woodgas camp stove demo

http://peplers.blogspot.com/2009/05/woodgas-camp-stove.html I recently bought this woodgas camp stove to use for cooking when we're in the woods, either working or just relaxing. It works by "gasifying" the wood, which means allowing in just a small amount of air at the base of the stove to partially burn the wood, converting it into a mixture of gases including hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide (so don't use it indoors!). These gases are then burnt in a second supply of air, injected at the top of the stove, right underneath the cooking pan.

In use I've found it has several advantages:
- It uses a very small amount of wood, yet will burn for 30-40 minutes
- it lights easily (once you've got the hang of it)
- once lit, you can basically just forget about it, apart from stirring your dinner
- it's easily portable
- it'll run for hours (I'd guess 15) off a pair of good rechargeable AA batteries (I use a solar panel to recharge them).

I'd recommend one of these stoves to anyone who cooks outdoors regularly! Note, this is the "XL" version of the stove, there's a slightly smaller version too, which is more portable, but burns with a tiny bit less heat and for a shorter time.

Check out the post on my blog for more info and still images: http://peplers.blogspot.com/2009/05/woodgas-camp-stove.html

Category:

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Tags:

• woodgas
• gasifier
• gasifying
• wood
• camp
• camping
• stove

[sirtom68]

Seems to me with a well built wood gasifer stove, you shouldn't need forced air induction. Makes no sense to me, but you earthlings apparently don't get it and never will. Hope ya have peace on earth with 4 more years of Obama. :)

[mikepepler]

@sirtom68 Yeah, I've seen gasifying stoves that don't need forced air, but they tended to use chimneys to get enough draw, so they're not so portable. If only I had the time I'd try building one...

[SunnyMoon2010]

Once the fire get going, the stove will be too hot to touch, am I right ? 

[mikepepler]

@SunnyMoon2010 Yes, but it does come with a handle you can use to pick it up and move it while lit, and also empty it out when you're done. The sides cool down fast once you empty it, if you leave the fan running for a few minutes.

[MrElectricstorm]

I like it but let me see ya hump that thing all the way up the trail. But I like it for bace camp at the bottom

[mikepepler]

@MrElectricstorm It's not very heavy, but the problem is bulk - though I guess you could pack stuff inside it. But I agree, there are lighter stoves to carry backpacking, and this is one for a more static camp.

[jimmydent123]

@Nickoli93 i will stick to gas stoves more controlable lighter less bulky but good video.for the man who has everthing this is it

[Nickoli93]

Alcohol would be cheating, let me just get out my battery pack and lighter! Just kidding, nice vid.. :)

[kitsurubami]

@ImbikerTrash i 2nd this notion!

[mikepepler]

@ImbikerTrash Yeah, I love rocket stoves too! Having used them, I think they need a bit more attention to fuelling than the woodgas stoves, but they are definitely simpler.