I'm thinking about switching to one of these as my primary stove next year. I'm looking for something that will pack down pretty small. Anyone want to share their experiences?

Thanks!

Other than playing with homemade, chimney types, I do not use a wood burner. Zenstoves has a good amount of info on a variety.

Coffee can and take down chimney types do work well with small wood/forest debris but need constant attention. Any fire ban excludes a wood burners use so I make and use them just for experience.

butthead

I am using the Emberlit model as both an occasional primary stove (when I am not in too much of a hurry to go right to a cannister fuel)and as a back up in case I use up my butane/propane or a cylinder fails. It is the stainless steel model, 11oz., (a lighter titanium model is available). I can get a 12oz cup of water to boil in about 6 minutes using a handful of twigs for fuel. I start it up with either a vaseline impregnated cotton ball for ignition, or a squirt of hand cleaner (67% alcohol) like Purell. (something that I carry for emergencies anyway). You can feed from the top or from the side fuel port. Cost was $39 at Amazon. At night it makes a nice small fire for light and smoke that doesn't require a canoe full of wood to keep going. Most campsites have enough discarded twigs and branches to pick up right next to the fire grate to cook all you want for most of your stay. It folds flat, about a half inch thick, 4x6 inch footprint. If you buy it I think you will love it. It is now a must-take piece of equipment.

We love our Lilbug Sr stove. Harlan has some good reviews of it on youtube, both sr and jr models.
CB

Thanks!

-Nick

I have the Lil Bug Sr too and like it. I have been looking for something lighter though for solo purposes. Here are a few reviews I found;

QiWiz Firefly



MSP

Bushbuddy

More reviews of various wood burners

I have a Littlbug Senior and wasn't super successful with it. I had trouble maintaining an even simmer for more sensitive cooking and baking. We wound up just cooking with pots on the firegrate instead where we could move the pots around to maintain temps. On the good side, if you are facing a ban you can just add an alcohol burner and some alcohol and use them together. I do like the idea. Maybe I needed to practice more with it at home. But throw in the soot on the pots and we went back to a gas stove.

I just recommend trying it out at home so you get good with it before a trip.

I use the coffee can and really like it, plus you can put stuff in it when traveling, works good for about 3 hours then you have to dump the ash out, I will post a picture when I get home tonight, save's a lot of time, I use it spring and fall, works good for a heat source so you don't have to mess with a big fire, but I do carry a small butane stove to in case it's really wet.
In 14 days this year I used my butane stove 1 time and a campfire 1 time.

a fan driven Zip Stove is not a bad bet.the forced flame burns hot and damp wood works better than a open fire.i have never used one in the BW but on day hikes it boiled Ramen and tea water without any big wait. zip trick

I have an emberlit titanium, and a littlebug jr. I find the emberlit to be sturdy, very nice to pack, but really too small. Maybe as a solo stove, but it was too small for a party of two for me. If they made an "emberlit senior" I would buy it. Littlebug jr. Is a little less sturdy, not as packable, but a larger fuel area, so more useful IMHO. Both are lightweight. Neither is ideal for baking or simmering. Boiling water for drinks, soups, noodles, etc. is what they do best. Popcorn too. I have used the Littlebug Sr. and find it very serviceable for larger groups 5-7 or so.

Plus it's cheap and easy to make.

I've been eyeing this stove for a bit now. The reviews are great. It does not collapse as small as some of the others but it may be another option: Solo Stove

I ordered one of these: MSP - CORE 4 Bio-Reactor Stove and it should be delivered tomorrow. After shipping and the discount code it was ~$50. Not sure when I'll get a chance to try it out.

quote AlfalfaMale: "I ordered one of these: MSP - CORE 4 Bio-Reactor Stove and it should be delivered tomorrow. After shipping and the discount code it was ~$50. Not sure when I'll get a chance to try it out. "

That thing looks awesome!

I'm going to play around with a coffee can stove this weekend, but I love the flexibility of that thing.

quote housty9: "
Plus it's cheap and easy to make."

simplicity at its best. i like it.

I use an emberlit as well. Good stove and packs flat.

I built one like this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Woodgas-Can-Stove/ and it burns pretty hot, packs pretty small. I enjoy cooking with it.

I also own a backcountry boiler https://sparkmade.com/product/backcountry-boiler but I have found I almost always want to cook something with other than hot water. But it is neat.

If anyone wants to try it out let me know.

anyone use vintage sterno cook stove but with wood in place of the can?

I had a litterbug jr that I sold off, didn't care for it so much. I use an emberlit, very good solo and up to 2or 3 people. I usually carry an trangia alcohol burner back up. Fire bans, rain, whatever the reason, nice to have options but not the canisters and if I spill a little alcohol not a big deal with most gear as opposed to other liquid fuels.