My Biolite Campstove 2 has turned out to be a worthwhile purchase, used mostly with its grill attachment to impart a beautiful wood-smoked flavour to meat, vegetables and fish. Tempted by a substantial discount, I bought another, aware that unlike the liquid-fuelled classics, I’m unlikely to be able to repair the one I have if its electronics croak before I do. So this one’s staying unused meanwhile, barring the occasional charging and use of the powerpack as a phone charger to keep the battery perky. On closer inspection, it’s a 2+. On their website Biolite don’t explain what makes the ‘plus’ over the earlier model, but delving into the tech spec I see there’s a 3500 mAh battery installed now (2600 mAh in the original ‘2’). Also, there’s now a separate stuff sack for the powerpack as well as for the entire stove. Benefit of that? I suppose it prevents the powerpack from getting grubby after being stowed in the stove body for packing, as is my ‘user’ Campstove. There’s now an LED light on a flexi-stick included with the stove for night-time illumination of cooking sessions. Previously it was an accessory to purchase (I think). Connected to the stove’s USB it’s a really useful and handy asset (I’ve found, in its predecessor) for night-time barbecue-ing. New version on the left. An improvement is the USB plug at 90-degrees to the stem, which at a stroke places the light stem in its upright user mode, the older version having to be bent upright. A taller light results. The colour of the light is ‘warmer’ with the new version, more in keeping with the orange glow from the stove itself. On dimmed setting, it’s evident there are the same number of LED’s, differently distributed. I’ll let you know if this Campstove 2+ ever gets dug out of storage ... John
I wasn't impressed with a friends early model Biolite but have heard of better results with later models. Duane
The early MkI works fine as a fan-assisted wood gas stove (I still use mine, alternating with the MKII) but not well as a power source for charging something plugged into its USB. The thermo-electric generator has a much lower output than subsequent models and the in-built battery is a fraction of their capacity. The consequence is that it generates enough electricity to power the fan and keep the stove battery charged with little left over for charging any external device. The MkII offers plenty of capacity for charging a phone or whatever as well as its core function as a very effective stove. Four fan speeds as opposed to the MkI’s two (‘low’ and ‘high’) isn’t of particular benefit in my opinion.
Yes, very much agree. MK1 is a great stove, but not for power. MK2 is a greater stove and a power source. I use both now and then and trust both for the above. The grill attachment is a really good tool.
Sounds like the early models were mostly an expensive wood stove. They get fed fuel the same as cooking over a small fire in my early days of backpacking. Duane
Yeah, sort of. They burn better than a fire. I believe that what they learned from V1 when implemented in V2 works really well. I would not backpack with one. I would use my BushBuddy or Solo. A fan driven stove that does not need spare batteries. (As long as the internal batteries take a charge). I did not pay full price for any of mine. Returned to REI and sold at the Garage Sale. (Back when I supported them).
Presscall, John: Your description of the Biolote is splendid, as all your posts are. Your attention, and indeed anyone's attention, to something other than some 1909 brass European Alpinist kerosene stove is a breath of fresh air to me. I esteem you in the highest with regard to camp stoves. And wood-fueled camp cooking may serve a huge untapped need. I do my camping and remote backpacking and fishing in California, where wood fuel is plentiful, and I often cook using wood fuel. That said, I'd never buy or use a Biolite. Its weight of 2.1 pounds, its tallness and instability, the plastics and electronics, the doubts regarding its supposed charging capabilities, and its high cost render it unacceptable for my uses. The concept is fine: wood fuel, supercharged with air. We do our thing in the so-called High Sierra, California, and leave our electronics (useless) at a trailhead at 8800 ft. elevation. There, dozens of times since 2011, companions and I have cooked on a supercharged wood-fueled stove that is half the weight (1.1 lbs.) and three times as stable as the Biolite and achieves a 1-liter boil time of 3.7 minutes. Or, occasionally, we've cooked using other lightweight alternatives. We've all, however, turned up our noses at the Biolite.
@Schnuppiepup - do you have some links to these better options? I’m likewise not that interested in charging etc but keen on a good wood fired stove. Main problem in my neck of the woods is fire bans... Great info on this stove @presscall - thanks!
@Schnuppiepup Thanks for your kind words. I’m pleased my fascination with (any) stove and its function comes across and entertains other than just myself. You make a compelling case not to lug a Biolite to the splendid locations you speak of! I wonder if a Bushbuddy Ultra would get your vote though? I suspect it would, if one hasn’t already found a place in your pack. It’s designer and one-time manufacturer, Fritz Handel, got it right in his design philosopy - set out in his user notes packed with the stove. No battery, no electronics, a featherweight. It punches far above its weight though. Combined with the Snow Peak pot Fritz Handel designed the Bushbuddy to stow into.
I love the BushBuddy and the Solo in my pack. A hot cuppa in the wild, a dream of a life lived well. I have yet to pack a BioLite anywhere, short distance or not. I do carry electronics. After my heart attack I bring an inReach with me. I imagine that my new 900ml Solo pot will nest the BushBuddy quite well. The BushBuddy is the original that the Solo was fashioned from (Legally so I have read)
@presscall do my eyes deceive me? does the bushbuddy really come wrapped in its own supply of firewood? The wood has never seen a plane or sandpaper. Regards John
No they don’t John, but the original packaging is a box I value almost as much for its style as the stove. Having pivoted the lid on a single nail … … Fritz Handel helpfully took a pen and wrote ‘Open’ accompanied by optional directional arrows to pivot the lid this way or that.
Indeed it would ! And your post regarding the Bushbuddy was yet another detailed, well-photographed contribution from you. And you know what else? I was too harsh in my comments regarding the Biolite. I had forgotten a motto that I like to tell others and should have remembered: "Don't yuck my yum." If someone likes something, who am I to say otherwise? I'm directing that little wagging-finger emoticon back at myself. The Biolite seems to sell very well. I've seen it displayed prominently everywhere.
Normally aspirated wood-fired stoves are boring: they're a dime a dozen. In contrast, in my opinion, supercharged wood-fired backpackable stoves, like the Biolite (ugh, heavy) are worthy of attention. They're powerful. There's this supercharged wood-fired stove, the Zip (?), shown below, which may be viewed at Zen Wood Stoves - Wood Burning Stoves. By the way, Zen Backpacking Stoves - Home of the Alcohol Stove is a tremendously informative website. I've spent hours on it studying stove characteristics and fuel energy densities, etc. Also, there's this supercharged wood-fired backpack stove design, which may be be viewed at DIY wood-fueled backpack stove – Frank Groffie's Miscellany and weighs 1 lb. less and is far more stable than the Biolite but does not, like the Biolite, sport a bright yellow plastic electronic assembly attached to the burner. But which stove is perfect in all regards, eh?
I personally like the idea of a rechargeable battery. If I do not use the stove to charge it, I would need to bring a solar panel to charge it. Or .. I am using a battery I end up throwing away. I much prefer throwing a way a battery I have used hundreds of times rather than one I used once.
I'm so embarrassed. So underinformed. Such a newbie. The Zip stove has already been extensively discussed on the CCS website. For example, HERE.
