When an outdoor pot starts burning

These steps assume

• Equipment stands securely on a non-combustible surface.
• Wind and fuel can change conditions during the process.
• The focus is “When an outdoor pot starts burning,” not a particular dish.

What you need

• Trangia with windshield
• Burner and suitable fuel
• Stable non-combustible base
• Lid and pot grip
• Water for extinguishing or cooling

Step by step

1. 1

   Lift the pot off heat without stirring, then safely extinguish or move the burner.

   • Equipment: Trangia with windshield, Burner and suitable fuel.
   • Heat: No heat.
   • Time: 1–2 minutes.
   • Looks like: Smoke eases and the black layer remains at the base.
   • If it goes wrong: Stirring to check spreads the bitter base through everything.
   • Done when: Complete: Smoke eases and the black layer remains at the base.

2. 2

   Lift the clean upper layer into another pot. Stop before the spoon reaches the dark base.

   • Equipment: Trangia with windshield, Burner and suitable fuel.
   • Heat: No heat.
   • Time: 3–5 minutes.
   • Looks like: The transferred food smells clean and contains no black flakes.
   • If it goes wrong: Scraping the base carries bitterness that cannot be cooked away.
   • Done when: Complete: The transferred food smells clean and contains no black flakes.

3. 3

   Add 1–2 tbsp liquid, cover if suitable, and continue over lower, sheltered heat.

   • Equipment: Trangia with windshield, Burner and suitable fuel.
   • Heat: Low, steady heat.
   • Time: 3–5 minutes.
   • Looks like: No new smoke or bitter smell; the base stays moist.
   • If it goes wrong: Using the same flame and position causes another scorch.
   • Done when: Complete: No new smoke or bitter smell; the base stays moist.

If it doesn't turn out as expected

• Stirring to check spreads the bitter base through everything.
• Scraping the base carries bitterness that cannot be cooked away.
• Using the same flame and position causes another scorch.

Food safety

Set the hot pot on a stable non-combustible surface. Do not pour cold water into a very hot empty pot or inhale smoke.