Jim,
I have been looking at this since I first tried the Cone. I spent 40 plus years making my noon tea over a double handful of pine squaw wood. I think you have hooked me again :-) like Hikermor.
There was a thread a while ago that someone asked "why a wood stove" You have answered it in your typical style - completely.
Thanks,
Jerry
Hi, Jerry,
Thanks very much.
I "cut my teeth" on wood cooking back in the day (60's & 70's), so I have some idea as to the drill. I've got to say, it's really nice to have this little wood burner along compare to just an open fire.
First, heating is a lot faster. The heat is concentrated. When we (dad and I) used to cook, we'd drop a coffee can in the fire. Was the heat concentrated? No. Sometimes things would heat quickly and some times not.
Second, it's really easy to have a stable pot. We never dumped our dinner, but with just rocks as your pot support, it certainly could happen.
Third, it's really easy to get the pot on and off. We used to use a long loop of wire attached to the coffee pot and a stick. A bit clumsy. With a Caldera Cone, it's easy on and easy off.
Fourth, it's easy to get the fire going. The stove provides a lot of ventilation. There's not a lot of blowing into the fire (and smoke inhalation!).
Fifth, you don't have to gather as much wood. Fill the little bowl, and that's plenty for a couple of cups of water, probably more.
Sixth, there's little impact. Just some white ash after you're done that can be buried or wind dispersed.
Seventh, the fire is relatively well contained. Especially if you keep the fire down in size, there's very little in the way of escaping embers. I'd say this is a much safer way to burn wood than an open fire.
Eighth, the combustion is very thorough. What's probably the biggest danger from a campfire? The campfire not being completely out and the flames spring back to life later on, sparking a wildfire. When I've used the Ti-Tri with Inferno option, I've been very impressed with how little smoldering is left. There ain't much left after the Ti-Tri is done with it.
Ninth, it's easier to get a good set of coals for lower heat cooking. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to have to try eggs or pancakes or something on this stove.
Tenth, in a way, you don't even have to carry a full stove in order to have a first rate wood burner. What do I mean by that? The Caldera Cone is a first class alcohol or hexamine (e.g. ESBIT) stove system. Because on most of my trips I can't burn wood every meal, I'm going to be carrying the Cone anyway. In a pinch, I can burn wood with just the cone, but for an additional 81g, I can get a full blown, efficient wood burner with all the benefits noted above. 81g? What is that? Well, that's about the weight of a PocketRocket. Without fuel. So, in other words, you can have a full blown wood burner for about the weight of a PocketRocket. I'd say that's not too shabby.
HJ