Backpacking stove - Wood VS Gas Systems?

[Irish]

What are the pros and cons of using a wood burning collapsible, such as the Emberlit or Bushbox, versus a gas system like an MSR, canister or liquid fuel?

Primary use would be backpacking and camping for a few days. I like the idea of the wood system due to utilizing free, abundant fuel sources. But, is it more convenient and easier to rock an MSR, or the equivalent?

I'm relatively new to this, haven't been camping in 20 years, but I'd like to get out with my boys and do some exploring, camping, etc.

ETA - Or if you going to use a wood burning stove would you just be better off building a fire to save weight?

[Psybain]

This episode of geartasting from ITS Tactical might help you out, skip forward to 12:50 to get to the backpack stove section.
https://youtu.be/E_eczSi_Oug

[Irish]

This episode of geartasting from ITS Tactical might help you out, skip forward to 12:50 to get to the backpack stove section.
https://youtu.be/E_eczSi_Oug

A good overview. Thanks!

[b2dap1]

Check out the Kelley Kettle. You can heat water and cook on top of it. Its quick and just needs sticks and twigs. A little pricey but its worth it!!

[Ironman8]

Irish,

Why not have both? I'm going on 3 years with the Trail Designs Ti-Tri Sidewinder Stove and love it for its versatility. You can burn liquid fuel, esbit tabs, wood, and even run a remote gas canister if you wanted. It's super lightweight and I haven't had any durability issues with it taking out for week+ long backcountry elk hunts in Idaho and Colorado. Just pick the pot of your choice and he likely makes a corresponding stove system for it (I would recommend a wide 1+ liter pot for your uses - I run the 1.3L Evernew Ti pot for just myself to be able to cook meals in it or just boil water.)

https://www.traildesigns.com/stoves/caldera-sidewinder

[themonk]

What's the primary use case? Are you cooking dehydrated food or actually cooking in the field?

Are you trying to be fast and light or are ready for anything?

[Irish]

Irish,

Why not have both? I'm going on 3 years with the Trail Designs Ti-Tri Sidewinder Stove and love it for its versatility. You can burn liquid fuel, esbit tabs, wood, and even run a remote gas canister if you wanted. It's super lightweight and I haven't had any durability issues with it taking out for week+ long backcountry elk hunts in Idaho and Colorado. Just pick the pot of your choice and he likely makes a corresponding stove system for it (I would recommend a wide 1+ liter pot for your uses - I run the 1.3L Evernew Ti pot for just myself to be able to cook meals in it or just boil water.)

https://www.traildesigns.com/stoves/caldera-sidewinder

Interesting design. I'm reading about it now.

[Irish]

What's the primary use case? Are you cooking dehydrated food or actually cooking in the field?

Are you trying to be fast and light or are ready for anything?

Honestly, I'm not really sure yet. Probably a bit of both. Lighter is definitely better, since I'll be hauling the vast majority of equipment, the boys are 5 and 3.

[themonk]

My 2 cents; I have been doing this for a long time and used to be an outfitter. If you are going to buy a gas stove, I would stick with MSR, they are simply the best. If you are cooking for yourself and a group, I would 100% go with a stove of liquid gas. If you get in an oh sh*t situation, liquid gas affords you the ability to open up the canister and start a fire with white gas. This option has saved my life on a one occasion.

Liquid gas stoves also give you the option to make some really great food on the trail and not just boil water. Canister stoves are even better at this but do not afford you the Sh*t hit the fan scenario and can be expensive over the life of the stove. You also have to pack out your canisters. They can be lighter and a better option for simmering vs liquid gas as the system is already pressurised vs the art of properly pressuring liquid gas for a simmer. The MSR WhisperLite is the gold standard for reliability and ability to use a multitude of gas sources. They now have one that will also take canisters as well as liquid fuels - http://amzn.to/1OkaG3c

If I am just out with another person for a short trip (2-4 days) or by myself, I generally take an Esbit Ultralight stove. Esbit stoves are a very simple small aluminum box that open to make a stove and burns Esbit tablets. The tablets weigh nothing and burn for 12 minutes which is plenty of time to boil water. You can also use them as a fire starter if needed. I own about 5 stoves but this is my preferred setup although not really conducive to cooking for a group. Here is a link to the Esbit - http://amzn.to/1RDcEjs

If you are going to do wood, I would recommend the Emberlit Stove. They come in stainless and titanium. I would go with the titanium as you lose 10 oz in the deal but the stainless is cheaper - http://amzn.to/1RDd7ST.

Wood is a great resource as its free and easy to cook with. Drawbacks are it takes time to get up and running and if you have been hiking all day, sometimes it’s nice to just get cooking asap vs waiting for a fire. Something I am sure you are already aware of; know where to find dry wood in the rain and know several ways to start a fire and have them on you. I always bring an Esbit as a backup if I am going to use wood.

[sva01]

I've had an MSR whisperlite type stove for years and it's served me well. With that said, I've been very intrigued by the Biolite wood burning stove since it will convert the heat to power and gives you the ability to charge electonics from it. I've only seen it online so I don't know much about packability. http://www.biolitestove.com/products/biolite-campstove

I also have lust for the Kelly Kettle mentioned above. That would be more of a base camp utensil but the cool factor is very high for me on that one.