Go-to wood burning backpacking stove recommendations?

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MrBox

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Curious to hear what everyone's thoughts are on their choice wood burning stove for backpacking solo.

I'm looking at Firebox stoves but am hesitant at the price.
 
Do you spend much time the backcountry? Downed woods around camp sites gets kind of scarce. I’ve used on to cook a day hike lunch and had trouble scrounging twigs.
 
TLUD (Top Loading Up Draft) wood stoves for backpacking only use little sticks... no need to hunt downed wood. Normally, what is within reach is enough.

Also, I strongly prefer titanium, instead of stainless. Titanium is far more heat resistant... you can bury it in coals, and it will not be damaged.
 
I can’t remember the last time I’ve backpacked but I have a firebox nano stainless and have used it a handful of times. In my limited use, I really like it.

It now lives in my GHB/BOB because it’s compact (folds to size of a billfold), simple (not a puzzle to assemble), multi-fuel capable, and has been easy to use for me. I don’t remember what I paid, but I bought it off MassDrop for a mild discount.
 
I like the VIRE mini rocket stove. Breaks down flat and gravity helps the wood move down. So you not messing with the wood as much once it’s going.


Amazon product ASIN B08LDQNCL2
 
MacEntyre said:
TLUD (Top Loading Up Draft) wood stoves for backpacking only use little sticks... no need to hunt downed wood. Normally, what is within reach is enough.

Also, I strongly prefer titanium, instead of stainless. Titanium is far more heat resistant... you can bury it in coals, and it will not be damaged.
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I've got a #5 can I turned into a small stove. I've been in sites where enough small twigs can be hard to come by. Depends on how much use the area gets. And there are a couple areas in NC where fires are prohibited so something else to be aware of.
 
Kelly Kettle. I have two and like them quite a bit. Wind and rain resistant, boils water in 5 minutes or so, you can cook on top while boiling your water, good for making noise in bear country, very lite when empty, can be strapped anywhere on the outside of your pack, uses even damp fuel once you get the fire going.
 
chiefjason said:
... there are a couple areas in NC where fires are prohibited so something else to be aware of.
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Sometimes it's "open fires" that are prohibited... I use my wood stove in those areas.

For the OP... there is a huge difference in performance between a folding box wood stove, and a double wall TLUD wood stove. Both are ultralight and small. But the double wall stoves are far more efficient because they have primary air coming in at the bottom, and secondary air ports at the top which ignite the smoke to complete the burn. The rocket stove is not as efficient, because it's performance is based on Excess Air... it burns hot but it burns fast and requires more fuel.

A double wall TLUD stove needs only a couple of handfuls of little sticks to boil a 12 oz pot of water. I collect them as I hike, so I don't worry about campsites that are cleaned out. Two pockets full, or a small stuff sack. will be enough fuel for dinner and breakfast.

I had to laugh, when I showed Four Dog a Vargo Hexgonal Folding Titanium Wood Stove... "Nice trash burner," he said.
 
I picked up one of the tiny Solo Brand stoves when they have a buy one/get one deal. Not the lightest but it works very well. Also had very good luck boiling water and cooking on one of the Seek Outside Titanium backpacking wood stoves. Floorless tent and that stove is my go to if its below freezing and multi night trips. Relatively light weight for what it offers.
 
Jerzsubbie said:
I can’t remember the last time I’ve backpacked but I have a firebox nano stainless and have used it a handful of times. In my limited use, I really like it.

It now lives in my GHB/BOB because it’s compact (folds to size of a billfold), simple (not a puzzle to assemble), multi-fuel capable, and has been easy to use for me. I don’t remember what I paid, but I bought it off MassDrop for a mild discount.
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The firebox stuff looks to be the most compact and is it worth it for the titanium over steel? Just curious if it can handle the occasional use of coal.
 
Elenaidan said:
Kelly Kettle. I have two and like them quite a bit. Wind and rain resistant, boils water in 5 minutes or so, you can cook on top while boiling your water, good for making noise in bear country, very lite when empty, can be strapped anywhere on the outside of your pack, uses even damp fuel once you get the fire going.
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That's neat you can boil and cook overtop but how stable is it stacked?
 
Ross Kennedy said:
I picked up one of the tiny Solo Brand stoves when they have a buy one/get one deal. Not the lightest but it works very well. Also had very good luck boiling water and cooking on one of the Seek Outside Titanium backpacking wood stoves. Floorless tent and that stove is my go to if its below freezing and multi night trips. Relatively light weight for what it offers.
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Looks pretty neat when used for a bonfire to huddle around and toast marshmallows.
 
MacEntyre said:
The rocket stove is not as efficient, because it's performance is based on Excess Air... it burns hot but it burns fast and requires more fuel.
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MrBox said:
Wow never heard of this one before. Looks pretty neat but how durable is it?
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I can’t really comment on how durable it is since I don’t use it hard or a lot. So far it’s met my expectations.

@MacEntyre is correct, it burns hot and quick. I did notice more fuel consumption over my homemade can stove.
 
MrBox said:
The firebox stuff looks to be the most compact and is it worth it for the titanium over steel? Just curious if it can handle the occasional use of coal.
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I can’t say, haven’t used a Titanium stove, just Ti pots. But per @MacEntyre above, Ti is the way to go if you plan to use coals.
 
I've got a Bushbox Pocket with a bunch of fires under its belt. The only part I don't like is the bag it comes in, so I swapped it for something more durable. Works great, pots are steady on top and it breaks down in a stack of flat steel.
 
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