🏕️ Camping stove

A stove with any residual fuel smell will almost certainly be confiscated or sent back — screeners are trained to check for fuel odour on camping equipment, and a faint smell is enough to flag it as prohibited. The rule is strict: the stove must be completely empty and thoroughly cleaned so no residue or odour remains. Even a stove that looks clean can be rejected if the officer detects a smell.

No — fuel canisters are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage on any commercial flight, regardless of how well they are sealed or how little fuel remains. This rule is consistent across all aviation authorities worldwide. Your only option is to buy fuel canisters at your destination or ship them separately.

Screeners rely on visual inspection of the fuel valve and on smell — they may ask you to open the stove for a closer look. If you are questioned, explain that you cleaned the stove with dish soap and let it air out for at least 24 hours with the valve open. Some travellers also carry a note or photo showing the empty fuel chamber, which can help resolve the conversation quickly.

Clean the stove at least 24 to 48 hours before your flight — this gives it enough time to air out completely and removes any doubt about lingering fuel vapour. Either carry-on or checked baggage is technically permitted for a clean, fuel-free stove, but checked baggage is the safer practical choice because it avoids any carry-on size issues and gives screeners more space to inspect it if needed.