[Archive] 20 points you should know to use gas equipment more safely and conveniently

There are several points and tricks to protect when using a gas stove safely and conveniently, and in some cases, not knowing them can be a major risk.

So this time, we've put together a list of things you should never forget when using a gas stove, which we've collected from mountain climbing guides and experts. After putting it all together again, I personally thought I was using it without any problems, but I realized that there were pitfalls that I thought I had known about but didn't know about. If you take this opportunity to take a look, you may find something unexpected! ?

table of contents

1. Do not use gas equipment indoors
2. Check the device for breakdowns or breaks before use
3. The stove and gas cartridge are made from the same manufacturer.
4. Carry and use gas cartridges of the right type for your situation
5. We will bring waterproof matches and flint lighters.
6. The stove and gas cartridge are connected vertically
7. Do not use in tilted state
8. Use gas cartridge holders and underlays to improve stability
9. Avoid direct air hitting the burner head (according to manufacturer's policy on each model)
10. Even if it's for wind protection, it doesn't surround the entire surface of the stove and gas cartridge.
11. Do not use more than two stoves side by side
12. Don't use it to start charcoal fires
13. Do not use grills or other items with a large radiant heat
14. Do not place the gas cartridge near a heat source or in a place where it is hot.
15. Avoid getting too cold during use
16. Carry and store the gas cartridges without overcooking them
17. Cover the used gas cartridge
18. Dispose of used gas cartridges properly
19. If you are traveling by plane, gas cartridges cannot be brought inside the plane, so they must be procured locally.
20. Check the insurance listed on the gas cartridge

1. Do not use gas appliances indoors

What is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning that you won't be aware of?

One of the most important things to keep in mind when using gas appliances such as stoves and lanterns is the accident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Accidents occur every year, not just outdoors. If you are using gas appliances, first and foremost, know about this danger.

When gas equipment is used in areas with poor ventilation, the oxygen required for combustion is insufficient, causing incomplete combustion, resulting in carbon monoxide. Inhaling it can block the transport of oxygen by the blood, causing cells and tissues throughout the body to become oxygen deficient, causing various symptoms, and in the worst case scenarios, killing you. This is carbon monoxide poisoning.

What's scary is that there are very few clear signs of whether or not you are currently poisoned with carbon monoxide. carbon monoxide is produced because it is "tasteless and odorless," and it is difficult to tell whether it is occurring or not, and in the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning, it generally difficult to notice because it is similar to the symptoms of a cold (influenza) and drowsiness. If it progresses to moderate or severe, it is too late as it will no longer be able to move on its own. This is why carbon monoxide poisoning is said to be a "die disease that will eventually lead to death."

To prevent "carbon monoxide poisoning" outdoors

To avoid such troublesome and terrifying carbon monoxide poisoning, all you need to do is not create a situation where carbon monoxide is produced. Be sure not to use gas equipment in tents, cars, or other enclosed indoors just because it's cold outside. If you find yourself in a situation where you find something strange that is on top of the page, make sure to move to a place with fresh air immediately.

2. Check the equipment for breakdowns or breaks before use

Before ignite the stove, inspect the connection between the stove and the gas cartridge for leaks or damage. In particular, deterioration or damage to the valves of O-rings and gas cartridges can cause gas leaks and are dangerous ( see the previous article for information on O-ring deterioration ).

Also, if you neglect to care for the burner head, it may become clogged due to soot stains and fine dirt. This will cause a bias in the way it burns and is dangerous, so it is also important to have the habit of checking the burner head for dirt before using it.

3. Use the same manufacturer for the stove and gas cartridge.

Naturally, gas appliances are carefully crafted to the finest dimensions to prevent gas leaks at the connections or not to achieve normal combustion, and for this reason, each manufacturer specifies that they use their own original gas cartridges. Using gas cartridges made by other companies is not recommended not only for safety reasons, but also for the viewpoint of liability issues in the event of any accident.

4. Carry and use gas cartridges of the right type for your situation

Did you know that the gas cartridges contain not just one type of gas, but that multiple gases are mixed in proportion to suit your needs?

Gas cartridges are divided into "high-altitude cold regions," "winter and high-altitude," and "summer to low-altitude," depending on the type of gas and their blending ratio. This is because the temperature of vaporization varies depending on the gas, and has the characteristics such as normal butane (above 0°C), isobutane (above −10°C), and propane (above −40°C).

For example, summer gas cartridges that contain a lot of butane, which vaporizes at high temperatures, can cause the gas to not vaporize easily when used in cold regions where it is below zero, making it difficult to burn, and in the worst case, there is little gas coming out despite the contents. Many people have probably had the experience of having trouble climbing in winter because the fire was not strong. On the other hand, although it is not well known, even if you use it for high-cold regions on low mountains in the summer, the gas will be released too much, making cooking inefficient, and it contains a lot of propane, so you need to be careful when handling and storing it in the summer. Understand that such expensive gas card ridges are not necessarily versatile, and you should understand that everything is the right item to be in the right place.

5. Bring a waterproof match or a flint lighter

Generally, gas stoves can be ignited by using the included ignition device, but depending on the environment, the ignition device may not be able to ignite the ignition device, such as high altitude, low outside temperature, or high humidity. Furthermore, there are also stoves that do not have ignition devices. To prevent this from happening, and in the event of an accident, make sure to carry lighters and matches with you when you go to the mountains (packing them to prevent them from getting wet).

The lighter you will carry with you at this time, but in the case of "electronic" lighters that are ignited by discharge, they often do not ignite at high altitudes, so bring a "Flint" light that is ignited with flint as a spare.

Of course, flint lighters are not versatile either. Some people say that magnesium fire starters and waterproof matches are more comfortable. What's important is the ability to know the characteristics (strengths and weaknesses) of the tool and act flexibly according to the situation.

6. Connect the stove and gas cartridge vertically

When connecting the stove and gas cartridge, connect it as vertical as possible. This is because if connected sideways, mist-like gas may leak from the valve, leading to a major accident. New gas cartridges in particular contain liquid gas all the way to the top, so even if they are not facing sideways, there is a risk that mist-like gas will erupt with force even if they are not attached. Make sure there is no fire around it and install it vertically.

7. Do not use in tilted state

Using the stove in a tilted area, or tilting the gas cartridge while burning, not only does it make the cooker placed on the stove unstable and prone to spill, but it can also cause the equipment to fall, and there is a risk of unexpected burns and fires. In addition, the tilted gas cartridge makes it easier for liquefied gas to erupt, and there is a risk that a large, red flame (fresh fire) will suddenly burn.

Make sure to place the gas stove horizontally on a flat surface.

8. Use gas cartridge holders and underlays to improve stability

Even if it is a designated camping spot for mountain climbing, it is likely that there are not many safe, flat areas. To improve stability, items such as gas cartridge holders and trays and underlays are useful. This dramatically increases the stability of the stove and reduces the risk of falling. By the way, trays and underlays are useful as cutting boards when cooking, and as a back frame for a backpack, making them very useful.

9. Avoid direct air coming into contact with the burner head

Wind blows away flames and heat, and has a major impact on fire, so it is necessary to block it as much as possible. As a basic premise, make sure to use the product in a place or place where the flames on the stove are not directly exposed to the flames. The basic countermeasures are effective to sit upwind or stack stones around it. However, when building a windshield, it is especially important to pay attention to the following points 10 and follow the policies of each manufacturer.

10. Even if it is for windproof, it does not surround the entire surface of the stove and gas cartridge.

When building a windshield to block wind, if you use it around the entire gas appliance and gas cartridge, heat will gather and stay, which will result in an overheating of the gas cartridge, causing a sudden increase in pressure, which could cause the gas cartridge to explode. Strictly speaking, the precautions for windshields vary depending on the device, so be sure to follow the policy at least while being careful not to overheat the gas cartridge when using a windshield.

11. Do not use more than two stoves side by side

It's easy to accidentally do this in a small space or because you want to heat it quickly, but the heat coming from each other's stove and the radiant heat from the bottom increases the risk of explosion, making it extremely dangerous. The two-burner type is a structure in which the heat source, pot, and gas body are safely separated. When using multiple single burners, always keep a distance and do not use more than two single burners on one cooker.

12. Do not use to start charcoal fires

Charcoal fires have a large radiant heat, and if it continues to heat, the gas cartridge will overheat without you realising it, and there is a great risk of it exploding. It is extremely dangerous, so when making charcoal fires, try to use other methods such as fire starters or gas torches, and avoid using a gas stove.

13. Do not use items with high radiant heat such as grills.

Just like charcoal fire, cooking utensils such as iron plates, grilled grates, and ceramic products, have a large radiant heat, and the gas cartridge may overheat and cause explosion. Avoid placing a wide bottom on the stove.

14. Do not place the gas cartridge near a heat source or in a place where it is hot.

Basically, the most dangerous situation for gas cartridges is when the pressure inside increases rapidly, meaning that any situation in which the gas cartridge is abnormally heated must be avoided. Specifically, keep in mind the following common situations other than those listed above, and be careful when handling gas cartridges.

• Throw the gas cartridge into the fire
• Place near a fire such as a bonfire
• Place near a hot cooking cooker
• Leave it on a high temperature paved road
• Leave it on the sandy beach or riverbank under the scorching sun
• Leave it in a car exposed to direct sunlight (including the storage room)

15. Avoid getting too cold during use

As mentioned in point 4, gas is basically not limited to the remaining amount, but when it gets low, the momentum of the spurt will inevitably weaken, making it difficult to increase the heat. Moreover, the effects of outside air temperatures are not the only cause of these low temperatures. While the stove is burning (the gas continues to vaporize), the gas cartridge itself keeps getting colder and colder, taking away the heat from surrounding areas. Therefore, even if the outside temperature is not too low, it is important to make sure that the temperature of the gas cartridge itself does not drop too much when using the stove effectively.

The first correct way to prevent gas cartridges from getting too cold is to "warm them in the palm of your hand." It's the primitive, but the easiest and safest method. Another effective method is to use two other stoves alternately. If one gas cartridge gets cold while in use, you can always cook efficiently by repeatedly replacing it with something that is not in use (and not inclined). It's also less and less recently, but if a dedicated power booster is on sale, you can also use it (of course, it is assumed that you follow the policies of each manufacturer).

In addition, when using a stove on snow, it is a good idea to not place it directly in contact with the snow, but rather to place it on a veneer or other lining it under the gas cartridge. This will insulate the cold air from the ground, and there is no risk of the snow melting due to heat from above and causing the balance to become unbalanced, allowing for safe and efficient cooking.

16. Carry and store the gas cartridges without overcooking them

In seasons where the temperature is low, such as autumn and spring, gas cartridges are often cold after completing their daily activities or just after waking up. There are a few important considerations to prevent this.

• Keep it in your sleeping bag while you're sleeping.
• Also, store in a heat-inhibited jacket while sleeping.
• During activities, the gas cartridge is stored near the back of the backpack and carried.

17. Cover the gas cartridge after use

The lid of the gas cartridge itself is likely to be lost, but it plays a role in protecting the valve part, which is the key to the connecting part. With the OD can type, there is little risk of gas leakage even if there is no lid, but in the case of the cassette type, gas will blow out when the gas plug is pressed, so for safety reasons, always cover it when not in use.

18. Dispose of used gas cartridges properly

It is natural that gas cartridges that are no longer in use will be discarded after they have been used up, but detailed disposal rules may vary depending on the local government. Therefore, when disposing of the site, be sure to check the rules of each local government and dispose of them in an appropriate manner.

19. If you are traveling by plane, gas cartridges cannot be brought inside the plane, so they must be procured locally.

Carrying gas cartridges on an aircraft is prohibited by the Aviation Act. Therefore, when climbing expeditions using airplanes, both domestically and internationally, it is best to plan the gas cartridges based on the assumption that they will be procured locally. Even if you send by courier, the conditions seem to be different depending on the company, such as the company being able to do it or not being able to do it. For details, please contact your respective shipping company, post office, etc.

20. Check the insurance listed on the gas cartridge

There is a system called "Product Liability Insurance" that compensates for the damage caused by the accident even if the accident occurs even though the product is used correctly. However, as mentioned in the first half, if the manufacturer is outside the scope of use, such as using the gas cartridge and the main unit in a different combination, insurance will not be applied. From this perspective, we recommend that you check the usage instructions specified by the manufacturer of your stove.

Supervised by: Japan Gas Oil Equipment Manufacturers Association → http://www.jgka.or.jp/gasusekiyu_riyou/index.html