Camp Stove Safety for Cooking in a Power Outage

A camp stove can cook meals and boil water when the power is out, but only outdoors. Learn carbon monoxide risks, fuel storage and safe use.

A portable camp stove is one of the most useful tools in a long outage. It boils water, heats canned food and makes hot drinks, which can lift morale a lot on a cold night. It is also one of the easiest ways to hurt yourself if used in the wrong place.

The rule that overrides everything else: use a camp stove outdoors only.

Why outdoors only

Camp stoves burn fuel, and burning fuel releases carbon monoxide (CO). CO is colourless and odourless. It builds up in closed spaces and can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and death. Opening a window or door does not make indoor use safe. This applies to tents, garages, vehicles, covered porches that trap air and enclosed balconies. Official guidance from health agencies is clear that stoves, grills and heaters meant for outdoors must stay outdoors.

Choose a safe spot

• Set the stove on a flat, stable, non-flammable surface, such as bare ground, concrete or a patio slab.
• Keep it well away from the house, fences, dry grass, overhanging branches and anything that can burn. Follow the distance in the maker's manual.
• Shelter it from wind with something non-flammable, but never build a closed box around it.
• Keep children and pets back, and never leave a lit stove unattended.
• Check local rules during wildfire risk periods, since open flames may be restricted.

Fuel storage and handling

Different stoves use different fuels, such as propane canisters, liquid fuel or solid fuel tablets. Whatever you use, read the manual and the label.

1. Store fuel outdoors or in a detached shed or well ventilated spot away from the living space, not in the basement or house.
2. Keep fuel away from heat, direct sun and ignition sources.
3. Use only the fuel type the stove is made for, and use approved containers.
4. Check canisters for dents, rust and leaks before use. If you smell gas, do not light anything.
5. Connect and disconnect fuel only when the stove is off and cool, and away from flames.
6. Refuel only when the stove is cold, not while it is hot or lit.

Stock enough fuel for several days, but avoid hoarding large amounts. Check storage limits in your area, since local fire codes may cap how much you can keep.

Cooking and boiling water

Use a pot with a flat base that sits steadily on the stove. Keep handles turned inward but away from the flame. Start with simple foods like soups, canned beans, pasta and rice, which cook quickly and use less fuel. Putting a lid on the pot saves fuel. Our cooking without power guide lists easy ideas.

To make suspect water safe, bring it to a rolling boil. Official guidance from Health Canada and the US CDC and EPA is to boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at elevations above 2,000 metres or 6,500 feet). Let it cool and store it in clean, covered containers. See how to purify water in an emergency.

Safe habits and stove care

• Test your stove before you need it, ideally outside on a calm day.
• Keep a small fire extinguisher or a bucket of water or sand nearby.
• Do not wear loose sleeves near the flame.
• Let the stove cool fully before packing it away.
• Keep matches or a lighter in a waterproof place.

Never use a camp stove to heat a room, tent or car. If you want safer heat, see the heat and light hub. For overall readiness, work through the 72-hour checklist.

Finally, think about wind and weather. Rain, snow and strong gusts make outdoor cooking harder, so keep a plan for cold meals if conditions are poor. Never move a lit or hot stove, and never bring one inside to escape the weather, even for a moment. If you cannot cook safely outside, eat food that needs no heat and try again when conditions improve.

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