How Long Does a Camping Gas Canister Last? (The Math You Need)

There is nothing worse than running out of fuel halfway through boiling water for your morning coffee.

You shake the can. It feels empty. Or maybe it has a little bit left? Should you pack a backup? Or risk it?

In this guide, we will stop the guessing game. We will explain exactly how long a 100g, 230g, and 450g canister lasts based on real-world usage.

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The Golden Rule: 10-14 Boils per 100g

For most standard backpacking stoves (like the PocketRocket or Jetboil), a small 100g (4oz) canister will boil roughly 10 to 12 liters of water.

In terms of time, this usually translates to 45 to 60 minutes of burn time on full power.

Quick Math: If you boil 2 cups of water for breakfast and 2 cups for dinner, a small 100g canister will last you about 3 to 4 days.

Burn Time by Canister Size

Here is a cheat sheet to help you plan your trip:

Canister Size	Approx. Burn Time (Max Flame)	Water Boiled
Small (100g / 4oz)	45 - 60 Mins	10-12 Liters
Medium (230g / 8oz)	90 - 120 Mins	20-24 Liters
Large (450g / 16oz)	180+ Mins	40+ Liters

3 Factors That Kill Your Fuel

The numbers above are for perfect conditions. Real life is different. These three things will drain your tank faster:

1. The Wind: Wind strips heat away from your pot, forcing the stove to work twice as hard. Always use a windscreen.
2. The Cold: As we discussed in our Propane vs Isobutane Guide, cold weather drops the pressure, making the stove less efficient.
3. Your Stove Type: Integrated systems (like Jetboil) are about 40% more fuel-efficient than open burners.

Efficiency King: Want to save weight on fuel? See why integrated stoves win in our Stove Comparison.

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The Verdict

For a weekend trip (Sat-Sun), one 100g canister is usually enough for one person. For a week-long trip, upgrade to the 230g canister.

Pro Tip: Weigh your canister at home on a kitchen scale. Write the weight on the bottom with a sharpie. After your trip, weigh it again to know exactly how much gas you used!