International Fuel Names

Decane (mostly). Kerosene/diesel is a crude cut from oil refineries, boiling point range is approximately 180° to 280° C. May have pink or blue colour added (U.K.).

Column 2

Pentane, Hexane. The same as for column 1, but a boiling point range of 25° to 200° C. Slight yellow colour. May also contain up to 20% ethanol ("ethanol blended fuel").

Column 3

60% Hexane + 40% Heptane? Usually colourless?

Column 4

95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol approx. Usually has purple colour and bad taste added. May also contain propanol and water.

Country	Fuel
Country	1		2	3	4
U.S.A & Canada	Kerosene		Gasoline "Gas"	White Gas Naphtha Coleman Fuel Blazo	Denatured Alcohol Solvent Alcohol
U.K.	Paraffin		Petrol	Coleman Fuel	Methylated Spirit "Meths"
Argentina (Chile, Boliva, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico)	???		???	???	alcohol alcohol pura alcohol de quemar
Australia	Kerosene "Kero"		Petrol	Shellite White gas Mobilite	methylated spirits "Meths" "Metho"
Austria	Petroleum		Benzin Bleifrei	Reinigungsbenzin Waschbenzin White gas Kocherbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckbenzin	Brennspiritus Spiritus
Belgium	Petroleum		loodvrije benzine	Wasbenzine	???
Borneo	Minyak Tanah AVTUR		Benzine	???	Spiritos
China	meiyou Huo shui ?		qi you	????	????
Czech Republic	Petrolej Parafin		Benzin	Technicky benzin	Denaturovany lih Denaturovany alkohol
Denmark	Petroleum		auto benzin	rensebenzin	Ethanol (100 %) Sprit Husholdnings sprit
Egypt	al-kayruseen zayt al-barafeen zayt al-kaaz		WAKOUD BENZEEN	GAAS ABYAD White Gas	COHOL TIBY COHOL SENAIY
Fiji	kerosene		???	White spirits Shellite	???
Finland	Valopetroli Petroli		bensiini	Kevytbensiini Puhdistusbensiini	denaturoitu sprii Sinol(tm) Marinol(tm)
France	Pétrole Pétrole lampant Pétrole de chauffage Petrol a Bruler		Essence	Essence filtree Blanche sans plomb Essence C Essence a l'usage domestique	Alcool a Bruler Alcool Denature Alcool Methylique
Germany	Petroleum Paraffinol Petrol Lampenoel		Benzin Bleifrei Auto-Benzin Superbenzin	Kocherbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin Katalyt Benzin Reinigungsbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckenbenzin Wundbenzin	Spiritus Brennspiritus Methyl Alkohol
Greece	Parafinh			"Coleman fuel" ?	mequliko oinopneuma
Greenland	Petroleum		Benzin	Rensebenzin	Denatureret Sprit
Holland	Petroleum Lampen-Olie		Benzine Super Loodvrij Normaal 16	Wasbenzine Coleman Fuel	Spiritus Brand Spiritus Alcohol
Hungary	Petróleum		Benzin Olommentes benzin	Sebbenzin Tiszta benzin	spiritus denaturált szesz
Iceland	???		???	Hreinsad Benzin	Rodsprit
India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan	Kerosene		Petrol (Gasoline)		methylated spirits
Indonesia and Malaysia	MINYAK TANAH		BENSINE	???	???
Iran	NAFT		Benzin	???	???
Ireland	???		???	???	Meths
Israel	Neft		Delek 91 Delek 96 Unleaded delek	Delek lavan	???
Italy	petrolio petrolio lampante Olio di Paraffina Kerosene		Benzina per autoveicoli	benzina AVIO Benzina bianca	Alcol denaturato
Japan	Toh-yu		Gasoline	White Gas Coleman Fuel	Nen-ryo yoh Alcohol
Kenya	Paraffin kerosene		unleaded gas	???	???
Malaysia and Singapore	This is rather complicated. See the entry further on in this document.
Malta	kreosene parifin pitrolju	Petrol octane		???	Alcohol ethanol Methylated spirit Surgical spirit
Mexico	Petroleo	Gasolina		gasolina blanca	???
New Zealand	Kerosene	Petrol		White Spirit Shellite Callite Britolite Pegasol Fuelite	Methylated Spirit
Norway	Parafin	Bensin		Renset bensin Heptan Katlyt bensin	Rod-Sprit
Philippines	kerosene	gasoline		Coleman fuel	denatured alcohol
Poland	nafta	"benzyna bezolowiowa"		benzyna rektyfikowana	Denaturat alkohol metylowy
Portugal	Petroleo	Gasolina sem chumbo		Benzina de desengorduramento	"Alcool 95%"
ex-USSR (Russia)	kerosene	benzine		???	Methyl Alcohol (metilovy spirt)
South Africa + Zimbabwe	paraffin	petrol		Benzine	Methylated Spirits "Meths"
Spain	Parafina Petroleo Keroseno Petroli	Gasolina sim plomo		Becina, Blanca Solvente Gasolina domestica Benzina pura	Alcohol Metilico Alcohol de quemar (Metilico)
Sweden	Fotogen T-Gul Taendvaetska Lysfotogen	Blyfri bensin		Rengoerings bensin Industribensin Kemiskt Ren Bensin Statoil miljø	T-Sprit/Roedsprit T-Roed Metanol T-br=E4nsle
Switzerland	Petrol	Bleifrei		Reinbenzin Wundbenzin	Brennsprit
Switzerland (German speaking part)	Petroleum	Bleifrei		Reinbenzin Wundbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin	Brennsprit
Switzerland (German/Italian speaking part)	???	???		Benzin Gereinigt	???
Thailand	NAUM MAUN GAS	NAUM MAUN REI SARN		BENZENE KAOW White benzene "COMFORT"	Alcohol
Turkey	Gazyagi Parafin	Kursunsuz benzin		White Gas Benzin	Ispirto
Venezuela	kerosen	gasolina		Gasolina blanca	alcohol para quemar alcohol luz

Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" Confusion. (May 1996)

Depending on which country you are in, "white spirit" can be one of several substances. In the UK it is "turpentine substitute" ie. paint thinner and is not recommended for burning.

In Australia it is a cleaning solvent but it is not the same as the stuff in the UK. Again it is not recommended for burning. In New Zealand white spirit used to be a common name for white gas but now days it may be mis-understood as meaning "turpentine substitute".

Referring to one of the brand names is probably a more reliable way of getting what you're after (see the entry for New Zealand).

The Material Safety Data Sheet for Coleman fuel gives the following composition:

· Solvent naphtha (CAS #64742-89-8) 45-50%

· Aliphatic petroleum distillates (CAS #64742-88-7) 45-50%

· Xylene (CAS #1330-20-7) 2%

· Toluene (CAS #108-88-3) 2%

Notes on White Gasoline

<elliot@mail.utexas.edu.fuel> writes....... (May 1996)

Coleman fuel and white gasoline are not the same. Coleman fuel contains components that are much less volatile than gasoline (such as naptha). This is what makes it safer to use in a stove or lantern. White gasoline is simply gasoline that contains no antiknock additives. Commercial unleaded gasoline contains additives that will likely damage your stove unless it designed to accept this type of fuel (some are).

I suppose the question really is: Can I use white gas in my stove? Answer is: probably. If it is clean and contains no additives, it will burn just fine. It is more dangerous to handle since it is more volatile, but clean, pure white gas will probably not damage your stove. At least it has never harmed my Svea 123.

Notes on Coleman Fuel

<F-Schmidt@cox.net.fuel> writes.......(Feb 2003)

(Frank Schmidt, Senior Project Engineer, Appliances-Fuels-Patio Grills, The Coleman Co.)

Coleman Fuel was developed in the early 50's as a replacement for "white gas" which in the US was readily available at hardware stores and gas stations. This was the original motor fuel, no tetraeythlead, or additives, also know as casing head gas, water white color. Was also used as a cleaning agent for mostly white materials, also a fuel for outboard motors and early powered lawnmowers. This source started to disappear in the 50's due to technology.

The Coleman fuel of today has not changed in years, it is a blended naphtha with no lead compounds, and a paraffinic type. The benzene content is controlled to .5% by wt. or less and we add a rust inhibitor along with a green dye for identification. I will attach the specification for the fuel for your information. One point, you might find interesting is Coleman Fuel is the preferred fuel for fire eaters, have several inquiries a year as to the benzene content and is it safe.??

I also would like to inquire if your site, could be used by the Coleman Co. as a reference link in our site.

PS: The specification is titled (US Market) there is no other one.

Notes on Diesel Fuel

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Don't forget that some multifuel stoves will run on Diesel, which has the advantage of a very high calorific value per unit mass. In UK, this is "Diesel" or "DERV", the latter for road vehicles specifically. Its also possible to get hold of agricultural or "Red Diesel", which is free of excise duty, but under no circumstances should you use it in a road vehicle ! In Spain, diesel is "Gazoleo A".

Editors note: The name "diesel" is used in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and the UK,

Japan - Keiyu.

Italy- Gasolio per autotrazione.

France - Gas oil.

Notes on Kerosene

<StewartAG@aol.com.fuel> writes ..... (April 1996)

I have a recommendation for those seeking Kerosene. The International Specifications for Kerosene are almost if not exactly the same as commercial Jet-A Fuel. Both products have very stringent % of sulphur content.

Since I market petroleum products in the NW (Seattle-Vancover, BC and parts of Alaska) I have been purchasing Jet A in bulk and selling it as Kero for years. It works very well.

A good test for quality is check to see if the jet a is water white with no smell. I would think most airports around the world would have this product and would part with a few gallons for the needy camper. Besides, it is usually inexpensive compared to other kero like products.

Benzine and Benzene Confusion

<Geoff.Rehmet@gfsa.co.za.fuel> writes ....(Oct 1998)

Benzene refers to the Benzene ring molecule C6H6 (6's should be subscript) if I recall properly. This is not a good fuel, and is also nasty stuff - I recall being warned in chemistry class at university that it is carcinogenic. Benzine is the same as white gas. (I actually resorted to the Concise Oxford English Disctionary a short while ago to jog my memory on this subject!).

Other links

The following link no longer works. If anyone knows where the file went, please let me know. "Suitability of aviation fuels in camping stove" discussion. (Part of the Newscastle University Mountaineering Club web pages) http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~numc/grnland/fuel.html

Optimus stove fuel information http://www.optimus.se/faq/#fuels

Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Africa

<jewitt@aqua.ccwr.ac.za.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

The most practical stoves for hiking/camping etc in most of Africa are simple "meths burners" - meths is relatively cheap and availability isn't usually a problem. Meths stoves can be a bit difficult to get going if it's cold but I've always managed - even in temperatures well below freezing.

Paraffin is the most freely available fuel throughout southern Africa - but I haven't found a small stove that really works with it.

Petrol throughout southern Africa is leaded - it can be used in an emergency in pressurised stoves, but clogs up the jets really quickly.

(Editors note: Unleaded petrol is now available (June 1996) in South Africa)

White Spirit/Coleman Fuel is rarely available and then only in specialised camping shops and is really expensive. Benzine is around but you might have to hunt a bit, it's quite expensive and sometimes has all sorts of odd additives that stop it burning properly and clog up the jets

Argentina

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes.... (Nov 1999)

Came across your web information sheet while doing some research for our next long distance bicycle tour. We just completed Argentina to Alaska and can provide you with some fuel information regarding some of the countries you had listed in question. We use a Trangia so are more aware of alcohol availability than other things, but will try to give other fuels where we know.

Argentina, Chile, Boliva, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico:

Meths is called 'alcohol' (pronounced al-col) or alcohol pura (somtimes alcohol de quemar)

In Argentina and Chile it can be found in Farmacias, but ask for 96% (96 grado) or you will end up with a 70% mixture. In smaller villages you could always find it in the biggest (or only) shop, though often in tiny bottles.

In Bolivia and Peru you can find it in pharmacies no problem. Also, can check in liquor stores, though less common.

In Ecuador you need to go to paint stores with your own container. They keep it in big drums and simply top up your bottle.

In Colombia the pharmacies carry both 70 and 96%, the 70 being much more common. It can be frustrating finding 96%, but if you perservere you will find.

In Belize you can find it in Ace hardware stores as Denatured alcohol.

In Mexico it really varies, depending on the state. On the Yucatan you can buy it in some grocery stores as Alcohol Pura, a drinking alcohol from cane, that is 96%. In Chiapas it is very hard to find. All their alcohols seem to be 70% grade or below. In the other states north of Chiapas you can find it sometimes in pharmacies (though watch out for the grade) and in licquor stores, again alcohol pura, but ask for 96%. They also sometimes have a stand on a street that sells only alcohol pura at 96%. If you ask around, particularly at hardware or paint stores they will usually direct you.

Generally if the pharmacies don't carry the right grade, ask in hardware or paint stores we found that someone there always knew where to find it

Australia

<daryl@menzies.su.edu.au.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

"white spirits" and "white gas" are NOT the same. White spirit is some kind of cleaning fluid, IF you can get your stove to run on it it will clog it up fairly quickly.

Most hardware stores sell "Shellite" in one litre plastic bottles Usually made by "diggers." ( there are other brands but diggers is the most common) Kerosene and Methylated spirits are usually available from supermarkets, as well as hardware stores, again under the "diggers" brand. In the Northern Territory you will often not find Methylated spirits on display. Ask at the check-out, or counter. Also N.T. (and Qld. ??) Methylated Spirits is dyed purple, this has no effect on the stove.

<jch@cs.rmit.edu.au.fuel> writes....(Feb 1999)>

White spirit has been designed for the dry cleaning industry and has had a flame inhibitor added to it to try and reduce the risk of fire when using it hence why it does not burn very well. If you cannot buy 'shellite' then you can use 'unleaded petrol' from any garage in almost every shellite burning stove, it works fine in Coleman and all the MSR models including the Whisperlite. The only thing to note is that unleaded petrol has a higher flash point and requires a little bit more care in handling to make sure you do not burn yourself. Once the fuel is in the stove there are no problems but fill stoves and bottles well away from any flames.

Editors Note: ( June 1995 ):

"White gas" is also available under the brand name of "Mobilite" and costs about $A5 per litre in small quantities (750ml glass bottles) from hardware stores.

Editors Note: ( March 2003 )

Shellite is available in one litre plastic bottles from the larger Woolworths supermarkets in Western Australia.

Methylated spirits in Western Australia is available in brown or coulourless plastic bottles in supermarkets and hardware stores. It does not contain the coloured dye typically seen in methylated spirits found in the UK.

Unleaded petrol can contain up to 20% ethanol.

Austria

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

"Bleifrei" is particularly low octane - 91 or 92, so the stuff most people use in cars is the higher octane stuff which isn't so nice in stoves.

<k.kretschel@dlr.de.fuel> writes...................(July 1995)

Austria uses the same names as Germany

<Werner.Koch@uibk.ac.at.fuel> writes........(Jan 1996)

In Austria kerosene is called "Petroleum" and should not be mixed up with "Kerosin" which is jet fuel!

Denatured Alcohol would be translated as "Brennspiritus" and white gas is "Reinigunsbenzin" and rather expensive. Since fuel stoves are less popular over here than in the US, it is very difficult to get stove fuel in sport shops. Ask for "Reinigungsbenzin" or "Brennspiritus" in the next "Drogerie" or take auto gaz "Benzin Bleifrei" at the petrol station.

<markus@runout.at.fuel> writes.....(May 2002)

Shellite has more terms: 'Reinigungsbenzin' is common, also called: "Waschbenzin", some bigger outdoor and sport shops sell "white gas" or "Kocherbenzin". Fuel stoves are well known in austria, more than in other parts of europe. For MSR and Coleman it's quite easy to get spare parts. Check www.upaway.at (that's where i get things from)

<Andreas.Ganzera@avl.com.fuel>...(June 2002)

As I am an Austrian, I would correct the entries for Austria as following (same applies for Germany):

* Petroleum (Lampenöl for lanterns only, it is less smelly and often coloured. I am not sure if it works well with stoves)

* Benzin Bleifrei (in any case go for the Bleifrei which means unleaded, use 91ROZ better than 95ROZ. Contains less additives, will not block your device that fast.)

* Reinigungsbenzin, Waschbenzin, Reinbenzin, Fleckbenzin (Do not use Wundbenzin from pharmacies, this is extremely pure and extremely expensive. You do not need it, really. Use Feuerzeugbenzin for petrol lighters like Zippo only, it contains special substances which prevent the petrol from fast evaporation. And it is expensive, too).

* Brennspiritus, Spiritus

And here is where you get that stuff:

* Petroleum: Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Lampenöl: Supermarket, Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Benzin bleifrei, Autobenzin: Tankstelle (Petrol station)

* Reinigungsbenzin, Waschbenzin, Reinbenzin, Fleckbenzin: Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Brennspiritus: Baumarkt (Hardware shops), Farbengeschäft (Paint shop)

* Feuerzeugbenzin: Supermarket, Tabak-Trafik (Tobacco shop)

Belgium

<moh@hacom.nl.fuel> writes.......(April 1996)

BTW: in Belgium (Dutch speaking part of Vlaanderen) the list for Holland can be used.

Borneo

<MucaloP@kpc.co.id.fuel> writes.....(Feb 99)

Borneo Fuel Names also applies to Sumatera and Indonesia generaly.

Kerosene "Minyak Tanah" available everywhere as it is the main cooking fuel.

Aviation Grade Kerosene "AVTUR" only from registered dealers in 200l drums.

Gasoline "Benzine" available everywhere.

2 stroke mixture" Benzine campur" available pre mixed in most places. In small places

look for the fuel station identified by lots of 200l drums outside.

Diesil "Solar" available everywhere.

Methlylated spirits "Spiritos" often died purple and put in old softdrink bottles with crown seals.

Karbit "carbide" available from little little hardwareshops. This is used for simple brazing in many parts of Indonesia.

China

<steven@moe.edu.sg.fuel>writes.....(Jan 1997)

Kerosene in China would be known as HUO SHUI aka FIRE WATER.

<mhuang@bu.edu.fuel> writes........(April 1998)

This is the first time in my life I have heard someone would call kerosene `huo shui'. Might be called so in some (very limitedly used) regional dialect.

In mandarin, which can be understood across China, kerosene is called "meiyou" (``coal oil'' if you want to split the word and read meanings form charactors that make the word. )

Interestingly "mei you" for kerosene sounds nearly identical to the chinese expression for "nothing" "there isn't", or "don't have". If you are in a shop and ask for "mei you", the guy behind the counter repeats "mei you", or "mei you mei you", you are out of luck. :-)

Gasoline: "qi you" ( "q" reads "ch" -- "chi you" i.e. ``vapour oil'' )

Leadless gaseline: "wu qian qi you" uncommon in china.

White gas: never heard of in china.

Diesel: "chai you" ( ``firewood oil'' )

One can also look for bottled cigarette lighter fuel.

99.5% chinese will get lost if you ask for these:

"distilled" gasoline: "zhi liu qi you"

For experiment or as solvent : "rong ji qi you"

If you really want, you can find chemical grade pure petrol in petroleum chemistry related stores. But only in a hand full of the largest cities. Most people never heard of camping stove that burns anything other than alcohol or kerosene, if they have heard of camping stoves at all.

you can find petrol whereever there is a petrol station. that is what I used. unleaded becomes more available. some cities started to ban leaded petrol completely. But I think you will find leaded more often particularly in remote places.

Czech Republic

<akhain@sequent.com.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

Petrolej, Benzin, Technicky benzin, Denaturovany lih or Denaturovany alkohol should be commonly available in 'Drogerie' (Drug store) or 'Barvy-Laky' (Paints) stores.

Denmark

<jqrn@mi.aau.dk.fuel> writes .....(June 1995)

Column 4 (95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol) are not for sale in Denmark, but instead we use 100% Ethanol which is almost as good when the temperature are not to low - and it seldom is in Denmark, due to our very flat country (highest top apptoc. 180 m over sea...) anyway this product substitutes what the norvegian/swedish people call Rod-Sprit and is called "husholdnings-sprit" or simply "sprit."

<ole@kjeldgaard.mail.dk> writes ....(Feb 2003)

Corrections for Denmark.

"Petrolium" is should be spelled "Petroleum"

"Ethanol" is correct, but a lot of people in stores won't know what it is, the daily name is "Sprit" or "Husholdnings sprit"

Egypt

<jkh@gnn.com.fuel> writes......(Oct 1995)

kerosene - 3 names:

al-kayruseen

zayt al-barafeen (literally, "oil of parafin")

zayt al-kaaz

Fiji

<a.ferguson@chem.canterbury.ac.nz.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1994)

While in Fiji in September we were using kerosene and white spirits/Shellite. No problems getting either in villages on Vanua Levu.

We were sea kayaking round the island and I was carrying a 5 litre drum of kerosene on deck. The white spirits was distributed around the rest of the fleet in 1/2 and 1 litre containers and stowed in the kayaks.

Finland

<kiravuo@gamma.hut.fi.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Valopetroli, bensiini and sprii are generic names, Sinol and Marinol are brand names, but also in common use.

<mk59200@cs.tut.fi.fuel> writes........(Dec 1993)

White Gas (kevytbensiini) is apparently very hard to find (maybe because nobody uses it here). According to manufacturer's info Sinol(tm) is for unpressurized stoves (Trangia etc.) while Marinol(tm) is for pressurized stoves (Optimus? never seen one), but in practice they should be interchangeable.

<rtp1@midway.uchicago.edu.fuel> writes....(Oct 1998)

Besides the listed choices, "Lampyoljy" (lamp oil) has always worked fine for me. It's a clean kerosene, generally dyed blue or some other color. The very best and cleanest is Shell Erikois Valopetroli, but the other stuff works just fine.

You have to look far and wide to get "Coleman Fuel" in Finland, but much to my surprise, it is available at the Shell shop in Kilpisjärvi, a few km up the road from where the Kalottireitti comes out, just near the Retkeilykeskus. It's in little barely marked suspicious looking square tin bottles.

France

<I.G.Batten@fulcrum.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Coleman fuel is also available as ``Essence C' 'in French supermarkets and hardware shops. It's dirt cheap. It worked fine in a Coleman Peak One and an MSR Whisperlite, with no fouling or peculiar smell from either or excessive filth from priming the MSR

``Essence'', alone, is leaded 88 octane petrol.

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Petrol/Gasoline in France is called "Essence", but the relevant stuff for stove fuel is unleaded, which is called "Sans plomb", or, more easily, just comes out of the green nozzles at filling stations !

(Editors note: "Essence normale" is leaded petrol/gasoline.)

<svante.wendel@wendel.se.fuel> writes..(May 2000)

Many moons ago while traveling in France I had a hard time finding kerosene (column 1) for my Optimus. I finally found it at a gas station, sold as "fuel domestique" from a tap at the back of the station. You needed to provide your own container though.

<mike@clockwork.freeserve.co.uk.fuel> writes... (Sept 2002)

I was in France earlier this year and the only stuff I could find to use in my multifuel stove was "petrole desaromatisee". Have you ever heard of this and if so can you tell me what it is in English ?

Editors Note: (March 2003)

I found Camping Gaz stoves to be the most practical solution for cooking when flying/cycle touring in France. Supermarkets in tourist areas carry the cartridges and stoves. The old style piercable canisters are rapidly being replaced by resealable CV-xxx style canisters that can be left behind at the camp site if you need to catch a flight.

Some people have reported success using "Petrole Desaromatisee" in place of "Essence C" or Coleman fuel. This can be found in some supermarkets.

<gerard.metron@wanadoo.fr.fuel> writes….(Sept 2003)

I have the only one web site in France about pressure lanterns, and your are in my links. http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/lampes_a_pression/

I know the french names for different fuels quite well, and I have some remarks to formulate:

US kerosene, UK paraffin, lamp oil = pétrole, pétrole lampant, pétrole de chauffage

"Fuel domestique" (wrong in your 1st column) is the low tax version, red coloured (for domestic heating) of diesel (no colour).

US, UK diesel = (ancient) gas oil, (recent) gazole, (today) diesel.

"Pétrole à brûler" is not common, and not right in the 3rd column. It would be the same as "pétrole" or "pétrole de chauffage" of the 1st column. You can suppress it.

Germany

<Noah_Coccaro@HAMPSTER.BOLTZ.CS.CMU.EDU.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

I spent a year in Germany, and discovered that White Gas, or Coleman fluid, as we call it here in USA is known as Reinigungsbenzin (literally, cleaning gas). I purchased it in an Apotheque (Apothecary).

<PETER@EMBL-Hamburg.DE.fuel> writes.....(April 1994)

Lampenoel (kerosene) is often coloured and has added "smells"

Lead-Free, (bleifrei, sans plomb, loodvrij, sim plomo) fuel is almost universal for cars that will stand it without burning out their engines!

<k.kretschel@dlr.de.fuel> writes................... (July 1995)

Petroleum

Paraffinol

Petrol

Lampenoel

Benzin

Bleifrei

Auto-Benzin

Superbenzine

Loddvrije bensine

Kocherbenzin

Feuerzeug Benzin

Katalyt Benzin

Reinigungsbenzin

Reinbenzin

Fleckenbenzin

Wundbenzin

Spiritus

Brennspiritus

Methyl Alkohol

Not quite correct:

Col 1 main name is "Diesel"; "Petroleum" is a cleaned version. The other names are unusual. One more name is "Heizoel", but you need that only when you want some 1000 liters for your big tank. The only difference to Diesel is the tax ;-)

Col 2: "Benzin" is the generic name. "Bleifrei" means unleaded, "Superbenzin" ("Superbenzine" is plural) is higher octane. "Loddvrije bensine" is not German but Dutch.

Col 3: Never heard "Katalyt Benzin".

Col 4: Better don't ask for "Methyl Alkohol", I never heard someone use it for "Spiritus" since that is mostly Ethanol.

BTW: "Sprit" is a generic name for gas as well as for alcoholics, no matter if drinkable or not. Each liquid that burns may be called "Sprit", either in the throat or in motor or a stove.

<P.VOLLMAR@LINK-GOE.de.fuel> (Peter Vollmar) writes... (Dec 1996)

Lampenoel ist *not* petrol. This stuff killt my msr xgk2 generator. In pharmacies they often use METHANOL for Methyl Alkohol.

<mbelow@post.uni-bielefeld.de.fuel> writes........(Sept 1998)

The line about Germany contains some errors. About the first column I'm not sure, Petroleum and Lampenoel are good, while I've never heard of "Paraffinol" or "Petrol" -- maybe these are technical terms. Maybe you want to add Diesel, that's the truck fuel, and Kerosin, that's the aeroplane fuel. But Petroleum is the normal name for that smelly stuff one puts into kerosene lamps, Lampenoel is usually non-smelling.

The second column: Benzin is a good general name for petrol. Bleifrei means unleaded -- that's standard now, so in daily life the names Normal (or Normalbenzin) and Super (or Superbenzin, without the trailing e) are used (Normal is something like 92 octane, Super 98). Auto-Benzin is a name I've never heard, but it's meaning is obvious, it's good for differentiating between fuel for cars and fuel for lighters etc. Loddvrije bensine is dutch for unleaded fuel. In the fourth column: Methylalkohol is methanol, so I don't know whether it should be in there.

Greece

Tim Cunningham<timc@ibo.org.fuel> writes ....(July 2000)

In Greece, I ran a heating stove on diesel fuel. This is sold at petrol stations and pumped like regular diesel, but is not taxed. Diesel is pretty cheap anyway, but this stuff is cheaper. The name of diesel is Petrelaio (pron. petreleo) and the heating fuel is Petrelaio qermansh (pron. Petreleo thermansee) and has a pink colour added. For paraffin/kerosene (for use in lamps etc) ask for Parafinh (pron. parafeenee) in a hardware store Sidhropoleio (pron. Seedeeropoleeo).

As for Coleman fuel/white gas, I don't know for definite, but I guess it is imported as 'Coleman fuel' by some stores in downtown Athens. I doubt very much whether you'd get it out of the city.

Alcohol is readily available in pharmacies or Farmakeio (pron. farmakeeo) and goes by the wonderful name of mequliko oinopneuma (pron. metheeleeko eenopnevma - literally 'methylated spirit').

Greenland

<fleis@meyer.fys.ku.dk.fuel> writes.......(Aug 1998)

The names for the fuels in Greenland is the same as in Denmark, that is Petroleum (not petrolium) Benzin, Rensebenzin, Ethanol is normally called "Denatureret Sprit"

Holland

<dirk.vangulik@cen.jrc.it.fuel> writes......(Dec 1993)

cat 1: Lampen-Olie... sometimes okay, often more like a vegetable oil.,the 'non-smelling' version is almost always good: "reukloze lampen-olie" but contains a perfume which makes my stove (Whisper=Lite" clog up once in a while.

cat 2: "Super" = high octane, "Loodvrij"= unleaded.

cat 3: Wasbenzine, Colman fluel, both well known

<millenaar@jach.hawaii.edu.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

The name 'coleman fuel' or 'coleman brandstof' is commonly used in Holland (or The Netherlands). Stangely enough I can't recall a pure Dutch term (I don't think there is one). It is sold in all outdoor equipment stores and in some recreational stores ('kampeerwinkels').

Hungary

<akos@belgonet.be.fuel> writes... (Aug 2001)

Reading your fuel table, I am able to replace some ???-s in the
hungarian line (column 4) : the name is spiritus or denaturált szesz.

<attila.hargitai@geohidroterv.hu.fuel> writes ….(March 2003)

The chemical in the first column is called "petróleum" in hungarian, not paraffin (paraffin is a solid white thing, usually hexadecane). the chemical in the third column is "sebbenzin" or "tiszta benzin" (sold in pharmacies as decontaminating agent), basically a kind of purified gasoline, while gasoline is called "benzin". "Olommentes" means led-free. And to make you confused "kerozin" in Hungary is the name of jet-fuel.

Kerosene = petroleum

Diesel = gázolaj

Gasoline = benzin

Coleman fuel = tiszta benzin, or sebbenzin

Jet fuel = kerozin

Iceland

<ROB.JONSON@balliol.oxford.ac.uk.fuel> writes.... (Jan 1997)

I was just looking at your faq and noticed a number of blanks for iceland. I can help with the meths equivalent. I was on an expedition there in 1992 and we used 'Rodsprit' (I'm not entirely sure of the spelling) to prime our parafin stoves. Sure enough it is fairly red, but slightly less flammable than ordinary meths.

India/Bhutan/Nepal/Pakistan

<RKOHLI@aardvark.ucs.uoknor.edu.fuel> writes........ (Dec 1993)

Petrol(Gasoline) is available at any Petrol Pump. Buy the higher grade if you are not sure.

Kerosene is available at most roadside grocery shops or "ration" shops.

Methyl Alcohol-Most Drug Stores stock it. I have never used it in any stove so can't vouch for it.

White Gas-Could never find it.

kirstenlatimer@hotmail.com writes........(Dec 2001)

For your information, in Pakistan, methylated spirits is known as exactly that: methylated spirits ! (bought some today in the chemist in Lahore).

Indonesia and Malaysia

<steven@moe.edu.sg.fuel> writes.....(jan 1997)

Kerosene is MINYAK TANAH Available from little roadside shops that sell watered down petrol. The watered down petrol is known as BENSINE. Other helpful words: API (fire), FLAMU (flame).

Iran

<atavakli@cftnet.com.fuel> writes..... (May 1996)

In Iran the product mentioned in first column is called NAFT second is BENZIN then there is less refined substances for diesel and heating followed by bitumen that is called GHIR. The NAFT is used for lamps as well as cooking,and in the heating stoves, different grade of Benzin for cars and airplanes.

Ireland

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com> writes..... (Nov 99)

Meths: In Ireland it's the same as the UK but you will need to sign for it, explaining your use/requirement of it.

<sean.ohaonghusa@hp.com.fuel> writes …(March 2004)

The names for all the fuels are the same in Ireland as in the UK. Generally companies will regard Ireland as being part of the UK market, so the brand names are identical too. Your contributor on Ireland notes that you have to sign for Methylated Spirits and explain usage. This may be true if you buy it in a pharmacy, but I always buy it in camping or hardware shops and have never had to sign anything.

Italy

Giuliano Da Broi <giuliano.dabroi@tin.it.fuel> writes...(Feb 2001)

I found your "Fuel Name Faq" very useful and complete, even if there are
some mistakes in Italian translation:

N°1
Commonly known as "petrolio" or "petrolio lampante"

N°3
"Benzina bianca" is correct but not very well known; better if you ask for
"benzina AVIO" that is a trade mark.

N°4
"Alcol denaturato" (not "denaturo")

<angelo@metamorfosi.com> writes ….(Nov 2003)

First I must say the Italian translations are not correct in this old version.

With so many names I might be confused :-) but, if I understood well:

(1) The fuel used in Diesel cycle engines (without spark plug) has a yellowish colour and is normally called "gasolio" or, to be technically correct, "gasolio per autotrazione". Sometime, but not often, it's also called "diesel". Could be bought everywhere at gas stations (AGIP, SHELL, ESSO, ...) along the roads.

Almost same name "gasolio" or "gasolio da riscaldamento" (which means gasolio for heating purposes) for practically the same product (but with different additives and different taxes) for the fuel used in big central heating systems.

The fuel once used in lamps is called "petrolio" ("petrolio lampante" is another but very old name) and has a light yellow colour.

The fuel used for stoves (small heating systems inside living rooms) has a bluewish colour (for tax reasons), is called "kerosene" and could be bought in supermarkets.

The fuel used in turbine engine airplanes (Jet-A fuel) is called "kerosene" too but is transparent and, except for some additives, is probably very similar to the kerosene for heating purpose.

(2).The fuel used in Otto cycle engines (with spark plug) is called "benzina" and could be bought at gas stations. Only the unleaded one is available right now in Italy. It has often (but not always) a greenish colour and is also called "benzina verde" (green) or "benzina senza piombo" (unleaded) to distinguish it from "benzina super" (not available anymore) which was red and was the old one with lead added to increase the Octane Number.

The fuel used in piston engine airplanes has a transparent colour and different additives and is called "benzina avio".

(3) The product generally used for cleaning stains from fabrics is called "benzina avio" too (it is probably a different product) and could be bought at supermarkets. To clean fabrics it's also common to buy "trielina" (practically pure thrichloroethylene) or one can also buy "petrolio" but it's less common.

(4) To disinfect wounds or for house cleaning purposes (especially glasses) we use "alcool etilico denaturato" which is normally called "alcool". It has bright pink colour and bad taste added and could be bough in supermarkets. Could also be used for old lamps but I think it was more expensive.

In supermarkets you can also buy "alcool puro" (pure alcohol) which is transparent and you can drink to get drunk.

Now I have to ask you something. I'm translating the manual for my hanggliding and paragliding rescue parachutes. To clean the fabric from oil or grease stains it's suggested to use "benzina avio" for cleaning purposes. How can I write it in English to avoid misunderstandings, considering it would be read by people of different countries (most of them not English mother language). I thought to call it "white gasoline for cleaning purpose" do you think it would be clear enough to avoid misunderstandings? It would not be clever to use a wrong product to clean a parachute :-(

Japan

<tsuchiya@sedona.intel.com.fuel> writes..........(Dec 1993)

Gasoline is available at gas station. Usually they also have kerosene, ie. Toh-yu. "Toh" is pronounced like in "TOFU", and "yu" is like "you".

White Gas (most likely the one sold by Japan Coleman) is available at bigger sports goods retailer. Sometimes also available at hardware store (again, bigger one). Alcohol is available at drug store. Ask "Nen-ryo yoh" (the one as fuel), or you will get the one for disinfection. Pronounce something like "Al-coal" for "Alcohol".

Kenya

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Paraffin/Kerosene is available everywhere in Kenya, because its what they use for lighting charcoal cooking fires. Having said that, there was a desperate shortage of it everywhere in January/February when we were there, and I suspect that this occurs unpredictably but perhaps quite frequently from time to time.

Unleaded gas is pretty much unobtainable, but there must be plenty of diesel about - we saw a tanker of it lying in the road spilling the stuff everywhere while people variously stood about smoking and waving traffic onto the edge of the road.

Malaysia and Singapore

<torque@pacific.net.sg.fuel> writes.....(Sept 1997)

As a backgrounder, Singapore and Malaysia are multi racial with Chinese and Malays making the majority of the population. Among the Chinese, many dialects are used, and they can sound as different as English is to say Vietnamese. So here goes:

	Teochew	Hokkien	Cantonese	Mandarin	Malay
Kerosene	Tou Yew	Thor Yeew	For Sway	Huo Yew / May Yew	Minyak Tanah
Petrol