A hot brew at a windy col or a rehydrated meal as dusk settles over the hills is one of the great pleasures of UK walking. But a camping stove is an open flame and a volatile or pressurised fuel, often used when you are tired, cold and hungry. A few sensible habits keep you warm, fed and safe — and they start long before you strike a match.

Ventilation first, shelter second

Never use a camping stove inside a tent, and that includes the porch. Even a small flame produces carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas that can kill in an enclosed space. Tents are designed to keep weather out, which means they also trap fumes in. If rain is lashing down, cook outside in the most sheltered spot you can find, then retreat to eat. If that is impossible, wait — a cold meal is far better than a dangerous one.

Outside, aim for a balance: sheltered from the wind but not sealed in. A stove in a tight, improvised windbreak can overheat, especially canister stoves, and unstable air can cause flare-ups. Use a proper windshield that leaves the canister or fuel bottle outside the shielded area. Keep the stove on level, non-flammable ground, well away from tent fabric, dry grass, tree roots and peat. Clear a metre around it, and never leave it unattended while lit.

Choosing the right fuel for the trip

Most UK hillwalkers choose between gas, liquid fuel, solid fuel and wood. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on season, altitude, trip length and how much faff you will tolerate.

• Gas canisters: Clean, controllable and easy to use. Butane performs poorly below about 5°C, while propane and isobutane blends keep working in colder conditions. In winter, use a winter blend, keep the canister off cold ground, and consider a remote-canister stove with a preheat tube. Never refill a disposable canister.
• Liquid fuel: Meths (methylated spirits) is quiet, reliable and excellent in cold weather, though slower to boil and prone to invisible flames — take care when lighting. White gas, paraffin and multi-fuel stoves offer fierce output and work in deep cold, but they need priming, maintenance and careful fuel handling. They are not for the casual brew stop.
• Solid fuel: Hexamine tablets are light and simple, ideal as an emergency backup. They are slow, smelly and leave residue. Let them burn out completely rather than trying to extinguish them.
• Wood: Twig stoves can be fun and save carrying fuel, but only use dead, fallen wood, never break branches from living trees, and check fire rules first. In dry spells, a wood fire is a wildfire risk. Do not light one on peat or in sensitive upland areas.

Setting up a safe cooking spot

Stability matters more than speed. Put the stove on a flat rock, a metal base or bare earth — not on a sloping tussock or a plastic groundsheet. Keep the fuel bottle or canister upright and away from the burner. If you are using a windshield, make sure it does not trap heat around the canister; overheating can cause a violent flare or explosion.

Light the stove with a long match or sparker, keeping your face and sleeves back. Never move a lit stove. If you need to refuel, let it cool completely first, and do it outdoors, well away from any ignition source. Keep a small cloth or water supply nearby for spills, and know how to turn the fuel off quickly. When you finish cooking, turn the stove off at the source and let it cool before packing it away.

Fuel storage and handling

Fuel is often more dangerous in storage than in use. Store canisters, bottles and tablets in a cool, dry, ventilated place, away from sleeping areas and any source of heat or sparks. Never store fuel inside a tent overnight — fumes can build up, and a leak plus a sleeping bag is a terrible combination. In a bothy or shelter, keep fuel outside or in a well-ventilated porch area, and respect any rules about flammable materials.

Check seals and connections before every trip. Do not overfill liquid fuel bottles, and use a funnel to avoid spills. Refuel only outdoors, away from flames, cigarettes and hot stoves. If you spill fuel, wipe it up and let the area air before lighting anything. Dispose of empty canisters and fuel containers responsibly; many outdoor shops and local recycling centres accept them, but check locally first. Never puncture or burn a canister.

Check the rules before you light up

UK access rules and fire restrictions vary enormously. Campsites may allow gas stoves but ban open fires or disposable barbecues. National parks, moorland, forestry land and nature reserves often have seasonal fire bans, and some areas prohibit all flames during dry weather. In Scotland, responsible wild camping is allowed in many places, but there are local bylaws around some lochs and popular routes. In England and Wales, wild camping usually requires the landowner’s permission.

Before you light any flame, check local signage, campsite notices, landowner guidance and the relevant outdoor access code. If fires are banned, a gas stove may still be permitted — but only if it is stable, sheltered and attended. Leave no trace: no scorch marks, no buried ash, no leftover food. Pack out everything you bring in.

A stove is a tool, not a toy. Treat every flame with respect, choose fuel to suit the conditions, and be willing to skip the hot drink if the spot or the rules are wrong. That way, the only thing you carry home is a good memory — and perhaps the smell of woodsmoke in your jumper.