Don't use an outdoor stove in your home unless you have sufficient variation and you're sure there are no gas leaks. In this tutorial we will teach you how to use an outdoor gas camping stove, to adjust the flames and most importantly double check if it's safe from potential explosions.
How Does Cooking On An Outdoor Stove Work?When you first light the stove, the flames may rise a bit higher than expected.
Especially when you're adjusting the gas. Makes sure you keep your hands or body at a safe distance; to avoid burning.
Gas is highly flammable; I'm sure you knew that. Right? That's why it's important to only use an outdoor gas stove that are tested to be safe.
If we told you that you can now use some advanced models of outdoor backpacking stoves indoors.
What would you say? And the basic user instructions are almost the same; in one way or another. But let's not jump ahead of ourselves; this post is for setting up your outdoor chef.
(The most scariest hike in America).
Step By Step Instructions To Use An Outdoor Camping Stove?
Camping gas stoves is your mobile kitchen, you can use it almost anywhere. It will vibrate beautifully with your portable backpacking chair.
Outdoor stoves are rapidly becoming more popular and convenient. They're now even used in gardens, on balconies and in situations of electricity cuts or load shedding.
(I wouldn't recommend you use it in poor ventilated areas, like inside your ultralight outdoor camping tent; to avoid carbon dioxide from building up).
It's even convenient for areas where no wood burning fires is allowed. So how do you safely and effectively set up these outdoor camping stoves?
1. Make Sure You Have All The Pieces That Comes With Your Camping StoveThe most important thing to do is open the package of your new camping chef. Carefully remove all the papers and items you received in the package.
Generally you receive instructions lists and papers that gives information on the types of connecting pieces you suppose to have.
Double check the items and tick the list of items included to make sure you have everything.
Contact customer support: If you somehow notice missing parts. It's important not to try connecting incomplete stoves, because it's very dangerous.
(You may also like waterproof hiking boots). For Example:
You should have to stove, removable gas canister, a hose, connector extension pieces, etc. Now each brand will slightly differ from the other, depending on the make and design.
2. Connect The Hose to The Gas Canister then afterwards the stove.The most important goal is to connect the gas canister and the stove by using the hose as a bridge. This allows gas to flow from the canister to the stove. Meaning the liquid fuel can easily pass through; in order for the stove allowing you to cook.
The gas line has a tight fit around the small screen like shaped hole in your stove and gas bottles. It usually has a clamp metal and screw. Which you have to twist and turn to lock the connection.
Although it requires some pressure in order to secure the fitting. You should still be careful not to twist too hard. Because it can also result in damaging the fitting. If you hear a clicking noise it confirms that connection is successful.
3. Test For Potential Gas Leaks By Spraying Soap WaterYou can use dishwasher or any soap powder formula mixed with luke warm water in a spray bottle for this test. Spray it to the connection between the gas pipe and the stove.
Please Note: The gas should be turned ‘off’ you're using the actual gas to test. Instead you are checking for leaks with natural air to ensure it's safe for switching on your gas later.
If there's a gas leak it can be easily spotted by the bubbles it will produce. If there is a leak it can be very dangerous and cause a fire, or comprise the quality of heat produced for cooking.
So spraying the soap water, it will either expose the leak by showing bubbles.
Meaning you can now retry to secure the connection. Until it's clear from bubbles or signs of air coming through the hose fitting.
So let's assume you tested the connection and no soap bubbles are popping up. It simply means you connection is safe to continue with the proceeding steps.
4. Dry The Areas Where You Applied Soap Water After TestingYou can simply use a dry cloth or paper towels to dry the connection points. As it will cause problems when trying to light the stove.
Water and fire don't work well in igniting a flame. So avoid barriers by drying the soap water after you completed the test for leaks.
5. Place The Outdoor Camping Stove On A Flat SurfaceIt's logic that your stove should be balanced when cooking and it also prevents risks of your pots falling off.
Prepare a flat area on the ground or use bricks to make the terrain level.
How Do You Adjust The Flame On Camp Chef?
Please note: Every stove has specific recommendations for the makers. However this article generalized the basics for your online convenience.
6. How To Operate The Gas Fueled Camping StoveUnfold and spread the arms around the burner, to position them evenly apart. Normally when your stove is not being used and pack away, these metal arms are folded in (together).
Some burners might have between 3 to 4 arms. Stretch them out by first pulling them straight or up and balancing them.
These arms are designed to stabilize and supports your pots accurately balaned; on both sides.
Which helps to prevent them from sliding off; from either sides. Providing you placed you stove on a flat surface.
These arms also holds your pots and pans. Without them your gas flame will be open and if you placed a pot or pan on it. The flame would simply be extinguish the flame.
7. Using The Priming Pump In You Canister Pump The Gas Up To 15 Times:This process helps to build up pressure and converts the liquid into gas. The main goal of this particular procedure is to pump till you feel a resistance.
By using the priming pump; which is a black pump right at the top of the gas canister.
Generally you get a user guide with the item. Which gives you direct instructions on how many times you should pump. Follow the amount pumps recommended by the manufacturer; which uniquely depends on the model or brand.
8. Open The Gas Hose Slightly By Turning The KnobTo allow a small amount of liquid to enter. Normally there's a small area, where the fuel comes out. It's usually next to the area where the flame forms.
This small amount of fuel provides an area where the liquid getsturned into gas. Making it possible for your outdoor gas stove to burn properly.
You open the gas by turning a small knob attached to the stove. It serves as a controller.
9. Set The Fuel Alight In The Small Area With A Match Or Lighter:This is called “priming” it turns the liquid into gas and allows your stove to produce a flame.
This process should be followed up with caution. It's best to use a long match or lighter. While keeping you hand at a safe distance.
Allow the fuel to completely burn out, before proceeding with the next step.
10. You Can Now Adjust The Flame Up To Your Preferred SizeThe Fuel adjuster helps you to deliberately adjust the flames height to your preference. By opening the adjuster you're increasing the heat, by slowly closing it you're decreasing it.
The adjuster is also conveniently connected to the outdoor camping stove. On most stoves the design looks almost the same.
If you decrease the flame size to low, it may result in closing the gas. Which automatically switch it off, meaning you have to restart the priming process.
Other Resources:Most outdoor camping stoves comes with a sheet that helps to block the wind. It's a small piece of aluminium. Which is very useful to stop wind from disrupting the flame. You can set it up according the manufacturer's instructions.
It's Time To Cook Up A Storm!You are ready to cook and adjust your gas stove. Proactively use the sheet to manage the wind in bad weather conditions.
In Summary:Depending on the size of your backpackers stove, smaller versions may take a bit longer to cook a full course meal.
Then again that depends on the type of food you're preparing.
This is where you can get creative. Rest assured like any other stove; most types of pots and pans works well. You can pretty much prepare food the same way as you normally do in your home kitchen.