How to Safely Cook while Camping
Author
A keen runner, skier and nuts about cycling. Karl lives in Cumbria, where he loves encouraging his two children to follow in his outdoor lifestyle. Whilst out and about keeping active, Karl keeps a diary and shares it with Outdoor Look.
Any kind of outdoor expedition can be a learning experience in many different ways. These activities hone and develop your survival skills, tactical skills, stamina, endurance level and a lot more things. Be it camping with a group of friends and family or a solo fishing trip, outdoor activities never cease to surprise you. One can relish the time spent on such outings even more if one knows how to cook in the great outdoors. Preparing food outdoors, particularly inside a camping tent, can be a daunting task. We all are aware of the dangers of cooking if one is not well equipped.
One of the most common types of danger encountered during camp cooking is the presence of an open fire or stove. In case there is no fire pit and you aren’t carrying a stove, it is recommended that you light a fire at least 15 feet away from your tent. If possible, build your fire on a rock surface. Let us look at a few risks involved and the solutions to them when cooking in such places.
Chance of Setting your Tent on Fire
Yes, your camp might just run the risk of catching fire if the proper precautions are not taken. This would mean no shelter from wild animals and harsh climate. Hence, it is advisable that one opts for tents that have been treated with fire retardants that slow down the spread of flames. Always maintain extra precautions while preparing food in a stove inside your tent.
Poisoning due to Carbon Monoxide
We all know that camping stoves release carbon monoxide -- an odourless gas. It is not advisable to inhale this gas as this can be life threatening and can also cause brain damage. The best way to put these stoves to use is by placing them outside the tent or unzipping all the windows and doors of your tent before igniting the stove. This provides proper ventilation, which is necessary when it comes to carbon monoxide.
Acute Burns
One should have in-depth knowledge about the fuels one intends to use on such trips for cooking. White gas and alcohol are certainly the most dangerous fuels to deal with. These catch fire instantly. Remember, spilling these fuels too can cause severe burns and fire hazards. It becomes difficult to extinguish the fire where such fuels are used.
Animals in the Wild
Often adventurers choose dense forests and hiking trail locations for such camping fun. Cooking in such places invites The Danger from wild animals. The food cooked in the tents can reach animals and lure them to your camps. Mountain lions, beers and coyotes are some of the visitors you will attract. Hence, it is advisable to cook food that does not exude a strong smell. Avoid cooking bacon, fish, etc. inside your tent. It is best to carry freeze-dried or simply hydrated meals on trips like these. The best part about dehydrated food is that it is easy to rehydrate using water.
Choose the Ideal Stoves for Cooking in Tents
We have all heard about all-in-one canister stoves. These feature an integrated pot. Super-light in weight, these are ideal to be carried on such camps. Most of these are windproof hence you can cook using them in areas where it is super windy too. Also, choose the vestibule area of your tent to cook. This allows better airflow.
Hence, the next time you are on a camping trip, keep these tips in mind to ensure that you don't have to cut short your trip on account of an unfortunate accident. Your safety is in your hands!
Author
A keen runner, skier and nuts about cycling. Karl lives in Cumbria, where he loves encouraging his two children to follow in his outdoor lifestyle. Whilst out and about keeping active, Karl keeps a diary and shares it with Outdoor Look.
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