How to Use Camping Stoves Indoors

Photo by L. C. S.

You've used your camp stove to cook in the wild outdoors many a time. But now that you are faced with a situation in which you may need to use your camp stove inside, you aren't sure how to go about it. The truth is, you can use a camp stove indoors with relative safety and security by following a few simple steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Check to make sure your camping stove has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for use indoors. If it hasn't, you should completely avoid using your stove indoors. If it has, you may proceed to the next step. This information will typically be located directly on the stove itself or on its packaging. You can additionally look up this sort of information by visiting the stove's manufacturer's website.

Step 2

Find an empty area immediately adjacent to a large window or door leading outside.

Step 3

Set up your stove next to the window or door. Be sure to clear away any fire hazards, just as you would outside. Books, papers, and any other flammable materials should be taken to another part of the room. Ideally, nothing would be on the floor or table except the stove itself.

Step 4

Open the window or door. This is crucial. Camp stoves, even those that have been UL-approved for indoor use, typically emit some carbon monoxide, which is a completely odorless gas that can lead to illness (like dizziness, confusion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and general weakness) or even death. Setting up your stove right next to a fully open window or door will avoid the trapping of carbon monoxide in the room or house.

Article Written By William Jackson

William Jackson has written, reported and edited professionally for more than 10 years. His work has been published in newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, high-level government reports, books and online. He holds a master's degree in humanities from Pennsylvania State University.

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