As a newbie camping virgin with all the gear and some idea (thanks to reading all your posts) I have a couple of questions about gas.
1. Gas bottles; do I buy a full bottle the first time full of gas and then get the same bottle refilled each time, or do I just swap it each time I need more gas?
2. When using my new Campingaz Stove can I set it up under the front flap canopy of my Oregon 5 (yes I have bought the poles!) to cook with, or should be set up without anything above it?
Thank you.
(we are looking forward to our first trip in a few weeks to the Whitby area)
Hi, yes, you can buy a full one to start with and when empty they refill it or swap it for a full one for you, so you then only pay for the price of the gas. The first one is quite expensive though.
but if you haven't bought one yet, try your local tip first, they may let you have one free, or for a few quid tip for the attendant. You can then take it and get it swapped for a full one.. or sometimes you can get lucky and there will be still some gas in it that will last a while. you can feel if there is still gas in it it sort of swishes about inside. also try your local freeads or freecycle group. Check you have the correct adaptor regulator,if it doesn't come complete, as there are a few different fittings for different types of bottles.
you should be okay cooking under your canopy,obviously make sure that you're positioned well away from the tent walls as grease splashes can affect the waterproofing, a windbreak is very handy to put around the sides too.
Once you have a cylinder you exchange it each time for a different full one. If you have the space it helps to have two so that you can use one out completely and get it exchanged when convenient, while you switch to the other one to continue your holiday. That said most large campsites will have stocks of the most popular types so you won't be stuck.
Due to new regulations a lot of tips now refuse to accept cylinders so it's getting more difficult to find them that way. Asking around friends and relatives, ebay, or an ad on freecycle can be a good way of avoiding the initial cylinder charge. Remember that Calor cylinders can be exchanged for a different size, so don't turn down an offer of a larger cylinder if you need a smaller one.
Cooking in, or near, tents is an emotive subject on here with many different views. Personally I only ever cook inside the tent, others would never do so.
Under the canopy is fine provided you make sure that it's sturdily erected and there's little chance of the guys or poles being knocked such that the canopy could come down on top of the cooker.
Basically, when camping and using gas/electric/petrol powered appliances, ask yourself each time 'what could possibly go wrong, how should I avoid that happening, and if it were to happen how could I prevent harm occurring to me, my family, or my neighbours?'
The fancy name is a 'Risk Assessment', but in reality it's no different to the thoughts each of us have before we cross a busy road
we have cooked in side the tent for 30+ years with no problem. just use common sense also get a fire extinguisher and a red fire bucket as some sites requir you have one close by . a plain red one with fire painted on the side will do or get a posh one prom the camping shop www.towshure.co.uk sell them mail order. peridot has given you some sound advice . when using hook up I clip the socket part on to the table leg on a spike to keep it off the ground in case water ingress .
------------- geoff & annb,--
never lost just on tour
your just jealous of the little voices talking to me
I have always cooked inside our tent but as said above always have a fire blanket and extinguisher close at hand. I even used to cook bacon and eggs in our original 2 man tent without getting out of my sleeping bag.
Alot of sound sensible advice here, we always cook inside the tent as well but always have the fire blanket close at hand, (stopped using an extinguisher cos they always went out of date unused), all i can add is, whatever stand you use for your cooker, make sure it is firmly pegged down then it won't get knocked over and as a further precaution, we always turn the gas off at the bottle when not in use
You could try eBay for your gas bottle I managed to get a second hand one located within 15 miles from where I live for 10.00 pounds it would have cost me nearly 50.00 from a dealer/shop.
You would however need to find one close by to collect in person, but it might be worth a try.
Thanks, I have had a look on ebay but there were none available. I have just been looking on the free ads on this website and may have found one in the Yorkshire area.
We nearly had a disaster on last camping trip! We also have a front canopy on poles and decided that it would be fine to cook under. Which it was until the wind got up!
It is amazing how flappy the canopy can suddenly become which can lift and move the poles resulting in the flysheet dropping on the cooker. Luckily the cooker wasn't on at this moment but it was sat under the canopy.
I thin kit is fine to cook under but please make sure it is very securely held up and if it is breezy and would advise yo unot to take the risk.
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Topic: Cooking with gas!
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