Plan your fuel
Enter your trip details.
What this solves
Most NZ backcountry huts have gas stoves (often at the hut), but for off-track or remote camping, you bring your own. Standard wisdom says "1 kg of gas per week" but that's a rough rule that doesn't account for altitude or temperature. A 100 g canister will boil 30 cups of water at sea level in summer, but only 15 at 1,500 m in winter.
This tool computes the exact fuel mass for your trip based on meals, drinks, altitude and temperature, then recommends canister size or multi-fuel quantity.
How to read the result
- Fuel required (g) is the total weight of gas, or mL of white gas.
- Suggested canister is the standard NZMS Camping / Kathmandu / Bivouac canister size to buy.
- Multi-fuel is in mL because MSR / Primus bottles are sold by volume.
Limitations
- Assumes a typical 0.5 L boil (one cup of water) for each hot meal or drink. Real per-meal cost varies.
- Wind is not modelled — a real 20 km/h headwind can double fuel consumption.
FAQ
Q: Can I fly with a gas canister?
A: No — pressurised gas canisters are prohibited in cabin and checked baggage. Buy in NZ.
A: No — pressurised gas canisters are prohibited in cabin and checked baggage. Buy in NZ.
Q: Is white gas better than canister gas?
A: White gas works at altitude and in cold where canister gas struggles; but it's smelly and spillable. Most trampers use canister gas on NZ tracks.
A: White gas works at altitude and in cold where canister gas struggles; but it's smelly and spillable. Most trampers use canister gas on NZ tracks.
Q: Can I refill a canister in NZ?
A: Not easily. Some outdoor shops offer refill services; expect 50–70% the cost of new.
A: Not easily. Some outdoor shops offer refill services; expect 50–70% the cost of new.
Sources
- MSR / Jetboil / Primus published boil-time vs. temperature charts
- Bivouac Outdoor NZ — current canister sizes and prices