12 Butane canisters vs. 1 MAPP cylinder - which lasts longer?

Canugghead

Played with my new butane torch, not on SV food yet, but boy did it ignite the lump instantly.  Now I have some idea of why all the rave and praise on MAPP torch.

Back to my first ignition experiment ... after starting instant sparks in three spots I didn't want to 'enlarge' them with the butane torch, due to the short nozzle and uncertainty about how long the canister lasts, instead I used the Looftlighter to spread the fire. This partnership works real well because the Looftlighter spends most time getting the spark started and the torch takes care of that instantly; I wonder if a hair dryer should also work since no intense heat is required to start the sparks.

I always wanted a MAPP torch as well, but now I'm thinking ... I can get about 12 butane canisters for the price of 1 small MAPP cylinder, which will lasts longer? Oh, I also have a stash of butane canisters from my table-top hot pot days. If the numbers are right, I don't need to spend $ on MAPP torch, heck I can even sell my Looftlighter before it quits. What do you think?

Carolina Q

Canugghead said:

 ... I can get about 12 butane canisters for the price of 1 small MAPP cylinder, 

Where? One 5 oz butane at home depot is $5, 14 oz MAPP is $10. Plus, MAPP puts out a relatively large flame and the butane is a pencil. Great for creme brulée, but...  Might be a hotter flame with butane though.

fishlessman

ive never made it to the bottom of a mapp cylinder before setting the torch head on fire......the world may never know. im on 11 years with a harborfreight weedburner attached to a 40 pound pig though
)

Canugghead

Michael, in my neck of the woods, MAPP cylinder is around $12-$14 (guessing) at HD or Lowes, whereas an 8 oz butane like the one in my photo are widely available at Asian grocers around $4.99 (sometime even cheaper when on sale) for pack of four!  Butane flame size is perfect for SV food and not an issue with lump lighting since my plan is to spread the flame with Looftlighter or hair dryer. Like I said, the butane started the spark instantly.

Carolina Q

Go for it then! I have no idea how long a MAPP tank lasts. I have been through several since I first bought the torch maybe 3-4 years ago. 

nolaegghead

Screw propane and MAP gas, get propane.

Canugghead

nolaegghead said:

Screw propane and MAP gas, get propane.

nola, I think you meant screw butane and MAP?  I heard propane is not ideal in sub-zero GWN temp, no?

Canugghead

fishless, sorry to expose your skeleton in the closet

nolaegghead

Canugghead said:

nolaegghead said:

Screw propane and MAP gas, get propane.

nola, I think you meant screw butane and MAP?  I heard propane is not ideal in sub-zero GWN temp, no?

Yeah, I screwed myself on that one.  Propane has more pressure than butane (that's why they use butane in plastic disposable lighters).  Keep your propane (or whatever you use) tank in the house (somewhere warm) during cold season when you're not using it.

see graph

Chef Charles

@Canugghead

I use the propane canisters with my weedburner and had no problems even on the coldest of days.  Mind you, I keep both the canister and burner inside rather than exposing them to the cold.

Tom

 

fishlessman

Canugghead said:

nolaegghead said:

Screw propane and MAP gas, get propane.

nola, I think you meant screw butane and MAP?  I heard propane is not ideal in sub-zero GWN temp, no?

the small tanks ice up on you, the larger tanks work fine though. even with the small tanks theres enough propane pressure when cold to light an egg if the tank is over half full, ive even seen them on the new propane ice augers, the biggest problem with the propane is that some of the torches dont work upsidedown

Carolina Q

can you use a MAPP torch on a propane tank? I understand you can't use a propane torch on a MAPP tank, but wondered about the reverse.

nolaegghead

I don't have the upside down problem because my tank never goes upside down.

Canugghead

sorry nola, your chart's co-efficients stuff (need a lesson from LS) is way over my head

in my simple mind

higher pressure => higher discharge velocity => faster frost up of equipment

i have no problem storing an 8 oz butane indoor, but not sure about a propane tank 

">

nolaegghead

I buy 1 pound disposable propane tanks for lighting the egg.  They're cheap and safe to store indoor.

Canugghead

you run that manburner off a one pounder? when you're done do you release the propane trapped in that 6-foot(?) orange hose into thin air how long does the one pounder last?

robnybbq

I bought a MAPP torch day one with my Egg.  It is going on 2+ years on the first tank.

My friend has the other ceramic grill and just finished his first mapp swap after 3 years.

caliking

Canugghead said:

you run that manburner off a one pounder? when you're done do you release the propane trapped in that 6-foot(?) orange hose into thin air how long does the one pounder last?

I wonder about this too. Tired of lugging the big propane tank and weed burner around all the time since I don't like leaving the weedburner tubing exposed to the elements. Do you need an adapter to hook up the little propane bottles to the weedburner?

nolaegghead

@caliking @Canugghead

That particular torch is designed to work with the disposable bottles.  I don't purge the line - I just shut off both valves and I only disconnect the tank to replace it.  The pressure in the line stays until I use it again (no leaks).  I suppose you could purge it but that's just polluting.

I'll shot a pic of it in use when I get home.

paqman

I pay 2.25$ for a butane cannister at my local restaurant supply store. It is even cheaper when buying a whole 12 cannister pack. I think the labeled price is 2.84$. I use quite a few every year because I also use them in portable stove top.

Canugghead

@nolaegghead thanks for the update, no rush for the picture.

@paqman are you in Northern Ontario?  In GTA the highest price I've seen at Asian stores is $5.99 for pack of four.  $4.99, occasionally $3.99, is more common.  Stock up next time you visit!

nolaegghead

ta-da

Canugghead

@robnybbq - what size tank?  Carolina Q went through several in 3-4 years.  Perhaps I'm comparing tank to cylinder, or is it YMMV 

Canugghead

nolaegghead said:

ta-da

looks cool, thanks!!

btw, couldn't help noticing ...

1) holy smoke, alarm system plus three deadbolts with reinforced door edge. are the hinges reinforced with 3-4" screws that go into the stud? it's as strong as the weakest link

2) what's the wattage of that light bulb, never seen one with so many spirals!

Carolina Q

Canugghead said:

@robnybbq - what size tank?  Carolina Q went through several in 3-4 years.  Perhaps I'm comparing tank to cylinder, or is it YMMV 

I think I got two of those fat boy canisters when I started with MAPP. After that, I had to buy the skinny 14oz ones after that cuz i couldn't find the fat ones. Not really sure, but I think I've bought 3-4 of them. Since sometime in 2010.

caliking

Nola - I have a different torch/ weedburner that only hooks up to the big tanks. It works great, its just somewhat cumbersome.

paqman

Canugghead said:

@nolaegghead thanks for the update, no rush for the picture.

@paqman are you in Northern Ontario?  In GTA the highest price I've seen at Asian stores is $5.99 for pack of four.  $4.99, occasionally $3.99, is more common.  Stock up next time you visit!

@Canugghead‌ I am in Ottawa. Do you mean to say 5.99$ for each cannister or 5.99$ for 4 cannister (1.50$ per unit)?

Canugghead

@pagman $5.99 for 4x 8 oz canisters, $1.50 each, and that's on the 'high' side!  Have you tried Asian grocers in Ottawa?

chashans

It might be a good idea to check with your local fire marshal regarding the safety of stowing propane canisters inside your house. Just a thought. 

td66snrf

@Carolina Q said:

can you use a MAPP torch on a propane tank? I understand you can't use a propane torch on a MAPP tank, but wondered about the reverse.

You can use a propane tank on a mapp torch but you can't use mapp tank on a propane torch.

nolaegghead

td66snrf said:

@Carolina Q said:

can you use a MAPP torch on a propane tank? I understand you can't use a propane torch on a MAPP tank, but wondered about the reverse.

You can use a propane tank on a mapp torch but you can't use mapp tank on a propane torch.

Y'all crazy.   Is there such a thing as a "MAPP" torch?  I've been using MAPP tanks on propane torches for 20 years.  There's an adjustment to the air fuel ratio.