Wood Camp Stove

A wood camp stove creates an ambiance that is just not found in any other type of camp stove. Even the smell of the wood burning is a comfort to the soul. The sound of the wood cracking reminds of pleasant times. They are a very popular modern alternative to propane and liquid fuel stoves because they are so light weight and easy to carry. They are inexpensive to buy and light to pack and can be used in any area that has a natural supply of wood just lying around. As long as you have wood, you can burn this stove continuously. Nothing is more efficient than this kind of trail stove.

Whoever thought of taking a piece of sheet metal and cutting and shaping it into a camp stove was ingenious. They typically have a chimney, small holes in the bottom for air to come up through the fire, and large vent holes on the top which allow you to place a pot on it to cook. When purchasing a wood camp stove make sure the holes on the top are spaced evenly over the metal surface, otherwise, if the holes are all bunched in one area, the fire will burn unevenly. You control the size of the fire with the amount of wood you place on it and the length of time it has burned. With a little practice you can easily master a wood burning fire. Our ancestors did it for eons.

Using a wood fire to cook also means that you need to have a supply of wood near the fire in order to continue feeding it. This will require your attention so other chores may need to be postponed. A wood fire may be difficult to start during the winter when the wind is cold and brisk, and when the fire is started it will create smoke and carbon dioxide. It is not wise to cook inside a tent during a storm because of the carbon dioxide poisoning issue. Although there are some very well designed, modern, wood burning camp stoves which do not have a display of visible smoke because they burn the gases that come off of the wood placed inside. These require only a very small amount of wood and are constructed out of two tin cans. You will also need to pay attention to the camping rules in the area you are going because there may be restrictions on collecting and burning wood in that area. So check before you go.

To start your fire you will need tinder, which are very small wood shavings that you can create by whittling a chunk of wood. You can also use dried grass or other fine flammable material to catch the flame and transfer it to the wood. Anything that is small and flammable will do. Be careful with using paper and make sure the ink is only black, as the colored inks can cause various breathing or asthma problems for some people.

Place tinder, a good amount, underneath and place small pieces of wood, called kindling, in a vertical position. Any small diameter pieces of wood such as twigs and small branches placed in an upright position to draw the smoke and debris upward through the stove will do. Don't over load with wood in the beginning because the air circulation will be hindered inside the stove and the fire needs oxygen to burn well.

Place your match or lighter near the tinder to get it going first. In a very few moments the tinder will light the kindling and there will be enough fire burning to cook. If the wood is wet, you may need to blow air into the stove to help dry it out in the beginning and it may hiss and pop from the creation of steam inside the wood. Once the fire is set, it will continue burning unless you stop placing more wood on the fire.

At this point you can put your pot on the top of the stove and boil your water or whatever you are cooking. The large top hole on the stove will allow the fire to exhaust itself out the vent. If the fire dies down, put another chunk of wood on it. Water can be brought to a rolling boil in about ten minutes.