Banned: Butane stoves!

NSW Fair Trading is warning consumers not to buy the wildly popular portable butane ‘lunchbox’ type cookers found on so many trailerboats, vans and camping annexes due to widespread safety issues with their safety valves that can lead to dangerous overheating.

"We recommend consumers do not buy portable cookers of this type," NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said. "Compliance certification for all current models of ‘lunchbox’ type gas cookers has been suspended by the independent safety certifiers and cookers of this type can no longer be sold lawfully in NSW.

Up to 31 models of butane gas cookers have been withdrawn from sale as they do not meet Australian Standards. Retailers in NSW should no longer be stocking or selling these products, Fair Trading says.

Evidently, testing (undertaken at the request of NSW Fair Trading and other State gas regulators) has found a fault with the cookers’ shut-off valves, posing a risk that the devices may overheat and could explode.

"These cookers are lightweight and portable and are popular for use in camping and caravanning. They are inexpensive and commonly sell for between $15 and $30," Mr Stowe said, adding that consumers who have purchased cookers should refrain from using them.

"If these products malfunction they can potentially cause serious injuries and I’d encourage people to stop using them,” Mr Stower insisted. "The cookers should be disposed of in a safe manner, with the butane cylinders disposed of through an appropriate community waste or recycling centre."

"Consumers who have purchased a non-compliant gas cooker and have proof of the purchase should return the product to their retailer and seek a refund of the full purchase price as soon as possible. Fair Trading is continuing to work with retailers, manufacturers and other states to ensure products are removed from shelves.

"I’d encourage consumers to notify NSW Fair Trading if they see any devices of this type being sold within stores or by NSW retailers," NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe added.

For consumer safety information and advice visit the NSW Fair Trading website or phone the Call Centre on 13 32 20.

Note: Affected product names and model numbers can be found at our the Lunchbox Cooker page at

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Consumers/Product_and_service_safety/Lunchbox_cookers.page

Portable Butane Cookers - currently suspended
Model name/ Model number
Home Essentials BDZ-168
Home Essentials BDZ-163S
Red Stone N/A
Bai Hui Portable Camping Stove N/A
My Collection N/A
Five Star MS-2000
Gasmate Plus MS-2000
Gasmate BC1080
Gasmaster BC1080
Jumbuck BC1080
Jackeroo BC1080
Excalibur BC1080
Gasmate PC1070
Gasmate PC2080
Campmaster CM2200S
Campmaster CM2250
Oztrail OZ2160
Campmaster CM2270
Auscrown AD90
Adventuridge 509245
Companion COMP523
House Brand 509245
Kookaburra ST0990
Primus 2240
Primus 2271
Primus TLB-102L
Red Desert 509230
Spinifex 7027612
Spinifex 90024574
Jackeroo PL-121