Responsible behaviour as the world changes.

[nigelp]

I think we have to make sure we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater here. We always cooked on arid country treks but with a great deal of care.

The major risk of using a gas appliance in these conditions is that numpties see us doing it and think they can cook with their stove which may be liquid fuelled or a wood burner. Gas does not produce sparks, or spill on the ground, or fail to completely extinguish when we've finished. The very worse that could happen is that it falls over and lights the grass next to it - but you cleared the area your cooking in didn't you?

But, I agree, so that we don't look like we're saying 'do as I say, not as I do' it's better not to cook at all in these conditions.

The campsites that are owned by Forestry England but ran on a contract to a local organisation have banned all stoves including gas stoves. For campers and campervans. Until at least Friday. That’s how they roll here in the forest!

 

[nigelp]

I think we have to make sure we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater here. We always cooked on arid country treks but with a great deal of care.

Recently bike packing I’ve been using a trangia stove with a gas adapter and a plumbers mat underneath. Zero chance of knocking it over and on a track or path or bare soil (rather than forest floor) cannot see any issues with it.

When I sneak off to my local woods I take a flask because it’s tinder dry in there.

Or a fast stove with legs attached for stability and at one small campsite I cooked on the hard standing near the toilet block to assuage the concentration of the lady owner and her dry grass.