Primus: winter outdoor cooking tips

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.

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Make sure there is plenty of ventilation.

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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

Media Contact Europe KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation Andi Lipp Phone: +49 (0) 89 – 30 76 66-42 E-mail: primus@K-G-K.com KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation

Media Contact Scandinavia PRIMUS AB Johan Sollenberg Phone: +46 (0) 8 – 564 842 31 E-mail: johan.sollenberg@primus.se

Season 2013/2014 Please send us a copy

Primus Press Information

Season 2013/2014 Please send us a copy

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,

Summary: –

fuel.

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Avoid cooking inside the tent!

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If no other option than the tent is available,

petrol, kerosene or when nothing else is available: diesel. Just make sure that your stove can actually burn it.

observe the safety precautions mentioned above. They are essential for survival!

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Snow is only frozen water

you have the right burner that can take it.

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

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pot for melting. The larger surface of many small pieces will make them melt faster than one big block of solid ice.

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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.

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

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Choose LPG cartridges whenever possible.

Second choice is white gas. But only when

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

Media Contact Europe KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation Andi Lipp Phone: +49 (0) 89 – 30 76 66-42 E-mail: primus@K-G-K.com

Seek shelter for cooking in order to save

Media Contact Scandinavia PRIMUS AB Johan Sollenberg Phone: +46 (0) 8 – 564 842 31 E-mail: johan.sollenberg@primus.se

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Drink, drink and drink! Cold temperatures reduce your thirst although your organism needs the fluid as much as in warmer climate.

Primus Press Information 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.

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Media Contact Europe KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation Andi Lipp Phone: +49 (0) 89 – 30 76 66-42 E-mail: primus@K-G-K.com KGK – Kern Gottbrath Kommunikation

Media Contact Scandinavia PRIMUS AB Johan Sollenberg Phone: +46 (0) 8 – 564 842 31 E-mail: johan.sollenberg@primus.se

Season 2013/2014 Please send us a copy