How Do You Ignite a Backpacking Stove?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking stoves are an essential item for any outdoor enthusiast. They provide the means to cook food, heat water, and even create a warm place to sleep in colder climates. But before you can use your backpacking stove, you must first know how to ignite it.

The most common way to ignite a backpacking stove is with a match or lighter. Strike the match or lighter and hold it close enough to the burner so that the flame from the match or lighter will heat up the gas and cause it to ignite. It is important that you do not touch the flame directly with your hand as this can be dangerous.

Once you have lit the stove, it is important to adjust the flame output for proper cooking. This can be done by turning the knob on top of the stove clockwise or counterclockwise depending on how much heat output you desire. If you are not sure how much heat output is best, consult your instruction manual that came with your stove for additional guidance.

If you find yourself without a match or lighter, there are other methods of igniting a backpacking stove as well. One alternative method is using a strip of steel wool and an AAA battery.

Simply place one end of the steel wool on one end of the battery terminal while holding onto it firmly with one hand and touching it against both terminals of the battery with your other hand. The sparks created by doing this will ignite your backpacking stove quickly and easily without having to use a match or lighter.

Conclusion: Igniting a backpacking stove is easy once you know how! The most common method is using a match or lighter and adjusting flame output accordingly by turning the knob on top of the stove either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on desired heat output. If matches or lighters are not available, then steel wool and an AAA battery can be used as an alternative method for ignition.