MSR propane, LP or butane gas tanks or fittings

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jul 17, 2015 · , sent to the company Aug 13, 2015 · , published by CPSC Aug 27, 2015

   The product, in the report: A case of twenty four 8oz/227gram (net) metal canisters of an 80% isobutane-20% propane mix backpacking stove fuel. Canisters are mostly red with white and black graphics/lettering. Size can be seen in attached photo DSCN0017

   MSR Flammable Gas Canisters Leak. Problem discovered before any injury could happen.

   On July 8, 2014 I received from Mountain Gear a case of twenty four MSR brand 8oz/227gram (net) canisters of an 80% isobutane-20% propane mix used as backpacking stove fuel.

   -While testing my non-MSR stoves ([REDACTED] and [REDACTED] brands) for compatibility with the new MSR canister, using a bubble solution, I found that it leaked. I tried another...leaked. I tried 9 total. All 9 leaked . -I found that there was a leak from the canister itself, NOT the connection between stove and can. I was 90+% certain of this.

   -On Saturday, 7/12/14, I called Mountain Gear, the retailer; DOT-Hazmat; and Cascade Designs, the parent company of MSR. -There was a live operator at Mountain Gear. I explained, and she said she’d try to get a note to other order takers to not sell/ship any more of this lot #. I called again Sunday and was advised to ship it back for inspection, replacement or refund. -Left voice mail with DOT [1-800-467-4922]. [REDACTED] left a message on my machine on Monday, asking me to call again. -Left voice mail with Cascade Designs. No calls or messages from them as of 5:37PM PST, Wednesday 7/16.

   -To be 100% certain that the problem was wholly with the canister before pursuing this any further, I borrowed a friend’s MSR brand backpacking stove. (It can be seen in the background in the full view picture.) I tried the MSR stove on 3 canisters that I hadn’t tried my own stoves on. All 3 leaked from the same place. I am now 100% sure the fault is entirely with the MSR product, and not a brand incompatibility issue. -Total # of canisters tested: 12. All leaked. Most tested canisters were from top layer in case, but at least 4 were tested from bottom layer. Two in each layer were totally “internal”, not in contact with sides of carton. All four of these were among those tested.

   Details about leak: -Canisters leak only from under the outer ring of the canister valve. (see picture 0025) The outer ring is composed of two layers of metal pressed together and curving around to form a lip. -One of my stoves allowed me to see the gas connection between stove and canister while the stove was fully screwed on. I poured bubble mixture in there, and no bubbles formed. -Canisters start to leak only when stove is attached. -Leakage is slow. -No flare-ups noted from leaking area while stove was fired up, but I only fired up the stoves on ~4 of the MSR canisters, and didn’t run them more than a minute. -After stove is detached, bubbles continue to form for 10-30 seconds, depending on canister. -When I tested my new stoves on 2 canisters I already had at home, ([REDACTED] and [REDACTED] brands), NEITHER LEAKED. I’m now 110% sure the problem is entirely with the MSR cannister!

   Thoughts: -One hazard is if someone doesn’t detach the stove from the can, and puts it in their pack, tent, car trunk, gear bin, or closet. A dangerous amount of gas could build up then. -If the quality of manufacturing gets worse, or already is worse in other lot #’s, the danger could increase.

   What I’ve done about this so far: I considered returning the product to Mountain Gear, as they suggested. But I thought this could be a serious problem, or eventually turn into a serious problem if the manufacturer slipped up even worse. Cascade Designs didn’t reply to my first phone call, which suggested to me that they didn’t care enough about this. So I decided to hold onto the product and contact the Dep’t of Transportation. On July 16, 2014 I sent a detailed e-mail with photos to [REDACTED] at DOT, HazMat division. He was very interested, but as it turns out, it doesn’t seem to be a transportation hazard, so I don’t think his office has pursued it. I called Cascade Designs again and forwarded the same e-mail to [REDACTED] [Customer Service rep] there around 7/29/14. They asked for more info on 8/3, which I promptly sent. On 8/27 I emailed [REDACTED], asking what they’d found out so far. His reply included this very frustrating phrase: “we are now going continue on with the information that we have, and build on it without further input or communication outside Cascade Designs.” True to his word, they haven’t tried to communicate with me! I still have most of the e-mails. PLEASE convince them to communicate with you! [REDACTED], DOT, suggested I report this to your agency. But by then I was too tired and frustrated with the whole affair to contact anyone else. Recently I’ve been thinking “I really need to get this ball rolling again”. Minutes before starting on this report form (which has disappeared 2x so far!) I e-mailed [REDACTED] at CD to ask for a progress report and advice on what to do with the fuel. But I will hold onto it for you.

   Model

   IsoPro All-Season Fuel Blend

   UPC

   0 040818 322109

   Serial number

   020714 ? Lot # ?

   Bought from

   Mountain Gear.com

   Bought

   Jun 20, 2014

   Where

   Canton, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 60, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand MSR, made or sold by Cascade Designs, Inc.

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources