So, what are the best wood burning backpack stoves?
One of the most intriguing aspects of traveling, hiking, and camping is cooking food on the go. Whether it’s about preparing a steaming hot cup of coffee on the snowy mountains or cooking a scrumptious dinner in a forest camp, a backpack stove is a must for travelers these days. While fuel-powered camping stoves are available on the market, campers and travelers these days prefer wood burning camping stoves. Thus in this article, we’ll be talking about the best wood burning backpack stoves on the market, and reviewing 6 of the best.
Hopefully this detailed guide will help you identify the best one on the market. So, get ready to choose the best backpack stove to take your camping, hiking or traveling experience to an all new level.
First things first – What is a wood burning backpack stove?
A wood burning backpack stove is a heating system which uses wood and wood derivatives such as wood pellets as the fuel. The three parts of a wood burning backpack stove are:
- A steel or cast-iron fire chamber (closed)
- An adjustable air controller
- A sturdy base
The ancient wood burning stoves were heavy to carry and cumbersome to operate. These days, lightweight building materials such as titanium and stainless-steel along with modifications in the design are being used to produce high-quality wood burning backpack stoves. These stoves are portable and collapsible. You’ll be surprised to know that the average weight of wood burning backpack stoves on market is less than 2 lbs.
3 types of wood burning backpack stoves
Wood burning backpack stoves are available in three designs. These include:
- Rectangular
- Pyramid
- Cylindrical with a rounded base
The cylindrical wood burning backpack stoves are the most efficient ones and provide a very high thermal output. On the other hand, the pyramid and rectangular stoves are more convenient to carry and store. You’ll be delighted to know that these stoves can also be carried as plates.
A wood burning backpack stove is usually delivered unassembled. However, you can easily assemble the parts by following the instruction manual.
In the next section, we’ll be looking at the best wood burning backpack stove on the market. Once you go through the detailed reviews, we’ll also talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the stoves in general. Read on to know more.
6 best wood burning backpack stoves
The detailed product reviews have been put together based on the first-hand experience of our traveling and camping experts, and ratings and reviews of existing customers.
Let’s now look at the best wood burning backpack stove.
Solo Stove Lite – Compact Wood Burning Backpack Stove
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 5.7 x 4.25 inches (14.4 x 10.7 cm)
- Product weight: 9 oz (255 g)
- Model: SS1 – FBA
- Batteries required: No
- Material: 304 stainless steel and nichrome wire
- Fuel: Twigs, sticks, pine cone, other biomass
- Boil time: 8-10 minute
The Solo Stove Lite Compact Wood Burning Backpack Stove is one of the best-selling wood burning backpack stoves on the market. It is a tiny version of the Solo Stove, which is heavier and larger in size.
The Solo Stove Lite Compact Wood Burning Back Stove has been awarded as the “Gear of the Year Winner” award by the Backpacker magazine for camping and hiking.
The stainless-steel stove comes with a double-layer wall and special airflow properties that make it highly efficient and user-friendly. You’ll be surprised to know that the stove can boil 1 liter of water in only 8-10 minutes. This means that you would be required to use less wood as fuel. The product comes with limited manufacturer warranty. Overall, a great product if you are looking for a lightweight and small wood burning backpack stove for camping or hiking.
Pros
- High-grade 304 stainless steel construction
- Unique, patented design
- Hotter flame
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Comes with a carry bag
- Fast and efficient
- Produces very little smoke
Cons
- The stove requires quick refueling due to its small size
- Expensive as compared to the other wood burning backpack stoves on the market
BioLite CampStove Wood Burning and USB charging camping stove
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 5 x 5 x 8.3 inches (12.7 x 12.7 x 21 cm)
- Product weight: 36 oz (1020 g)
- Model: CSA1001
- Batteries required: Yes, 1 Lithium ion battery required
- Material: Stainless steel
- Fuel: Twigs, sticks, pine cone, other biomass
- Boil time: ~ 4.5 minutes
The BioLite CampStove Wood Burning and USB charging camping stove in one of the most innovative and best wood burning backpack stoves on the market. A unique feature of this stove is the USB power charger. Though slightly heavyweight, the BioLite stove is a highly efficient product.
The product comes with a built-in stand and an internal battery starter to start the fire once the fuel is loaded on to the stove and it is turned on. The patented thermoelectric functionality converts heat energy into electrical energy. The generated electricity then powers the fan to make the fire more efficient. The BioLite CampStove can boil 1 liter of water in approximately 4.5 minutes.
Another great thing about the stove is that the electricity generated during the thermoelectric process can be used to charge small appliances and cell phones. So, the dual-purpose wood burning backpack stove provides you with the ability to cook, as well as charge your mini-appliances while camping or hiking. The product is backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Sturdy stainless-steel construction
- Useful for emergency preparing, camping, hiking
- Patented BioLite thermoelectric process powers the stove and allows you to charge small appliances and cell phone battery
- Clean and very efficient fire
- Comes with built-in fire starter
- 20-minutes of USB charging can support your phone for up to 1 hour
Cons
- Heavier in size and bigger than other wood burning back stoves on the market
- The thermoelectric feature is not very effective
Ohuhu Portable Wood Burning Backpack Stove
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 5.3 x 3 x 5.3 inches (13.4 x 7.6 x 13.4 cm)
- Product weight: 14.2 oz (405.5 g)
- Model: N/A
- Batteries required: No
- Material: Stainless steel
- Fuel: Twigs, sticks, pine cone, other biomass
- Boil time: –
| Batteries required | No |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Fuel | Twigs, sticks, pine cone, other biomass |
| Boil time | – |
| Price | $16.99 |
If you’re looking for a small, lightweight, and budget-friendly wood burning backpack stove for your next camping or hiking adventure, the Ohuhu Portal Wood Burning Backpack stove can be a great pick for you. It is a highly durable and fully-functional wood burning stove that can be used for cooking your favorite meals while you’re out in the wild, boiling water, etc.
The Ohuhu wood stove is made of high-grade stainless steel which is heat-resistant. The stove comes with a wide 5.3-inches burning space that can easily accommodate twigs, pinecones, wooden branches, etc. The spacious bottom vent of the stove provides adequate air flow, improving the thermal efficiency of the stove. You can also use alcohol tablets as fuel, especially if you’re on the snowy terrains.
One of the most significant advantages of the stove is that it comes with a three-arm system that provides you with a steady cooking surface and can be used with bigger pans and pots. The product is backed by 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Overall, a great product if the price is a deciding factor for you.
Pros
- Robust stainless-steel construction
- Inexpensive and pocket-friendly
- Burning chamber has ample space
- Can also be used with alcohol tablets as the fuel
- Small size and lightweight make it convenient to carry the product in the backpack
- Three-arm support system provides a steady cooking experience
- A mesh storage carry pouch is included
Cons
- Less efficient than the other wood burning backpack stoves listed here
- Requires regular re-fueling as the fuel burns pretty quickly
- The three-arm support is not sturdy enough
Eco-Zoom Dura Rocket Wood Burning Backpack Survival Stove
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 13.2 x 13 x 12.5 inches (33.5 x 33 x 31.7 cm)
- Product weight: 208 oz (5896 g)
- Model: DURA
- Batteries required: No
- Material: Stainless steel handles with silicon grips, cast-iron stove top, ceramic insulation
- Fuel: Twigs, sticks, pine cone, other biomass
- Boil time: N/A
The Eco-Zoom Dura Rocket Wood Burning Backpack Survival stove is a bit different from all the other products mentioned above. Even though this wood stove is heavier and bigger in size, it is still one of the top-rated wood burning stoves on the market. What makes it so popular is the fact that it’s the most energy-efficient and biofuel-efficient wood stove on the market.
Whether you are planning an outdoor adventure or stuck in a natural disaster, you can make the most of the Eco-Zoom Dura Rocket Wood Burning Backpack stove to prepare food, boil water, etc. All you need is a handful of twigs or wood sticks to operate the wood stove and prepare a complete meal.
The 3-pronged cast-iron stove top is universally compatible with different camp cooking utensil sets and the stainless-steel handles guarded with silicon are cool to hold even when the stove’s burning hot. The stick support platform that is included in the product package can be used for placing twigs and sticks inside the wooden chamber. Overall, a phenomenal product if you are looking for a great outdoor cooking experience.
Pros
- Provides adequate heat distribution for thorough cooking
- Silicon grips make it easy to carry the hot stove even when it is burning
- Provides faster cooking
- The flat prongs reduce the possibility of chipping the cast iron cooktop
- Full insulated body of the stove transfer maximum heat to your cooking apparatus
- Abrasion resistant
- Can be used for cooking during hiking, camping, outdoor patio, emergency situations, and more
- Easy to start and eco-friendly
Cons
- Heavy and bigger in size as compared to other wood burning backpack stoves listed here
- Produces more smoke
kampMATE Woodflame Wood Burning Backpack Stove
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 7.5 inches (15.24 x 0.5 x 19.05 cm)
- Product weight: 18.3 oz (500 g)
- Model: 1001
- Batteries required: No
- Material: 304 Stainless steel
- Fuel: Twigs, sticks, pine cone, charcoal, cedar pucks, stereo fuel, esbit tablets, ReadyFuel, or other biomass
- Boil time: 8 to 12 minutes for 1-liter water
The kampMATE Wood Burning Stove is the best wood burning backpack stove on the market when it comes to a simple and collapsible design, lightweight, and energy-efficient cooking.
The product is made of 304 stainless-steel and is durable and abrasion resistant. Due to its large size, it is useful for preparing food for an entire family on a camping or hiking vacation.
You can use small to medium-sized pots and pans with the kampMATE Woodflame Wood Burning Backpack stove. It would take you around 8-12 minutes to boil 1 liter of water in a medium-size pot.
The product can be unassembled flat to fit it in your backpack and assembled easily using the detailed instruction manual that is included in the product package.
Pros
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to un assemble and assemble
- Large size makes it ideal for cooking meals for large groups
- Sturdy 304 stainless-steel body
- Abrasion resistant
- Can be used with small to medium-sized pans and pots
- Budget-friendly
- Large burning chamber
Cons
- Is not very stable on the ground
- Produces more smoke
Vargo Titanium Hexagonal Wood Burning Backpack Stove
Product specifications
- Product dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches (12.7 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm)
- Product weight: 4.2 oz (119 g)
- Model no.: T-415
- Batteries required: No
- Material: Titanium
- Fuel: Twigs, sticks, pine cone, charcoal, cedar pucks, other biomass
- Boil time: 6-8 minutes for 1 liter of water
The Vargo Titanium Hexagonal Wood Burning Backpack Stove is a featherweight wood stove that is flying off the camping and hiking gear shelves.
The wood stove is made of Titanium which is 2 times more robust than aluminum and 45% lighter than steel. The body material is durable. Abrasion resistant, and heat-resistant. The unique, single-piece, hexagonal design is eye-catching, and its conical shape makes it more energy efficient. The stove comes with a hinged door to manage air-flow and feed fuel into the stove. Also, the conical shape ensures uniform heat distribution to the cooking pot.
The setup process is very easy as you don’t need to put multiple parts together. To fit the stove in your backpack, you just need to fold it down flat. The product is best for cooking single entrée meals.
Pros
- Made of a robust titanium material which is sturdier than aluminum and lighter than stainless-steel
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to un assemble and assemble
- Packs flat for convenient storage and carrying
- Better air-flow and brighter flame
- Easy to light fire
- Unique design
- Affordable
- Can also be used with alcohol tablets
Cons
- Requires assembly wherever you go
- Produces more soot as there is less space between the cooking stove and pot
Advantages of a wood burning backpack stove
While you’ve already seen the individual pros and cons of the products listed in the article, let’s look at an overview of the basic advantages of a wood burning backspace stove.
- There is no fuel-cost associated with a wood burning backpack stove. You can use sticks, twigs, pinecones, and other biomass fuel to cook food.
- Since you don’t need to carry any fuel, you save a considerable amount of space in your backpack.
- Next, apart from wood, many wood burning backpack stoves are also compatible with alcohol tablets and charcoal.
- Since the fuel used is renewable in nature, there is no impact on the environment.
- Many people prefer the taste of food cooked on a wood burning stove.
- Lastly, most of the wood burning backpack stoves are easy to carry and store.
Disadvantages of a wood burning backpack stove
Now that we’ve discussed the advantages of a wood burning backpack stoves, it would be unfair to omit the disadvantages of using them. So, let’s look at some cons of using wood burning back stoves:
- They are less efficient than liquid-fuel or canister-fuel stoves.
- The cooking time is higher as compared to liquid-fuel or canister-fuel stoves.
- Wood burning backpack stoves create more soot.
- They are not very suitable for use during the rainy weather.
- Some camps and outdoor area prohibit the use of wood burning backpack stoves.
How to find the best wood burning backpack stove?
4 things you must consider
This is one of the most important sections of our guide. Here, we’ll list 4 different factors that you should consider while looking for the best wood burning backpack stove on the market.
The material of the wood burning backpack stove
The material is usually the most critical factor to be considered. Most of the wood burning backpack stoves are made of stainless-steel. However, a few titanium wood stoves such as the Vargo Titanium Hexagonal Wood Burning Backpack stove as also available on the market.
In comparison, stainless-steel stoves are also durable, but they are heavier than titanium stoves. Since you’ll be carrying the wood stove in your backpack, titanium would be an ideal choice here even though titanium wood stoves are a bit expensive.
Design of the wood burning backpack stove
The design is also another important factor that you cannot afford to skip. As already discussed at the beginning of the article, wood burning backpack stoves are available in three designs – rectangular, circular, and pyramid.
Remember, cylindrical stoves are also steadier on the ground, and circular design aids better secondary combustion. But, air-flow can be a problem here.
Conversely, pyramid and rectangular backpacks are easy to carry and store. They can be conveniently collapsed into segments and carried in your backpack wherever you go. Many of them also come with holes for better airflow and protection from the wind. Nevertheless, you need to make sure they’re installed properly to avoid injuries or mishaps.
Dimensions of the wood burning backpack stove
Yes, you got that right! Dimensions (perimeter of the height and base of the stove) are also an essential factor that you must consider while picking the best wood burning backpack stove.
Dimensions are also critical as they define the size of the twigs, wood sticks, pinecones, etc. They also indicate the size of the cooking pot or pan that can be used.
The weight of the wood burning backpack stove
Since you’ll be carrying the wood stove in your backpack, you need to also make sure that the wood burning backpack stove is lightweight and easy to carry. Small and easily portable wood stoves such as Solo Stove Lite and Ohuhu are also the most weight-friendly wood stoves on the market. However, the lightest of them all is the Vargo Titanium Hexagonal Wood Burning Backpack Stove.
Wood burning backpack stove safety tips
If you’re sure about purchasing the best wood burning backpack stove for your hiking or camping adventure, make sure you also follow these safety tips to avoid any mishap:
- To begin with, never use a wood burning stove in a closed tent as the stove requires enough air-flow to sustain the fire.
- Make sure you install the wood stove on a steady surface or table.
- Use the correct size pans and pots on the wood stove.
- Don’t overload the stove.
- Avoid touching the stove while your food is getting cooked.
- Make sure you dispose the residue or ashes once you’ve completed your cooking task.
Pro tips: Instead of disposing the residue ash, you can use it to clean the cooking utensils if you do not have soap.
Final thoughts on the best wood burning backpack stove
To summarize, based on all the factors that need to be considered while choosing the best wood burning backpack stove, we have a clear winner here – the Solo Stove Lite Wood Burning Backpack Stove. The product has already been awarded the “Gear of the Year” award for hiking and camping by Backpackers magazine and has also already become the best-selling wood burning backpack stove on the market. In short, right from the fuel-efficiency to the durability of the product, everything about this wood stove is great.
We hope you agree with us. However as always, your requirements may differ. If that’s the case one of the other 5 backpack stoves from the list may suit your requirements better. If you have any more questions or products that you would want us to also review, please let us know . We’d be more than happy to help you out.