M

MyStateKilledMe

Arcanist
Apr 23, 2020
463
They have very similar properties. Stove gas is methane (CH4). Camping/bottled gas is propane (C3H8). Their biggest differences is the boiling point and weight; that means propane liquefies at a lower temperature and sinks to the floor indoors faster. Other than that, they're basically the same thing, including the effect on the human body.
 
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Tintypographer

Tintypographer

I am done as of 4-21-2023. Somewhere I am no more
Apr 29, 2020
471
Hello. Although you can not breathe with propane or methane at high concentrations I highly highly highly do not recommend this at all. These gases are highly flammable which is why they are used in cooking. It is true that a propane and household gas source does not contain high concentrations of oxygen, they are flammable. In most countries they also contain a very small, (part per billion) concentration of a thiol. The thiol is a volatile sulfur compound that is designed to smell and cause nausea to humans. It is added because it doesn't affect the burning properties of the gas but when the gas leaks unburned humans can detect the telltale smell at very low concentrations. That smell and molecule is also designed to make a human sick and nauseous so that they leave the area when it is in high concentration, again to prevent death and damage from explosions.

These gases are extremely flammable. While it is true that one could out in adequate protections and smother themselves with one of them, they have potential for even a static electricity spark from a plastic bag to cause an explosion in a tent or bag.

Helium, nitrogen, argon etc are inert and completely harmless froma. Flammability perspective.

Cyanide and carbon monoxide are both gases that are very toxic to humans.

Methane, ethane, propane, butane, acetylene are all both flammable and explosive. They can cause damage to structures, other people and to your skin and internal organs from flames which could kill you but could also leave you horribly painfully disfigured.

Please don't try to smother yourself with cooking gases. Watch the opening scene of Deadpool 2.
 
M

MyStateKilledMe

Arcanist
Apr 23, 2020
463
Hello. Although you can not breathe with propane or methane at high concentrations I highly highly highly do not recommend this at all. These gases are highly flammable which is why they are used in cooking. It is true that a propane and household gas source does not contain high concentrations of oxygen, they are flammable. In most countries they also contain a very small, (part per billion) concentration of a thiol. The thiol is a volatile sulfur compound that is designed to smell and cause nausea to humans. It is added because it doesn't affect the burning properties of the gas but when the gas leaks unburned humans can detect the telltale smell at very low concentrations. That smell and molecule is also designed to make a human sick and nauseous so that they leave the area when it is in high concentration, again to prevent death and damage from explosions.
Thiol is definitely added to natural gas (methane) supply lines, like those leading to stoves in homes and restaurants. That's for public safety, so people can smell the leak if it happens indoors. This has been done for decades and the smell was always the same, to the point where people associate thiol with gas itself, even though methane is naturally odorless.

Bottled gas (propane) is meant to be used outdoors, where the danger of leaks is minimal. So I'm not sure if it will have thiol added. Still, gas is a very unreliable method, not to mention the danger of maiming if it fails. Find something else to CTB with.
 
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