primus: winter outdoor cooking tips

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Media Contact Europe KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation Andi Lipp Phone: +49 (0) 89 – 30 76 66-42 E-mail: [email protected] KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation Andi Lipp

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Primus Press Information

Primus – Winter Outdoor-Cooking

Catering all year round Nothing quickens the appetite more than a day-long outdoor adventure. And there is nothing better than having a meal out

in nature to allay it. Swedish brand Primus is globally known for their portable outdoor stoves. Johan Skullman, Swedish survival expert and part of the Primus test team, reveals tips

and tricks how to survive and enjoy an outdoor meal even in wintertime.

“Lighting a stove in winter can be a bit tricky. But difficulties are

not a must: You just have to know what to do and you will easily

outwit the hurdles that might arise from the cold, the wind and the

alleged hostile circumstances.

Seek shelter from the wind

Strong winds can make cooking difficult. Thus, you have to look for

shelter by either using the slipstream of huts, rocks or big trees.

Another option to shelter your stove

from the wind is an artificial barrier

made of snow. You can easily build

one with your avalanche shovel if

the snow allows for it.

Of course you may think you can

cook in your tent. Most

manufacturers of tents or stoves will

clearly say: this is strictly forbidden.

Why? For liability reasons: you may

hurt yourself or even die. Looking

back I remember plenty of

situations where we didn't have any

other option than cooking in the

tent. However, cooking inside must always be the very last option

and it's important to really know what you are doing. When using

the vestibule of your tent for shelter, make sure that you are really

experienced in using your stove, that you are 100% awake and that

you observe some serious safety precautions:

- Start by digging a hole in the snow in the vestibule.

- Make sure there is plenty of ventilation.

- Keep a close eye on the stove, never let it out of your sight.

It is all about ventilation

Poor ventilation of a tent rapidly increases the danger of carbon

monoxide intoxication inside: Drowsiness is a sign of carbon





monoxide poisoning. If there are several of you, watch each other

carefully. If you are by yourself, you should strictly avoid using the

stove inside the tent if at all possible. The first sign of high carbon

monoxide levels is usually that the flame will start to pulse and

“puff”. With the stove placed in a hole, this effect will appear even

earlier due to lack of oxygen. And this is definitely no

disadvantage… It is a life-saving indicator: If the pulse and “puff”

happens, turn off the burner immediately and open your tent to air

it thoroughly.

Lightweight tents are made typically of synthetic fabrics – all very

or extremely flammable. Thus, you have to make sure that the stove

stands stable (e.g. on a wooden board) and nothing flammable like

the flysheet, your down jacket, sleeping bag, etc. is close by.

In the end, I think it`s of great importance that you develop a

relationship with your burner/stove and that means that you have a

serious plan for maintenance and do a lot of practice in your home

backyard before going out!

Choosing and handling of fuel

My favourite fuel – in three out of four seasons – are LPG

cartridges. They are convenient to use, have the highest energy

content and the least exhaust fumes. So I use them for cooking

whenever they are available. However, LPG has one big

disadvantage: It might be too cold to use it. The liquid, pressurized

gas doesn’t evaporate anymore. Turning the cartridge upside down

is not an option on most stoves due to darting flames that can cause

serious injuries or set your tent on fire. It helps to keep cartridges

warm (inside your jacket or in the sleeping bag) but only to a

certain point. You should also look for gas mixtures that contain a

higher percentage of Propane as it evaporates better in low

temperatures. Or even better: go for liquid fuel like white gas,

petrol, kerosene or when nothing else is available: diesel. Just make

sure that your stove can actually burn it.

Snow is only frozen water

It is obvious that you cannot bring along all the water you need for

a winter trip. You will have to melt snow or ice. For snow you need

your stove, a very big pot – and patience. The drier the snow, the

longer it takes. If you melt ice, try to crush it before putting it in the

pot for melting. The larger surface of many small pieces will make

them melt faster than one big block of solid ice.

Save energy and keep warm

Once you have boiled water, do not tip away the leftovers. Fill the

rest into your vacuum bottle or food container in order to isolate it

from the cold. You can later use it for the preparation of the next

meal or hot drink. And you can use the vessel as a heating inside

Summary:

– Seek shelter for cooking in order to save

fuel.

– Avoid cooking inside the tent!

– If no other option than the tent is available,

observe the safety precautions mentioned

above. They are essential for survival!

– Choose LPG cartridges whenever possible.

Second choice is white gas. But only when

you have the right burner that can take it.

– Crush the snow/ice before you start to melt

it. The bigger the surface, the faster it melts.

– Always keep hot water in your vacuum

bottles. This helps you to heat your sleeping

bag and it eases the next cooking session.

– Drink, drink and drink! Cold temperatures

reduce your thirst although your organism

needs the fluid as much as in warmer

climate.





your sleeping bag when you stay out overnight. Place the bottle at

the bottom of your sleeping bag and you will have warm feet for the

next couple of hours.

Drinking a lot is essential in low temperatures. And it is not just

about something warm to drink, it is about the liquid intake that is

mandatory: Breathing in cold air brings along a constant ullage.

Additionally, you have a significantly reduced thirst in cold

temperatures. Thus, your body needs to be protected from

dehydration as this process implies the danger of both frostbite and

hypothermia.

In spite of all these risks and things to consider, winter trips are

extremely rewarding. I love them. Nature is more intense, there are

less people, it is like cleaning your brain. Just give it try!”

For further information visit www.primus.eu

About PRIMUS: Swedish company Primus has been creating products for outdoor use since 1892. They have been tested on expeditions by such pioneers as Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen and Sir Edmund Hillary. Today, Primus is known for its reliable, safe and innovative products that make people enjoy their outdoors adventures – both big and small. The focus is on creating environmentally friendly, easy to use and lightweight products. Primus AB, based in Solna (Sweden), is an independent part of Fenix Outdoor AB. 90% of Primus’ product range is sold in more than 70 countries worldwide. Media may download high-resolution digital date (300 dpi, jpeg) from: http://www.k-g-k.com/download/PRIMUS_OmniFuel_EtaPot_MeltingSnow.jpg http://www.k-g-k.com/download/PRIMUS_EtaPower_NY_6875.jpg http://www.k-g-k.com/download/PRIMUS_Campsite_Photo_Fjallraven.jpg http://www.k-g-k.com/download/PRIMUS_OutdoorExpert_Skullman_Photo_Fjallraven.jpg http://www.k-g-k.com/download/PRIMUS_VacuumBottle_Winter_Photo_FredrikLewander.jpg http://www.k-g-k.com/download/PRIMUS_OmniFuel_Photo_DavidErixon.jpg Please note: All photos tagged with “Photo_Name” may only be published together with this name, in any media.

primus: winter outdoor cooking tips

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