Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from camping stoves

Small commercially available camping stoves of four different brands (Optimus, MSR, Coleman and Sigg) were examined for carbon monoxide emission. Without a pot placed onto the stove the carbon monoxide production is very small (below 5 ml per min) which hardly represent any danger. The carbon monoxide production increased significantly for all the four brands (range from 20 to 140 ml CO per min) when the stoves were used for cooking i.e. when a pot of water was placed on the stove. This may represent a danger if the stoves are used within an enclosed area without adequate ventilation (e.g. in a tent). Our measurements give reason to warn especially against the brand Coleman.