| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Treacodactyl |
Small, portable, wood stovesHas anyone used something like this? http://www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor/fire-spout-100.htmIt would be useful for camping but also useful for cooking outside at home, thus using up the huge amounts of twigs we collect from gardening and saving a bit of gas. It looks ideal for a quick stir-fry, omelette or similar. |
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| marigold |
No, but I think I might need one  . Looks like a useful idea.
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| Went |
Seems it would be simple to make somehting out of scrap for next to nothing....alternatively, what's wrong with a good old fashioned campfire? | ||||||
| RichardW |
They were the same two thoughts I had. Virtualy any large sized tin can would work. Just not as flat pack-able but then you could put your cooking pots in it. Richard |
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| Treacodactyl |
Indeed, and having used a Kelly kettle it's impressive how much heat you can get out of a few twigs.
I've tried making something out of a large old can and I have some plans but for under £20 it's not that expensive to buy. The idea of these stoves is that they burn the wood efficiently so you get a good amount of heat from the wood, something a camp fire isn't good at. I expect they'll burn hotter with less smoke so more friendly for use in the garden. There's some more ideas, advice and plans here: http://zenstoves.net/Wood.htm |
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| Went |
When we first moved here we had no kitchen for three weeks and I managed to cook outside on a campfire for that period without difficulty.....heat didn't seem a problem...must have been my long lost skills as a boy scout coming back to help! |
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| vegplot |
I've just emptied a home brew beer tin it seems to be ideal size. I was going to recycle it but may reuse it. |
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| vegplot |
£35.00!!!
The home brew tin, with contents, cost £7.99 from Stermat. Not only do you get the tin but with a little sugar and time, 40 pints of beer. |
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| Treacodactyl |
I've not said it can't be done just that using a stove is far more efficient. |
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| Treacodactyl |
The mini one I linked to is £16 + p&p, so under £20. As mentioned, I've tried making a stove out of a large tin can but it took quite a while and doesn't seem to last long. The heat seems to make it rust very quickly. If I could get hold of a better tin I'd have another go. |
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| Jamanda |
I fancy the idea of the one for the beach. | ||||||
| vegplot |
It has the advantage of folding flat. I'd like to see it's price drop a bit though. |
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| Blue Sky |
That's cool. I want one.
Dave? |
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| Jonnyboy |
I scrounged one of those three legged racks that comes with a combi microwave. It's perfect for sitting above a small wood fire and is very stable. Doesn't rust either. | ||||||
| sean |
Hmm, just paid fifteen quid for a refill for the camping gas stove. Admittedly it'll last for yonks. Any idea what the expected lifespan of one of those little woodburners is? | ||||||
| RichardW |
A few flat bits of steel & a few hinges welded / riveted / self taped on & your sorted with a folding one. | ||||||
| Treacodactyl |
Oops, I didn't link to the mini one did I. Sorry vegplot.  This is the one I meant to link to: http://www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor/fire-spout-mini.htm
I'd be more than happy to make one but it's not going to be cheap to get hold of some suitable stainless steel, I have a welder but it'll need some stuff to weld s/steel. Even if I make one that doesn't need hinges or welding it's still going to take a while to cut out & fold. I'm not sure I could make one for the cost. One option might be to look out for a suitable old s/steel saucepan and use that as a base as I don't need it to be portable. But then it'll just get added to an ever growing list of things to make... |
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| Treacodactyl |
No idea about lifespan, or indeed how useful they are, that's why I'm asking. For me I don't need it to be portable and this one looks better for my needs but it's from the US. http://www.trailstove.com/ One think, I'm not sure if you can use these things while camping as they might be classed as an open fire rather than a BBQ or gas stove, so many places might not allow them. |
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| Jonnyboy |
Why not use a hexy stove? | ||||||
| Treacodactyl |
Do you mean those things that often use solid blocks of fuel? I have one but it's just like an open fire. What I'm after is something like a Kelly kettle or a decent wood stove, i.e. the gasses given off by the wood are burnt generating far more heat and much less smoke. |
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| Treacodactyl |
Another idea although they've sold out at the moment: http://trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Pocket_Cooker.html
A long review from bushcraftuk on the trailstove: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6615 And a comparison to other stoves: http://www.geographycards.com/privatepagesforstaff/campstove/ |
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| Jamanda |
That had occurred to me TD. Plus the pans would get very sooty. I'm not convinced by them as an option for camping - but as I said earlier, one might be good for the beach, and then they could be trialled for their suitability for camping. I think we might get one when we get back from France. |