stove transportation question

[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

[Antlerpeak]

Originally Posted by 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

Dick I responded to your question on Adk Forum. I sent mine ups air without issue, but I had a friend's address to send it to. I doubt ups does general delivery. Perhaps the usps 2nd day air general delivery?

[peak_bgr]

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?c...90005198005feb4

Check out this link.

[Dick]

Originally Posted by peak_bgr

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?c...90005198005feb4

Check out this link.

Thanks, Peak_bagr. Your link didn't work, but I found the correct one:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...orial_1187.xml

In it, it says,

"Camp Stoves - Can travel as carry-on or checked luggage only if empty of all fuel and cleaned such that vapors and residue are absent. Simply emptying the fuel container is insufficient as flammable vapors remain. TSA recommends you ship these ahead of time as they are frequently confiscated due to fuel vapors."

There could still be conflicts between TSA and the airlines, which may have even stricter regs. It could also depend upon who's at the counter, or who's screening the baggage. Anyway, I've heard enough horror tales, so I'm sending it on ahead to someone, as Tom suggested.

I'll still have the issue of what to do with the leftover gas in the can of white gas I purchase in AZ to fill my MSR Dragonfly canister. Giving it to someone is logical if there's someone to give it to who needs it. Someone also suggested I simply put the leftover in the gas tank of the car. Does anyone know if that will that hurt the engine?

OT, but I'm considering getting an MSR Pocket Rocket for the weight savings and easier packing. Thoughts on wind issues, pot stability, etc.? We're dehydrating all meals, so we'd only be heating water, not cooking.

Dick

[peak_bgr]

I had a pocket rocket. It's very powerfull. But doesn't work real well in cold weather. Never used it at elevation either. I sold it to buy a dragonfly.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Dick - answered also on Adkforum but saw your question about the Pocket Rocket here. Va, GAry and I all have a Northern Lights Ti. So far I'm happy with it and delighted with the micro weight and size. It's my first foray into canister fuel. I've also got my dinosaur but oh so reliable Coleman white fuel. Yoiu could ask Val about the Ti as she's had hers the longest.

[pete_hickey]

Originally Posted by Dick

There could still be conflicts between TSA and the airlines, which may have even stricter regs.

Yep... Customers wanting to carry stoves are really in the minority, so they would rather be safe than please 0.3% of their customers.

leftover gas .... Someone also suggested I simply put the leftover in the gas tank of the car. Does anyone know if that will that hurt the engine?

Depends on how much, and how much gas is in the tank. If pure coleman fuel in the tank, it'll knock like crazy. It is extrememly low in octane. If the tank has a good amount of gas in it, and there isn't too much left, you'll have no problem, unless you have one of those cars requiring extra high octane.

MSR Pocket Rocket for the weight savings and easier packing.

My wife got me one before my cycle ride down to NYC. I love it. I still use my Whisperlite and/or Svea on longer trips, but use the Pocket Rocket when I want something light, and fast. Much faster to use than a liquid feul stove (fster setup, no priming), and faster to cool off and put away. Stability isn't that great, but I am just careful. I've even used it in hotel rooms... something I would never do with a liquid feul stove.

Oh yeah... and never a problem on planes. I used it on several trips. It worked fine at Whitney Portal, which is not THAT high, but higher than anything in the east.

[Dick]

Thanks for the input, Pete. We'll start at about 7000' but it's the Grand Canyon, so I''ll be using whatever stove I have at lower elevations than that. The Northern Lights Ti stove is starting to look attractive, too - cheaper, lighter (minimally), piezo lighter. Just wish I knew more user history about it and about the company.

Dick

[crackers]

Originally Posted by Dick

"Camp Stoves - Can travel as carry-on or checked luggage only if empty of all fuel and cleaned such that vapors and residue are absent. Simply emptying the fuel container is insufficient as flammable vapors remain. TSA recommends you ship these ahead of time as they are frequently confiscated due to fuel vapors."

... It could also depend upon who's at the counter, or who's screening the baggage. ...

... Someone also suggested I simply put the leftover in the gas tank of the car. Does anyone know if that will that hurt the engine?

I fly a lot for business, and I'd recommend that you DON'T EVEN TRY to take a white gas stove on a plane these days. It can be done, but it can be a nightmare. Whether or not the stove goes on the plane is totally up to the individual TSA supervisor. They can even ban your bag if they so determine, which is annoying in the extreme. If the on duty TSA supervisor decides it's not safe, well, you can wait till their shift is over or accept their decision. The airlines don't seem to mind at all, I've only had issues with the TSA and I just gave up in the end. I always used an airhose to blow out the valves and all the parts and that wasn't good enough.

A pint or so of white gas is not going to have an immense impact diluted in a tank of gasoline. It's much higher effective octane, but it won't make a huge deal as a one off. I wouldn't put a gallon into an empty tank, but a pint in 10 gallons won't make much to any difference to most cars.