Camper propane for outdoor stove?

I’m picking up my new Hawk in 2 weeks and was wondering...

If I want to cook outside, can I use the onboard propane to cook with?

I assume through some combination of hoses and adaptors it’s possible, but would it be worth it (to save on carrying a small propane or butane tank for an outdoor stove)

Thanks!

The short answer is yes. The specifics depend on what outdoor stove you have. I have both an old Coleman and even older Century two burner camp stove. They are both high pressure stoves. Basically that means they don’t require a separate regulator to run off a bulk propane tank. If your stove will run on the little green 1lb canisters it should take a bulk tank.

Either way, the hose assemblies to connect direct to tank and appliance; and related parts if needed, are readily available at most hardware and sporting goods stores, or online I’d assume. The one hiccup is how the tank is mounted in the Hawk from a convenance standpoint. My Grandby is old and undoing the tank to take out is a bit of hassle. Long hoses are available so you can leave your tank in, but you may have to hunt a bit to find one. My camping partner of days past had one that was like 15ft long he used with the tank in place in his old Keystone. He got it from the local Propane Dealer.

The hoses aren’t a bunch of money. To answer the question “Is it worth it?” would depend on how much you think you’ll do it. For me, I have a smaller bulk tank I use if I’m planning a longer trip. It makes sense for me because it’s also what I use with my rafting camp gear. It fits comfortably in my dry box.

Good luck

Edited by LuckyDan, 01 August 2020 - 07:03 AM.

I installed a fitting in my propane tank compartment, attached to camper connect hose. I use a hose , attach it to the fitting and then to the item that needs the propane, lantern, or stove. I purchased Mr. Heater brand hoses. They come in several lenghts.

We have a small Coleman and take 3-4 small propane bottles. I use the grill away from the camper, either the table that is on my trailer or a campsite picnic table. I have never considered using the on board. As others have said you can add a splitter. Good Luck and have fun with your new camper.

On the newer campers with 2 10lb tanks it’s easy to take one out to use.
Many places sell hoses to go from the tank to a disposable bottle connection.

What I have found, in colder weather, 30’s. The tank works much better due to the larger surface area for the gas to boil off. The 1lb disposable bottles tend to lose a lot of gas pressure and your stove doesn’t work as well.

I do try to have a couple 1 lb bottles with me for when I accidentally run out on both tanks. I have had several 1lb bottles leak when I remove them from my stove. Ymmv

If you decide to carry one pound bottles get some of the brass caps(amazon) to seal them as they are prone to leaking. I've had them leak enough to trip the propane alarm in the camper and had one just last weekend that leaked severely when i remove the stove hose assembly.  

I use mine all the time. Why clutter things up with the small cylinders?

 

As stated above 10lb tanks are easy to maneuver. It needs a hose, for attachment directly to your stove, like this:

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Check out thumbnail pic’s 5 & 6.

Edited by Stokeme, 01 August 2020 - 10:42 PM.

Beach has a good idea.

Here is the link for many choices    Brass Cap

 

I have never experienced a leaking bottle in the 55 years I have been using one, still I   will buy 2 of them for when I use part of a bottle in my stove or barbecue.

 

Speaking of propane stove regulators. We have Coleman. Quality is still good...well the stove works great. The new ones (we bought ours in 2012) use a regulator where the end that screws into the bottle is made of aluminum. Over tome the threads wear down. In my last trip to the hot springs in February the connection failed and the bottle would not screw in. Luckily I had my one burner stove that I use when its to windy or rainy to cook outside and the regulator fit my 2 burner stove . I replaced the bad one and put a spare in the stove bag.

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 02 August 2020 - 02:17 PM.

We have a Camp Chef Everest 2 burner stove that comes with a long enough hose to hook up to the 10 lb tank that we are not currently using on our Hawk. We place the stove on a folding table we got at REI so everthing is very convenient.

 

Here is a link to the stove: https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Have fun with your new camper!