Important Safety Message about one ring 'suitcase' stoves

[Blu]

Something I did not know about these popular and handy stoves:

These are instructions issued with some of these stoves (mine had / has no such instructions)

"DO NOT USE TWO OR MORE STOVES SIDE BY SIDE (crossed out pic of two stoves next to each other)
DO NOT COVER THE GAS CANISTER COMPARTMENT WITH POTS OR PANS AS THIS MAY CREATE A HAZARDOUS CONDITION (crossed out pic of large frying pan covering complete stove, pic showing smaller pan with a tick against it)
MAXIMUM SIZE OF POT OR PAN 21cm"

I did know that these stoves had a bit of a reputation for exploding in flames: these instructions explain why. Using two side by side means that the heat from one is next to the gas canister form the other, and using a big pan spreads the flames / heat over the gas canister compartment.

I found all this on the UKCampsite Forum in a thread called Camping Stove Fire started 13/10/2015

I will still use my little stove when it is the stove of choice for the trip - but will be measuring my frying pan.

I see from another thread that many people are not aware of these instructions. Can we keep this thread bumped through the camping season?

Interesting, BombayFlambeau.
The safety / institution video linked by a PP is a CampngGaz stove though and I think says no pans bigger than 25Cm, though, and I demonstrated a load of things not to put on it, including a paella pan , which is probably equivalent size-wise to a good old UK fry-it-all up family breakfast frying pan.

I just think it is interesting how many of us didn't know about this, incl experienced campers.

Thanks Blu.

What stoves to people recommend? We bought a cheapie from Asda and it lasted all of one camping trip before melting so that the can couldn't be taken in or out; useful!

Stars, that sounds terrible, and very unsafe!
Which bit melted?

I have one of these but you do need a regulator and gas bottle, so a bit bigger. I was going to say , try the CampingGaz Bistro but I see one of the reviews reported that it melted

You could ask if any MN-ers have used this one a Camp Bistro Tabletop stove.

(I also have a cheap one ring stove, similar to the CampingGaz one and it has not melted etc, but it doesn't cook as fast as my double burner with gas bottle).

Bumping again.
I was camping at the weekend and overheard someone describing a tent fire due to misuse of stoves, so as we all head out for the school hols, head out safely, MN-ers!

(As I was using my little stove this weekend I looked at it more carefully and it does actually have these instructions printed on the casing. First time I have noticed them there in about 4 years!)

Bumpity Bump

Enjoy your trip, LadyIinThe radiator - sorry about the weather....!

Glad you found the info helpful.

Thank you - we have two of these -

Thanks for this.

This is indeed vital advice to follow.

I am changing my old dented rusted suitcase stove for an Outwell Appetizer 1 burner stove or a Vango Blaze. These are small stoves that run off a small self sealing screw in gas cartridge, but because it is attached by a hose it will be further away from the heat, so I assume there can be a bigger pan.

But thinking about it, what about the gas in the hose?

Another safety tip: DO NOT USE AEROSOLS IN YOUR TENT. Sorry to shout, just thought the message might get lost in my stove ramble.

Aerosols leave an imperceptible residue in the inside of your tent that hugely increased flammability. So no spray deodorant, hair product, insect repellent, do it away from the tent.

I'm giving this a wee bump. I came across it searching for something else but good safety advice

I also sleep with an open penknife near me. If my tent catches fire I'm out in under a second. No time for zips.

Good seasonal safety post!

Especially with so many people trying camping for the first time.

Another thing (yes, I know, but apparently people have done it) do not use the stove while it is still in its plastic case.

And another...that people have done...never ever put a disposable BBQ in your tent. Not even in the porch area when it is raining. Obviously you will melt a massive hole in the groundsheet, and secondly you will kill yourself and family with carbon monoxide poisoning.