The TSA-Approved Travel Essential Every Outdoor Enthusiast Needs

There are a lot of happy campers out there, and we all cook in different ways. Are we doing an Appalachian Trail thru-hike and traveling as light as possible? Are we driving across the country in our SUV and cooking steaks for the family? Camp stoves come in every shape and style, from suitcase-like propane ranges to tiny folding platforms to the all-in-one Jetboil system.

There's one thing all these stoves have in common: you can carry them through the security checkpoint at the airport. You shouldn't get any guff from TSA for stowing your stove in your carry-on bag, nor should anyone rifle through your checked luggage because of it. Thankfully, they don't make the list of things you can't bring through TSA.

This may surprise you, given how infrequently "fire-based apparatus" and "airplane cabin" go together. The issue, of course, is not the stove itself but the fuel. A stove without an affixed propane tank or flammable gel is just a harmless hunk of metal. The exact instructions from TSA: "Camp stoves are allowed in carry-on or checked bags only if they are empty of all fuel and cleaned so that no fuel vapors or residue remain. Please wrap cords and layer items in bags so officers can get a clear view of the items."

For outdoorsy travelers, a camp stove is a very handy thing to have, and the ability to fly with one will save a lot of time and energy. Most people love a roaring campfire, but they're not always permitted in national parks or wilderness areas. This makes cooking warm food exceedingly difficult. You could theoretically rent a stove from a company like REI, but it's an unnecessary expenditure if you already own one. You've already invested in the best hiking gear and organized it in your backpack; the last thing you want to do is chase down redundant equipment.

If you're flying to another location with your camp stove, you will have to stop for fuel — typically, a small propane tank, although types of fuel are almost as varied as models of stove. Camp stove newbies may wonder whether they have to stop into an outdoors outfitter, but these tanks can be found at a range of box stores, like Walmart or Home Depot. Once you've landed, driven out to the trailhead, and found your ideal campsite, you'll be glad you brought this stove along. Now you just have to deal with those camping dishes.