Propane use in mountains

[TDiddy51]

I have just been told that the refrigerator won't work on propane in the mountains while on the road. If this is true, I need to get some dry ice for our trip from the Black Hills to W Yellowstone next week. Can anyone verify this for me?

[pianotuna]

Hi MCIbus,

You have the right idea--but it is backwards. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane (-1 C for butane, and -42 C for propane). In the south--it doesn't matter and butane actually has more "heat content" than propane. Where it is cold it does matter.

MCIbus wrote:
The only thing I could think of dose not sound right from the information that was given.
During the winter the propane tank got to cold and the liquid would not be able to evaporate at the speed that was needed, but this happens at high flows. During the winter butane is often mixed with propane and keeps the tanks from “freezing up”.

[kknowlton]

Never had a problem running the fridge on propane in these areas.

[squeakkos]

wow what some people think. I know it takes longer to cook and food gets cold faster in the mountains.

[I_am_still_wayn]

TDiddy51 wrote:
I have just been told...

What were the qualifications of the person stating such wisdom?

[2gypsies1]

..been up to 10,000' EL running a propane heater, refrig and stove...no problems. 🙂

[MCIbus]

The only thing I could think of dose not sound right from the information that was given.
During the winter the propane tank got to cold and the liquid would not be able to evaporate at the speed that was needed, but this happens at high flows. During the winter butane is often mixed with propane and keeps the tanks from “freezing up”.

[WoodGlue]

You'll be just fine!

WoodGlue

[TDiddy51]

Thank you all for the quick responses.

[2oldman]

Probably spoken by someone who's never camped.

[Sundance07]

Never had an issue in 30+ years of camping in the Rockies...:h

[WoodGlue]

I think you'll be ok with running the propane. The mixture will just run a little rich which may equal a slight bit more propane usage but there shouldn't be any kind of problem.

WoodGlue