Camping activities may keep one from considering the care and maintenance of one's camping stove, but it is worth taking into mind as well that doing so will make its lifespan last longer. Before heading after lunch to enjoy the countryside, it would certainly be worthy to make it a habit of checking the stove before doing so. Surely such would only take a few minutes of one's time. The following are some helpful and simple guidelines on how to clean your Coleman stove:
Spills that are immediately wiped off with a little soap and water on soft cloth or sponge are much easier than cleaning up spills that have dried and crusted. So while cooking, it might be a worthwhile habit to wipe up immediately after those spills.
If there has been a boil-over and a deeper stove cleaning is necessary, fuel must first be drained from liquid fuel units, and propane tank from gas units must be removed. Screws from the center of the burners should be removed too and lifted off the rings and bowl. Debris on the manifold should be checked. If necessary, soap and water should be used to clean it. Be sure to rinse with clean water, though.
If there is a much greater grease build-up, a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle should work well (car wash can work well too). Be sure to avoid using any stove cleaner that has harsh chemicals or a strong degreaser as they may damage the painted surface.
It is very important to turn your stove upside down after having been immersed in water or cleaned thoroughly to make sure that all water has been drained from inside the manifold. Doing so will prevent corrosion or rust that may keep the fuel to flow properly to the burner.
When not in use and kept for the season, if it is a liquid fuel stove, it should be drained of fuel as much as possible and returned to the can afterward. Doing so will prevent fuel buildup on the fuel tube that will keep the fuel from flowing smoothly to the burner. Afterward, place the clean and dry Coleman stove in a plastic bag and seal it with a twist tie to keep it from becoming a home to unwanted insects like spiders that seem to love making homes inside burners.
As a suggestion, the pump cup on the tank's pump plunger should be oiled at least twice a year with light machine oil to seal the cup to the pump barrel, ensuring the pump to work smoothly.
Doing these steps in caring and maintaining your stove will not only make it last long but will make one save money more. By the next season, that stove faithfully sitting in your closet will just be waiting for you to take out and use once again.
