Public Camp Manual

It has been determined that 25-75 per cent of our campers carry gasoline stoves. For this reason, the Lassen type table has been re-designed to care for such equipment, and it is no longer necessary to construct stoves for every unit in a public camp. The proportion of stoves constructed, as compared with the total number of camp sites, must be determined by local conditions.

This policy will require good public relations efforts in order to gain its acceptance by the public. Rangers, guards and others who interview campers should request that those who have their own stoves use campsites on which no wood stoves have been provided, leaving the wood stoves for those who do not have their own equipment. Available funds for camp ground improvement work may thus be spread out and the available supply of fuel conserved.

Ice Can Stove Entire can set on edge and lower half filled with sand.

The ice-can stove has been proved unsuited for the more largely used camp. No more stoves of this type should be constructed except in isolated hunter camps. Existing concrete bases built for receiving ice cans should be maintained, and available ice cans stored, for use as the present ice cans wear out and need to be replaced.

Klamath Stove

The new Klamath type stove, which is shown on pages 45 and 46, has several advantages, The fire-box is of concrete, precast, and is removable and replaceable. The tops and doors are flat pieces. They can be stored readily in a small space, or can be distributed much more easily than can ice-cans. The cooking surface is well-proportioned. The stove is of a convenient height.

This stove has not yet been subjected to the test of time, although the concrete fire box has stood up under a rather strenuous heat test.

Klamath Stove The approved design differs slightly from this photograph.

Klamath Stove Under Construction An inside form slightly larger than the fire box should be used, the fire box inserted after the forms are removed.

Base: This may be constructed of masonry or concrete, as desired. However, good rockmen are scarce and a trim concrete stove base presents a much better appearance than does a poor job of stone work. Knockdown forms may be used, made either of wood or metal. The rock effect may be produced by filling the space between the rocks and the form with dry sand. The space allowed for installation of the fire box should be slightly larger than the fire box itself.

Poor Rock Work Concrete would be less objectionable

Fire Box: The fire box is the most important item of construction. It is made of a 3 to 1 concrete mix, reinforced with 1-inch, 18-gauge chicken wire. Clean sand must be used and the fire box thoroughly seasoned before being installed.

Top and Door: The top and door are made of cast iron. It may be that a boiler plate door should be used because of danger of breakage with cast iron. The cast iron top will be slow in heating. Boiler plate might be used here also. However, the steel top is apt to buckle or warp, and the cast iron top is preferable under most conditions.

Cost:

Cost estimates are as follows:

Rock Chimney This feature might be adapted to the Klamath stove, but would necessitate changes in fire box and top.

Barbecue Pits

There is an occasional demand for barbecue pits on picnic grounds. Should facilities of this sort be desired, the Regional Office will furnish designs of types which might be suitable.

Barbecue Pit Rock should not be laid in rows, but entire structure should have some character, as indicated in upper photograph.

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