Small Camping Trailers

What is safer, a "white gas"/coleman gas or a propane stove to use inside a camping trailer.?

We just bought a small trailer for camping. I mean small. It doesn't have a stove so we need to get a little portable one. Which is safer, propane or gas? Which is the most economical? thanks

Public Comments

1. OK. The gas stoves using coleman fuel, if lit properly, are the same as propane in terms of safety. Propane will be easier to use. I prefer the older gas models but I collect coleman and that's what I like.
2. The propane is probably the better choice to use indoors. The white gas stoves burn very inefficiently until they heat up to operating temperature. They give off a lot of fumes and high flame when you first light them. The propane stoves do cost more to operate, but you don't spill fuel while refilling it. Edit: I stand corrected you should not use either in a confined space without the proper venting.
3. To put it bluntly..... None of them. They all produce carbon monoxide. When used in small enclosed spaces you can quickly be overcome by the carbon monoxide. Over the past 20 some odd years I have responded to many calls where people have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. On a quick foot note if you plan on using the camper in parks that have electrical hook ups you can use an electric heater. They emit no carbon monoxide, and will turn off if they get knocked over. Good Luck
4. I'm with JB! If you read the instructions on these little camp stoves, they will tell you that they are not designed for use in an "enclosed space", including tents or campers (or houses, for that matter). They are for use outdoors in the open air. Trailers that do have a built-in stove also have a chimney properly designed to vent the carbon monoxide. You will need to install a built-in stove correctly, or do your cooking outdoors.
5. If it's a tent trailer or an older model canned ham and there was no stove that came with it, that is a clear signal that YOU DO NOT COOK INSIDE YOUR RIG! there's danger will robinson in carbon monoxide from Colman fuel stoves or propane. For camping economics the liquid fuel stoves are the cheapest. The easiest to use would be the propane. trade offs to both my personal choice is propane as it is on the safer side to use and more gizmo's are made for it as well.
6. Cook nothing inside, unless in extreme circumstances. Not only is this a fire/explosion hazard, but your stuff starts to smell rather tasty to the critters. Critter encounters don't always end with a smile.