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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Who has done a trip with a Solostove Campfire?
 
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ockycamper
12/10/2024 09:51AM
  
I purchased a Solostove Campfire a few weeks ago when they were 40% off (still are). When I pulled it out I realized the cook area is the same size as one of the burners on my Jetboil Genesis stove.

So I am considering running a trial by leaving the propane Genesis Basecamp at home and bringing the Campfire. As a backup, in case of rain or wet wood I can bring some pellets along for it. Would be cooking for 4 men. Last year I used a dutch oven for most of the meals, and the Genesis for the rest. Eliminating the Genesis and the supply of green propane tanks would cut back a lot of bulk and weight. Would then use the aluminum dutch ovens for pots and frying pans as well.

Anyone try going full wood stove?

Solostove Campfire
 
butthead
12/11/2024 12:26PM
  
ockycamper: "I thought of the fire ban. There is an alcohol insert stove that goes in it if you want to switch from wood. That also would work if everything is wet. Not sure if that is allowed in a fire ban. I always bring a Camp Chef Striker 2 as a backup."


May want to check on the use of an alcohol burner. When I asked years ago it was banned during a fire ban due to the lack of a shut off valve, or so I was told by the Ranger at Tofte.


butthead
 
RedLakePaddler
12/10/2024 06:04PM
  
I have used the Titan for 3 years for two. It works great and sure cleans up the twigs around the campsite. A small loping shear works good with one. Usually bring a MSR Isobutane stove for a back.
Carl

 
Minnesotian
12/11/2024 09:31AM
  

I've done a couple of backpacking trips with the smallest one, which is now called Solo Lite. I was just heating water to combine with my meals, so nothing too intensive. I also have an alcohol stove that fits perfectly inside the Lite, so that is my backup fuel.


As with all campfire cooking items, it will get really messy from soot, so make sure to have a bag for the stove as well as a bag for your cookware, unless you like smudges on everything.


When using the stove, gather more twigs and small kindling then you think. Basically, take the size of the stove and your pile of twigs should be at least double that size. Youo don't want to hunt around for twigs half-way through your meal being cooked.


Overall I like it. Takes longer to do stove meals then with a burner, but the weight savings is nice, and the ritual of gathering twigs, starting a fire, and cooking a meal can be very relaxing. Also the skill of keeping a consistent burn using twigs can be a challenge but rewarding.
 
ockycamper
12/11/2024 11:54AM
  
I thought of the fire ban. There is an alcohol insert stove that goes in it if you want to switch from wood. That also would work if everything is wet. Not sure if that is allowed in a fire ban. I always bring a Camp Chef Striker 2 as a backup.
 
boonie
12/11/2024 11:43AM
  
I have looked into the idea of a twig stove, but not tried it. My concern is "what to do in the event of a fire ban . . . ?
 
scottiebaldwin
12/11/2024 01:58PM
  
It looks like the Campfire is a bigger version of the Titan? I own both the Titan and the Lite. I take the smaller one on solo trips. You want the Titan for two people or more. They are great and I agree with everyone that it sure helps that you can find twigs all over every campsite. You will constantly need to feed it twigs as it’s so efficient it burns right through them but as another has mentioned, the ritual of hunting twigs and not having to go out and get full firewood is kind of relaxing. I recommend them highly.