Propane camping stoves can be used to cook a meal where building fires is prohibited. This stove is portable and convenient to take camping. Cooking with a propane camping stove is considerably simpler than cooking over a campfire. This is because campfires, unlike propane stoves, produce irregular amounts of heat and are hard to control. Modern versions of camping stoves provide easy set up, and are compact and light. Propane camping stoves require a fuel bottle that is either positioned next to the stoves burner or burner.
A camping stove’s gas burners will supply the same amount of heat as a gas kitchen stove. A one(1) or two (2) burner stove will allow for real cooking with full sized pots and pans over a proper amount of heat from the burner. A two (2) burner stove should enable you to cook a 2-pot meal, or prepare meats in a pan on 1 side and a side dish on the other side. Keep in mind that the fuel from a propane container will burn more quickly than a regular stove, so although you may leave the stove on while preparing your meal, prepare to have a back-up bottle of propane.
The following steps are for setting up and using camping propane stove properly:
Step 1 – Clear the area around the stove of all flammable debris, such as dry leaves and twigs. Be sure the stove is on a level surface. Portable stoves can be easily overbalanced by heavy cooking pots.
Step 2 – Check that the burner control knobs are in the “Off” position.
Step 3 – Attach the regulator valve assembly to the gas stove value.
Step 4 – Screw in the nozzle of the propane bottle into the attachment end of the regulator value assembly by hand tightening it. Make sure that both the regulator attachment and propane bottle are secured to the gas stove.
Step 5 – Light the stove by placing a match into the gas stream, or by using the starter button, if there is one. Adjust the heat using the regulator valve, and cook just as you would with a kitchen stove burner.
Step 6 – Turn the valve back to “off” when you are done with the stove
Step 7 – (Disassembly) Allow the stove to completely cool before disassembling it. Always remove the fuel cylinder and regulator attachments before repacking the stove
- Always check area regulations when camping and using a gas stove. Some places, such as national parks that prohibit campfires, also prohibit the use of open-flame stoves.
- The propane bottle should be used carefully when attaching and detaching from the camping stove
- Keeping the canister rust-free and well maintained will aid in preventing accidents.
- A clean and grease-free stove will prevent food from catching on fire.
- Make sure that the stove is in a properly ventilated area outdoors.
- You should always store propane canisters upright in a well-vented, cool and dry area away from open flames.
- Make sure that the propane bottle that attaches to the stove is not rusted of broken anyway.
- You should never leave a propane camping stove unattended, especially if you are camping with children.
- The canister should not be shaken or dropped as this could cause the canister to explode.
- Make sure the off and on knobs that are connected the stove are not stripped and have a secure and tight fit.
- Make sure the propane canister is the appropriate size for the stove will prevent a gas leak.
- Keep open flame away from propane tanks and lit stoves will minimize the risk of explosion.
- Propane gives off carbon monoxide. Too much carbon monoxide will cause a person’s oxygen level to be depleted and may lead to death.
- Using Stoves inside tents is strongly discouraged by all manufacturers, and therefore should only be considered if you are camping in the most hostile environments.