Resources

Excursion support - fuel stove use

Most camping stoves use fuels such as shellite, kerosene, methylated spirits or gas, all of which are highly flammable. They are potentially dangerous if not operated correctly. Stoves that use methylated spirits are the most suitable for use by students because methylated spirits has a low volatility.

Safety with fuels

All fuel containers must be clearly labelled so as not to be confused with other liquids.

• The stove must not be fuelled or used anywhere near naked flames and other heat sources or when it is too hot to touch.
• Stoves must always be fuelled and / or primed outside tents or buildings.
• Fuel bottles must be securely sealed and kept well away from the lighted stove and other heat sources.
• Methylated spirits is a low volatility fuel and does not always light straight away, and burns with an invisible flame. As such care should be taken to determine if the stove is alight.
• Only refill the burner when it is completely out, and has cooled sufficiently to be picked up with bare hands.

Student briefing prior to use

Proper instruction in the use of fuel stoves must be given to students, and the following safety precautions should be given and strictly observed:

• a designated ‘cooking area’ should be established
• setup of the stove should be demonstrated to first time users
• the stove must only be used in a stable position where it will not tip-over or move around
• fuelling, lighting and extinguishing the burner should be demonstrated to first time users
• lighted stoves must never be left unattended
• students must not walk across the area where stoves are in operation
• students should avoid passing hot liquids and hot food over the stove and other people
• demonstrate the use of ‘billy grips’ for removing the lid and pots
• demonstrate the refuelling procedure
• demonstrate using the temperature controlling device (including how to put out the flame)
• staff must carefully supervise students while stoves are being used.

Use in tents

• If possible, stoves should not be used in or close to tents. There are dangers in having a flame and fumes in such a confined space.
• If weather conditions are so poor that students must cook from their tent then the stove should be placed outside the tent, or in an annexe or vestibule of the tent.
• Tent doors and vents should be open to ensure good ventilation.
• Movement in the tent should be kept to a minimum, with legs positioned away from the stove.
• Stoves must be positioned away from flammable objects-particularly plastic groundsheets, rucksacks, tent flaps and sleeping bags.
• Lit stoves must not be left unattended or allowed to overheat - for example by using over-large billies or pans.