The Gear House

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When dealing with a backpacking stove or camping stove, there are a lot of different things that could go wrong or be a problem. It is important to keep in mind a lot of differnet things when using the stoves to make sure that you are operating them safely. Here are a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you keep your stove running season after season without any problems.

Do’s

• Do carry fuel only in recommended/approved containers - Volatiles are best transported in aluminum liter bottles or in their original steel can.
• Do frequently check the temperature of your stove’s fuel tank by feeiling it with your hand. If the tank is too hot to hold, reduce the stove’s heat and or pour cold water on the tank.
• Do carr extra stove parts and tools - An extra pressure cap and leather pump washer are usually enough. Bring a small screwdriver and pliers.
• Do empty the fuel in your stove at the end of each season - Impurities in fuel left in stoves can cause malfunctions. This is the most common cause of long term stove failure.

Don’ts

• Don’t loosen or remove the filler cap of a gasoline stove when the stove is burning. This could result in an explosion
• Don’t refuel a hot stove. There may be sufficient heat still available to ignite he gas fumes.
• Don’t set oversize pots on stoves that have integral fuel tanks. Large pots reflect excessive heat back to the fuel tank, which may cause overheating of the stove. Run stoves at three-fourths of maximum heat output if you use oversize pots.
• Don’t use automotive gasoline in a stove designed to burn white gas.
• Don’t state a stove inside a tent or confined area; the resulting flare up could be dangerous.
• Don’t operate any stove without suffieient ventilation. A closed tent is not sufficently ventilated.
• Don’t set stoves on sleeping bags or tent floors. There’s enough heat generated at the base of the stove to melt or warp these items.
• Don’t run stoves that have integral fuel tanks at full power for extended periods of time. The tank may overheat and cause the safety valve to blow. Stoves with seperate fuel tanks that are connected with an armored fuel line can be run on fuel power indefinitely.
• Don’t enclose a stove with aluminum foil to increase the heat output. The stove may overheat and explode.
• Don’t fill gasoline or kerosene stoves more than three-fourths full. Fuel won’t vaporize if there’s insufficient room for it to expand.

Be safe and smart when using your stove!