gas availability in west africa? - Horizons Unlimited

**Huey** · #1 9 Jul 2003

can anyone advise on the availability of gas (for cooking) in western africa?
am considering a 4.5 kg gas bottle and burner with perhaps a multi-fuel stove for back up . . . am I likely to find places to trade my bottle for a full one? propane or butane?
thanks!
Huey

**Toby2** · #2 9 Jul 2003

Only problem with gas in africa is as you move between countries, they all use the gas bottles but with different fittings. So even if you buy one down there, you find its worthless in the next country. It is really difficult trying to find the adapters to allow them to connect up.

**nickt** · #3 12 Jul 2003

Hi,
I agree with Toby - I've seen plenty of gas but the fittings never fit! I carry some MSR isobutane with me normally, then switch to an MSR Dragonfly multifuel when the gas runs out. Even though they run on just about anything, I take a 5l jerry full of Coleman fuel just for the stove. Lasts bloody ages.

Nick.

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**ctc** · #4 15 Jul 2003

I agree with the above comments a gas bottle will be a hassle in North Africa unless the bottle you carry is enough for your whole trip.

The MSR and Primus multifuel stoves are great but they do take some punishment with all the sand and grit about. Its worth being anal about storing them in plastic bags and also making some sort of base to stand them on to keep them out of the sand.

It is also worth running them on coleman fuel as this is cleaner than anything else.

Also take some spare jets with you you can buy these separately. After seven months on the go mine started to clog up which can be very frustrating. I'd also take a wire grill tray or pot stand so you can BBQ sometimes.

**ChrisC** · #5 26 Sep 2003

Hi Huey

we purchased a Shell bottle in Kenya, after our camping gaz ran out, and thereafter had no problems in getting it re-filled.

Happy travels

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ChrisC

**Chris Scott** · #6 28 Sep 2003

I bought 2 of the green 'football' sized bottles in Tunisia (one with the fitting) and found they last at least a month cooking for up to 8, probably more if you use a volcano to boil water.
They were cheap to buy and a quid to refill. I agree trying to get refills in other countries is hit and miss.

Ch

**Robbert** · #7 17 Oct 2003

We're on the road now with a 5 (4.5?) kg bottle and we hope it 'll last the trip (7 months) or can refill somewhere in W-Afrika.

anybody expirience with this?

**cedar** · #8 4 Nov 2003

In French West Africa they use Total Gas which is in spheres, in Ghana they refill gas containers from the back of the gas truck or in the depot. When we ran out, three rocks and a hand full of twigs will make 2 cups of tea in minutes. Also take a thermos, use breakfast fire to boil water for elevensis

happy travels

Bruce

**Robbert** · #9 29 Nov 2003

We've been using a 12l (5kg) bottle as sold in Belgium. Cooking a lot, it took us 2 months to empty it. We refilled it in Bamako (took 30 mins). It could as well be refilled in Mauritania (in Noudhibou, or from trucks you'll find in settlements along the tarred roads.

Other travelers went more then 2 months on 3kg