Anyone ever relied solely on a Biolite and/or fire pit without a camp-stove that requires gas? Thinking of doing a multi-week trip without a gas stove and I can't decide whether I'm being naive about the possibility of wet wood spoiling things.

I don't know, but another thing to consider is fire bans or restrictions during your trip.

I've not used a gas burner for years, and I have done many trips with a Biolite. I've used it in pretty much any weather conditions you can encounter while canoeing or camping. I've always been able to find enough dry fuel to keep it going, even when I've had to dig it up out from under snow. That being said, if you think ahead a little and set aside a few handfuls under your tarp or in a bag that you keep dry when you reach a campsite, that obviously makes it easier. Unless confronted with a fire ban, I don't see myself using a gas stove again.

The kettle that you can get with the biolite works really well with the stove, and doubles as a container to store it in. I also have the grill that integrates with the stove, but I've only used it a couple of times. It worked ok, but I clearly need more practice controlling temperature while grilling.

boonie: "I don't know, but another thing to consider is fire bans or restrictions during your trip."

Bonnie is right. Twig stoves are included in a fire ban. And remember, a fire ban can happen after you enter so a back up gas fuel stove would be prudent.

Bannock: "

boonie: "I don't know, but another thing to consider is fire bans or restrictions during your trip."

Bonnie is right. Twig stoves are included in a fire ban. And remember, a fire ban can happen after you enter so a back up gas fuel stove would be prudent."

Its generally not hard to anticipate if you are at risk of encountering a fire ban during your trip, although if you're on a wilderness route in remote Ontario, you probably aren't going to find out about one unless it starts before you begin your trip. I wouldn't intentionally ignore a fire ban, but I think with common sense a stove like the biolite is no more dangerous than a gas stove. The scariest incident I've ever seen with a camp stove involved a failed gasket on the pump of a whisperlite.

I would just say it will be harder to anticipate on a 4-week trip and it's more likely to get you fined, whether it's more dangerous or not. Also be advised that alcohol stoves are generally not allowed during fire bans either.

montanasota: "Anyone ever relied solely on a Biolite and/or fire pit without a camp-stove that requires gas? Thinking of doing a multi-week trip without a gas stove and I can't decide whether I'm being naive about the possibility of wet wood spoiling things."

Are you really committed to carrying your Biolite? I know people who have purchased them but, no one who continues to use them for back country camping. Today there are many alternative, and much lighter options; notably USB rechargable power reserves/batteries and/or solar powered rechargers.

As primarily a solo traveler to whom weight matters, I would consider combining a much lighter solar panel and collapsible wood stove to save both weight and bulk.

Good Luck

PS: Actually, my personal preference is a small canister stove and no charging mechanism so, my perspective is probably irrelevant to yours.

I have never used a Biolite stove and have passed up a few at REI Garage Sales. When they first came out their marketing was geared towards generating electricity from fire/heat. From what I have read in reviews, they were okay at doing that. The Gen 2 models seem to market smokeless fires and adjustable heat. With the 4 speed fan they claim that you can adjust the heat generated from a simmer to a rapid boil with the right combination of fuel and fan speed. Perhaps this was an "accidental" feature discovered from the Gen 1 models. To really get the most benefit out of the unit it looks like you would want to pair it with the Biolite Kettle Pot. I'm almost inclined to take a look at one. There never seems to be a shortage of small twigs and sticks in the forest. In the BWCA I only use a stove to heat water most of the time. I generally have more time than anything else when canoe camping so the challenge may keep me busy.

Thanks all. I'm not committed to using the biolite, but like the idea of not having to carry fuel. I don't really use the battery charging function at all, it's mostly just a slick stove that doesn't require canisters/bottles. It is definitely heavier than a ultralight stove, but I can subtract out the weight of fuel... its probably lighter overall.

I love my Solo stove, but I'd never trip without a gas stove. Fire bans happen, and twig and alcohol stoves are useless then, and if you think "What's the worst that could happen?" read about the Ham Lake fire.

Biolite weighs a little over 2 lbs. I could take a canister stove and fuel for 4 weeks for less weight. YMMV of course.

Multi week trip with no rain? Really? Take a stove and fuel. Huge time saver.

I also agree that there are lighter stick stove options, like a Firebox or similar, available if you are not using the stove to recharge batteries. They also pack WAY smaller than a Biolite. I bring one and use it on occasion as a back up. But to be honest I find a canister stove way more convenient and weighs very little. On my shoulder season solo last year one of the big canisters(16oz) lasted me 16 days and I still had fuel left in it. A big canister and my Primus Lite+ stove weigh about 2 lbs and I just push a button and I'm cooking.

To me a stick stove is the perfect back up stove as I stated my Firebox Nano weighs like 8oz with the little ground cloth and takes up a ridiculously little amount of space. So far I've used mine only when I've felt like it as I have yet to have a stove failure of any kind while tripping. They require constant feeding and are very hard to keep anything near a constant temperature in my experience.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from using a stick stove as your only stove if you are into doing things old school, thats cool. But the weight savings now-a-days is minimal. And with a Biolite there is zero weight savings IMO.

If you don't want the power part, the Biolite is a really poor alternative. Other stick burners like SoloStoves are much smaller and lighter.

I have a Solostove. It is sorta cool but I never completely made the switch. A fuel stove is much quicker, easier, and more controllable.

old_salt: "Multi week trip with no rain? Really? Take a stove and fuel. Huge time saver."

That was my thinking...I love fire cooking but it takes soooo much time compared to a stove. I'm assuming there will be a moment or two that quickly warming something would be nice.
Get a BRS stove, weighs 0.88oz and costs $17 and grab canister of fuel whatever size you prefer and off you go for less than 1 pound.....

BRS Stove

Bannock: "

boonie: "I don't know, but another thing to consider is fire bans or restrictions during your trip."

Bonnie is right. Twig stoves are included in a fire ban. And remember, a fire ban can happen after you enter so a back up gas fuel stove would be prudent."

What happens when I don't get the email that there has been a fire ban started 4 days into my trip? I get it, but just being devil advocate.

JC

My understanding is that if a fire ban starts the rangers that are in the woods will cruise from group to group informing them of the ban. They will mark your permit that you have been informed and at that point you are required to follow it. The rangers can cover some ground and so I wouldn't count on not being notified.

For trips up to a week or so, you probably have a good idea of whether or not a fire ban is likely before you start. So, you can always adjust plans for a second stove at that point.

Just sort of curious, has anyone gotten notification of a ban while in the BW?

andym: "My understanding is that if a fire ban starts the rangers that are in the woods will cruise from group to group informing them of the ban. They will mark your permit that you have been informed and at that point you are required to follow it. The rangers can cover some ground and so I wouldn't count on not being notified.


For trips up to a week or so, you probably have a good idea of whether or not a fire ban is likely before you start. So, you can always adjust plans for a second stove at that point.


Just sort of curious, has anyone gotten notification of a ban while in the BW?"

Good to know, I had no idea.

Thanks!