Safety (pg 254 Scout Handbook)
· Choose an area that is level and flat
· Clear ground from debris, leaves, twigs, etc
· Follow manufacturers directions (cleaning, use, storage)
· Keep fuel containers away from other sources of fire and heat
· Keep head to one side when lighting a stove (flare-ups!)
· Allow hot stoves to cool before changing fuel cartridges or re-filling
· Do not operate stoves inside areas with poor ventilation ( tents)
· Never leave a lighted stove unattended
· Do not overload the stove (tipping, weight – bend, etc)
· Dispose of empty fuels canisters at home. – Do not put them near trash that will get burned.
Planning (pg 257 Scout Handbook)
· How many are you cooking for?
· How many days are you going?
· How far will you have to walk? Weight is a factor
· How long will you have to prepare food? Bkfst, Lunch, Dinner? Dark, cold, etc?
· Supplies - Stove, Utensils, spices, clean-up supplies, etc
· What weather do you expect? - How will weather effect your cooking plan? (all cold or cooking)
· Will your body like the food you cook?
Menu Planning
· Fresh – 1 day (fresh meat, cheese, pre-cooked pasta) Bagels – 3 days
· Nonperishable – Pasta, beas, oatmeal, flour, rice, grains
· Dried/Dehydrated – 2 weeks
· Canned – expiration date on can
· Retort Pouches (boil in a bag rice)
Water
· Most important! Fill up your water bottle or Camelback/canteen
o Buying a water bottle – not the same color as your fuel- no mistakes!
· Based on your cooking needs, estimate water consumption
· Environment, desert vs woodlands, mountains vs, marsh; humidity vs dry heat
o Normal – 2 quarts per day
o Hot, dry – 8 quarts per day
· Time of year, season? winter vs summer (melt snow)
· Availability – water stations, purifiers, tablets, filters
o Purify water – Rolling boil for 1 minute or more
Packing Food
· Trail Food, store in easy to reach outside pocket (some, not all at once)
· Simple meals, nonperishable food
· Water bottle - will it leak?
· Bags vs Containers vs cans (weight)
o Pre-mix meals
o Freeze Burger in foil, wrap in newspaper or clothes – store in middle of pack
· Fuel cartridges – pack them AWAY from food!
Calories
Hikers burn 5 calories per minute, 300 per hour, 2400 per day avg.
Stoves
· Use anywhere (no campfires, not a show-stopper)
· Lightweight
· Winter – 8” plywood under stove to protect from cold
· Wind – screen
· High Altitude – Kerosene