Hobo vs. fuel stove
 

Hobo versus fuel stove: which one do you prefer?

Usually we travel with fuel stoves, but this year we used a Hobo stove on several tours.

http://krad-vagabunden.de/s/cc_image...2471145181.JPG

This is my resume:

pro:
- packing size smaller then a fuel stove with bottle: 11,5 x 15 x 1 cm
- because of the chimney effect it burns even real wet wood
- you safe money – less than 1.5 GBP / 2 USD per week
- cooking is no longer a annoying duty for me. I love to collect branches and start and maintain the fire. High romantic factor!

con:
- soot
- you can´t find branches everywhere – e.g. not in desert like areas and on smart regular campgrounds
- if you burn wet wood it smokes a lot, which is a pain for you as the operator as well as for neighbours on the campground – but in moscito infested areas this turned out to be big pro for us: it kept these bastards away
- depending on the kind of wood: heating efficiency is sometimes as good as a fuel stove, but sometimes it´s far below

Quality and prices for Hobo stoves differ very much:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=as_li...5948cfaa042e91

It might even be fun to build your own. Ain´t difficult.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuUyWFBVkL0

Cheers

Frank

I typically use the original hobo stove, which is of course whatever you find lying around. Sometimes requires creativity, but extremely lightweight.
https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5692/2...a1cde4d8_k.jpgPB170227 by Jordan Jones

Wow! Thumbs up for this very stylish hobo stove! Where was that?

Frank

I really don't think cost comes into it. For quick cooking or a hot drink I use a tiny gas stove which is about 4 inches diameter by 6 inches high including cannister. 100mm x 150mm. Quick, clean and controllable.

To sit around to chat and have a few beers, you can't beat a wood fire of some sort.

That was in the Kalahari desert, Botswana side. Couldn't find a rock if your life depended on it. Bones, however, were plentiful.

So so true
Not a hobo stove but a wood gasification stove- much more efficient and more energy produced with less fuel.
Light at only 300 Grms, awsome moments and memories, leaving no trace on your meanderings.
Wood gasification: :thumbup1:
(OldBmw, simmering control is achieved by suspending your cooking pot on a multi notched stick:smiliex:)

I'd just as soon turn the gas control knob on my stove rather than run a small furnace three feet away from my pot :)

doh You only cook on embers- not flame :thumbup1:
The pic is just help those who do not know about wood gasification stoves as it shows the woodgas burn process taking place.
No knobs required:Beach:

Also in some countries. (AUS, parts of the US, Namibia) during certain times of the year (e.g. bush-fire/ forest fire season), and every day in some places (e.g. many national parks), solid fuel fires are illegal. Like $100K fine and jail times... when in these situations you can only use liquid or Gas stoves... that "can be turned off instantly"

They're cheap too

Portable Wood Gas Burning Backpacking Camping Picnic Party Stove Alcohol Stove | eBay