How long does a butane canister last? How to estimate it and tips for saving gas

On a picnic, at a hotpot meal or a tabletop barbecue, the most common question is: how long does a butane canister last, and how many should you bring? The answer depends on the stove’s output and how you set the flame. This article shows you how to estimate it yourself, explains why mini gas canisters weaken in cold weather and shares a few tips for economical, safe use.

How much gas does a mini gas canister hold?

Common mini gas canisters hold around 220 – 250g of gas; there are also smaller ones, such as 120g canisters for blowtorches and small stoves. The gas inside is mainly butane — see What is LPG? to learn more about butane and propane. The gas weight is printed on the canister.

How to work out how long a mini gas canister lasts

Portable gas stoves usually state their output (kW) or gas consumption (g/h) on the stove body, the box or the instruction manual.

1. Find the gas consumption per hour at full flame (g/h). If only the output is given, you can estimate roughly 1 kW as equivalent to 70 – 80 g of gas per hour.
2. Divide the gas weight in the canister by the consumption per hour.

Illustrative example: a stove that uses about 170 g/h at full flame will run a 250g canister for about 1.5 hours if kept on full flame continuously. When cooking hotpot, most of the time only a medium or low flame is needed to keep it simmering, so one canister usually lasts considerably longer. This is an estimate; actual time depends on the stove, the pot, wind and the ambient temperature.

Why does a mini gas canister weaken in cold weather or after long use?

Butane vaporises poorly at low temperatures. In cold weather, or when used continuously on full flame, the canister cools down, the pressure drops and the flame gradually weakens even though there is still gas inside. Safe ways to deal with this:

• Turn the flame down and let the canister “rest” for a while to return to ambient temperature.
• Switch to a new canister and use the old one again later.
• Never warm the canister over a flame, put it in hot water or place it near a heat source.

See other causes in our article on causes of a weak gas stove flame.

Tips for saving gas with mini gas canisters

• Shield from the wind when cooking outdoors; wind carries heat away very quickly.
• Cover the pot and turn down to a low flame once it boils.
• Use a pot that fits the stove: a pot that is too large, with its base extending beyond the pan support, wastes gas and reflects heat into the canister compartment — which is very dangerous.
• Bring a spare canister for long gatherings.

Safety notes when using mini gas canisters

• Fit the canister into the correct slot and the right way round as instructed by the stove; if you hear hissing or smell gas, remove it and check.
• Do not use a grill plate, stone slab or pot that covers the whole top of the stove.
• Remove the canister from the stove after use and store it in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place out of the sun.

Read the full guide in how to use a portable gas stove safely.

Frequently asked questions

Written by the VietnhatGas technical and sales team — a batch manufacturer of LPG cylinders. This content is for reference; regulations and standards may change, so please check the current texts.