stove transportation questions

[Dick]

I'd be interested to hear from those who have dealt with airlines about transporting stoves and canisters (empty) on airlines. I'll be checking with several, as I know regulations vary. Just wondering if they might have said one thing on the phone, but were told differently at the airport.

An alternative is to mail the stove and canister, which I've heard is relatively easy. Is it? Has anyone here actually done that?

Finally, I'll need to purchase gas for the canister(s) (MSR Dragonfly stove). How do I dispose of the leftover gas from the can before the trip?

I've taken a stove on a plane twice before with no problem whatsoever, but that was pre-9-11.

Thanks for any advice.

Dick

[redhawk]

Finally, I'll need to purchase gas for the canister(s) (MSR Dragonfly stove). How do I dispose of the leftover gas from the can before the trip?
Dick

1. Empty botle

2. Dry upside down elevated a little to let it drain well.

3. Once dry, you can wash it in the sink with detergent and then dry it well again. That should help get all the gas odor out.

4.Drain Well.

5. Seal it with your vacuum sealer with the cover on before packing it.

[AntlerPerak]

I'd be interested to hear from those who have dealt with airlines about transporting stoves and canisters (empty) on airlines. I'll be checking with several, as I know regulations vary. Just wondering if they might have said one thing on the phone, but were told differently at the airport.

An alternative is to mail the stove and canister, which I've heard is relatively easy. Is it? Has anyone here actually done that?

Finally, I'll need to purchase gas for the canister(s) (MSR Dragonfly stove). How do I dispose of the leftover gas from the can before the trip?

I've taken a stove on a plane twice before with no problem whatsoever, but that was pre-9-11.

Thanks for any advice.

Dick

Dick, I have dealt with this one a few years back. The airlines gave me several answers none consistant. It varied by carrier but none offered any confidence that upon arrival at the airport their info would be any good. I ended up ups--ing the thing to a friend's house in Washington and upon return he mailed it back. Without any special prep ups air mailed the thing without incident.

If you have no one on the other end perhaps you could use general delivery or something like that. I don't know if ups has a general delivery or not. But if you are flying into a city where you are using a Days Inn or the like to overnight before your adventure I am sure most establishments could make arrangements for you.

On one trip where we were car camping at Mt Rainier, ie use of a general camp stove. We bought a cheap $19.95 propane stove at K-Mart on arrival. At the end of our trip we encountered a family in the campground who had been there a few days and had been cooking over wood fires. Rain and all, it turns out they had no stove. They did not look like they could afford one based on the equipment they had, so we gave them the week old stove complete with fuel cannisters and sales slip. It made no sense to try to get a 20 dollar stove back and it likely made someone happy.

[Dick]

Dick, I have dealt with this one a few years back. The airlines gave me several answers none consistant. It varied by carrier but none offered any confidence that upon arrival at the airport their info would be any good. I ended up ups--ing the thing to a friend's house in Washington and upon return he mailed it back. Without any special prep ups air mailed the thing without incident.

If you have no one on the other end perhaps you could use general delivery or something like that. I don't know if ups has a general delivery or not. But if you are flying into a city where you are using a Days Inn or the like to overnight before your adventure I am sure most establishments could make arrangements for you.

On one trip where we were car camping at Mt Rainier, ie use of a general camp stove. We bought a cheap $19.95 propane stove at K-Mart on arrival. At the end of our trip we encountered a family in the campground who had been there a few days and had been cooking over wood fires. Rain and all, it turns out they had no stove. They did not look like they could afford one based on the equipment they had, so we gave them the week old stove complete with fuel cannisters and sales slip. It made no sense to try to get a 20 dollar stove back and it likely made someone happy.

Thanks, Tom. I do have someone I can mail it to, and have decided to do just that. I've since heard and read of people getting one thing from the airlines, only to be told the opposite when they arrive, and baggage handlers ruining a packing job and damaging items (accidentally) for the sake of the stove. As for giving your equipment away, what a wonderful gesture! It speaks to the kind of person I already know you are.

Redhawk, thanks, but I wasn't clear. What I meant was that I will need to purchase fuel in AZ, once off the plane. I was wondering how to dispose of the remainder of can of white gas I must purchase to fill my canister out there (can't transport fuel on plane), and what to do with leftover fuel after the hike. Someone suggested putting leftover fuel in the tank of the car (!). I wonder how that works, or if it ruins the engine?

Related note: someone suggested that I get an MSR Pocket Rocket for ease of packing and lightness (3.5 oz, plus canister). I've heard that windy and/or cold conditions are a problem, and that windscreens pose a danger to this type of stove (canister stove), which I've never owned. Rick, or others who have had experience with this stove, any comments?


Dick

[AntlerPerak]

Thanks, Tom. I do have someone I can mail it to, and have decided to do just that. I've since heard and read of people getting one thing from the airlines, only to be told the opposite when they arrive, and baggage handlers ruining a packing job and damaging items (accidentally) for the sake of the stove. As for giving your equipment away, what a wonderful gesture! It speaks to the kind of person I already know you are.

Redhawk, thanks, but I wasn't clear. What I meant was that I will need to purchase fuel in AZ, once off the plane. I was wondering how to dispose of the remainder of can of white gas I must purchase to fill my canister out there (can't transport fuel on plane), and what to do with leftover fuel after the hike. Someone suggested putting leftover fuel in the tank of the car (!). I wonder how that works, or if it ruins the engine?

Related note: someone suggested that I get an MSR Pocket Rocket for ease of packing and lightness (3.5 oz, plus canister). I've heard that windy and/or cold conditions are a problem, and that windscreens pose a danger to this type of stove (canister stove), which I've never owned. Rick, or others who have had experience with this stove, any comments?


Dick

I can't help with that kind of stove, I initially had an old Optimus then tried an MSR Whisperlite which was a disaster. It blew up on the second time out, faulty fuel line. The thing set my hand on fire pretty bad burn and a long painful walk out from Scott Clearing. I went to a Coleman Peak 1. It's rather hefty but the thing works like a charm. The old Optimus still hums along but I like the ease of use with the Coleman, heavy though it is. You may try giving your extra fuel to the people you mail your stove to or perhaps a state/national campground may have facilities where you can dispose it.

Another quick humorous story about the mailed stove. To save time we ordered some freeze dried food from REI and had it sent to my friend's house. REI asked on the phone if we wanted it air mailed. I asked the woman where exactly REI ships from, she replied Sumner Wa. I noted to her the mailing address where it is going is the next exit south in Puyallup. She said in that case they could drive it to the airport 20-30 miles and drop it from the plane as it passes overhead. It is nice to find people with a sense of humor.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Happy Easter!

Dick-when I've wanted to empty my Coleman of white gas I just burn it off. You can pour most of it back into a fuel container and then burn off the remainder. As for the big can, there's usually someone you can find who could use some.

[what'sinaname]

Dick,
I'd call the airline as well as the airport, just to see what stories you get. However, my sister, who works for a Canadian airline, says that they now allow camp stoves if they've been properly purged, but not fuel (white gas) or full canisters. As for getting rid of extra fuel, I'd say ask around. Someone might buy it from you.
Another option is to see if any of the sports stores where you are going will rent one to you. Could be easier, albeit more expensive.
Chris

[trailrunner3]

I have a related question:

Has anyone had any positive/negative experiences with checking your hiking backpack on an airline? I am going to be section hiking the Georgia portion of the Appalachian and will be flying to ATL. I am a bit apprehensive about checking my internal frame pack that will be very very carefully loaded as to include everything I need for a weeklong hike inside the pack (no external strapping) and then have a airline agent pull everything out and not be able to get everything back in. Has anyone had any experience checking you gear on airlines??

[AntlerPerak]

I have a related question:

Has anyone had any positive/negative experiences with checking your hiking backpack on an airline? I am going to be section hiking the Georgia portion of the Appalachian and will be flying to ATL. I am a bit apprehensive about checking my internal frame pack that will be very very carefully loaded as to include everything I need for a weeklong hike inside the pack (no external strapping) and then have a airline agent pull everything out and not be able to get everything back in. Has anyone had any experience checking you gear on airlines??

For those very reasons I packed rather light for a week long trip in the Cascades. As the stove/fuel was mailed ahead along with the freeze dried food The internal frame Kelty could be used as carry on. It fit neatly into the overhead and nobody touched it. Of course it had to be sent through the xray but other than that no issues. Oh and it saved the long line and wait at the baggage terminal. It was nice grabbing my pack exiting the plane knowing no one screwed with my stuff.

[Dick]

On a trip to the Yukon, the airline we took (can't remember which one) wrapped our packs free of charge. Not shrink-wrapped, but a good tight wrap. Both packs arrived in Whitehorse just fine. However, this was before 9/11.

Dick