Beware the Portable BBQ (butane type)

[Ynot]

Just a note to be careful of those twin burner or even the single burner stoves. Now we have been using these for years with no problems so they are pretty safe but you do need to be careful.
I was helping a mate set up his camp when the lady setting up on the site next  to him started unpacking a cub trailer.
She put a couple of plastic crates down then the black case holding the stove went on top out in the sun.
It seemed like only a couple of minutes had passed (i wasn't counting) when she walked passed and bumped the stove knocking it over. Next thing there was flames coming out of the half open case about two foot high.
I grabbed the fire extinguisher from the camp i was setting up and quickly put the fire out. It was just one of those disposable extinguishers but worked well.
It appears the stove had the gas canisters stored in the stove which is probably a no no. Also the black case in the sun probably didn't help.
Anyway no harm at the end of the day but something to watch for.


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[outbackogre]

Leaving the canister in the stove is definitely a no no.  I used a Gasmate butane stove (for the first time) on my recent Simpson trip.  In mild morning temperatures it tended to go from a steady blue flame to a 'crazy' yellow flame and it was very difficult to adjust the heat (ie, it was either on or off).  I reckon lpg is much better, though it does mean carrying a bottle.

[edz]

Lucky you were handy and had an extinguisher, otherwise their camping trip might have been a lot more memorable for all the wrong reasons....
Just a word of warning on those little powder extinguishers to, It pays to turn them over / up side down from what ever way they travel and tap the sides of the cannister  to loosen the chemicle inside every so often ... O'l mate of mine had to use his on an engine bay fire pulled the pin aimed and pulled the trigger,  two to three whispy puffs of powder and that was it.. nearly all the powder was compacted into the bottom of the canister from traveling over a six month period ..

[muzza01]

Good on you Ynot. It could have been much worse if you were not handy with the extinguisher.  :cup:It goes to show that discussion on this forum always promotes the carrying of extinguishers. They can be a life saver or in the lesser case a CT saver.

[rags]

Thanks for the alert. The fire was potentialey caused through the plastic case  generating a static charge which when knocked over with a small amount of gas leakage resulted in the gas erupting. These type of cookers have been involved in many fires/explosions,including injury  to users.  I am aware various authorities have been looking at the safety aspects of these type of cookers with the view of more stringent safety features  being required before a Gas approval can be granted.

[SteveandViv]

Lucky you were handy and had an extinguisher, otherwise their camping trip might have been a lot more memorable for all the wrong reasons....
Just a word of warning on those little powder extinguishers to, It pays to turn them over / up side down from what ever way they travel and tap the sides of the cannister  to loosen the chemicle inside every so often ... O'l mate of mine had to use his on an engine bay fire pulled the pin aimed and pulled the trigger,  two to three whispy puffs of powder and that was it.. nearly all the powder was compacted into the bottom of the canister from traveling over a six month period ..

Yes, great tip that. I turn mine over every trip and then jiggle along the road. Also need to get new ones soon as well.

[Ynot]

Thanks for the alert. The fire was potentialey caused through the plastic case  generating a static charge which when knocked over with a small amount of gas leakage resulted in the gas erupting. These type of cookers have been involved in many fires/explosions,including injury  to users.  I am aware various authorities have been looking at the safety aspects of these type of cookers with the view of more stringent safety features  being required before a Gas approval can be granted.

I was wondering what sparked it, didn't think of static.
I was surprised by how good the disposal extinguishers worked though i was a bit worried walking up to the fire. I did a quick burst before i got too close to the fire just to be sure ( as trained) it would work.
Apparently the camper was borrowed so that was lucky.


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