Fuel free stove thread

[a1fabweld]

I just thought I'd share my experiences with fuel free camp/cooking stoves with y'all. I wanted something that would cook food without having to lug around a backpack full of burners, canisters, that jelly stuff or fuel bars. Mainly because that stuff will eventually run out. I wanted something that you could set up in a hurry, throw whatever in it to burn & be hot enough to boil water for drinking or cooking. Here's what I found: http://www.campingsurvival.com/tibawost.html. Or this one: http://www.campingsurvival.com/fopocost.html. I bought both stoves, but have only been able to use the first so far (Vargo). I recently took the fam on a camping trip to try to put some of my gear to use. I used my Vargo camp stove to cook all our meals and Strikeforce strikers to start all the fires. Both worked great. Never struck a match the whole weekend. The Vargo stove was able to bring water to a rolling boil in just a few minutes & we made all kinds of meals on it in a small pan. Eggs, bacon, hot dogs, tea, & oatmeal to name a few. I found pine needles on the ground to start the fire, then added 1/4"-1/2" dia x 3"-4" long sticks to burn (manzanita works the best). The stove was very efficient & super easy to use. It also folds up to about the size of a CD case & weighs nothing. It sets up in about 20 seconds & is built very well. IMO, The Vargo stove is a MUST have in your BOB.

[usmcvet]

Looks like a cool little stove. Pricey for what is is but great idea.

[Buckaroo]

Second one looks very interesting. Easier to feed fuel into and much more reasonable cost.

I'd love to hear a review!

Buckaroo

[a1fabweld]

So I had a chance to put the second stove I linked to work this weekend on a camping trip in Tahoe. It worked very well. I fed it pine sticks & manzanita sticks. It brought a pot of water to a rolling boil in about 5 minutes. We cooked 3 eggs at a time in a pan on it which took about 50% longer than cooking on your conventional range. Still not bad. The lift up door on the side provided plenty of room to add sticks to keep the fire hot.

It's made of mild steel & painted. The paint bubbled & burned off the first time we used it which is to be expected. It folded right back up smoothly to fit in it's nylon/velcro carrying case. Overall it seems like a great little stove which takes up almost no space (although the Vargo titanium is much more compact & lighter). IMO, it's definitaley a nice piece to add to your stash.

[Ironman8]

For a BOB that you will in "theory" live out of if the SHTF, I would totally agree with this method...you could also make your own "hobo" stove out of a can for like $0.40 though...

For a regular camping trip where you know you'll only be gone for a few days, I don't see a downside to carrying the canister/stove method...Snow Peak makes a good kit that is very light and small.

[Just a Jarhead]

While not folding, rocket stoves are awesome. Small, extremely efficient, high btu's. Used widely in 3rd world countries You can boil a gallon of water on just a couple twigs. You can build your own cheaply with cans or bricks. If you google "rocket stove" http://www.google.com/search?q=rocket+stove&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
you'll find plans or buy one here http://www.stovetec.net/us/index.php

[Just a Jarhead]

And there's also the Sierra Zip stove, http://www.zzstove.com/sierra.html
runs on one AA Battery, weighs 1 lb. Both worth at least looking at.

[wake.joe]

Bushbuddy.

Google it!

[docsherm]

I have had stoves like that for years. I have a "Tommy Cooker" stove that I have been carring in my ruck for almost 18 years now and it is still going strong.

I have 4 of the onse below. Can't beat them for the price. You can use fuel tabs or burn what you have around.

http://www.kitbag.com.au/products/%22Tommy-Cooker%22-Hexi-Stove.html

[usmcvet]

Has anyone seen the british canteen used to make tea? It has a cork or stopper at the top and a stove built into its base. I tried to find a link but had no luck.

[Dave L.]

... I have a "Tommy Cooker" stove that I have been carring in my ruck for almost 18 years now and it is still going strong.


I have a couple Esbit Pocket Stoves (http://www.rei.com/product/653343/esbit-pocket-stove) that I keep in my Medium/Small kits. Have you compared the two?

I have never tried to burn twigs in an Esbit; it seems to small to build a proper fire it.

[docsherm]

I have a couple Esbit Pocket Stoves (http://www.rei.com/product/653343/esbit-pocket-stove) that I keep in my Medium/Small kits. Have you compared the two?

I have never tried to burn twigs in an Esbit; it seems to small to build a proper fire it.

I think I have several models. The one I have with me over here looks like that REI one. I used to see them all the time. Now I just get one when I see them. They all seem to work about the same.

I mostly use fuel tabs but once at JRTC I ran out and had to burn twigs and stuff. It was a pain to get started and took a little longer but it made the coffee. That is all I cared about at the time. :jester: