Wood Burning Stove - Element vs Vargo Hexagon vs Emberlit Mini vs Firefly vs Woodgas
I’m considering the purchase of new wood burning stove, preferably one that is fully collapsible/packable.
It’s relatively straightforward to research the comparative weights of the above wood burning stoves, but it’s harder to understand their comparative dimensions (i.e. which one is bigger, smaller, wider, taller, etc.).
Does anyone have a chart (or photo) that shows the comparative size of each of these models?
Thanks a million!
Brian
Notched ti floor question
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jeffmeh
QiWiz,
Given that the FlexPort door is now standard, do you recommend the notched titanium floor over the stainless mesh? How would you characterize the performance, when not feeding fuel through the FlexPort, of 1) notched floor using FlexPort as a damper to regulate intake vs. 2) mesh floor? Thanks.
Just to clarify, the FlexPort will be standard on the FireFly XL but will remain an option on the FireFly.
With a closed FlexPort, I would use the mesh floor as there will not be enough air to feed the fire with the notched ti floor.
If you just want to boil water quickly, there is no need for a FlexPort. The mesh floor serves as the air supply to the fire. As the fire burns and ash forms, ventilation gets reduced a bit, but can easily be restored by tapping the stove with a stick to make the ash fall down through the mesh, opening it back up.
If you have the FlexPort option and have the Port open, there is added air supply to the fire through the Port. With the mesh floor in place, the fire has more than enough air to burn hot and quickly. If that's what you want, then no need for the notched ti floor. On the other hand, if you are trying to simmer something in a pot, grill a steak, or dry bake, it helps to have a slower burn and the notched ti floor makes that easier.
Some folks have found that if they let ash accumulate on the mesh floor, it can reduce ventilation through the floor enough that they can do slower burns without the notched ti floor. This is a little tricky to pull off, and not as reliable as the notched ti floor.
For my own use, depending on the type of cooking I'm planning on doing, I will either bring the mesh floor by itself, or both floors. I often use the ti floor for dinner meals and related simmering/grilling/baking. I rarely use it for hot breakfasts, where I'm usually just trying to get hot water for coffee and hot cereal. Each floor weighs 9 grams, or about a third of an ounce, so even taking both floors is only a minor weight penalty.
For the FireFly XL, I will be including a piece of titanium foil to use on top of the mesh (rather than instead of the mesh) as an if-needed ventilation reducer. This may become a regular FireFly option as well.