Engine Fuel Jan 2018 Test: Which Brand Wins?
In our Jan 2018 test we compared 2 engine fuel options head to head. Gasoline came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Gasoline
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Coleman Camp Fuel
Price shown in test: around $10 per can
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The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“however it's not recommended to use in a gas engine mainly because it has a lower octane rating and there is a risk of having an engine that pings or knocks spark knocks and that of course will cause significant engine issues in the long run”
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
All measurements (7 more)+
Chemical composition, safety data sheet
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gas100 percent
light hydrotreated distillate, made up of cyclohexane, nonane, octane, heptane, and pentane
- 2Gasolinenot tested
Physical properties
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gas
boiling point 38 degrees Celsius, about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, flash point negative 18 Celsius, about 0 degrees Fahrenheit
- 2Gasolinenot tested
Small engine brake load test
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gas
engine brake was disconnected to apply a heavy load and listen for knock or ping indicating too low an octane rating, the specific pass or fail outcome of this test is not stated in the available transcript
- 2Gasolinenot tested
Generator test, Harbor Freight 4,000 watt generator under two 1,500 watt space heaters
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gas
run after gasoline to see if it could keep up with gasoline on performance, specific measured results are not stated in the available transcript
- 2Gasolinenot tested
Overall assessment
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gas
described by the host as the best alternative to gasoline among similar products he has tested, burns extremely well, has a very long shelf life, and has qualities very similar to gasoline
- 2Gasolinenot tested
Generator test baseline
- 2Gasoline
run first in the generator before switching to Coleman fuel for comparison
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gasnot tested
Octane and knock risk comparison
- 2Gasoline
preferred over Coleman fuel for regular use because of its higher octane rating and lower risk of engine ping or spark knock
- 1Coleman Camp Fuel white gasnot tested
How it was tested
- safety data sheet chemical composition review
- small engine brake load test listening for knock or ping
- generator performance test under a heavy space heater load, gasoline then Coleman fuel
“however it's not recommended to use in a gas engine mainly because it has a lower octane rating and there is a risk of having an engine that pings or knocks spark knocks and that of course will cause significant engine issues in the long run”
More Fuel & Additives
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Sta-Bil
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Which Gasoline Octane Grade Brand Wins?
87 Octane
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