For campers who have no experience with dual fuel products, their use can seem a little daunting, fiddly and perhaps even dangerous when compared to conventional gas stoves and lanterns.
We spoke to our Coleman representative Darren to get answers to the most common questions asked by customers regarding their Dual Fuel range.
What is meant by Dual Fuel?
Dual Fuel means the product can be powered by either unleaded petrol from the service station or shellite. Shellite, a cleaner burning fuel, extends the life of the generator, while Colemans own shellite fuel contains a rust inhibitor and has a longer shelf life.
Are they safe?
Yes – absolutely. As with any product utilising flammable liquids, there are correct usage procedures, but by following these you can be assured that Coleman Dual Fuel products are safe.
Do they smell?
No. The only smell you will notice will be when you are filling the fuel tank. In use, the Coleman Dual Fuel products do not emit smelly fumes.
Are they expensive to run?
No. The Powerhouse stove will burn for up to two hours on a 1700ml tank, while the Northstar lantern will run for up to 14 hours on a 950ml tank.
Assuming petrol costs you $1.30 per litre, the running costs are about $1.10 per hour for the stove and less than 10 cents per hour for the lantern.
How bright are the lanterns?
Coleman Powerhouse and Northstar lanterns both emit an adjustable warm light of 861 and 1138 lumens respectively. They are a versatile and natural feeling light for your campsite.
How hot are the stoves?
The Coleman Powerhouse stove has two burners with a total adjustable heat of 17000 BTU (British Thermal Units), plenty of heat, while the Sportster stove has an adjustable output of 10,500 BTU from one burner.
What can go wrong?
After extended use impurities in the fuel can block the generator, however these usually clear the next time the appliance is used and the issue is generally avoided by using clean fuel.
Over time, seals within the pump may need replacing, and as with all stoves, you will need to carry spare mantles. Snowys carries all the spares you need including replacement generators and mantles to keep your Dual Fuel appliance in tip top shape.
What are the benefits over conventional gas appliances?
Primarily, Coleman Dual Fuel appliances are inexpensive to run, fuel levels are easy to monitor, and you won’t need to carry bulky pressurised LPG gas bottles. They are also very reliable and operate efficiently in cold weather.
Coleman Dual Fuel appliances enable you to have a gas free camp kit, and it is not uncommon to hear stories of them providing reliable service for 15+ years.
Still got questions? Let us know in the comments section below.
Trekker, surfer, climber, mountain biker, runner, camper. Participator in most things… master of none.
Hello, I notice you guys no longer carry these – have they been discontinued?
Hi there Alexander! There are rumours to suggest this is true, but we can’t confirm either way. We hope they stay on the market!
Hello, I notice you guys no longer carry these – have they been discontinued?
Hi Al! There are rumours to suggest this is true, but we can’t confirm either way. We hope they stay on the market!
Hi Guys
I have watched a few of your podcasts over the last few weeks.
And as I am just getting back into camping I went look in the shed for my old camping gear I found and my Coleman kerosene lamp. Looking on the bottom of the tank it is stamped 3/80. My question is can it run on Shellite or just Kerosene only ?
Thanks Mike S
Hi there Mike,
Apologies for the delayed response. We’re not too sure, but it’s more than likely that your lamp will only run on Kerosene, as Shellite is more refined and cleaner burning. For this reason, you may experience dangerous flare ups – but we can’t be sure, and it could be dangerous trying. The stamp you’re referring to might also be a manufacturing date, rather than a lantern model – if you know the model number, you may be able to find an old manual online?
Hope this helps – good luck!
15+ yrs? Jeez I’ve been using my Coleman NorthStar Duel fuel lantern for about 18yrs already – and it’s still as good as the day I bought it! VERY bright, always reliable. Just gave it a clean, tidy up and a light spray of Coleman paint and it looks as good as pristine! In 18yrs only ever replaced the pump (yesterday), the glass (I dropped it on concrete once!), mantles and a couple of AA batteries for the Piezo electronic starter.
It’s a lantern with soul that you just don’t get from these cheap MadeInChina ‘disposable’ LED junky lanterns!
Gasoline lanterns and stoves were huge in the USA when we were camping there. I thought it was old technology but I was impressed with the light output from our gasoline lantern and the fact I didn’t have to refill it once in a week of camping!
Hi Alex, liquid fuel stoves and lanterns are becoming less popular with advancing LED technologies nowdays. I think the technology will always exist though because with just a little bit of maintenance, you get a lifetime of reliable use from them.