Propane Lanterns
LPG Camping Guide.

Propane lanterns can provide intense light for camping or backpacking, but know your use before you buy...

Propane lanterns are convenient because they're plug-and-play. Screw the lantern onto a propane canister, light it and you've got light. There's no pumping like with some gas lanterns. Propane is convenient in that you don't have to add fuel, but you may want to bring one big tank or extra propane cylinders/canisters for back-up. Burn times can range from about 4.5 hours to 24 hours. Like other camping lanterns the length of time a 16.4 ounce canister will burn will vary with light output and design.

Propane lanterns give off anywhere from 34 to 235 watts of light. This varies with each propane lantern, so depending on your needs you'll want to check out the wattage (compare the number to your lights at home). The disadvantage of propane is that it won't work well at very low temperatures. If you do winter camping or backpacking this should be a consideration. Propane is good down to about 0 degrees F (-18 C) which makes it more resistant to cold than butane (about 32 F or 0 C) or isobutane (about 20 degrees F or -7 C), but still vulnerable at lower temperatures. If you only camp in cool or warm weather it probably won't be an issue for your camping equipment though.

There's a bit a of a trade-off with propane because it can be harder to find especially outside North America and Australia, but propane lanterns and butane lanterns burn cleaner than gasoline. It's great for camping because you can bring extra cylinders easily (which could be a hassle if you're backpacking and like to travel light/compact). If you're looking for a good backpacking lantern check out LED lanterns and butane lanterns like the Primus Micron Lantern. It uses isobutane, weighs 4.4 ounces, can put out 70 watts of light, is tough, compact, and will burn for 12-24 hours so it's great for backpacking. They have them at BackCountry.

Otherwise if you're looking for maximum light, take a look at the Century Double Mantle Lantern '04. REI states it puts out 235 watts of light. It's also on the lighter side for a camping lantern at 1 pound 9 ounces, and it will burn for a little over 4.5 hours on a 16.4 ounce propane cylinder. If you need a lot of intense light around the campsite this may be your light. If you want a propane lantern to read by this lantern will be over-kill at a close distance, either sit a good distance away or look toward a dimmer lantern.

The Century Mighty-Lite lantern has adjustable brightness up to 45 watts. It will burn for over 12 hours set at maximum brightness and only weighs a little over 11 ounces. While this may be a little heavy for extremely weigh-conscious backpackers it's light enough to be a possibility if you don't mind a few extra ounces. The non-mesh globe does make it a little more fragile though. Given the choice I'd go with the Primus Micron I mentioned above as it's the best canister lantern I've found for backpacking though it's isobutane.

If you insist on propane go with the Century Double Mantle Lantern '04 for maximum light or the Century Mighty-Lite for a lower intensity propane lantern.

Propane lanterns and other lanterns with a flame should not be used inside a tent because of the fire hazards and also due to carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide that may be given off. Battery lanterns are a better choice for inside use. But if you want maximum light output to use outside a bright propane lantern can be the way to go.