BioLite Camping Stove

[Zombies And SlimJims]

I didn't see anything about it on here, and it's not released yet but it says it should be coming out this spring. Check it out here. Apparently it uses wasted heat to power up a heat generated fan, which will in turn blow more oxygen into the fire making it burn hotter. It says it can burn a liter of water in 4 minutes, which I'm guessing is kind of a rough number considering it all depends on what you're boiling it in, and what you're burning for heat, but nonetheless I would assume the fan might speed up boiling time some. Also, on the link I posted, which is the company's website, I didn't see this tidbit, but on the few websites that linked to it (Gizmodo, Wired, and a few others) said that there is a USB port coming from the fan which can also be used to charge some gadgets, very slowly I guess, I think the figure I saw was it generated 1 to 2 watts. Nonetheless, the large one doesn't seem like it would be too big to squeeze into a pack, but if it was they're also coming out with a smaller one that ways just under a pound. If the price was right, I'd pick one up.

[Stormrider]

I saw this on BCUSA. Kicks ass. Since I'm a huge fan of woodstoves over gas stoves I would probably get this if it was affordable...any idea on what the price is gonna be?

[Zombies And SlimJims]

I didn't even see a hint towards one, but I emailed the company and asked them if they could at least ballpark it for me..I'll let you know when they respond!

[Jaxathon]

That stove looks awesome. I hope it is cost effective. I prefer wood over gas as well but compact and small wood stoves usually cost a pretty chunk of change from what I have seen.

[modustollens]

I bet there is a thermoelectric generator in that. I have seen a few of these stoves which have been incorporating such power units.

I just ordered A TEG off ebay for 16.00...

http://cgi.ebay.com/THERMOELECTRIC-POWE ... 4837c458f0

[Zombies And SlimJims]

Yeah, that's what it has in it, that's pretty awesome though, what do you plan on using that for?

[Coho911]

Wonder how much they'll be out of the chute....

Either :

a) Great price to promote them

or

b) Lets make some of our research money back, overprice them and possibly sink the technology.

[Jaxathon]

Wonder how much they'll be out of the chute....

Either :

a) Great price to promote them

or

b) Lets make some of our research money back, overprice them and possibly sink the technology.

im going for b

Though its not light by any means. So the ultralite community wont be paying craptons of money for it cause its stupid lite. Maybe if it was made out of Ti

[Veritas]

This is cool, however:

It looks breakable. It might not be, but it is certainly complicated enough that failure should be a concern.

The feet look plastic. That seems like a bad idea in the long run.

[Jaxathon]

This is cool, however:

It looks breakable. It might not be, but it is certainly complicated enough that failure should be a concern.

The feet look plastic. That seems like a bad idea in the long run.

The thing I would see failing first is the fan.

[Zombies And SlimJims]

This is cool, however:

It looks breakable. It might not be, but it is certainly complicated enough that failure should be a concern.

The feet look plastic. That seems like a bad idea in the long run.

The thing I would see failing first is the fan.

In the demo videos the guy had the flame burning nice and hot, and I guess it's so well insulated that he was just picking up the stove with the flame going and handling it like nothing, so heat won't be an issue I don't think. And as far as storage, the fan unit itself stores right inside the stove while it's packed..It might last a while. Then again, it might break right away...I say wait until some other suckers pick one up first and review it

[Jaxathon]

This is cool, however:

It looks breakable. It might not be, but it is certainly complicated enough that failure should be a concern.

The feet look plastic. That seems like a bad idea in the long run.

The thing I would see failing first is the fan.

In the demo videos the guy had the flame burning nice and hot, and I guess it's so well insulated that he was just picking up the stove with the flame going and handling it like nothing, so heat won't be an issue I don't think. And as far as storage, the fan unit itself stores right inside the stove while it's packed..It might last a while. Then again, it might break right away...I say wait until some other suckers pick one up first and review it

If I am correct though they used a medium to high CFM computer fan. Those are not really ment to suck in smoke or a lot of dirt which would happen if used for a bit of time. Most likely the fan will seize after a while if that is the type of fan that is inside of it. But those fans are cheap and easy to get so if it does seize you can probably just replace it with little problem.

[Veritas]

If I am correct though they used a medium to high CFM computer fan. Those are not really ment to suck in smoke or a lot of dirt which would happen if used for a bit of time. Most likely the fan will seize after a while if that is the type of fan that is inside of it. But those fans are cheap and easy to get so if it does seize you can probably just replace it with little problem.

I was thinking fan also. Just the nature of the whole blower device seems prone to failure after a lot of use. Honestly, I don't know how the heat transfer device works, but anything that is heating up and cooling down a lot seems like it could be susceptible to Murphy. This may be a totally unfair judgement, and I have obviously not handled it.

I will be cautiously optimistic though, because I really like the concept of wood gas stoves, and I was planning on building one with an old computer fan at some point, which (as Jax mentioned) is essentially what this is. I will be watching this to see how much they cost. You could just get one of these: http://www.zzstove.com/sierra.html although it is not nearly as high-tech.

[Jaxathon]

If I am correct though they used a medium to high CFM computer fan. Those are not really ment to suck in smoke or a lot of dirt which would happen if used for a bit of time. Most likely the fan will seize after a while if that is the type of fan that is inside of it. But those fans are cheap and easy to get so if it does seize you can probably just replace it with little problem.

I was thinking fan also. Just the nature of the whole blower device seems prone to failure after a lot of use. Honestly, I don't know how the heat transfer device works, but anything that is heating up and cooling down a lot seems like it could be susceptible to Murphy. This may be a totally unfair judgement, and I have obviously not handled it.

I will be cautiously optimistic though, because I really like the concept of wood gas stoves, and I was planning on building one with an old computer fan at some point, which (as Jax mentioned) is essentially what this is. I will be watching this to see how much they cost. You could just get one of these: http://www.zzstove.com/sierra.html although it is not nearly as high-tech.

as well as modustollens pointed out you can buy a thermoelectric doohickey for like no money at all and can most likely make a similar stove and no longer will you need to carry batteries to power fans for stoves.

[111t]

Ok, i will say the thermo electric wizbang is interesting. Beyond that the only thing it has over a juice can wood burner is the double walled design. I'm sure a little careful thought and a fish aireator could yield similar results (albiet battery powered.) The thing is, in a survival situation, I'd have no problem cooking on small wood fires. It's much lighter and bound to be less expensive. Also, if you'll excuse the observation, despite the patagonia fleece, the guy in that vid doesn't strike me as an avid outdoorsman. The trick to pour the burning embers into your cookpot seems a little on the neurotic/goofy side.

Sorry, to be such a downer...

YMMV

Here's a DIY that i like...
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/fal ... index.html

[Veritas]

Also, if you'll excuse the observation, despite the patagonia fleece, the guy in that vid doesn't strike me as an avid outdoorsman. The trick to pour the burning embers into your cookpot seems a little on the neurotic/goofy side.

AHAHAHAHA, I so wanted to say that, but I am trying to be less of a douche. When it showed his shoes is when I really started to doubt his legit-ness. The coals in the pot added to my suspicion. I guess if you were making freeze dried food you would have left over water, but otherwise it would be left-over food.

And then his "leave-no-trace" method sealed it. Scratch earth, leaves ash in shallow pit, cover with leaves. Out of sight, out of mind...

[Jaxathon]

Ok, i will say the thermo electric wizbang is interesting. Beyond that the only thing it has over a juice can wood burner is the double walled design. I'm sure a little careful thought and a fish aireator could yield similar results (albiet battery powered.) The thing is, in a survival situation, I'd have no problem cooking on small wood fires. It's much lighter and bound to be less expensive. Also, if you'll excuse the observation, despite the patagonia fleece, the guy in that vid doesn't strike me as an avid outdoorsman. The trick to pour the burning embers into your cookpot seems a little on the neurotic/goofy side.

Sorry, to be such a downer...

YMMV

Here's a DIY that i like...
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/fal ... index.html

I like most J. Falk design stoves. I have a smaller one made out of a vegetable can that preforms well but it is hard to add fuel too. I am thinking about adding another can to it and spot welding them together cause they fit perfectly over one of my stainless bottles which is a similar size to a Kleen canteen.

[AltimGXE]

I bet there is a thermoelectric generator in that. I have seen a few of these stoves which have been incorporating such power units.

I just ordered A TEG off ebay for 16.00...

http://cgi.ebay.com/THERMOELECTRIC-POWE ... 4837c458f0

How do you attach the TEG to the heating element (the rod sticking into the stove)? I can imagine maybe welding a heat conducting rod to a plate, which is connected to the TEG. Also, don't you need a heatsink on the other side of the TEG to get rid of the heat?

This is a pretty cool idea, seems like it would work with any of the fan-based stove designs already out there.

[kyle]

They look cute and I like the idea of using energy to power USB devices, but I don't see how they plan to shield the heat from melting the plastic or other sensitive components.

Looks like it's good for backyard use but not roughing-it-in-the-woods use.

[Zombies And SlimJims]

Check the video out..I'm not sure how it's designed but it the guy was picking it up by the outside of the stove, it seemed like the fire was pretty well insulated from the outside...but then again he may have been picking it up only a minute after lighting it, it might get crazy hot after a while..

[AltimGXE]

I think it has an hollow wall like a thermos that is sealed except for the fan exhaust and the holes going to the firebox. The fan pressurizes the inner chamber with fresh air, so the outer wall never gets hot.

[Dr D]

Considering all the other tried and true options out there, I'm skeptical. The weight is almost justified by not having to shop for fuel and haul it around. But being a little over 1.5lbs doesn't make me feel good about it. And you still will have to find wood when you're ready to use it, weather and AO permitting. You could carry a little wood with you. But personally at that point I'd rather be carrying my beer can stove and it's fuel. It only takes me 1oz of alcohol to boil water for a meal. I can do it in like 5 minutes and never have to leave from under my tarp or a shelter. I guess since I'm so used to that setup my opinion is quite biased.

The smaller version seems better. But there isn't much info about it yet. Would a smaller wood stove have more trouble bringing water to a boil? It seems to limit how much wood you can put in there. I've never used a portable wood stove before, is this something to be concerned about?

[Dannyboy]

I like the adding air theory... if you want to get a fire hot, adding oxygen is a great way to go about it. Just look at the blacksmith's forge.
How it will hold up to being smacked around, is an entirely different matter.

[Dr D]

What do you mean smacked around? Do you spank your stoves when they are bad?