Boy Scouts of America

Fire Safety with Backpacking Stoves

SUMMARY

Stoves made for the outdoors can extend the range of your travels by giving you a reliable way to safely cook anywhere and in any weather. Typically, backpacking stoves use white gas, kerosene, propane, butane, or isobutane gas as a fuel. Ultralight trekkers also favor alcohol stoves.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Here are some fire safety tips for the proper use of these types of stoves:

  • Before attempting to use the stove, review the manufacturer’s instructions for its proper use, the type of fuel, and how to safely light it.
  • Never use large pots as a windscreen for your backpacking stove, because enclosing the stove could lead to an explosion. Instead, use a manufacturer’s windscreen that is designed to be attached to the backpacking stove for safe use in windy conditions. Also, do not place the stove inside a large pot, because overheating can occur.
  • BSA policy prohibits use of homemade backpacking or alcohol stoves.
  • Unleaded gasoline and liquid alcohol fuels (including isopropyl alcohol, denatured ethyl alcohol, and ethanol fuels) are not recommended for use, as noted in BSA policy (see “Resources” below) on the storage, handling, and use of chemical fuels and equipment.
  • When transporting fuel for backpacking stoves, use the manufacturer’s recommended containers. Many of the fuel bottles are metal and may have pouring spouts or funnels attached for dispensing. The caps on the fuel bottles should be liquid tight, to prevent leakage.
  • In case of burns, make sure your first-aid kit is well kept, and know your local emergency response contacts and/or locations.


RESOURCES

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.