Extinguish and pack away safely

These steps assume

• Equipment stands securely on a non-combustible surface.
• Wind and fuel can change conditions during the process.
• The focus is “Extinguish and pack away safely,” not a particular dish.

What you need

• Established fire site
• Dry wood in suitable sizes
• Long tongs or grill gloves
• Stable grate or pot hanger
• Plenty of water for extinguishing

Step by step

1. 1

   Remove the pot safely. Close the valve or cover the burner fully; drown fire embers with plenty of water.

   • Equipment: Established fire site, Dry wood in suitable sizes.
   • Heat: No heat.
   • Time: 1–2 minutes.
   • Looks like: No flame, sizzling, or renewed glow after stirring.
   • If it goes wrong: A token splash leaves dry embers hidden under ash.
   • Done when: Complete: No flame, sizzling, or renewed glow after stirring.

2. 2

   Wait without touching the burner. Check heat first with the back of your hand at a distance, then cautiously on the exterior.

   • Equipment: Established fire site, Dry wood in suitable sizes.
   • Heat: No heat.
   • Time: 8–12 minutes.
   • Looks like: Equipment can be held without heat coming through a glove.
   • If it goes wrong: Packing by a fixed timer ignores wind and metal thickness.
   • Done when: Complete: Equipment can be held without heat coming through a glove.

3. 3

   Seal fuel tightly, pack the container upright, and keep it separate from food, warm parts, and ignition sources.

   • Equipment: Established fire site, Dry wood in suitable sizes.
   • Heat: No heat.
   • Time: 3–5 minutes.
   • Looks like: No fuel smell, leak, or warm component in the bag.
   • If it goes wrong: Packing fuel with food allows even small leaks to contaminate it.
   • Done when: Complete: No fuel smell, leak, or warm component in the bag.

If it doesn't turn out as expected

• A token splash leaves dry embers hidden under ash.
• Packing by a fixed timer ignores wind and metal thickness.
• Packing fuel with food allows even small leaks to contaminate it.

Food safety

A nearly invisible alcohol flame may still be burning. Never pack a warm burner, embers, or fuel, and never pour unused fuel back from a warm burner.