Cooking with Gas in Truck ? Yay or Nay ?

Get one of these. Works great.

 

Amazing how many experts we have on this sub.

Yes, you can cook in the truck, keep the windows down, and store your tanks outside the truck unhooked from the stove

 

The tanks shouldn't be stored anywhere near the exhaust, because they can explode when exposed to high heat, such as inside a vehicle, in the sun, or outside in that case . . .

There are some federal and state regulations involved also.

Subpart F—Fueling Precautions
§ 392.50 Ignition of fuel; prevention.
No driver or any employee of a motor carrier shall:

(a) Fuel a commercial motor vehicle with the engine running, except when it is necessary to run the engine to fuel the commercial motor vehicle;

(b) Smoke or expose any open flame in the vicinity of a commercial motor vehicle being fueled;

(c) Fuel a commercial motor vehicle unless the nozzle of the fuel hose is continuously in contact with the intake pipe of the fuel tank;

(d) Permit, insofar as practicable, any other person to engage in such activities as would be likely to result in fire or explosion.

§ 397.11 Fires.
(a) A motor vehicle containing hazardous materials must not be operated near an open fire unless its driver has first taken precautions to ascertain that the vehicle can safely pass the fire without stopping.

(b) A motor vehicle containing hazardous materials must not be parked within 300 feet of an open fire.

§ 397.13 Smoking.
No person may smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe on or within 25 feet of—

(a) A motor vehicle which contains Class 1 materials, Class 5 materials, or flammable materials classified as Division 2.1, Class 3, Divisions 4.1 and 4.2; or

(b) An empty tank motor vehicle which has been used to transport Class 3, flammable materials, or Division 2.1 flammable gases, which when so used, was required to be marked or placarded in accordance with the rules in § 177.823 of this title.

Section § 397.13: Smoking.
Question 1: May a driver of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) transporting HM, listed in §397.13, smoke while at the controls or in the sleeper berth of the vehicle?

Guidance: No. All persons are prohibited from smoking or carrying lighted smoking materials at any time while on or within 25 feet of such a vehicle. The word "on" includes any time while in the cab, sleeper berth, etc.

§ 392.67 Heater, flame-producing; on commercial motor vehicle in motion.
No open flame heater used in the loading or unloading of the commodity transported shall be in operation while the commercial motor vehicle is in motion.

Alaska... Sec. 28.35.175. Propane gas detector required.
A person may not sell a recreational motor vehicle manufactured after 1990 or rent a recreational motor vehicle to another if the vehicle is equipped with a propane stove or propane heating device unless the vehicle is also equipped with a propane gas detector.

If you think about those regs, propane heaters should not be allowed in truck stops (rest areas, or to be concealed anywhere in public vehicles, perhaps), because the driver with hazardous materials wouldn't know if the hazardous load had been stopped or parked on either side of another truck with an open flame... yet it isn't supposed to be within 300 feet of one (or two fires, of course).


Sometimes the propane trucks explode . . .

Another story seems to indicate that the greatest danger of a smaller propane stove explosion, within a vehicle, could be the larger fuel tank explosion afterward (or the explosion of other vehicles it contacts too):

"Inferno Kills 10 On Bus-Camper SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (1981) - Investigators suspect propane gas from a stove caused a fiery explosion that killed five children and five adults on a converted bus carrying 25 people to a July Fourth family reunion in Alabama. Fierce heat melted aluminum skeleton and shell of bus-camper into pools of metal. The blazing bus, which exploded near the top of a mountain pass, rolled down the steep grade in a "ball of fire" for about a quarter-mile before it slammed into a flatbed truck as other motorists in about 200 cars watched in horror, witnesses said. Officials said the explosion melted the bus into giant puddles of molten metal and a blocked emergency door prevented passengers members of seven related families from escaping, investigators said ("there's no law against that but it's not a wise thing to do"). The bus driver, Willie Battle (45), an experienced trucker from Gardena, Calif., said he heard a noise that sounded like a bad tire and stopped the bus. Battle went out the front door and "immediately found the bus on fire." Battle said flames blocked him from going back in the front door so he smashed the right rear window and pulled out at least two children. His wife, who had been asleep in the rear, broke out the left rear window and jumped to safety. Snell said the five adults who died along with the five children in the fire apparently stayed behind to throw youngsters out the windows. California Highway Patrol investigators said the driver of the bus was headed up the grade near the top of the pass when he heard a loud noise and smelled smoke. He stopped the bus, and began evacuuting the passengers when the bus exploded into flames. The 42-foot burning bus lost its brakes, rolled backwards about a quarter-mile and hit the truck before careening down the grade and a 10-foot embankment. CHP officer Bill Snell who was first on the scene and will investigate the accident, said he suspected a propane gas stove sparked the fatal blaze. "It sure looks like a propane fire from the statements of those involved and what I saw." Fifteen members of the families aboard the bus and an elderly couple in a station wagon hit by the flatbed truck were taken to hospitals. A 12-year-old girl was in critical but stable condition with burns on her face and arms. Four others were in serious condition and two were in fair condition. Ten, including the elderly couple, were released after treatment for minor injuries. Investigators said they believed the passengers were using a propane stove in the vehicle, a 1946 Brill professionally converted into a camper, when it blew up. Witnesses said agonized screams came from the burning interior of bus and truck drivers had to hold back survivors from going back in the bus to rescue their children. It was really devastating, said California Highway Patrol Lt. Herb Confer, one of the first officers to reach the scene of the explosion Friday morning less than 200 feet from the top of the 4,190-foot Cajon Pass on Interstate 15. "The only thing identifiable on the bus that I saw was four charred skulls . . ."

Keep in mind that fuel is a hazardous material, for the sake of safety awareness (trucks have big fuel tanks, which would be relatively close to the open flame of a propane stove, or burning cab, if something went wrong with that scenario, all over again).

 

Also, looking at what the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration had to say, in response to similar questions, it looks like they'd say nay.

Interpretation Response Details

Ref. No. 13-0174

"Dear Mr. Wiseman:

This responds to your August 21, 2013, letter regarding the applicability of the materials of trade exception under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically you ask if the small propane tank (i.e., less than 20 pounds) used to power a stove that is stowed on a tour bus in an exterior built-in kitchenette would meet the definition of a “material of trade” as specified in § 171.8. Furthermore, you ask if this propane stove would qualify for the materials of trade exception in § 173.6 and would exempt your client from the hazardous materials training and shipping paper requirements set forth in parts 172 and 177.

The answer is no. As defined in § 171.8, material of trade means “a hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste, that is carried on a motor vehicle—(1) For the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the motor vehicle operator or passengers; (2) For the purpose of supporting the operation or maintenance of a motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment); or (3) By a private motor carrier (including vehicles operated by a rail carrier) in direct support of a principal business that is other than transportation by motor vehicle.” The stove does not satisfy the requirements of the material of trade definition in § 171.8 for the following reasons:

1. The propane stove does not protect the health and safety of the motor vehicle operator or passengers;

2. The stove and its respective propane tank is not considered “auxiliary equipment” in that “auxiliary equipment” in this definition means that the equipment must provide supplementary or additional help and support to operate or maintain the motor vehicle itself, not equipment for the purpose of heating food for passengers on the motor vehicle; and

3. Your client is not a private motor carrier.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please contact this office.

Sincerely,

Robert Benedict
Chief, Standards Development
Standards and Rulemaking Division

171.8, 173.6"

Reference No. 02-0146

"Dear Mr. Stoddard:

This is in response to your letter dated May 6, 2002 concerning air carriers' reluctancy to transport your Coleman propane camping stove that you use to participate in chili cook-off competitions. You state that you never check the propane cylinders or carry matches, torches, etc.

Under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180), propane is regulated as a Division 2.1 (Flammable gas). This material is Forbidden to be offered for transportation or transported by passenger aircraft and passenger rail. However 173.29 states that empty packagings that meet certain provisions are not subject to the requirements of the HMR.

In the case of a propane stove, any internal reservoir areas and piping must be properly cleaned of residue and purged of vapors to remove any potential hazard to be considered as not regulated under the HMR. The methods and limits used for determining what qualifies as "cleaned and purged" under the HMR are intentionally not defined because they vary greatly depending on the properties of the particular hazardous material and type of packaging. In the case of propane, other variables such as purge medium, temperature conditions and internal volume are also factors. We would consider a stove to be sufficiently cleaned and purged when the vapors in any reservoir areas and piping are no longer capable of sustaining combustion. When a properly cleaned and purged propane container is offered for transportation by aircraft, the valve must be left open to preclude internal pressure buildup.

Air carriers of hazardous materials are subject to the applicable requirements of the HMR. The HMR specify conditions and constraints for offering and transporting hazardous materials in commerce. However, we have no authority to compel such transportation. Air carriers may establish their own non-conflicting internal policies and practices for accepting hazardous materials for transportation.

I hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

173.29"

Between these two clarifications of the rules, it sounds like you'd have to keep the propane tank empty, and only fill it before each use (from a separate tank, like a dispenser at a truck stop, if not a disposable kind there), and then clean out your tank again, before moving the truck with that onboard, unless it was declared as a hazardous material, and you were also qualified to transport it (when compatible with other freight, properly secured, etc).

 

OTR drivers should live like they’re on vacation and eat out every night at a bar and grill.

 

That's cool. Not sure why you felt the need to quote me.

 

As already noted in the hazardous materials regulations, commercial trucks and buses are considered to be different than RVs or other private vehicles. They have a higher standard to follow, which requires propane fuel to be treated as a hazardous material (especially since someone in a truck using a stove haphazardly could be parked near a load of hazardous freight).

As far as RVs go, I was reading about their use of propane, and they are not supposed to use such camping stoves inside either. Even when propane stoves are designed to be used inside, they often happen to be dangerous (since there are 20,000 RV fires per year). Those and other private vehicles, carrying camping stoves and gas cans, are required to get permits to travel on a ferry over water, so there's another indication that it isn't considered safe to transport fuel cannisters without warning others, and segregating the hazards when necessary. There are also strict packing requirements for shipping any size of propane cannisters on highways, according to the postal service, where valves have to be protected, etc.

Handling Emergencies - Fuels
"RVs normally carry two types of fuels: gasoline and propane; although some RVs use diesel and propane. Very few do not have propane on board.

Propane is no more dangerous to use than gasoline or diesel. All three fuels, if mishandled, can cause disaster. Propane vapor is just as explosive as gasoline or diesel vapor. When propane leaks from one of the lines inside an RV, the volume can build up to the point where it may explode. Leaking gasoline can also cause an explosion if its vapor collects in a closed area. Of course, a source of ignition must be present to set it off. In any case, both fuels deserve healthy respect. Knowledge and preventive maintenance are the keys to safety.

Make frequent inspections of your RV's fuel systems. Look closely to see if lines are rubbing against sharp edges of the vehicle. Check to see: Is the neoprene (synthetic rubberlike plastic) gasoline line cracking because it is old? Is the carburetor starting to leak? Do the joints in the propane lines have a leak? Wash the propane lines with soapy water, and if bubbles appear there is a leak."

Fire Prevention: RV Fire Safety 101
"Fire safety is of premium importance to the conscientious RVer. Unfortunately, fire is one of the leading causes of RV loss in the U.S. today. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 20,000 RV fires occur annually.

If the flame on your galley stove goes out while in use, unless you have run out of fuel, the gas will continue to flow and could result in an explosion. Turn off the stove and air out the RV before trying to relight.

Gasoline and propane can pose an immediate, explosive danger. Deal at once with any leaks or spills, and use all fuels in adequately vented areas. Operate your generator in an area where gasoline fumes cannot reach an ignition source.

Shut off the propane at the tank and turn off all propane-powered appliances while driving. If you have an accident or tire blowout while the propane is on, your injury and the damage to your vehicle can be significantly worse. If you elect to travel with the refrigerator operating on propane, you must turn it--and all appliances--off prior to entering a fuel stop. (FYI - Most refrigerators will keep food cold or frozen for eight hours without running while you travel.)

Be cautious of where you pull over and park. A hot exhaust pipe or catalytic converter can easily ignite dry grass underneath your RV.

Ensure that your RV's carbon monoxide and propane detectors are properly located and functioning."

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Camping
"Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, nonirritating gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. CO exposure is responsible for more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent, with the highest incidence occurring during the cold-weather months. Although most of these deaths occur in residences or motor vehicles, two incidents among campers in Georgia illustrate the danger of CO in outdoor settings. This report describes the two incidents, which resulted in six deaths, and provides recommendations for avoiding CO poisoning in outdoor settings...

Evening temperatures often drop unexpectedly, even during warmer months of the year. Campers who are unprepared for colder weather may overlook the danger of operating fuel-burning camping heaters, portable gas stoves, or charcoal grills inside tents and campers. Camping stoves and heaters are not designed to be used indoors and can emit hazardous amounts of CO, and smoldering charcoal emits large amounts of CO. Inside a tent or camper, these sources produce dangerous concentrations of CO, which becomes even more dangerous to sleeping persons who are unable to recognize the early symptoms of CO poisoning."

Safely Using Propane Gas in FEMA Travel Trailers
Make sure your family is not exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning by keeping the following in mind:
• Never use range burners as space heaters.
• Never use propane heaters that are not intended for indoor use.
• Never use barbecue grills indoors.
• Always make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
• Have in place Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved carbon monoxide detectors, available at most hardware stores.

Looks like he just passed out from carbon monoxide poisoning...

Check this out too, the smaller the enclosed space is, the quicker it will kill you:

"Many of the deaths happened as the victims worked to clear snow from a vehicle . . ."

"The image shows a car where a mom and her 1-year-old child died of carbon monoxide poisoning while sitting in car in Passaic, New Jersey, while the father was steps away shoveling out the car."

A comment about using the camping stove in a small cabin describes its danger to this effect: "Carbon dioxide is absorbed 100 times faster than oxygen by your body and cannot recover after two regular breaths of the gas. You will be dead and not know it . . ."

Ah, carbon dioxide too, or was that a typo? Well it looks like either could be involved. Another article says "Install a CO2 (carbon dioxide) monitor, which will alert you should there be a buildup of CO2 caused by the indoor use of your camp stove. Also install a CO (carbon monoxide) monitor to warn of a buildup of that deadly gas . . ." (Carbon Monoxide vs. Carbon Dioxide: What You Should Know)... "A good rule of thumb is, if something is burning, you’re likely creating carbon monoxide." "Propane undergoes combustion reactions in a similar fashion to other alkanes. In the presence of excess oxygen, propane burns to form water and carbon dioxide . . ." (How much carbon dioxide is produced when different fuels are burned?)

Never leave a fork lift running inside a trailer, by the way . . .​

 

So that's a 12-Volt Portable Stove (they say it 'Cooks and Warms Food to 300 Degrees') . . .

Such 12 Volt Cookers & 12 Volt Stoves are recommended on trucking product sites.

There are also portable induction cooktops for camping . . .




And the cooktop can have a regular plug, if you have a 12 volt adapter.