minyak Patrol
White Gas is Non existant in these parts, closest equivalent is unleaded petrol
Unlead Gas				Woo Chian Chi Yew	Minyak Patrol Perlombong
Methylated Spirit	Huay Chiew	Huay Chiew	For Chow	For Chiew	Minyak Sprit

Malta

<henfalz@maltanet.omnes.net.fuel> writes.......(Aug 1996)

1) kreosene,parifin,pitrolju

2) Petrol,octane

3) ?

4) Alcohol, ethanol,Methylated spirit,Surgical spirit

Localy Kerosene is illegaly used as a cheap substetute for Diesel in diesel engines of over 3l. capacity in a ratio of 40% ker & 60% diesel. In Malta kerosine is 60cents/british gallon & Diesel is at 72cents. With this mixture Diesel engines work very well with only a slight reduction in output power & sadly a high polution exhaust emission.

Morocco

<info@oak-beams.co.uk.fuel>writes.......(July 2007)

Mexico

<amcculloch@earthlink.net.fuel> writes ......(Oct 1996)

In Mexico, at least in the area around the volcanoes, your "Column 3" fuel ("white gas" or "Coleman fuel") is called "gasolina blanca".

New Zealand

White spirit (4 brand names) available from garages. Probably safer to ask for one of the brand names rather than just "white spirit". Meths from hardware stores.

Murray Singleton <msinglet@dcc.govt.nz.fuel> writes....(Jan 2001)

In New Zealand another white spirit name has appeared - Fuelite. It's
available at Caltex garages and I assume it replaces the brand name Callite,
previously sold at Caltex outlets.

Norway

<paale@lie.uit.no.fuel> writes........(Dec 1993)

Parafin is available at most garages, at times under the name "Fritids-parafin", or "Lampe-olje" (the latter is a more refined version, doesn't smell).

Bensin is available at garages, and so is White Spirit.

Rod-Sprit is available at stores selling paint etc. and also Liquour-shops!!! (even if it is poisonous).

<paale@lie.uit.no.fuel> writes.....(Dec 1993)

The problem is the product called "White spirit" in Norwegian. It is a somewhat kerosene-like product, but more refined. It is intended for use as paint-thinner removing paint-stains etc. It is cleaner and lights easier than kerosene, but it is not at all comparable to petrol. I use it from time to time as a substitute for kerosene in my stove, and it works great.

On the other hand there is "Renset bensin", which is unleaded, highly refined petrol. It is sold at pharmacies, and is intended for removing stains, and also medical use. This product is very expensive, very explosive: not exactly the ideal stove fuel.

But what confuses me is: this seems to be the product referred to for a lot of other countries. So what do you think? Are you looking for "White spirit" or "Renset bensin" ?

<wittgens@kjemi.unit.no.fuel> writes......(Dec 1993)

Actually you are looking for something in between, my Whispherlight get some hick'up when using "White spirit" because the petroleum jet is to big for using "White spirit" directly, the white gas jet is somewhat small, so you don't get enough fuel through it. Another popular use of "White spirit" is lighting a barbeque with it.

Never use "Renset bensin" you just waist your money, use unleaded 98 octane fuel. Some gas station sell a gasoline typ with an additive based on potassium, this one should not be used in MSR's or Coleman's

<exualan@exu.ericsson.se.fuel> writes........(Dec 1993)

While in Norway and Sweden recently I looked closely at "Renset bensin" and "tecknisk bensin" for use in my SVEA stove. The Norwegan product was clearly marked as a mixture (60/40??) of Hexane and Heptane (with 1 or 2 percent of other "-anes", like pentane). The Swedish product was not labelled as to contents. I did purchase about 200 ml, good for about 1 hour cooking, but now I don't recall from which country. There was no problem since the stove is designed to use explosive fuels. Later I switched to Primus (TM) brand of butane and a new stove because it was much more available and cheaper.

There are some interesting cultural differences with regard to the "explosive" fuels.

It is sold at pharmacies, and is intended for removing stains, and also medical use. This product is very expensive, very explosive: not exactly the ideal stove fuel.

This is quite true for Norway and Sweden. If you go to a pharmacy and say you are going to use this product in a stove they will just as likely call "the men in white coats" to take you away. But if you say you are going to use it to clean wounds, this is OK.

Now, in the US if you went to a sports store and said you were going to use Coleman Fuel (TM for extra pure white gasoline) - someone would say you were very crazy.

<wittgens@kjemi.unit.no.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

True, the norwegian's get slighty crazy if they someone light a stove fired by gasoline, normally they move about two meters away. They learn gasoline == dangerous, kerosene == safe. Further it is forbidden in Norway to sell stoves fired by gasoline.

<heill@phys.unit.no.fuel> Writes.........(Jan 1995)

A minor correction to your information on Norwegian names in the FAQ: Your "Rod-Sprit" in column 4 (Denatured Alcohol/Solvent Alcohol) should be spelled "R{/o}dsprit" where "{/o}" is a slashed "o" (can be compared to the German (e.g) umlauted "o".

Extra hyphenation and capitalization is an ill decease spreding into the Norwegian language (from English)! [Oh, BTW: :-)] It means, literally, "Red spirit/alchohol]".

Searching for Coleman fuel. A merry chase around Trondheim.... Most people had no idea what I wanted, although a variety of unsuitable fuels were offered. One hardware shop even displayed a Coleman-Fuel stove, but the staff couldn't tell me where to get the fuel! Eventually a knowledgeable assistant in a sports shop came up with the answer - a chemists! The second chemist I tried produced a half-litre glass bottle of "heptan" (no fancy name). At last, the right stuff! Pour into stove+Sigg bottle and ... hot food, melted snow!

=> Coleman Fuel in Norway (probably Sweden too): "Heptan" from a chemist.

(See the entry on Sweden)

<dagstaale.karlsen@cargoscan.com.fuel> writes....(April 1999)

Regarding table of fuel names: For norway:

Column 3: You may add "Katlyt bensin"

Column 4: If you want an alternative to you may use "Isopropanol" and this is usualy possible to get in ordinary hardwear stores. The price is approx equal to "Rød sprit" = "denaturert sprit" It is sold under name "Teknisk Isopropanol" and is a blue liquid.

If you have problems with getting any of this all gasolinstations has "kondensfjerner" (condese remover) which is a fuel additive used to reduse problems caused by a small persentage of water in gasoline or diesel systems. "kondensfjerner" is a little bit more expensive, and includes additves we dont need in stoves. This may result in some soot. Usually I prefere to use "Teknisk Isopropanol".

Regarding: the Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas". In Norway white spirit is the same as in England.

Some more comments: It is possible to by gasoline stoves in Norway, but it is no import of Coleman fuel. Unleaded car gasoline is generally used on ordinary white-gasoline stoves. (This cause trouble, nobody talks about it.) Treaditionally stoves for kerosene is used, burners like multifuel burners from Optimus is used on most of the stoves, thees have less problems with clogging.

"Fritids-parafin", or "Lampe-olje" is usually ok to use as replasement for kerosene or diesel, but it may have another viscosity and it may cause problems in low temperature ore high mountains. (I dont know why.) Ordinary kerosene is widely available, and tousends of single-unit dwellings use kerosene for heating, and may have a barrel. In winter season diesel may contain near 50% kerosene in cold areas. Most backpackers uses butane stoves or alcohol stoves. Propane is widely used in cabins and caravans, and newer boats. Kerosene stoves is much used in boats, and by MC-people and scouts. Kerosine stoves is used by armed forces.

<Runes Primussider> writes....(April 2006)

Some corrections/addons to Norway:
1) Parafin, tennveske, whitespirit, lampeolje, fritidsparafin
3)4takt miljøbensin (statoil)
4) Kondensfjerner, hjemmebrent 95%
Runegutt

Philippines

<jappy@skyinet.net.fuel> "Juan Rafael D. Xavier" writes.... (Jan 1997)

Here is the list of available fuel when backpacking in our country.

1-kerosene (easily obtainable, even in the provinces)

2-gasoline (easily obtainable)

3-coleman fuel, available in some department stores, only in manila, but rather expensive (ironic, considering a lot of people use their stoves)

-lighter fluid; ziponol is expensive, as is other kinds. the most popular kinds are those readily available in hardware stores and supermarkets. they come in small red plastic bottles and are relatively cheap, easy to store and pack up. they usually have queer brands like "sure flash," "fuji," "caltex," and some other rot.

4-denatured alcohol (easily obtainable)

There are also some shops in manila which sell butane/propane canisters for the bluette burners (both new and old models) as well as some coleman outfits

Poland

<jacek@appel012.hydromech.uni-hannover.de.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

USA	Poland
Kerosene	hm, I am not sure, but try to ask for 'nafta', or express it slightly longer 'nafta do lamp naftowych', what means that you want something which is burned in the lamps... There exists something called 'olej parafinowy' but I do not know how it works. Better forget it.'Nafta' burns easily, but if you think of the fluid of the Indian kerosene kind, which does not burn when you light a match and drop onto the fluid surface, I am wrong.
Gasoline	'Benzyna', different octane numbers, leaded: the lower ones are called 'niebieska benzyna' (blue gasoline), the better 'zolta benzyna' (yellow gasoline), unleaded gasoline (probably the best when used in stoves) 'benzyna bezolowiowa'. Fuel for diesel engines is oft called 'olej napedowy', or in slang 'diesel'.
White gas	'benzyna rektyfikowana', 'benzyna oczyszczana', or when not undestood, 'benzyna - rozpuszczalnik do farb i lakierow', or 'benzyna do wywabiania plam', what means, that you want a fluid with which you may remove paint stains or solvent or thinner for some sort of paints. Beware of 'rozpuszczalnik do farb olejnych' - thinner for oil paints. Just explain somehow, that you need it for a stove ('benzynowa maszynka do gotowania', people use also the name of the German firm: 'juwel').
Denaturated Alcohol	'Denaturat', 'alkohol metylowy', usually with a beautiful skull and crossed bones symbol, and with horrible violet-colour addition. You may try also to burn 'spirytus', but this is 99 per cent pure alcohol for consumption and extremely expensive just to use as fuel...

Availability: 'benzyna rektyfikowana' in the shops with the chemical products what in Poland means, that there is sold everything from the soap and washing powder up to thinners and paints: 'sklep chemiczny',

'farby i lakiery', etc. Some hardware shops probably too. There you may ask also for 'nafta', but try to explain, what you want to do with it... ('do lampy naftowej'). 'Denaturat' could be also probably bought there, but usually you may get it in the liquor shops (yes!) 'monopolowy' or even in the shops with food or hardware (smaller towns, villages).

'Benzyna' - fuel stations, but sometimes there are problems when you come with a PLASTIC bottle, for just 1 liter...

They may say it is dangerous and would not sell you anything. In such a case try to come with a metal bottle or bigger (2-5 liter) can (pol.: 'kanister') or try to ask some driver for help.

Burning qualities: The division of the qualities is clear - 'nafta' for lamps or stoves, where you may highly pressurize the fuel, 'denaturat' for the slightly old-fashioned alcohol stoves, where a surface of the liquid burns, 'benzyna rektyfikowana' is probably the best thing for stoves with limited or no possibility to pressurize the fuel (Whisperlite, Coleman). 'Benzyna' - if you have to use it, use the unleaded super ('bezolowiowa super'), when not available - down the octane scale. 'Diesel' the worst.

Piotr Gogolewski<docent@panoramix.net.pl.fuel> writes ....(November 2006)

Hi,I would like to make a few corrections:
3: "Benzyna ekstrakcyjna" or "rozpuszczalnik ekstrakcyjny"; "benzyna rektyfikowana" is older name, not widely used nowdays. "Benzna lakowa" (used as paint thinner) is something between kerosene ("nafta") and white gas in terms of boiling point (it will propably soot your pots a bit, while "benzyna ekstrakcyjna" not).

Both are usually sold in 0,5l plastic or glass bottles and it's good idea to filter them before use,especially if your stove is prone to clogging.
4: "Denaturat". "Spirytus" is a plain 95% ethanol (drinkable and lot more expensive than "denaturat").

 "Alkohol metylowy" means methanol and "alkohol etylowy" - ethanol. Both of those are chemical names, I've never seen them labelled this way in other places but shops with chemical reagents.
Availability: you can buy "benzyna ekstrakcyjna" (and probably "nafta" too) in general shops ("sklep spożywczo-przemysłowy" or "sklep przemysłowy") in villages and very small towns. In bigger towns look for shops mentioned above by Jacek.

Portugal

Tim Cunningham<timc@ibo.org.fuel> writes ....(July 2000)

I used a Trangia stove in Portugal and I used "Alcool 95%" which can be bought in most Farmácia (pharmacies).

Romania

<kiralyvlad@yahoo.com.fuel> writes….. (August 2008)

Hi,I would like to contribute to your International Fuel Names List.

Here are some names for Romania:

Column 1 - In case it's the fuel jets (planes) use, we call it "Kerosen" or "petrollampant"

But I see in the UK it's called paraffin - if it's lampoil used for garden torches and fire spinning we call it "ulei de torta" which means lampoil or "ulei de parafina" which means "paraffin oil".

Column 2 - "Benzina" and "Benzina fara plumb"

Column 3 - "Nafta" "Naphta" "Benzina nafta" "Benzina naphta"

Column 4 - "Alcool tehnic" - which is 90% ethanol and is denaturated with methanol and methyl violet. Basicaly it's purle household meths. And "Alcool etilic de origine agricola 96%" - which is 96% ethanol and 4% water.

NOTE FOR COLUMN 4: "Alcool Sanitar" and "Spirt" are the same thing and mean "Rubbing Alcohol", which is only 60% ethanol. You should remove those from the list.

Thank you. Kiraly Vlad www.firearts.eu

Russia

<mtrrut@vmsa.technion.ac.il.fuel> writes........(Dec 1993)

Petrol could be obtained in fuel-station, if you find one. But usually there are very long lines for fuel and nobody is permitted to buy without order. TIP: ask driver of lorry/bus/taxi to sale (or just present) several liters. It usually works if you ask <2-3 liters. If you need more, repeat procedure. Taxi drivers usually sale benzine about 4-10 times more expensive than in fuel stations.

Don't try to find white gas. Nobody knows what it is. Learn to use petrol (if your stove isn't intended for petrol, be ready to clean it in the field). Trying to buy methyl alchohol (or cheap alchohol) isn't good idea.

Kerosene may be obtainable, but you can never predict it. Besides that some places don't sale goods to visitors. If so, you can usually ask somebody in the place to buy it for you.

The best obtainable fuel is a solar. Fuel stations don't sale it to travelers but most drivers of big lorries let you suck it. Bring house >2 m long (if you buy petrol from car/bus/... you need to suck it too!)

It is good idea to have somebody speaking Russian and preferably local language for negotiations. Foreign language and cash may attract crimes.

In general, you usually can find fuel in the initial point of your trip (you can't bring it in the plane) but it takes time. Consultations are highly recommended! In 1990 we had to delay start to 20-days mountain expedition in Tyan'-Shan' for 1 day because we couldn't obtain fuel!

South Africa (Lesotho and Swaziland)

<jewitt@aqua.ccwr.ac.za.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

Paraffin is freely available at garages and plenty of other stores.

Petrol at garages.

Methylated Spirits is available at most stores except in the Cape Province where you can only get it at chemists/pharmacies.

<incose@global.co.za.fuel> writes........(June 1996)

Unleaded petrol is now available throughout South Africa. It was introduced at the start of 1996, and should be easy to find in most places. Its also a little cheaper than standard petrol.

<vulcan@global.co.za.fuel> writes........(July 1996)

Benzine (can be found in any hardware store in South Africa, and is quite cheap) is perfectly safe to use as a fuel in a stove or lamp. Obviously follow the same precautions that you would when handling it, as you would with any fuel, i.e. try not to get in on your skin (although it no more dangerous than turpentine), don't inhale it excessively, and obviously don't drink it. Benzine is almost odorless, and is completely clear, like water.

<Geoff.Rehmet@gfsa.co.za.fuel> writes ....(Oct 1998)

I have never seen any outdoor shop actually stocking Coleman Fuel, or benzine, for that matter. As mentioned in the FAQ, benzine is readily available at hardware stores, and can sometimes (at a price) be obtained from pharmacies. Benzine works out to be about twice the price of petrol, about ZAR5/l as opposed to about ZAR2.50/l (ZAR1.00 = USD5.87 when I last checked).

As an aside: anyone considering using South African diesel in their stove should be warned that diesel has a rather high sulphur content here. I would suspect that that will result in quicker clogging of jets and fuel lines.

South Korea

<sims500@lycos.com.fuel> writes…..(Dec 2003)

Most camping stores in the cities sell White Gas. (inc. the one in our small town) Camping stores are everywhere and the Koreans love to camp/hike so just about everything is available.

Gas canisters are everywhere and extremely cheap. $AUS 3 for 4 of the aerosol can style cannisters.

Auto Unleaded petrol is available from service stations. Kerosene is available from service stations as a large number of houses use Kerosene Heaters.

<a.errington@lancaster.ac.uk.es.fuel> writes.... (April 2009)

Hello,

I am in South Korea, and I have information for the "List of fuel names".

I own a Trangia, so I have been keen to find fuel for it.  My research so

far indicates that Methylated Spirit is not available, but pure Methanol

(Methyl Alcohol) is.  I bought 500ml from a pharmacy for about 1000 won.

In general, campers in Korea use portable gas stoves.  These usually use

the 8oz/220g disposable canisters, which are easily available.

Thank you for maintaining the list.  I have found many copies of it (from

various dates) on the web, but I am glad there is still a canonical

source.  Have you considered submitting it as a Wikipedia entry?

Best wishes,Andrew

Spain

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Unleaded petrol/gas is "Sin plomo"

<Olcbill@aol.com.fuel> writes ............ (Dec 1994)

Last summer in Madrid we bought something called Benzol in a store that sold paint supplies. It burned well with a high heat content but "ate" the rubber "O" rings on my whisper-light international.

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes.... (Nov 1999)

Meths: in the northern part it can be found in pharmacies, but in the south, shops sell it as a camping fuel.

<joseph@d43j15m.jazztel.es.fuel> writes.... (May 2007)

In Spain you can find Kerosene under the name of "Queroseno".
They use it for heaters and in hardware stores (Ferreterias) you can find in rather large containers (20L). Sometimes they sell it in smaller quatities, the smallest I have found was 5L. Even some Hypermarkets like "Carrefour" and "Alcampo" do sell it and I've found it in the "Electrodomesticos" department next to the Deepfryers and similars as that is also where they sell the heaters. Leadfree petrol is indeed "Gasolina sin plomo", but the white spitrit or "wasbenzine" (in Dutch)'benzeno' is very hard to find as it contains 'Nafta' and is suposedly "cancer producing" as I was told in a Chemist (not the same as drugstore= "Farmacia"). There are special shops that sell 'Quimicos'- 'Chemicals' but they don't sell benzeno. I use "Lighter fuel" from tabaconists. I thought it might be an idea to update your data base.

<chris2037@gmail.com.es.fuel> writes.... (June 2009)

In Spain:

Coleman Fuel is very expensive.

'Aceite de lámpara' (lamp oil, similar to kerosene) is available in some 'farmacias'.

White gas is also known as 'disolvente' or 'nafta', available in 'ferreterias'.

Sweden

<exualan@exu.ericsson.se.fuel> writes......(Dec 1993)

In Sweden, Vit Bensin is also sold as "teknisk bensin". (Technicial Gasoline). (It is used as a cleaning solvent, sold in small bottles, and rather expensive.)

<x672 nick@mail.esrin.esa.it.fuel> and <Nick.Kew@mail.esrin.esa.it.fuel> writes ...... (June 1995)

Searching for Coleman Fuel: I explained everywhere "like the petrol you put in cars, but without the additives. "Vit Bensin" didn't work. Did I mean "Rod Sprit" (meths), or parafin? Yes they'd heard some people use low-octane unleaded petrol. No joy - but I only tried garages as everywhere else was shut.

<wendel@wendel.se.fuel> writes.......(July 1995)

Column 1: Fotogen means kerosene (generic). It's fine to buy some kerosene provided you buy 5 gallons or more. It's what you buy if you (very few do) use it for heating a room or a home. <T-Gul> (meaning T-Yellow, just like T-Roed means T-Red. Both indicate the color of the label, T-Roed itself is also pale red whereas T-Gul is colorless) is what it says on the label of the 1-liter plastic bottles that you can buy in any gas station, grocery store or supermarket. <Taend- vaetska> is what you should ask for if you ask for <T-Gul> by name in a store. It literally means a liquid used for lighting a fire or barbeque. The label of <T-Gul> also says "pure n-paraffin". <T-Gul> is the fuel to use for your Whisperlite or other multi-fuel stove. As a primer (for preheating) you could use a small quantity of <T-Roed>.

Column 2: <Blyfri bensin>, meaning unleaded gas/petrol. Available from the green nozzles at *any* gasstation anywhere in the country. Bil bensin, Teknisk bensin, Ren bensin, Industri bensin mean leadedgas/petrol which you should *not* use in your stove.

Column 3: <Rengoeringsbensin> (where oe actually is an "o" with two dots over like the German o-umlaut), which is a spot-removing liquid bought at pharmacists (Apotek). The other entry is <Industribensin> or industrial gas/petrol, which can be bought at specialized paint shops. Both can be used instead of Coleman Fuel.

Column 4: <T-Roed> which is a brand name for a spirit which is used as fuel for Trangia stoves (and similar) and for cleaning windows (!). <T-Roed> is what the bottles read nowadays. It's actually the same as <T-sprit> and <Roedsprit>, it's only a change in name. When asking for it by name <Roedsprit> would be the best name to use. It is sold in 1-liter plastic bottles (and 5-liter plastic containers if you do a lot of cooking) at gas stations and almost all grocery stores (except for the smallest ones). You might have to ask for it by name at the counter. A tip: <T-Roed> leaves a lot of sooty residue on your pots and the inside of your Trangia (or similar) stove. If you mix it with 10-15 percent plain water you don't get as much soot. Or buy <Metanol> (which is methanol or wood-alcohol) which can be had in paint shops. A 50-50 mixture of <T-Roed> and <Metanol> is the best. Heating as much as the <T-Roed> and leaving as little soot as the <Metanol>.

I would also like to comment on butane cartridges. The ones available in Sweden nowadays are Primus brand butane/propane mix, which can be had in 220 gram and 450 gram sizes. The cartridges are grey. The 80 pc butane/20 pc propane mix means that it burns better at low temperatures. Due to a law that says that butane-cartridges and other gas-containers should be kept in a safe area in case of fires there are now fewer places that sell them. Sporting goods stores and (major) supermarkets do, but you might have to ask for them by name <butangas>. I asked for butane cartridges at a couple of gas stations today, but they no longer had them, because of the law.

When planning a trip to Sweden some approximate prices could be interesting:

T-Gul	SEK 20.00/liter
Unleaded gas	SEK 7.50/liter
T-Roed/Roedsprit	SEK 33.00/liter
Metanol	SEK 40.00/liter
Industribensin *)	SEK 44.00/liter

Butane/propane cartridges

220 gram	SEK 49.00 each
450 gram	SEK 79.00 each

Which means that the cheapest way to cook would be to bring a Coleman Peak1/MSR or similar stove for unleaded gas along with you. The unleaded gas/petrol is also available everywhere. Fuel for a multi-fuel MSR or Coleman (T-Gul) is also available almost everywhere.

(The most common stove among Swedish backpackers is a methylated spirit burner like the Trangias).

<m88sol@talita.tdb.uu.se.fuel> writes ........(July 1996)

Recently I bought an Optimus 111b which runs on White gas. I had no idea where to get it, but after some searching I found "Kemiskt Ren Bensin" (heptan/heptane) at a paint shop. It was sold in 1 litre (34 SEK/approx. 5 US$) and 5 litre (a bit cheaper), which is much cheaper than at the chemist't.

<wendel@wendel.se.fuel> writes.........(Oct 1996)

Changes to the info covering Sweden:

Column 1: Kerosene (100% pure paraffin) is available at most gas stations under the name "Lysfotogen" in plastic 1 liter bottles and 5 liter cans.

Column 4: A new alcohol fuel named "T-br=E4nsle" is available at most gas stations in plastic 1 liter bottles and 5 liter cans. It's an optimized mix of ethanol and methanol that leaves no soot on your pots and burns hotter than previously available alcohol fuel.

<rtp1@midway.uchicago.edu.fuel> writes....(Oct 1998)

A few remarks:

(Kerosene) In my MSR XGK, I have found that T-Gul works, but it is a bit sooty. At most gas stations (e.g. Statoil) you can get something called "T-Blå," or "Statoil Blå" which seems to burn cleaner. "Tändvatska" is charcoal lighter fluid, and is the most sooty of them all. The bigger STF facilities (e.g. Saltoluokta) do well at stocking both alcohol (T-Röd) and kerosene (T-blå), so you can pretty much count on getting off the plane, taking the bus, and buying fuel at one of these places.

<dagstaale.karlsen@cargoscan.com.fuel> writes...(April 1999)

I have just received some information from optimus in Sweden. I asked for a sugestion of fuel to my 123R Svea Stove, and a trademark as an example.

The anwer was that "Statoil miljø" was the best product commonly available in scandinavien.

Statoil is a major oilcompany here, approxematly of the same size as Shell. Statoil miljø is a product designed as fuel for garden-maschines with a 4-stroke gasoline engine. This product is almost free of benzene and other additives.

This information is not schecked or tested by me, but it seems OK.

<mtkorv@freeler.nl.fuel> writes ...(Feb 2003)

(Information from Optimus)

Heptane is not so common is Sweden but it is called Heptan. Very similar. Environmental gasoline is found on every gas station. Most commonly in 5 liter cans. The vary in name but use to be called: Miljöbensin, Alkylatbensin or Gräsklipparbensin.

<joel.svedlund@optimus.se.fuel > writes ...(October 2006)

(Updated Information from Optimus)

Comments on Swedish fuel names (numbered by column):

1. “T-Gul” and “Taendvatska” are not very good kerosene stove fuels, especially not in winter time. You can add “Statoil Blå” (or spell it “Bla”) and “Aspen Kaminbraensle”, both are high-grade kerosene fuels.

2. No comments

3. Change last in list to “Statoil miljoe”. Add names “Alkylatbensin” and “Miljoebensin 4-takt”, and of course ”Optimus Arctic Fuel”. If you want to remove one entry for more space, take the “Rengoerings bensin” away. I have not heard of it. “Kemiskt ren bensin” is usually the correct term.

4. Change ”T-br=E4nsle” to “T-braenlse”. Add “Tenol”.

Switzerland

<olaf@ulaf.uu.ch.fuel> writes........(Dec 1993)

Most supermarkets throughout the country sell kerosene and methanol. White gas is available in chemists and pharmacies (Apotheke, Drogerie), but they might insist on using special bulky glass bottles and will inform you about the danger of the stuff you buy. You better tell them that you know what you're doing and keep a funnel at hand to fill your own fuel bottles outside the shop and return the bottles afterwards. Kerosene and methanol are sold at about twice the price of normal, unleaded gas (bleifrei), whereas white gas sells at about 4 times the price of unleaded.

<Olcbill@aol.com.fuel> writes ............ (Dec 1994)

Two years ago while camping is Switzerland, I discovered that you could go to a pharmacy (Drogerie) in the German/Itilaian sections of Switzerland and ask for Benzin Gereinigt which seemed to be the same a Coleman fuel. You need to have your own fuel bottle as they filled your bottle from a larger container.

<ar@bluewin.ch.fuel> Aischan Rupp writes...(Dec 1996)

Living in the German speaking part of Switzerland, I would like to add some comments to the list. The names are mostly the same in Austria, Germany and the North and Eastern part of Switzerland - they use all the same language (German):

Column 1

"Kerosin": You won't find this in the stores - it's jet fuel

"Petroleum": (or abbreviated Petrol): Used for stoves and laterns. Easy to find in any bigger supermarket or hardware-store (usually in 1 Liter plastic bottles).

"Diesel" (for cars): You find that at most, but not at all gas stations

Column 2

"Bleifreies Benzin" or "Bleifrei": What you get at any gas station. If you want to use such gas for stoves, you should get unleaded gasoline, which is called "Bleifreies Benzin" or simply "Bleifrei". Leaded gas = verbleites Benzin.

Column 3

"Rein-Benzin" (or "Reinbenzin" or "Benzin gereinigt"): White gas (USA). Much cleaner than Bleifrei, and so better for most stoves (e.g. MSR Whisperlite). Costs about 4 times more than Bleifrei. You get that in any pharmacy ("Drogerie").

"Feuerzeugbenzin": Forget it, it's gas for lighters - quantity is small and the price high.

"Wundbenzin": surgical spirit. Too expensive to burn in stoves...

Column 4

"Brennsprit" or "Spiritus": (for stoves like the Trangia). You find that at any bigger store and also in many smaller ones. It's used in spirit burners which are quite common in Swiss kitchens (ever heard about Swiss cheese fondue or Raclette?). Usually sold in 1 Liter plastic bottles. I think the difference to alcohol is just that there's something poisonous added that you can't drink it (and so it's cheaper - less taxes).

Switzerland is a country with 4 official and 3 really used languages (German/French/Italian). Everything sold in stores is always labeled in all three languages. But if it would be useful, I could check the Italian and French names of the fuels.

Thailand

<anuchit@mvlsi.eng.kmitl.ac.th.fuel> writes .....(May 1999)

White gas/Coleman Fuel: also know as "BENZENE KAOW" or "White benzene" available from large stationary stores, under the brand name of "COMFORT(r)" and costs about $US 4 per gallon.

Naphtha: One can also look for bottled cigarette lighter fuel under brand name of "RONSONOL" and costs about $US 0.5 per bottled( 4.5 fl.oZ - 128.5 ml).

Kerosene: "NAUM MAUN GAS" available everywhere in THAILAND. Usually has blue colour and costs about $US 0.5 per liter.

Diesel: "Diesel" avaliable from gas stations.

Alcohol: "Alcohol" available from drug store.

Unleaded gas: "NAUM MAUN REI SARN" available from gas stations.

U.K.

Paraffin available from some garages. Coleman fuel only from some camping stores. If you ask for white spirit, you will be given "Turpentine substitute" ie. paint thinner.

Meths from hardware stores or from any pharmacy at the prescription counter. It has a coloured dye in it.

<QrizB@hotmail.com.fuel> writes …(Aug 2003)

Paraffin, as well as being available from some garages, is widely available from hardware stores and agricultural suppliers, although often only in 4- or 5-litre plastic cans.

Essentially all UK petrol (in common with the rest of the EU) is now unleaded and ultra-low-sulphur. 95-octane "premium" unleaded is the only common UK grade.

Coleman fuel is only found in camping stores and is uncommon even there.

If you were to expand your list to include gas cartridges, you might like to mention that C200 and EN417 threaded cartridges are widely available, while "CV" clip-on ones are less so.

<Niel McRae aka the tilley doctor> writes …(Aug 2006)

U.S.A

<dnewcomb@whale.st.usm.edu.fuel> writes......(Dec 1993)

"Charcoal lighter" is a clean substitute (for Kerosene) and available in any store.

<damouth@wrc.xerox.com.fuel> writes..... (Jan 1995)

Denatured alcohol is almost universally available in the USA, but, you have to look in the right place. A common use is as thinner for Shellac - a common wood finish. So you can find it in paint stores or in the paint section of more generalized hardware or building supply stores. It may be labelled "shellac thinner", but will usually also say "denatured alcohol" or "alcohol stove fuel" in smaller print.

The last alcohol I bought cost $10 for a gallon. As a comparison, Coleman Fuel is about half that price, and unleaded automobile gasoline is currently about $1.10 per gallon.

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes.... (Nov 1999)

Column 4: In the United States and Canada it is available in Hardware stores as denatured alcohol, but if you get into more northern states (ie. they have cold winters) you can use DryGas or gas-line antifreeze which is meths as well and much cheaper than denatured alcohol. Be sure it is gas-line antifreeze, bottles will actually say under the poison instructions that it is meths. In Canada they also sell it as Fondue fuel in grocery stores, but it is much more expensive this way if in smaller bottles.

Venezuela

<jelattkebravo@ucdavis.edu.fuel> (John E Lattke) writes.........(Dec 1996)

Here is my contribution to your fuel FAQ. I'm from Venezuela.

Throughout the country one can obtain "kerosen" (+kerosene, column one) be it in a large supermarket or a small store in a remote area. In small stores one usually has to take your own container. Only once did I have problems with adultered kerosen that caused problems. Once I tried using chopper fuel in my trusty Optimus 111, its called kerosina, worked great!

Regular gasoline,for automotive use, is simply "gasolina", unfortunately it is all leaded.

"Gasolina blanca" is white gasoline, and is what I use for the white gasoline lamps or stuff that needs Coleman Fuel. It is harder to come buy, but one should ask at gasoline stations or if there is a printing shop in the vecinity ask them. It is regularly use for cleaning in such situations. In any case get it while in the big cities or towns as it is unavailable in small towns and rural areas.

Finally methylated spirits is "alcohol para quemar" or "alcohol luz". Not readily obtainable but if you ask around you will eventually get it. Ask for it at drug stores or "farmacias" It is usually sold in its own container but it is a good idea to bring your own as sometimes the container will be a glass bottle with a cork on top.

For those that use camping gasz, the blue fuel canisters are available in the cities and some large towns. Look for them in sporting goods stores or hardware stores (ferreteria). They are expensive and a cheaper, compatible brazilian version may be available. It is also worth asking for camping fuels in hardware stores as they frequently stock stoves and lamps. Hope this is of use for anybody wanting to enjoy Venezuela.

Zimbabwe

<jewitt@aqua.ccwr.ac.za.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

Paraffin at most garages and stores.

Petrol at garages - not reccomended - I'm reluctant to run my car on this stuff!

Benzine at hardware stores - may be difficult to find.

Meths at most hardware stores and chemists and in some other stores.