Ozbow

Safety warning on portable butane ‘lunchbox’ cookers
Following advice and testing by certifying bodies responsible for gas safety certification, NSW Fair Trading has warned consumers of safety concerns surrounding portable butane ‘lunchbox’ style gas cookers (also called portable gas barbeques). Under this warning, the products have been removed from sale in NSW.
These products are often used when picnicking, camping and caravanning. Recent testing by certifying bodies found the products’ shut-off and safety valves failed to operate once heat was dispersed over the butane gas cylinder. This means they could overheat and possibly explode, causing serious injury. The tests concluded that the products did not meet the safety requirements under the Australian Standards and they have since been removed from sale in NSW.
NSW Fair Trading is continuing to monitor the suspension from sale of these products. We have been working with suppliers and manufacturers across the State to ensure products are removed from shelves.
Do not to purchase these products if they appear on display. If you see these cookers for sale please report this to Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or lodge a complaint. All information is treated confidentially.
If you have a lunchbox cooker:
Check our table of products suspended from sale - including single burner cookers and certain double burner models - and stop using your cooker
Return the cooker to its place of purchase for a refund (taking along proof of purchase) OR safely dispose of the butane cylinder
Read the important advice below.
Fair Trading will warn consumers and update this information based on any further advice received from the gas certifying bodies.

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/C ... okers.page?

At first, I thought this was an Aprils fools day joke, but I think the link pretty much disproves that notion.

I'm always extra cynical on the morning of April 1st.

I don't own one of those cookers. I always thought the butane bottles were a little too close to the burner for my liking.

I have use these many times.

Mark, thank you for the information, I've got two of these items but will need to locate them to find out what brand they are.

Unfortunately a lot of these low cost items come out of the same factory sporting different colours or brand labels.

Daryl.

My mother-in-law uses one in her kitchen.... Guess I'll tell her

Thanks Mark

discord wrote:My mother-in-law uses one in her kitchen.... Guess I'll tell her

Or remove the label and send her a list of the faulty brands.

I've got 2 and love them! From what I can gather, there are two types of canisters. The ones with CRV (countersunk relief valve, I think) are the go. BigW sell that kind.

Placing a pan so large it covers the area where the canister is would be asking for trouble, but there's a warning about that in the instructions for mine.

davethepom wrote:....Placing a pan so large it covers the area where the canister is would be asking for trouble, but there's a warning about that in the instructions for mine.

Common sense appears to becoming less common as time moves on.

davethepom wrote:.... From what I can gather, there are two types of canisters. The ones with CRV (countersunk relief valve, I think) are the go.....

My canisters have a notch in the rim near the nozzle to make sure the canister is inserted correctly, is this what you are referring to?

Daryl.

greybeard wrote:

davethepom wrote:....Placing a pan so large it covers the area where the canister is would be asking for trouble, but there's a warning about that in the instructions for mine.

Common sense appears to becoming less common as time moves on.

davethepom wrote:.... From what I can gather, there are two types of canisters. The ones with CRV (countersunk relief valve, I think) are the go.....

My canisters have a notch in the rim near the nozzle to make sure the canister is inserted correctly, is this what you are referring to?

Daryl.

No, the notch is just for location. The CRV ones have perforations that allow the gas to vent out gradually when the pressure reaches a certain level, rather than just letting go at the weakest point.

I only buy ones with CRV on the canister and bought a couple of boxes in case they become hard to get.

I'll keep using mine, just be sure never to set up camp near me...just in case!