Benzine

Jvg wrote: Benzene and benzine is not the same.

C6H6 wasn't what I had in mind. Not nice that.

Meanwhile I've found the OK in Winterton to stock benzine on 4 of the last 4 visits. Good pies too.

tim994018 wrote: We found a great outdoors store called Outdoor World on North Rand Road (GPS: -26.1795622455,28.2311072561). A link to a map here:
maps.google.com/maps?q=loc:-26.1795622455%2C28.2311072561 [...] They had lots of options for canister-style fuel,

We are considering using our Trangia alcool stove. According to Trangia, in SA, it should be called Brand spiritus or Methylated spirits. Is it as easier to find than benzine (white gaz)? If so, where? Do you think we can find it at the outdoors store mentionned above?

Methylated spirits (meths) is a purple coloured spirit widely used (mainly as a cleaning agent but sometimes also as a cheap stimulant/alcohol substitute)and readily available in South Africa, in 750 ml (0.75 l) plastic bottles. Brand spiritus is the Afrikaans (a local Southern African language deriving mainly from Nederlands/Dutch) name for meths.

I'm sure the Outdoor World store will have it, but it is also available in most, if not all, hardware stores and supermarkets.

Hi,

Near the Jo'burg airport, it's possible to find Benzine and Methylated spirits at the Eastgate Shopping Centre Checkers, in the home hardware section. There is also an outdoor gear store in this shopping centre : Cape Union Mart.

Benzine available at both Harrismith Pick and Pay and Winterton OK in December 2012. DIY Hardware in Harrismith had sold out. I've been through to the Berg a few times now relying on either Harrismith or Winterton or both for benzine and have been OK every time, so need need, I conclude, to rely on Joburg shops.

Does anyone know where I can buy benzine for my MSR Whisperlight in Johannesburg Sandton area. We´re flying in, so we can´t bring from home.

Erik wrote: Does anyone know where I can buy benzine for my MSR Whisperlight in Johannesburg Sandton area. We´re flying in, so we can´t bring from home.

Any Spar or Pick 'n Pay. I've never had a problem buying it.

In my prime Exploratio years (20 years ago...) we believed in benzine stoves for the Drakensberg and gas stoves were seriously frown upon. I am heading back to the 'berg, but with a gas stove. Is it a myth that gas don't work well at high altitudes or must I reconsider my choice of stove?

Christinejvr wrote: In my prime Exploratio years (20 years ago...) we believed in benzine stoves for the Drakensberg and gas stoves were seriously frown upon. I am heading back to the 'berg, but with a gas stove. Is it a myth that gas don't work well at high altitudes or must I reconsider my choice of stove?

Cold also plays a part. I have both. For a single overnight I use an MSR Pocket Rocket which is a "canister" type stove. In the Berg I've always used my MSR Dragonfly (liquid fuel - with benzine) but it takes a bit more effort to set up and takes up more space. On a long trip (even long kayaking trips at low altitude) I still take the Dragonfly (liquid fuel) with.

Someone on this forum already mentioned canisters and said they weigh a full canister and an empty one. And then also burn a minute worth of fuel from full and measure the weight. Then, by measuring what you currently have you can easily work out how much burn time you effectively have left. Very cool tip. I don't remember who said that but thanks! I always have 2 or 3 canisters and then guess which one to take on a trip based on feel - not a good method

This article sums it up reasonably well and saves a lot of typing:
www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/blog/canister-stoves-vs-liquid-fuel/