rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Jul 1, 2020 18:19:18 GMT -8
In NE Wyoming, my quick survey of the retailers stock for isobutane canisters in the 8 0z.is good. And the retail price is back to near normal. the half size is only a dollar a canister less. There is an oversupply of the "extra" winter grade that is 2X price of the regular isobutane? And I am seeing folks that should know better headed out to our local above 7500' mountains with Coleman almost straight butane mix from the Walmart's. It will burn but the efficiency sucks.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 4, 2020 7:54:46 GMT -8
Seattle-area REIs reported that they have a supply problem for the iso-bu cans, and they were out. My alky stove is looking better all the time, though I have enough partial canisters left for the weekend trips.
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Jul 4, 2020 8:30:22 GMT -8
Seattle-area REIs reported that they have a supply problem for the iso-bu cans, and they were out. My alky stove is looking better all the time, though I have enough partial canisters left for the weekend trips. Yeah, I've got three or four partial canisters, but no one (or maybe even two) of them will be enough for the trip I have planned with my son in a few weeks. (I usually save them for car camping and overnighters.)
I'm going to check my local shop on Monday. My primary stove can burn canisters or liquid fuel (white gas), but I *hate* dealing with white gas--I haven't done it in years..
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 4, 2020 11:42:15 GMT -8
cweston, I got rid of my white gas stoves a while ago, and wouldn’t want to carry that extra pound or two anyway, so it’s either cans or alcohol. Alcohol is a bit lighter for shorter trips, anyway, but requires more attention for lighting, etc., so I’m kind of leaning toward the canisters. But I can live either way.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 4, 2020 14:25:33 GMT -8
As the inevitable fire restrictions spread ever wider and earlier in the season valveless alcohol becomes more of a problem. At 3 ozs plus canister, my MSR Pocket Rocket is great, but at 14 ozs plus fuel bottle a Dragonfly is my other option. And the whole partial filled canister issue goes away.
This canister supply oddness is a puzzler. I guess for car camping it’s time to drag out my propane Coleman 2 burner, or my Dragonfly and save the canisters for backpacks.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 4, 2020 15:45:57 GMT -8
This canister supply oddness is a puzzler. I kind of got the impression that, at least for REI's supply, they have a pretty narrow pipeline, like one or two suppliers? When they went to reduced operations, it reduced supplies, and now everyone is gearing up, so... |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 4, 2020 16:22:50 GMT -8
^this^ makes sense. I’ve heard that with reduced demand a lot of manufacturers, such as Campbell’s soup etc. have reduced their selections across their product line to focus on the most popular. If the isobutane canisters are a side business for the manufacturer I could see it getting triaged in favor of a bigger seller.
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Jul 6, 2020 9:01:52 GMT -8
I visited my local shop this morning--they were very well stocked w/ canisters. To be fair, they're a very small operation, so possibly not indicative of anything.
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biffnix
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Post by biffnix on Jul 7, 2020 11:44:17 GMT -8
Perhaps it's just an REI thing? Inyo and Mono county stores don't have a butane canister supply problem. Tons at Eastside Sports in Bishop, and at Mammoth Mountaineering in Mammoth Lakes. No shortage in *this* part of California, anyway...
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 7, 2020 14:07:56 GMT -8
Perhaps it's just an REI thing? I think you're right. Available everywhere here locally except REI. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 7, 2020 18:20:04 GMT -8
Makes sense that it would be just REI... maybe. That would suggest it’s not a factory problem (since they carry common brands) but their supplier who has been working at reduced capacity. That’s good to hear, though. I’ll check out local shops in the next couple of days and see.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 10, 2020 19:14:04 GMT -8
I took this thread to heart and ran over to my local (non-REI) outfitter today. They only recently reopened are still restocking. They had been completely cleaned out before the lockdown, but now have plenty of MSR and Jetboil isobutane on hand, along with a reasonable selection of Mountain House meals. I got enough fuel for my next trip (including the road trip before and after) and a few freeze-dried meals.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Jul 10, 2020 22:13:49 GMT -8
The End is Nigh!! Pssst! Buy canned fuel!
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 11, 2020 5:27:40 GMT -8
I went into REI yesterday - still no isobutane canisters. I went next door to Sportsamn's Warehouse and bought 4 qty 110g MSR canisters. They had plenty.
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Jul 11, 2020 9:42:23 GMT -8
I called Sylvan Peak in Red Lodge. They have a good supply.
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