Cut up some kindling, start a fire and get cooking. That simple premise has worked for humanity since the dawn of time.
A new wood-burning device called the Solo Stove improves upon the good old wood fire, using some simple thermodynamics to create a nearly smoke-free, super hot flame from wood, tinder or other dry, combustable material.
I’ve used the Solo Stove a couple times now in outdoors situations and can attest that it makes a hot cooking fire easily with readily available natural materials.
I forgot to wash the pot the last time I went camping, so I took the stove into my back yard to do some measurements and test by boiling 40 ounces (about a liter) of water and to clean the gunk out of the pot. Read on for more details.
The Gear: Solo Stove Titan ($120) and Solo Stove Pot 1800 ($70). Both are currently available for significantly less on sale online. Solo Stove also makes a smaller and larger version of the pot and stove.
Available: Now
Where To Test It: Backpacking or car camping anywhere there are twigs, pine cones, grasses or other flammable natural materials for fuel. At home as an emergency cooking option.
Who’s It For: Campers who want to ditch the petrol.
First Impressions: The Solo Stove is a well thought out, rugged design. It really works best when the stove and pot are used as a package. The stove nests perfectly inside the pot, making for a compact kit. The pot also sits perfectly on top of the stove.
Using the stove is straightforward and intuitive. Simply build a small fire inside the body of the stove and place the pot on top. When assembled, the pot sits a few inches above the main body of the stove letting air rush through the fire. It gets roaring quickly.
