A camping stove is a useful piece of kit whether you are going camping with the family, embarking on a weekend trekking trip or completing your DofE expedition.Below we take you through how to use a camp stove with step by step instructions for the various types of stoves available.
Solid Fuel Stove
1. Open up the stove and place on a flat surface (the “spikes” should be facing up).
3. Place a couple of hexamine blocks onto the stove and light. If necessary, break the hexamine blocks down into smaller pieces as they will light easier.
4. Using a match light the fuel blocks (be careful not to burn your fingers!)
5. Once the blocks are alight, place your pan or mess tin on top of the stove.
6. Remember to keep an eye on the flame and the blocks, as you may need to add more so the flame lasts.
1. Unpack the Trangia and familiarise yourself with all the pieces.
a) small pan
b) A larger pan
c) A lid -also can be used as a frying pan
d) A handle which clips on to the pans and lid
e) Top windshield
f) Bottom windshield
g) Brass burner unit – This should come with a lid as well as a simmering ring.
h) Strap to hold everything inside
2. Find somewhere flat to place the bottom part of the windshield. DO NOT place in your tent.
3. Fill the brass burner unit ¾ of the way full with methanol and place very carefully into the slot on the bottom windshield. Be careful not to spill the methanol.
4. Place the top part of the windshield onto the bottom. They sit on top of each other, twist to connect the pieces.
5. Light a match and carefully light the methanol in the brass burner. You will not see the flames, but you should be able to feel the heat off of it straight away. Be careful when checking if it has lit and do not stick your hand directly onto the flame.
6. Use the handle to place the pot or pan onto the stove to boil water or cook food.
7. If you need to adjust the heat on the trangia, use the handle to carefully place the simmering ringonto the flame once you have adjusted the sliding disc to allow some air through.
8. Once you have finished cooking, you will need to extinguish the flame. Using the handle place the simmering ring gently on top of the flame.Slide the disc over the brass burner unit so that it is completely covered and no oxygen will be able to get through. Be very careful because it will be hot! It will not take long for the flame to go out. Never try to put the flame out using the lid as the rubber seal will burn. Always allow your cooker to cool down before packing away.
Pressurized Liquid Stove
1. Remove the stove from its protective box.
2. Pull each arm upwards to release them from their bracket.
3. Turn them left or right and lock into place by pressing down on them.
4. Remove the seal from the gas cartridge, and gently screw the gas cartridge onto the stove clockwise until you hear a click. Do not turn the cartridge further as you may damage the valve.
5. Place the stove on a flat even surface.
6. You are now ready to light your stove. Hold a flame close to the burner and gradually adjust the gas flow so that the flames are not too high.
7. Place your pan on the top of the stove where the arms are centred. Be careful that the flames do not burn too high onto the pan or they will burn.
8. When you have finished cooking, turn the knob clockwise to stop the gas flow.
9. Wait until your stove has cooled down before removing the gas cartridge. Raise the arms and turn left or right to fold the arms back to their original position. Make sure you store the stove back in its protective box
Portable Gas Stove
1. Place your gas stove on a flat surface.
2. Remove the pan support from the top of the stove. Turn it over so that the support is then facing upwards ready to hold your pan.
3. Open the cartridge cover on the stove. Remove the lid from your gas canister, and gently slot the gas cartridge into the stove.
4. Hold in place straight and press the cartridge stop lever down so that the gas canister slots into place. Check that the gas canister has slotted in place correctly before using.
5. Turn the control knob fully to the left to the ‘ignition’ position until the stove clicks and lights. If it doesn’t work, repeat until it does light.
6. Adjust the control knob to the desired height of flame.
7. Your stove is now ready to use. Do not use pans or kettles that are too large for the stove as this will cause the heat to be directed downwards, towards the gas cartridge. If using more than one stove do not position them too close to each others as this can cause the stoves to overheat.
8. Once you are finished, turn the knob to the ‘off’ position and lift the cartridge lever up to the unlock position.
9. Check that the flame is extinguished, and leave to cool down completely before disconnecting the gas cartridge. Never leave the gas cartridge inside the cooker when not in use. Replace the red protective cap on the gas cartridge when finished.
