Getting the most heat from your stove requires a little care
and feeding. The following are tips and hints gleaned from
years of guiding and stove use that you can rely on to
improve your stove's efficiency:

• Always store a stove and fuel away from food, such is in a side pocket of a pack. Many manufacturers offer padded sacks or special stove cases for this purpose.

• Take the time to test fire a stove at home. This way you will know it works and can learn in a controlled setting your stove's particular quirks and features. Another advantage, you are only a phone call away from either the manufacturer or your local specialty store if you encounter any problems--not the case if the problem is discovered in the high mountains.

• Water (from condensation, typically) and debris (from careless opening and closing of a fuel canister when filling, most likely) can clog a fuel line. Use a fuel funnel outfitted with a small screen to prefilter fuel going into their stove. Also, before filling a fuel bottle, always check it for debris and water.

• Never use old fuel. Fuel stored in a stove's fuel tank for more than a few months begins to break down which results in impurities that will clog a stove.

• Avoid naked lights except in initial lighting.

• All fuels should be stored out of direct sunlight.

• Never tolorate, or use an unstable stove.

• Unburnt gases are toxic and therefore ventilation is essential.

• Never use a stove inside a tent.

• Refuelling, with correct fuel, must be carried out with great care at all times.

• Beware of so called 'invisible flames' when using methylated spirit. All liquid fuels must be kept in screw top bottles.

• Take plenty of spares, such as prickers, jets and washers for pressure stoves.

• Be very careful when changing gas cylinders. Never change a cylinder in the presence of a naked flame.

• Gas cylinders are forbidden in aircraft.

• Take empty gas cylinders home to avoid leaving litter.

• Butane (usually in blue cylinders) does not burn below -1 degrees centigrade, therefore on winter expeditions, propane (usually in red cylinders) should be used.

• Most fuel gasses are heavier than air and do not vent away completely. Be wary of gas being able to ignite at low levels in ground pockets.

• Never put empty (or full!) gas cylinders on a fire and keep all cylinders away from heat.

• Never mix fuels. Always use the correct fuel for the appliance in use.

• Always use the correct fittings. Do not substitute high pressure hose and fittings for low pressure ones.

• Check all hoses, regulators, taps etc regularly and have your stove serviced.