Gas cooking in Africa

**moppie1** · #1 24 Aug 2001

One question that I hope will give some good answers and discussions.

GAS COOKING IN AFRICA !!!

While we are preparing to leave for Africa in two months from now I received copy of a trip iternary by some Aussies, saying that they have been cooking all the way up from South Africa to Sudan.

They were carying 2 cylinders which lasted them about one month. Gas was readily available for filling in case one was empty.

Unfortunately the story did not give much more details (apart from special adaptor for filling in SA, very handy) and I have not yet established their home address.

Questions are; who has similar experience (east Africa route), I assume that filling up most like will be done in camping grounds (or they will forward you to the right address), what about costs compared to fuel and what other experiences do you have.

Everything is more then welcome and really appreciated!

Safe travels!

Jan.

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**Grant Johnson** · #2 28 Aug 2001

Hi,

To help with this one, first are oyu travelling by bike or 4 wheels? Then there is the question of what you mean by "gas"??

In the compressed fuels category:

Propane, butane, and one or two others I can't think of off-hand...

In the liquid fuel category:

petrol, gasoline, white gas, naptha, spirits, kerosene

Cylinders: what size??

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**moppie1** · #3 29 Aug 2001

Xcuse me, you are absolutely right.

I meant the compressed kind of course, the one that comes in either blue or orange cylinders with various sizes. This could either be butane or propane.

Size of cylinders is to be read as gas-content (in kg's).

Hope this helps!

Thanks, Jan.

**peterkik** · #4 29 Aug 2001

As far as I know (and have seen) those reloadable cilinders (butane, if im not mistaking)are used everwhere throughout Africa. Dont confuse them with the lighter ones you can only use ones and have to throw away after use (propane?).I never used them because they are to heavy te carry on a bike but when you are with a car that wont be a problem.

**moppie1** · #5 4 Sep 2001

I have copied the following information from an article I got from a friend who got it from a friend, etc. At least the authors names were mentioned at the end (if you would like to receive a copy this very, very clear and comprehensive article, let me know).

We are still in the process upon deciding what heat source to bring for cooking (we are travelling with a car so the weight is not the biggest problem). This information will be very helpfull in case we decide for this kind of fuel.

Source: Geoff, Kienny and Su-lin Kingsmill (gkingsmill@yahoo.com)

Gas Stove:
We used a gas stove for cooking. Gas was readily available and can be filled all through Africa. We carried two 2kg cylinders so that when one ran out we had another full cylinder available. A 2kg cylinder lasted at least two weeks during heavy usage. Southern and Eastern Africa use the CADAC cylinder fitting which is a Right Hand Thread 3/8 BSP Female Fitting. If you intend taking your gas bottle to Africa then I recommend that you obtain an adaptor from a specialised gas dealer. Western Africa uses the standard Camping Gas fitting. CADAC in South Africa (fax 27-11-4742985) make an adaptor fitting part number CAD080 to go from a CADAC fitting to a Camping Gas fitting.

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Today I have contacted Campingaz.com to get more information about the distribution of especially Butane gas. Let's see what they come up with. Any reply is more then welcome.

[This message has been edited by moppie1 (edited 03 September 2001).]