Some of the commercial units do have enviable features like being made from titanium to be light way and developed to nest inside certain other types of lightweight pot sets. Whether it takes me 5 min or 4 min or 3.5 min with a simple stove, gassification stove or stove outfitted with an electronic fan isn't going to make that much difference to my life.

I find that kind of detailed testing a bit outside the point. I know there is another thread going on right now comparing the efficiencies of different commercial twig stoves.

Best do that before committing money to the store bought ones. Anyhow, I fully recommend doing a build your own to get a feel for using the twig stoves and whether they work for you in the outdoors, e.g. That worked pretty good to and I could undo the cylinder at the seem and wrap it around round objects like a thermarest. I used to use one that I made out of stove pipe. Look for cans that might nest with other pots you have and get a feel for it. I agree with others, best thing to do is make one out of a can. The only nice thing about the SS one is that it doesn't rust and degrade on you after many fires. I just cut out the feeding slot on the bottom and found a couple of slats for the making the cross/pot holder. Mine was made out of a $4 IKEA stainless steel cannister. I guess I should buy a multi-fuel stove like the MSR Whisperlite international as well just so I cover every type of fuel that you can use. I have a propane/butane canister stove and several alcohol stoves and my wood gas stove - I like to have options. The wood gas stove is cleaner burning than most wood stoves, but not as clean as alcohol or propane/butane - so the pot will get blackened. Put the inner can into the outer can and you have a stove - add a pot stand and you are good to go. I didn't remove the bottom of the can - I just made the holes and that is all I did with that part.įor the inner can you make some holes around the bottom and a row near the top and that is about all you need to do for that. I took a 1 litre paint can (about the same size as a 1 qt can) and I drilled 8 holes around the bottom of the side - about 1/2' or a bit bigger each. I've made one and once you grasp the idea they are really simple. Not only do they burn twigs but they make the most of a small amount of fuel and are more efficient than most wood stove types. If you search for 'wood gas stove' you should find plenty of useful instructions for building a good wood burning stove. Lacking simmer control, although with practice you can find you can adjust flame based on type of fuel you use and frequency that you load it into the stove. Need to save a bit of water to ensure the ashes are completely out when done. Will leave a small burn scar unless you clear litter to the earth or use a burn plate. Some areas are really deficient in foragable fuel. Needs more careful attention than backpacking stove Not as hot as a jet stove, but pretty equivalent to an alcohol stove in boil times I put up with my cylinder stove because I found a pot set it nests in. Tends to be more bulky, although there are folding models available (see little bug at Ben's back woods).

Even though enclosed, may not be legal in some areas with strict fire bans. Blue stove flames serve no entertainment purpose. Burns efficiently and quick, easy to control both burn time and duration by selecting twig sizes Allows self contained, small fire suitable for cooking with pots or grilling using the coals (can't grill on other stoves) Harvest fuel on the go (can't tell you how useless a trangia is when you have no alcohol to burn.Oh, wait I can because I forgot the fuel once and I was pissed).

Twig stove