I know there was an earlier thread on this when they were first introduced, but it died in 2012. so I thought I'd open a new one. This is an amazing looking device. Wood-fired, 33 ounces, no fuel to carry, thermoelectric coupling that generates 5VDC for charging electronic devices. Costs less than a high-end MRR. BioLite Camp Stove This is the link to the Camp Stove. They also have a larger cookstove. Go to the Home Page. The testimonials seem credible. I'm considering this. No fuel to carry is a nice concept and makes up for the heavier weight. Also, if you're addicted to your devices (phone + GPS or camera) this is about the only way you're going to get reliable power in northern new England woods. (Great Britain I'd imagine as well) Solar is only an option about 50% of the daylight hours. Thoughts on this?
I have not seen it charge anything like it says it is capable of. Last NE stove meet in Vermont, we used the one I have. All of us were disappointed in it as a charger. Do you have one? If so, light it, get it burning, and then see what happens when you add more fuel to keep it lit. See if you can keep a green light, meaning it is charging. So, if one removes the capability of charging, then a good gasifier wood burning stove is what you have left, and a very heavy one at that. I like the SOLO stove, or my wood burner made from a quart paint can. Ken in NC
Good Morning, To me, this is just a poorly designed gimmick, and not worth it's cost. As Ken so rightly wrote, once you remove the charging bit, which seems to work very poorly, you are left with a very heavy stove that is not worth carrying, especially when far lighter, and far less expensive wood stove options are available. Two men whom I most definitely trust, have come up with the same experiences when testing the charging capability of this stove, and it does not seem to function as advertised for either of them. To me, this is just a "solution to a non-existent problem". But, hey, if you like such things, definitely get one, and see how it works for you. Let us know, OK? Thanks, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I got mine at an REI Garage Sale, a returned item. So at least one other person agreed with us. Have you ever tried to make a gasifier stove? It is really quite easy. Ken in NC
I have not tried to make a gasifier stove. Probably a good "Scout" project with my son in a year or two. Interesting that you guys have almost universal experience with bad USB charging. That's really the selling point. Well, overall the industrial design aspect is impressive. And the third-world mission is nice too. I think I'm going to try and make the Londonderry meet this summer with my son. Maybe someone would like to bring one to experiment with? Thanks for the advice and experience!
IMO these are more intented for cell phone enthusiasts (addicts) than stove enthuiasts. Thermoelectric generators are terribly inefficient. Here is a unnecessarily long video of a Biolite and a competing product. Of course, it is only posted because the Biolite lost. But still, it appears that to charge an iphone you might expend less energy with a hand-crank generator than you do feeding fuel into the stove. [media=youtube]58b8Acjwtl4[/media]
With my luck I'd boil over and ruin my phone. Rather have a Swedish Mil Volcano stove and solar panel. I can use sticks & twigs if available but can fall back to alcohol or Esbit tabs as well. On the occasions that I carry mine I tote dry food in the flask (oatmeal,couscous or soup mix) and use the cup to boil a spot of water. The only electronics that I carry hiking stay off most of the time. An external battery boost may take care of most of my needs. AR
The positive aspect of the BioLite's ability to generate electricity is to power the blower which fans the flames. Burns hot and clean. I agree that the USB charging port is a gimmick. Think about how long it takes to charge an iPhone with its standard wall charger. Are you going to burn the BioLite for anywhere near that amount of time? Cheaper and lighter to carry a spare phone battery or an external battery recharger for iPhones which don't let you change batteries. My friends who've purchased solar chargers have had similar issues here in the US northeast. Too much tree cover plus too little output from reasonably sized panels.
I have one that I use to just "top up" the battery in my cell phone. It's not meant to fully charge a phone, rather to keep the battery up for emergencies. It works good enough for that. I can't hike much anymore (disabled by 2 bad knees) so I use it car camping.
I agree with Doc, why would anyone want to take a cell phone backpacking with them. Isn't the whole thing about getting back to nature? The last time I checked, there were no cell phone kiosks in the wilderness! Besides, here in Canada where I go backpacking, the only way you could get any kind of phone coverage would be to have a sat phone and again I would ask, why visit the wilderness and try and take the worst blight of our civilization with you? Wouldn't that be like going to a beautiful quiet natural setting and cranking up a ghetto blaster with rap music? Stan
I always bring my phone even though there's rarely coverage. With one little device I get a: -camera -compass -flashlight -GPS/mapping (cache maps in advance) -Kindle (books) -first aid reference -knot app -hammock app -star guide -bird & plant guides -etc. Even in places where you can't make a call, cell phones have been used to locate lost and injured hikers. I know the usual argument is you can't count on electronics but that doesn't mean you can't include them in your planning. Plus, how are you going to call for a pickup at the trail head without one?
"-hammock app" How is the nights sleep in that? Tight? Opinion Alert: Seriously now, I learned years ago from more knowledgeable people than I that if I bring a device to call for rescue, I am much more likely to do something that may require a rescue. Those same people always stressed 'self-rescue'. My Caldera Cone is a titanium version. So, I can and do use wood as an alternative to the alcohol stove. I would rather bring a couple of batteries and manage the use of my device(s) than bring a bio-lite. A local outfitter carries the Bio-Lite. They have not sold a single one. I think I will give some credit to the locals for that one. Ken in NC
I'm with Knotty on the phone issue. Not taking a phone is a choice, but maybe not the best. Unless I were extremely weight limited I would have it with me just as when I go out on a boat I would have one (and marine radio, and ham radio). Don't use them if you don't need them. Bruce VA7DBX
Greetings, All, Methinks that young Knotty is having us all on!! At least a few of those "apps" will not work without a strong signal and battery life of a cell phone, without recharging, is fairly poor. So, except for emergencies, even if I DID take a cell phone, I'd never turn it on, trying to save it's power for when it was really needed. The only "app" that I have found useful, when out in the wilderness, is, and was, the "experience app", and that one must be gained, not through the app store, but through, well.... experience!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Some apps in the back country are a big power drain. O2 app for when you're at 10,000 ft and coming from sea level? Foot massage app. OOOh ya. Cold beer app. Trowel and TP app? Time for a new phone.
Hi I don't think Knotty is joking Hammock App. That was the only one I didn't know of. I take my phone into the hills, I use in addition to the in built camera and radio: Grid Reference (tells me where I am) MM tracker with OS maps (incase I lose my map) c:geo (geocaching with the kids) kindle (books galore) CoPilot Live (car satnav to get me there and back) Mobiles are a lot better these days, battery life has improved a lot. None of the apps above need network coverage to use, it's all on the memory card. Most trips I never use it other than to text the missus when I'm on my way home, but I like to have the option. Everybody is different.
Hey, Gary, You make some interesting points. I guess my old iPhone 4 is not up to the standards of other phones that are out there today. For me, the mapping program does not work, nor the compass, without a strong signal. No GPS without a signal either. I guess, since I always take an actual small camera, compass, map, and aneroid altimeter, that, taking a phone for anything other than dire emergencies (when it might not even work), I'd have little use for it. But, hey, taking a phone is a personal choice, just like which tent, stove, cook pot, sleeping bag, etc., etc., to take along. Part of the fun of it, methinks! Thanks for your thoughts on this, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark
In emergency comms devices, just as they say about firearms, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Bruce
My "Smartphone" is dead in 2 days if I don't get it to a charger. And that still isn't a reason to bring the Bio-Lite stove. I am with Doc. If I bring a phone, I don't turn it on. When I got out of Grand Canyon after 2 weeks, I walked until I got a ride. I have used a GPS a lot, and the GPS on my phone is no comparison. But, still, a GPS is no substitute for a map, compass, and the ability to use it. I have a solar powered watch with altimeter, and the altimeter is essential to accurate navigation with map, compass, and the ability to use it. And it tells time, too. I know this is all personal choice, so, I think we are just discussing out differing opinions. Ken in NC (Who after the last medical incident knows he needs to get out more)
Nope, not joking. All the apps are legit. Most of my trips are one or two nighters and with a Mophie battery case plus judicious use the iPhone can make it (barely). Unfortunately the iPhone requires the phone circuit to be active if you want the GPS to work and nothing kills a phone battery faster than having little to no coverage. On an iPad you can disable the cellular connection but still keep the GPS live, a much better arrangement but who wants to carry an iPad in their pack. Putting the phone in airplane mode is a great way to save power when you need some functions and can't power off.
