How Cold of Weather Can I Run My Gas Stove In?

This isn't entirely on topic, but I hope you don't mind my asking…I was trying to light my stove (with an MSR canister) in about 16F at about 9000 elevation. I understood why my bic lighter wouldn't work, but my storm matches wouldn't hold a flame either. The head would flame up, but then the wooden stick wouldn't keep the flame. Is the reason related to the same reasons affecting the fuel?

I mostly use my 30 or so year old Svea 123r in the winter, but this summer I got an MSR pocket rocket and have been finding it really convenient with the small canisters for soloing. I used it without problems on a five day hike at the beginning of this month when it was down to 15F on a couple of nights and mornings, though I did have to warm it with my bare hands a couple of times as it was sputtering–not something I would relish at any colder temps. Heading out for another five dayer tomorrow and have been debating whether to take the rocket or the Svea. So I read the thread and then went and read several articles at your site. Thanks. Still can't decide what to do as it may get down into the single digits.

This isn’t entirely on topic, but I hope you don’t mind my asking…I was trying to light my stove (with an MSR canister) in about 16F at about 9000 elevation. I understood why my bic lighter wouldn’t work, but my storm matches wouldn’t hold a flame either. The head would flame up, but then the wooden stick wouldn’t keep the flame. Is the reason related to the same reasons affecting the fuel?

I don’t think so, but I’m not sure what’s happening. Was it windy or damp?

Try keeping your lighter in your pocket close to your body. You can usually get them to work that way.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

Heading out for another five dayer tomorrow and have been debating whether to take the rocket or the Svea. So I read the thread and then went and read several articles at your site. Thanks. Still can’t decide what to do as it may get down into the single digits.

Did you read this article: Cold Weather Tips for Gas Stoves? As long as you can keep the water liquid, you’re good to go. In single digits, it can be a little tough to keep the water liquid. For me, I’d probably go with a Svea for single digits.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

Not that I have had my Pocket Rocket for ages, but a couple Fall's ago, down in the Mt. Whitney area by Crabtree Meadow, I had two mornings in a row where temps were in the mid single digits. Ice in the stream was a good indicator also. I took no special measures except on the second morning, where all I did was put my hands around the MSR branded canister and then after the water warmed some, dipped the whole blazing thing in my pot of warmer water and instant normal flames. I only had to do these two out of norm things to get the PR to work. I'm sure when my stove first started, is was running on the propane part. So things will work out in cold temps. I was not expecting temps that cold, but stuff happens. I have a MSR Rapidfire now I can bring on Fall week long trips to cover the bases.
Duane

Nope, not windy or damp. Thanks for the response.

What we do is take electrical house wiring strip off the plastic wrap it around the the canister putting the 3 ends up an in the fire of the stove an electrical tape the write to canister.. Making a couple wraps around…

I have had this happen, but at lower elevations. The matches were probably a bit damp, even though they did not feel that way. Wood itself can absorb a bit of water and not look or feel damp. Even the coatings can do that. Also, sometimes the heavier coatings can burn but not expose the wood when they are a bit damp… This will leave a rind of ash around the wood that will act as an insulator, preventing the wood from reaching kindling temp. The overall result you see is that the match will burn off, but fail to ignite the wood. This happens a lot with older matches that have had a chance to pick up moisture from the air. A very light coating of paraffin (quite warm wax) will often prevent this pretty well. I have found that olive oil seems to work almost as well and a drop on a match will usually get it going pretty easy.

btw: Use it only on strike anywhere matches or emergency matches. The strike on box matches seems to not ignite and can degrade the strike surface…

What we do is take electrical house wiring strip off the plastic wrap it around the the canister putting the 3 ends up an in the fire of the stove an electrical tape the write to canister.. Making a couple wraps around…

Doug, that’s a classic technique that works well. The one thing to be aware of is that if you transfer too much heat to the canister, KABOOM! In really cold weather, what are the realistic chances of such an explosion? Probably not all that great, but keep your eyes open. If the seems uncharacteristically loud or powerful, TURN IT DOWN. It’s important to feel the canister fairly frequently too. Warm is no big deal, but if the canister feels actually hot, TURN IT DOWN.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

Thanks for the details, James. At the risk of hijacking the thread…the strange thing is that the wood did actually burn, charring to the end without a visible flame and therefore unable to light the stove. When I got back to the cabin, the matches worked just fine. That's why I was wondering what effect the outside conditions might have on the flame itself. Sounds like my experience is somewhat mysterious.

Wow. That is strange. I haven’t got a clue.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

Yeah, given that they worked well when you got back, that is strange.

Stuart Robb wrote "…remote canister Gnat…"

How did you connect the Gnat to the hose?

Is the cannister connector (shown in other threads) a Roger Caffin special?

Phan

Was it possible the flame was not as visible in the light

I know that certain materials and in certain lighting conditions it can be difficult to see flame

If the match did burn … There must be some combustion

Yes, physics would dictate so, but there were four of us looking from various angles, and we ended up lighting about 15 matches! I must be missing something, but I have no idea what.

Alan – reply in this thread

Thanks.

The gas is 35% propane / 65% butane.

Sigh. Would that such were available in the US.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving