Cold weather is where these two separate.
Verdict
Propane keeps working in the cold, where butane loses pressure and eventually stops vaporising, which is precisely when you most need to cook. Butane canisters are neater, cheaper and the stoves are more compact. Choose propane for winter and for storage; choose butane for compact convenience in mild conditions. Neither is safe indoors without real ventilation.
~$90
Check Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove Price| Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove | Gas One Portable Butane Stove | |
|---|---|---|
| Works below freezing | Yes | Poorly, then not at all |
| Fuel shelf life | Years | Years |
| Canister size | Larger | Compact |
| Stove size | Larger, two burners | Single burner |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Safe indoors | No | No |
You are preparing for winter outages. Butane's vapour pressure falls with temperature and it becomes unreliable near freezing, which makes it the wrong fuel for exactly the scenario most people are preparing for.
Check Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove on Amazon
You want something that stores in a drawer for occasional use in mild weather. Butane stoves are compact, cheap and perfectly good above about ten degrees Celsius.
Check Gas One Portable Butane Stove on Amazon
No. Both produce carbon monoxide, which is odourless and kills people every winter, and both consume oxygen from the room. Cook outdoors, or in a genuinely ventilated space such as an open garage doorway with a CO alarm present.
Cool, dry, upright and away from living space. Not in direct sun and not in a car in summer. Check for corrosion around the seams before use.
Cooking outdoors, whatever the fuel. If that is impossible, a flameless ration heater or food that needs no cooking is a far better answer than bringing combustion inside.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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For informational purposes only. Follow guidance from FEMA and local authorities.