Country

Fuel
U.K. Paraffin Petrol Coleman Fuel Methylated Spirit "Meths"
U.S.A & Canada Kerosene Gasoline "Gas" White Gas Naphtha Coleman Fuel Blazo Denatured Alcohol Solvent Alcohol
Argentina (Chile, Boliva, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico) ??? ??? ??? alcohol alcohol pura 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 ???
Borneo Minyak Tanah AVTUR Benzine ??? Spiritos
China meiyou Huo shui qi you ???? ????
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 Valopetroli 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
Netherlands Petroleum Lampen-Olie Benzine Super Loodvrij Normaal 16 Wasbenzine Coleman Fuel Spiritus Brand Spiritus Alcohol
Hungary Petróleum Benzin Olommentes benzin Sebbenzin Tiszta benzin spiritus denaturált szesz
Iceland ??? ??? Hreinsad Benzin Rodsprit
India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan Kerosene Petrol (Gasoline) methylated spirits
Indonesia and Malaysia MINYAK TANAH BENSINE ??? ???
Iran NAFT Benzin ??? ???
Ireland ??? ??? ??? Meths
Israel Neft Delek 91 Delek 96 Unleaded delek Delek lavan ???
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 ??? ???
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 Bensin Renset bensin Heptan Katlyt bensin Rod-Sprit
Philippines kerosene gasoline Coleman fuel denatured alcohol
Poland nafta "benzyna bezolowiowa" benzyna rektyfikowana Denaturat alkohol metylowy
Portugal Petroleo Gasolina sem chumbo Benzina de desengorduramento "Alcool 95%"
ex-USSR (Russia) kerosene benzine ??? Methyl Alcohol (metilovy spirt)
South Africa + Zimbabwe paraffin petrol Benzine Methylated Spirits "Meths"
Spain Parafina Petroleo Keroseno Petroli Gasolina sim plomo Becina, Blanca Solvente Gasolina domestica Benzina pura Alcohol Metilico Alcohol de quemar (Metilico)
Sweden Fotogen T-Gul Taendvaetska Lysfotogen Blyfri bensin Rengoerings bensin Industribensin Kemiskt Ren Bensin Statoil miljø T-Sprit/Roedsprit T-Roed Metanol T-br=E4nsle
Switzerland Petrol Bleifrei Reinbenzin Wundbenzin Brennsprit
Switzerland (German speaking part) Petroleum Bleifrei Reinbenzin Wundbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin Brennsprit
Switzerland (German/Italian speaking part) ??? ??? Benzin Gereinigt ???
Thailand NAUM MAUN GAS NAUM MAUN REI SARN BENZENE KAOW White benzene "COMFORT" Alcohol
Turkey Gazyagi Parafin Kursunsuz benzin White Gas Benzin Ispirto
Venezuela kerosen gasolina Gasolina blanca alcohol para quemar alcohol luz


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:

Notes on White Gasoline

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

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 and 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. 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.??

Notes on Diesel Fuel

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 !

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

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.

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

Benzene refers to the Benzene ring molecule C6H6 (6's should be subscript). This is not a good fuel, and is also nasty stuff . Benzine is the same as white gas.

Other links

Optimus stove fuel information http://www.optimus.se/faq/#fuels Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Africa 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. Paraffin is the most freely available fuel throughout southern Africa. White Spirit/Coleman Fuel is rarely available and then only in specialised 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 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 licquor 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

Australia Most hardware stores sell "Shellite" in one litre 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. 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. "White gas" is also available under the brand name of "Mobilite" and costs about $A5 per litre in small quantities (750ml glass bottles) from hardware stores. Shellite is available in one litre plastic bottles from the larger Woolworths supermarkets in Western Australia. Methylated spirits in Western Australia is available in brown or coulourless plastic bottles in supermarkets and hardware stores. It does not contain the coloured dye typically seen in methylated spirits found in the UK. Unleaded petrol can contain up to 20% ethanol.

Austria "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. Austria uses the same names as Germany 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. 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) * Petroleum (Lampenöl for lanterns only, it is less smelly and often coloured. I am not sure if it works well with stoves [This is paraffin!]) * 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 BTW: in Belgium (Dutch speaking part of Vlaanderen) the list for Holland can be used.

Borneo Borneo Fuel Names also applies to Sumatera and Indonesia generaly. 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.

China 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.

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

Denmark

Egypt

Fiji

Finland Valopetroli, bensiini and sprii are generic names, Sinol and Marinol are brand names, but also in common use. 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. Besides the listed choices, "Lampyoljy" (lamp oil) has always worked fine. 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.

France 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. 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 ! ("Essence normale" is leaded petrol/gasoline.) Some people have reported success using "Petrole Desaromatisee" in place of "Essence C" or Coleman fuel. This can be found in some supermarkets.

Germany

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

Greece 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 The names for the fuels in Greenland is the same as in Denmark, that is Petroleum, Benzin, Rensebenzin, Ethanol is normally called "Denatureret Sprit"

Netherlands 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. "Super" = high octane, "Loodvrij"= unleaded. Wasbenzine, Colman fluel, both well known The name 'coleman fuel' or 'coleman brandstof' is commonly used in the Netherlands. It is sold in all outdoor equipment stores and in some recreational stores ('kampeerwinkels').

Hungary Kerosene = petroleum Diesel = gázolaj Gasoline = benzin Coleman fuel = tiszta benzin, or sebbenzin Jet fuel = kerozin

Iceland

India/Bhutan/Nepal/Pakistan 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. White Gas is possibly unavailable

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

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

Japan 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 Paraffin/Kerosene is available everywhere in Kenya, because its what they use for lighting charcoal cooking fires. Unleaded gas is pretty much unobtainable.

Malaysia and Singapore 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 Localy Kerosene is illegaly used as a cheap substitute for Diesel in diesel engines of over 3l. capacity in a ratio of 40% ker & 60% diesel. With this mixture Diesel engines work very well with only a slight reduction in output power & sadly a high polution exhaust emission.

Mexico

New Zealand

Norway 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). 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. 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 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. Ordinary kerosene is widely available, and thousends 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.

Philippines 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


USA

Poland
Kerosene 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.

Portugal

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

Spain Unleaded petrol/gas is "Sin plomo" Meths: in the northern part it can be found in pharmacies, but in the south, shops sell it as a camping fuel.

Sweden 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.) 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>. Butane cartridges 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>. 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. 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.

Switzerland 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. The names are mostly the same in Austria, Germany and the North and Eastern part of Switzerland - they use all the same language (German): "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 "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. "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... "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 White gas/Coleman Fuel: also know as "BENZENE KAOW" or "White benzene" available from large stationary stores, under the brand name of "COMFORT(r)" Naphtha: One can also look for bottled cigarette lighter fuel under brand name of "RONSONOL" Kerosene: "NAUM MAUN GAS" available everywhere in THAILAND. Usually has blue colour 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, 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 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. 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.

U.S.A "Charcoal lighter" is a clean substitute for Kerosene and available in many stores. Denatured alcohol is available in most hardware stores but if you get into more northern states (ie. they have cold winters) you can use DryGas or gas-line antifreeze (HEET in yellow bottles from most gas stations) 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 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. 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 Paraffin at most garages and stores. Petrol at garages - not reccomended - Benzine at hardware stores - may be difficult to find. Meths at most hardware stores and chemists and in some other stores.