My opinion: thumbs down.

As I recall, LP gas is mostly a mixture of butane and propane. The proportions graduate to higher concentrations of propane in colder climates (all the way up to essentially just propane) because butane does not vaporize very well at low altitude and below freezing temperatures. Butane and propane are liquified by compressing them, and butane liquifies at a lower pressure than propane. Hence one finds butane in disposable canisters that are not much stouter than an ordinary aeresol can. Disposable propane canisters, typically 1 lb net, are of stouter construction. In passing I'll observe that butane canisters sometimes do not reseal after being tapped and may leak out, whereas the disposable propane canisters employ a sort of schraeder valve and DO reseal nicely.

So my opinion is that if you want to lay in a heater/lantern/stove that are collectively simple to use, purchase ordinary propane camping gear. The disposable propane canisters are much less expensive than the butane canisters, are widely available all over US and Canada (at least), and hold a lot more fuel. Plus a hose to adapt from a bulk tank to the appliance gives you other options.

None of these appliances (the ones you asked about and the regular propane camping ones) are regulated - they use high-pressure gas straight from the tank. It is possible to purchase fairly compact regulated LPG stoves, lanterns, and heaters - that's what is used in campers/trailers/RVs. But they cost quite a bit more...

Depending on brand and exactly what you want, you can get propane lanterns for about $20 - $40, propane stoves for about $20-$80, and catalytic propane heaters for about $40 - $100. So you can get a lot more for your money than this kit, IMO.

The propane heaters are OK; they use a lot of fuel (go figure) and at best will have about 1/10 or less as much output as an average high-efficiency furnace - most have even less heat output. More heat output is possible from devices that mount on bulk tanks, but that's a lot of combustion byproduct in an unvented situation. In any event, drain water lines & tanks, freeze-proof traps with RV anti-freeze, suck into one room, and use applainces sparingly... and only when awake. It won't be like home, but it's nicer than a tent in the winter by a long shot. Earth-sheltered corner of a basement is less difficult than above ground in most cases.

I favor an older Primus brand 8,000 BTU/Hour model cat heater (probably still available) and Coleman for stoves and lanterns, but I don't recall using the heater in the house for anything other than radiant heat when bathing during an outage. Never have used the camping stoves during an outage because the household stove is natural gas. (not earthquake prone area) I don't see much benefit to single mantle lanterns and prefer the double mantle ones. They both can be throttled down to a bare glow to conserve fuel - except for one annoying model I've seen that is either off or on.

About now, P_L is rolling his eyes <grin> - he greatly favors kerosene appliances, and he DOES have some good points for you to consider. In my opinion, propane camping appliances are better for "forget until I need them" type use than kerosene appilances - but I won't argue the point too strenuously. You pick what works for you... but I don't think the kit is as good a value as what you could assemble on your own.

Regards,

Tom