These smart stoves are absolutely amazing. As such, we’ve decided to write a full BioLite stove review on our favorite one: The BioLite Wood Burning Campstove. We’ll cover the good, the bad and the ugly about this little stove in this review. So if you’ve been looking for a camp stove in general or at this one in particular, then be sure to read this review. We’ll start with the specifications.

Review

Packaging

This unit will be shipped to you in a 5 by 5 by 8.3 inch box that weighs 2.9 pounds. The unit itself is lightweight and compact, weighing in at 2.1 pounds. This means that you should have no trouble fitting it in a backpack in case you need to carry it with you on a hike. Plus, it definitely won’t weigh you down.

The stove consists of two main components: the stove itself and the power module (where the USB port, fan and internal battery are located). The power module can be placed inside the stove when not in use, reducing its size considerably to be the same as a 1-liter Nalgene water bottle. It also has a grill top for balancing your pots when placed on top the stove. It also comes with a nylon stuff sack that you can place it in after unboxing for proper storage.

Design and Durability

The BioLite Wood Burning Camp stove is a sturdy piece of equipment built to make outdoor fire use easy. Its technology features are some of the best in the outdoor stove industry, including both a USB charging port and fans to help fires burn hotter. That it runs off biomass as well makes this stove particularly attractive due to emergency and environmental benefits.

The stove’s frame is mostly made up of aluminium. This metal is known for being both strong and lightweight, which is a great combination for any portable item. Although still too heavy to carry on extremely long hikes, we certainly think it’d earn an easy spot in the car or boat transport as well as short backpack trips.

The creators of the stove have made it a good size in terms of dimensions, not adding more than needed but not leaving anything crucial out either. You might want to test carry an item of similar weight and dimensions to ascertain whether this stove is right for you.

Overall the shape and outer design of this stove are well thought through. They complement its inner, smart technology design well, by making it functional. We appreciate that they’ve kept it relatively small so as to make it easier to transport. There are a few other feature worth mentioning though, so here’s our take on the main features to be aware of if you’re thinking about buying this stove.

Unique Features

This stove comes with some rather unique features that give it an edge over the competition.

Thermoelectric Generator: This BioLite Campstove allows its owners to personally generate electricity from nothing more than burning wood. This means that you can choose to take a variety of USB chargeable items with you when visiting the great outdoors and charge them as you cook or boil food/water. This thermo-electric generator is perfect for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors while remaining contact-able.

You’ll get approximately 60 minutes of talk time on regular smart phones from 20 minutes of charging time on a strong fire. We’d recommend turning off your electronic devices now and again anyway to enjoy the outdoors more, but in general this is a fantastic concept. The best part about it is that the thermo-electric generator technology works off principles and airflow, meaning it’s usable for as many times as you want or have wood for. No running out of battery charge ever again!

Burn Increasing Fan: The internal fan and gas jets built into the BioLite Campstove is ideal for outdoors people who want to get their fires up and running quickly (and don’t we all?). Having appropriate kindling or dry wood certainly helps, but isn’t a necessity with this cool stove’s design.

The HI/LO set-able fans push air into your fire which improves the combustion system. You’ll get a hotter, more efficient flame, much faster, and some find the air circulation helps with smoke control as well. If you intend to get started on making your fires late in the evening, this is a perfect choice for you.

Biomass Fuel System: The BioLite Campstove takes renewable energy to a whole new level. The system not only runs off renewable biomass like twigs and sticks found while out and about, but also takes that renewable energy and turns into electrical energy to charge your devices with! We love that it’s not reliant on coals or petroleum. It’s a much more environmentally friendly approach to fire starting and we give it a big thumbs up for that.

NOTE: This stove would be useful in emergency situations because it is not reliant on petroleum or electricity to start. You can charge your electronic devices from it, despite power line outages using just biomass (twigs and wood) from your surrounding gardens. Stay on the grid!

User Friendly Interface: The big, ON button, and easily discernible USB charging port on the BioLite Campstove, are just a couple of the user friendly features of the design. When looking for a smart camp stove you ideally want something that anyone can use. This system makes it easy to start fires by storing a little charge to fan your initial fire starting with.

That means even beginner fire starters should be able to get the flames going in this stove. For those who have tried fire starting themselves, you’ll know it’s not always as easy as it looks, especially if your wood is damp. That’s why the user friendly fans and gas jets to help start this stove’s fires are so great.

Value for Money and Guarantee

Once you consider how much you will actually be saving in terms of purchasing fuel for a gas powered stove, the decision to get the BioLite Campstove becomes easy. Furthermore, you also don’t need to buy any extra emergency battery packs in case your phone dies on you.

The unit costs approx. $130 on Amazon. It is currently not available on the BioLite website, so people looking for this unit will have to purchase it on Amazon. Once you add up the specifications, it is easy to tell that getting the BioLite Campstove will provide you with great value for your money.

We would definitely recommend this BioLite Wood Burning Campstove to anyone looking for a high quality piece of fire making and cooking outdoor equipment. Do, however, ensure that you are aware of the size and weight of the item prior to purchase. To get it to your outdoor spot you’ll have to transport it!

In addition, we’d also recommend taking a couple of small fire-starting cubes and some waterproof matches with you when you head out. This will make the fire-starting process even easier, though the design of the camp stove makes that pretty easy already.

A final note is to choose pots and pans to use with this system that are metal, no more than 10 inches in diameter, and no more than 8 pounds in weight. Other than that, this stove is ready to go. You’ll find it adds a whole new level of cool to your outdoor experience and makes cooking/boiling food/water so much easier. When it comes to camp stoves it can be worth digging a little deeper in your pocket to get a great multifunctional product, that will go the distance with you.

(Some may find that carrying a portable camp stove around is too inconvenient when they know they can just find sticks and build a fire on the ground at their destination site).

A pros and cons list is good to ensure that you get an unbiased review, and we hope that you agree with us that the pros more than make up for the cons. This is based on our educated opinion, and we are confident in recommending this stove as one of the most highly efficient, easy-to-use and useful outdoor stoves around. If you take it to the great outdoors for off-grid living, you will not be disappointed.

Every year, thousands of hikers and backpackers head into the back country and wilderness to enjoy the beauty of nature. If you are one of those happy campers you know the need for a small, lightweight, reliable stove that heats warm nutritious delicious meals time after time. One of the best ways of cooking in the outdoors is with an alcohol burner stove because of their simple, no moving part design and readily available fuel.

So simple, in fact, that there are D.I.Y versions, but if you want a durable, well made, quality burner, with a design that stands the test of time, you cannot choose better than the Esbit Brass. These awesome little stoves have been tried and true, world favorites for decades.

With all its qualities the Esbit Brass Alcohol Burner Camping Stove with Variable Temperature Control is the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure or expedition, whether you are making a short day trip, a long weekend or a week of back country trekking. Kayakers, mountain bikers, as well as any others who want to enjoy nature, will find this little stove a welcome addition to their pack.

Review

Packaging

This alcohol burner will ship in a box just a little bigger than the product dimensions, which are 6.8 x 6 x 2 inches. The product weighs 3.2 oz and when shipped will weigh 4 oz. It will come already put together, including a leak proof rubber seal.

Durability and Design

The Esbit stove is made under German quality assurance systems in high quality, corrosive free brass that can take a few knocks without showing any signs of damage, not that dropping it down the side of a mountain is a recommended test for durability. The actual stove has no moving parts and there are no burners to break or wear out so they are not as susceptible to damage as some other types of cookers.

It is robust enough to cram into a small space in your pack and takes up minimal space. This durability ensures that you won’t find yourself with a broken cooker when you arrive at your remote campsite after 8 hours hiking.

Flame Regulator

The Esbit Alcohol Stove has a flame regulator so you can choose to cook with fully open heat, partly open for simmering or close it to extinguish the flame. The regulator has a unique and practical fold away handle that allows you to adjust the flame without getting your fingers close to the hot burner. Esbit was the first to introduce this design feature.

It essentially will not fail to work so long as you have fuel and it can be placed in a wind sheltered spot. The secure, sealed lid means you can close any unused fuel in the stove rather than decant it back into a fiddle bottle or worse, have to waste.

Fuel for alcohol stoves is relatively easy to find and inexpensive to buy at many universal retailers. It is cheaper than most fuels for alternative stoves. The stove has a low profile so there is less likelihood of accidental tipping over while cooking, although caution should always be taken with any naked flame.

Fuel

The required fuel is relatively lightweight and you only need to pack the amount you need for the estimated meals so no unnecessary weight. Fuel is always on hand; just fill the stove and light it. You don’t need to scramble around looking for dry firewood when it has been raining all day.

Ultralight hikers can buy fuel in larger quantities and decant into suitable smaller bottles to pack. These are advantageous for carrying smaller quantities, but should be unbreakable, leak proof, and the better ones, have pouring measurements and flip-top caps for ease of use.

You can use the Esbit Alcohol Stove with alternative purpose made equipment, for instance the Esbit Pot Stand. The latter is designed for easy placement and removal of the stove, as well as for easy adjustment of the simmer regulator when in use.

Manufacturer Recommendations

For simple, delicious meals, it is best to plan for one pot cooking that is water based. Each meal should take about 20-30 minutes to cook and use about 2/3ounce of fuel with 2 cups of water for two normal servings or one large serving.

Cook meals to a basic recipe with 2 cups of water. Always cover with a lid to be more efficient and bring to the boil. When boiling, stir in the chosen ingredients and bring to boil again with lid. Either turn down to simmer and let the fuel run out. Leave the meal to sit covered for another 5 – 10 minutes.

Use easily transportable foods like rice, small shape pasta, noodles, whole or rolled grains, dehydrated vegetables and fruit, dried meat, fish, and eggs (if you can carry safely).  If weight is not so much an issue you can take fresh vegetables, cans of beans, fish, etc. Use first, those ingredients that may deteriorate or break.

All stoves can be dangerous, so a list of precautions:

• Always consider the weather conditions before lighting
• Do not cook on any inflammable surface
• Remove all flammable materials close by
• Have an extinguisher of some description on hand
• Never leave a fire unattended

Value for the Money

This product is generally beloved by those who have used it and they state that this product is definitely worth the money. Moderately priced, you are getting a product that works, and is leak proof. While there are some more pricey, and less pricey, this alcohol burner is worth the price you pay.

As a basic description, the Esbit Alcohol Stove looks like a small metal can with a series of holes around the rim. At first glance it may be easy to think such a simple looking stove should be easy to copy but Esbit stoves have a few extra important features that continue to make it a market leader.

On closer inspection, you will see an inner cylinder wall which is one the reasons the Esbit Alcohol Stove is so efficient and reliable. When filled with suitable fuel, some of the fuel fills that compartment between inner and outer walls. When the fuel is lit, evaporation develops pressure gradients that ensure the flames burn forcefully through those specifically sized and placed perimeter holes for maximum heat and efficiency.

There are various reports that the stove will operate efficiently over many altitudes from sea level up to 12,000 feet, although the higher altitudes may mean colder temperatures do make the stove more difficult to light. Again, however, reviewers have reported using the stove at below freezing levels and it is worth noting that Scandinavian military forces use alcohol stoves all year round when temperatures drop to below -30 F.

If you’re into wild camping or backpacking in the wilderness, at one point or another, you have thought about the kind of products you will take with you during your outdoor escapades, particularly the stoves. So, which one is the best?

Maybe you began with the Trangia and now prefer a reliable and lightweight alcohol stove. Maybe liquid fuel’s performance was suitable for your outdoor expedition, or perhaps the convenience and simplicity of the canister gas won your heart over.

However, there is another option – the Solo Stove Series, more precisely the Solo Stove Lite. And despite the fact that it has been used in the ancient days of backpacking, these products seem to be making a comeback!

The Solo Stoves come in various shapes and sizes, but the best are the lightweight options, the ones you can carry with you when you go hiking. This article offers a Solo Stove review that will enlighten you about the significance of having this product on your backpacking trip.

As mentioned, the Solo Stoves come in different models: the Solo Stove Titan, the Solo Stove Lite, and the Solo Stove Campfire. In reality, the only difference between these three options is in their weight and sizes. These products are wood gasifiers. Their dual-wall designs help in pulling in air via the lower vents.

The air is preheated and then fed back through the tiny vents at the firebox’s top for an efficient combustion. This process allows for the use of less fuel and reduces the amount it would take to boil water. In comparison, the Lite model is the best for camping as this can be used over and over again without losing efficiency.

Review

Packaging

The general presentation and the packaging are gorgeous. This is so because pretty products tend to be designed for those who go camping once every year. However, there seems to be an exception with the Solo Stove. Do not allow its stylish appearance trick you into dismissing the product.

The Solo is a much serious appliance when it comes to backpacking. These stoves have an attractive finish and are made of stainless steel material. They are lightweight and heavy-duty as well. These products come with excellent packing bags among other packages.

Information about how the stoves are used can be found on the box, so you will not have to worry when using it for the first time. The stove also comes with a nylon stuff sack that you can use to carry it around with during your hiking trips.

The solo pot 900 is sold as a separate item and therefore it doesn’t come together with the stove. If you are interested, you have to purchase it on the website at approx. $35. You can also store your stove in the pot when you are not using it to save on space.

Design and Durability

Designed with a double surface, this stove is a natural convection inverted gasifier. The absence of oxygen during the combustion process and the rising hot air, pulls the air via the bottom holes. This movement of air fuels the flame at the stove’s base while offering to boost the preheated air via the vents at the burn chamber’s top.

This doesn’t mean that your pots won’t get charred as a result. They will, just not as much as with other regular stoves. Washing the charred parts with a dishwashing liquid sure comes in handy in such situations.

Alternatively, you can apply sand on the parts of the utensils with soot and carry them around without worrying that they will mess up your other items in the backpack. The design also makes the stove very efficient, therefore you end up using less wood to build the fire as compared to the regular camp fires.

You can use the stove for several days while backpacking and camping, and although its surface gets tarnished due to heat, there is no other sign of wear. To damage the Solo Stove, you’d have to kick it like a football, most probably.

Fuel Compatibility

The solo stove lite, will save you a lot on money that you could have used to buy liquid canister fuel and white gas. Why? With this particular one, all you need to find are a bunch of pinecones, twigs, dry leaves or wood and you are set to go.  This is literally very easy to find when you are out in the woods.

This is among its best features because not only will you get to move around with an ultra- light stove, but also you will have forgone the danger that comes with travelling with canister fuels in your backpack. You also get to preserve the environment at the same time. Quite impressive, huh?

Dimensions

This amazing stove is around 3.8 inches high and 4.2 inches wide with about 12.8 ounces when shipping. Its actual weight is 0.56 pounds, which is quite ideal since it’s made out of 304 stainless steel which is a lightweight material.

The best part is you do not have to worry about the shipping weight being over the top; it’s just 0.8 pounds, which will not cost you as much to get the stove delivered right to your doorstep.

Unique features

What sets this stove apart from the hundreds of similar stoves out there? We have a few reasons why you should consider purchasing the solo lite stove to cater for all your backpacking needs.

Free fuel

Many people are nervous when it comes to using portable stoves since they find fuel to be expensive. Fair enough, liquid canisters and white gas can be pretty expensive. When you take part in an extended trip, this cost could quickly add up.

To get your Solo Stove fully operational, you will only require some dried leaves, pinecones, twigs, sticks, and many other fuels that can be obtained outdoors. This makes it possible for you to create space in your backpack since you will not be obliged to carry any fuel.

Patented model with less smoke

When going for a backpacking trip, you should always consider a design that will produce less smoke. As an experienced backpacker, you are aware that cooking from the campfire is not a suitable technique.

There are a lot of drawbacks to this process, but the most prominent of these drawbacks is excessive smoke. Your wood burning stove should be able to produce less smoke, and the Solo Stove is not an exception.

This product comes in a patented design which creates both ultra-clean gasification and secondary combustion. The model makes it possible for the fuel to burn efficiently and completely, producing less smoke.

Fast boil time and lightweight

If you are undecided as to whether or not you need to carry this stove with you, you don’t need to fret. This product only weighs 9 ounces despite being constructed from a stainless steel material. The stove is a perfect option for people who are in need of lightweight products. Its boil time is about eight to ten minutes.

Compactness

When looking for an outdoor stove system, make sure you pick one with a compact size. The Solo Stove is a combination of a pot and a stove and still manages to remain efficient when considering space.

Owing to its compact design, this system shouldn’t take a lot of space in your backpack.

Backpacker magazine recommended

If the experts’ opinion matter to you, it’s essential to mention that the Solo Stove has been recommended by the Backpacker Magazine and the Discovery Channel. This product is also a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists.

Value for Money and Guarantee

Ultimately, what we all want to know is how much a product costs. The solo stove lite will set you back approx. $70, which is a good value for your money since you will be getting a camping stove with amazing superior features. This price is after getting a discount of approx. 30%.

The good news is, you get a warranty of one year from the date of purchase. The warranty only covers manufacturing defects and not wear and tear or misuse of the stove. If you have any claims, you can contact the manufacturers for further assistance.

There is no other guarantee on purchase, given on the site, and therefore, you might consider contacting the manufacturers for a more precise assurance when you decide to acquire the stove. However, the fact that this stove was pronounced as the winner of the gear of the year by backpacker magazine should tell you a thing or two about just how perfect it is.

So why should anyone consider using this stove? The answer to this revolves around the experience. If you usually hike in the hill and are in need of something you can use to boil water without much hassle, the Solo Stove may not be what you need.

But if you will be backpacking in a forested place, and the trip involves much hiking as camping, the stove is an excellent fit. It’s a great pleasure to utilize this product, and without the few downsides, it gives you the feeling of an actual campfire.

In areas where campfires are not allowed, you may be able to have your way with the Solo Stove. Therefore, hikers and campers in the heavily forested regions will greatly benefit from using this product because if you are certain of finding twigs and sticks, you are assured of having your cooked meals even in the middle of the wilderness.

Additionally, if the idea of having a campfire at night when camping appeals to you, and you do not want to go through the hassles of building one, or if you want to minimize your pack by carrying no fuel, then the Solo Stove is what you need.

This product offers an economical way to utilize fuel for cooking and back country entertainment. Although, there are slightly lighter and less expensive wood stoves out there, the Solo Lite is among the few commercial stoves which have an integrated heat shield.

This component prevents the ground under the stove from getting scorched or burned. This product is also a suitable option if you want to leave your campsite without a trace.