Firebugs; check out my new backpack cookers

[Hardcorehunter]

These both arrived yesterday. I have a MSR XGK EX multi-fuel stove, but I wanted to add a couple of stoves that need no fuel, other then what is already in the woods, free, and I don't have to carry it. By having two wood stoves, I can cook a meal quicker. These are Ultra lightweight, backpack cookers. This 1st one is called the Bush Buddy stove, made by Fritz Handel in British Columbia, Canada. This is an skillfully crafted device. It has an opening slotted in it's top, so that sticks can be added while cooking. It is double wall SS construction and gets excellent reviews as a very efficient cooker from my research. It is designed to fit nicely inside of a Snow Peak Trek 900 titanium pot. I place it in a Crown Royal bag to ensure a perfectly quiet setup while hiking. Price is $95 shipped. It came in a neat little wooden box to protect it from it's long journey. He shipped the very next day after receiving my order. The stove's weight is 6.5 oz.
http://bushbuddy.ca/

This next stove is called the Vargo Titanium Hex stove. This stove is sold through Vargo outdoors in PA., and Brian Vargo shipped this stove the very next day after my order was received. It is made of titanium, and is very cleverly designed as well. It comes in a nice pouch, folds open, and locks into place with two tabs. It has a door that swings open so that sticks can be fed to it while cooking. Cost was $65.10 shipped. Weight for the stove is 4.1 oz.

http://www.vargooutdoors.com/store/...Csid=bfa8a1e64050b7f75d9f7718b1b08b7b&x=0&y=0

 

[Hardcorehunter]

The only other stove like this that I am aware of is called the Bush Cooker and is made by Qvist in Holland and they will not ship to the states. It is basically an exact copy of the Bush Buddy from what my research shows. What makes these different is their double wall construction and their unique process of burning wood which is called "wood gasification"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBWLlgJD2Ec

These can also be used with other stoves as in the video here

 

[Shovelbuck]

I watched the video. While this wouldn't fit in with my type of camp, I can see where it would be handy for a one or two person camp, packing light. My luck, as clumsy as I am, I'd tip it over with a full pot on top.

 

[Hardcorehunter]

A little feedback here. Both of these stoves perform excellent. If I had to keep one over the other, I would probably go with the bush buddy though. It seems to just burn hotter and boil water quicker, with it's double wall, vent, gas system. It doesn't take up any extra space, as I am carrying my Snowpeak mug with me anyway. Both perform well though, and I doubt I will use my MSR EGK EX stove much anymore. These little wood stoves are just so simple, and no fuel to have to carry, and silent. They bring water to a boil in only a few minutes.

 

[Shovelbuck]

Small, lightweight, work well. What more could you ask for? Although all the weight savings over conventional gear is over shadowed by the 16 inch chain saw you need to pack along to cut the tree stump table you are using.

I just couldn't resist that Don! :grin:

 

[Hardcorehunter]

SB, I went out to my buddys' deer camp this weekend and camped out with the fellas. Well, I camped in my hammock setup and they slept in their campers. I had just added pockets to my hammock and had to test it out. Pockets are NICE. I put my sleeping bag net sack and shoes in one, and my wallet, handgun, cell phone, headlight, and pocket knife in the other. The other guys had been out putting up a tower blind near Scranton, and camp was up by Dayton on the river. I got to camp a couple of hours before them, so I seam sealed my GF's and my tarps and I got hungry. I had to fend for myself, so I fired up my stoves, some Idahoan instant potatoes and some Tyson chicken in a pouch. I didn't have a lighter and used my flint and steel to get them going even. Near the deer camp firepit, I found this already cut log, so I made myself a higher place to cook instead of the ground. I brought my bug out bag with me, so I had all of this stuff with me, including water. The only thing I had to bring, was some cold Sam Adams Boston Lager:drink2: