When you think of a wood-fueled backpacking cookstove, a tin can with holes may come to mind. This is perfectly normal as a lot of people have definitely tried repurposing an old can into something useful in their long treks. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some people have actually used their past meal’s container to cook their next one.
But if an old canned good can do the trick, why buy a wood stove? Well, for one, DIY wood stoves aren’t the safest and most efficient options. Sure, they’re practically free, but since they can easily become warped and won’t be able to hold a lot of weight, they can be considered as disposable gear. Not only is this wasteful, but it’s also very unreliable, which can leave you hanging, especially on a long backpacking trip.
This is why products like the Solo Stove Lite still trumps DIY versions as they’re constructed from high-quality materials and engineered to perform better than tin cans that are not made to hold a fire. As the Solo Stove Lite is also award-winning outdoor gear, you can count on it to be durable and sturdy enough for your adventures in the wild.
It promises to give you great hot meals without having to hassle yourself with having to carry fuel canisters in your pack. All you need is to pick up some dried twigs, tinder, pine cones, and other small combustible materials that you can find in any wilderness area and you’re good to go. While some people recommend using a fire-starter as the stove’s opening can be a bit small, if you can carry a lighter with a long lead, you won’t have to worry too much about firing the stove up.
Features of The Solo Stove Lite
To help you decide whether the Solo Stove Lite is the best pick for your needs, here are its features:
304 Stainless Steel Body
Made of high-quality 304 stainless steel, the Solo Stove Lite promises to be durable and sturdy. These very two things are what you should be after if you want great value for your money. It won’t buckle under great weight and won’t get dented or damaged easily so you can cook in peace knowing that your meal won’t be wasted because you’ve made the right call and invested in great gear.
Patented Less Smoke Design
Cooking with wood can get engulf you in smoke very fast with the wrong cookstove. As the Solo Stove Lite is actually designed with an efficient secondary combustion chamber, it will naturally create less smoke as even this is used to help you cook your meal or boil your water faster.
Cooking Ring
Making your cooking a lot safer is the cooking ring that comes with the Solo Stove Lite. This item actually only comes in two parts: the heat chamber and the cooking ring. The ring works like a grate, meant to hold your pot or pan in place while cooking. It comes in handy as it relieves a good amount of weight from the main body of the cookstove, providing more stability and sturdiness to the unit.
The best part is it nests inside the main body of the stove, keeping it safe from dents and damage when not in use. Place it upside down, inside the main body and you’ll be able to transport the Solo Stove Lite in a more compact manner.
Double Wall Construction
This product’s double wall construction ensures safety and efficiency. Aside from being capable of trapping heat to use it for cooking, it also prevents the outside of the stove from getting too hot and causing a fire in your campsite or burning your fingers.
Base Plate
To further ensure that this stove won’t cause wildfires, it’s also equipped with a base plate which will ensure that the fire won’t touch the ground. This will ensure that the fire won’t spread and that you’re always in control of it.
Verdict
Economical, practical, and efficient, the Solo Stove Lite is a serious option for the serious backpacker, hiker, or camper. While it is slightly bulkier and heavier than other wood stoves, its solid construction is still worth giving it a shot, guaranteeing durability and long-term use.
