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Ahh, The Great Outdoors !
Campers
have been known to bring many of the comforts of home with them as they
set up camp in the great outdoors and in most cases they bring a camp cooking
appliance. While cooking at home is an activity that most people take part
in on a daily basis, it is important to keep in mind that camp cooking is
very different than cooking in your home. There is special safety information
available that should be reviewed when using a camping stove.
- Always look for a camp stove that is listed with a certifying agency to ensure you are getting a safe, tested appliance.
- Plan your purchase with adequate time to read and understand the information on the appliance and in the owner’s manual.
- Be sure to follow all instructions and markings on your cooking appliance and in the owner’s manual.
- Bring your new stove home and test it in a safe environment outdoors. You can familiarize yourself with its operation and contact customer support if you have any questions or problems.
- Always operate camp cooking appliances outdoors in an area free of overhead obstructions and never use a camping stove in a tent or in any enclosed or poorly ventilated location.
- Set up your camp-cooking appliance following the manufacturer’s
instructions. Be sure to check and recheck the fuel system for proper
installation and freedom from leaks.
Cooking at the Camp Site
- Before you go, check to make sure that cook stoves are allowed in camping areas, especially in national and state forests during high fire danger periods.
- Avoid operation of your cooking appliance in rainy or windy conditions.
- Provide adequate lighting for the preparation of your meals so that you can quickly find your cooking utensils and food items and use them appropriately.
- Never leave an operating or hot cooking appliance unattended.
- Never let children run or play within 3 feet of the cooking area.
- Use cooking utensils that properly fit your cooking appliance.
- Keep the work area clean and free of clutter, especially paper and other flammable materials.
- Be particularly careful during dry periods to keep dry leaves and pine needles away from your cooking area.
- Be sure to include hot potholders and cooking utensils in your camp kitchen.
- Never use water on a grease fire or try to move a pan with burning oil. Hold a lid with an oven mitt and gently place it over the fire. Leave it there until the pan has cooled.
- Be very careful with gas canisters. Keep them upright at all times. Keep them outside in a well ventilated area.
- Check for leakage by putting a little soapy water on all connections. Turn it off when not in use.
- Never install or remove propane cylinders while a stove is lit, near flames, pilot lights, other ignition sources or while a stove is hot to the touch.
- Be careful not to spill fuel. Use a funnel to fill the tank.
- Do not operate stove or store fuel containers around another heat source
such as a campfire.
Camp cooking Equipment