The propane camping stove is an offshoot of the barbecue grill and functions similarly. At the heart is heat provided by burning propane gas. All camping propane stoves have a gas canister, connected by a tube, which allows the controllable release of the gas to the burner. The gas is lit and the heat from it is used to cook. Sizes and styles vary widely.
History
The gas grill combined the invention of the barbecue grill with the desire to use natural gas. William G. Wepfer, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a natural gas marketing employee, was tasked to find new ways to use natural gas. He bought a charcoal grill and designed components to use gas as the heat source instead of charcoal. His design remains relatively unchanged. Propane camp stoves have a gas canister, tubing from the tank to the burner, a burner and some sort of mounted cooking device.
Cooking
One of the ironies of outdoor cooking is that people tend to undercook food. Competing theories are that by the time the cooking gets under way, people are hot, tired and very hungry, providing the motivation to cook quicker. Another is that because you cook directly over an open fire, the surface temperature of the food increases more rapidly and appears to be cooked more quickly despite the internal temperature of the meat never reaching safely cooked temperatures.
Stove Preparation
Improper garage storage exposes a propane camping stove to the environment, insects, rodents, birds, wear and tear. It's prudent to thoroughly check a stove prior to lighting gas. If you wisely disconnected the gas tank for storage, start by checking it for obvious damage before reconnecting. Check the connections and tubing for cracks, abrasions or sharp bends. Ensure the gas spreader or burner has not been corroded or cracked. Finally ensure the fuel tubing is clear by passing something through it, ensuring the gas will flow smoothly.
Safety
The concern with using gas is the possibility of spreading fire. This can be eliminated by positioning the grill in an area where no flammables are nearby. Still, the grill carries with it a source for considerable damage. This is the reason it is so important to make a simple check of the fuel tank and connections. There is also the possibility of the grill being knocked over. Newer models come equipped with gas flow limiting technology, when the connections are leaking and anti-tip technology that turns off the fuel when the grill is moved from vertical.
Considerations
Select a propane camping stove labeled as safe by a third party safety authority, such as Underwriters Laboratory. Never use a propane camping stove inside the RV, unless the stove is manufactured for RV use. Improper stove usage will allow toxic fumes to fill the air. Use a propane camping stove only for cooking following the manufacturer's instructions and safety tips.
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