Can camping stoves be used indoors?
Or, if they give off dangerous fumes, can they be used beside an open window?
When I visit my appartment in Dublin, there has been no electricity for the past year. I don't bother having it switched on, because for what the connection alone costs would mean I might as well stay in a hotel, for the amount of time I spend in Dublin every year.
I am thinking about getting a camping stove, to make coffee in my appartment, without electricity. Is this a good or bad idea?
Id welcome the opinions of those who know about camping stoves, and also any other suggestions for doing things without electricity. I have got as far as buying a supply of candles, but that is it. I dont really need to do too much complicated cooking, but it would be nice if I could cook some things.
Reply to this The biggest concern about using camping stoves indoors is carbon monoxide build-up in confined spaces. If you take precautions against this - use it on a balcony, next to an open window, in a ventilated area (fireplace) - provided you don't leave it unattended, shut it off properly and don't use it continuously it should be okay. It's not
recommended but neither are many other things travelers do on a routine basis to save money for future travels 😊
You could always get a carbon monoxide monitor to be on the extra cautious side.
Gel alcohol burners (like what is used in some fondu pots) are very safe indoors, although they don't burn that hot.
Reply to this I'd forget about candles. You'll go through them crazy-fast, they're a fire hazard, and you really don't end up with enough light to even read by. Look into a couple of battery operated lanterns with LED bulbs. They last forever and tend not to be too expensive. Plus you can use them when you do go camping!
If I were only in town for a month or two I'd probably do the same thing, but I'd be hesitant to use my camp stove in my apartment for the reasons S&A mentioned. Is there a local café you can work into your daily routines? Gotta charge the laptop somewhere anyway, right?
[Edited: 2011 Dec 01 19:37 - Dag:162885 ]
Reply to this You could try a camping gas burner. They are not hazardous, here in Greece people use them a lot indoors. There are different sizes available. If you get one of the smaller size you can use it for boiling water for tea or coffee and maybe frying an egg. There are also the larger type on which you can do ordinary cooking, but then you need a big bottle and I don't know how easy it is to get one in Dublin and how you can get it home. They are very heavy. But it is perfectly safe even indoors. Except the fire hazard!
Reply to this I do not believe the modern world has made us "dependent" on electricity. It is easier to use electricity in life and when traveling. Therefore, we choose to use electricity rather than depend on it.
GPS devices changed the way in which people get from point A to point B in their daily routines and travels. I prefer to use my OrionVIS when running errands or visiting family and friends. If you prefer a non-electric way of travel, look into a book of maps and directions or use a website such as MapQuest or GoogleMaps.
Reply to this Thanks for the replies folks! 😊 I think, I will skip the camping stove then. I dont like the risk of carbon monoxide build-up. Ill just go to the cafes for all coffee and snacks unless I find something safer to use in my appartment.
Thanks for the other tips too. 😊
You could try a camping gas burner. They are not hazardous,...
Anyone know the name of the gas that is used in those, so I can try to find it, when I am in Dublin?
Has anyone ever stayed in a place with no electricity, besides camping, anywhere in the world?
I stayed in a few. One, I specifically remember was in some guesthouses on a couple of islands in Uganda in around 1999.
The TV was run on a car battery, and there were some kind of parafin(I think) lamps for light. I am not sure what the cooking was done on, because it wasn't me that did it.
Reply to this I suppose you can find camping gas stuff in any shop for outdoors activities. One brand is Camping gaz. It is butane-propane I think.
Reply to this Most people in Vietnam use worktop stoves, powered by 7KG butane-propane bottles. I've been using mine for almost 3 years and never had a problem with it.
Alternatively, you can use the little cookers that take the aerosol style butane canisters. They are very safe too.
Portable Stove Reply to this 
