Welcome, guest [login | register]

Posted by Bill S on August 17, 2007 at 11:59:59 am EDT
In reply to Selecting a Camping Stove posted by bheiser1 on August 10, 2007 at 4:12:40 pm EDT

USMCSarge, all combustion of carbon-containing fuels (white gas, butane, propane, the gas supplied by your local gas utility, wood, coal, ...) produces a certain amount of carbon monoxide and a lot of carbon dioxide (plus other molecules, depending on the exact makeup of the fuel). How much CO depends on the conditions of combustion and will vary with any given stove over time (including your kitchen stove or gas furnace). Your "quote" from MSR ("only a few of the MSR stoves were found to produce CO") is inaccurate. MSR stated that only a few of the Reactors exceeded the CO limit considered acceptable - the key words were "exceeded" and "CO limit". I am sure Chumango and Brian in SLC can explain in more detail, but among the factors that affect the amount of CO are air flow (oxygen supply), completeness of mixing at the jet (soot, dirt, and other buildup over time and with lack of continuous maintenance), flame quenching (against a cold pot when melting snow for water, for example), and many others. There is generally a higher percentage of CO when using the stove at high altitudes where the lower air density means less oxygen available. When cooking in confined spaces (such as a tent or snow shelter) or other places with poor ventilation, during combustion the available oxygen gets depleted and combustion becomes less complete, hence more CO.

Or simply put, ALL stoves produce CO. Use your stove and lantern in well-ventilated areas only. Maintain your fuel-burning gear and use it properly (READ THE MANUAL!) to keep combustion as efficient as when it was factory new (this includes replacing worn jets and gaskets, as well as cleaning the fuel flow system and using quality fuel).

One other thing about stoves - to quote Clyde Soles in one of his excellent articles testing stoves - "Treat all stoves as the barely contained explosions they are."

Replies

View: flat | threaded

There have been no replies

Post a Reply

Before replying, please read the complete thread.