For most of us, the best thing about a camping trip is being able to get back to nature and say goodbye to all of the technology that makes us unsociable and unapproachable. But in an increasingly tech-driven world where navigation devices are helping us to discover new places and solar technology is making life a little easier; having the latest gadgets to hand when experiencing life in the great outdoors can make it that extra bit more enjoyable. When you’re tired and hungry the last thing you want to be worrying about is how to make a meal that’s not only appetising but warm too – that’s where camping technology comes into its own and it doesn’t get any better than the fantastic Biolite Camp Stove Cook System.
This bit of kit really is the idiots guide to making a fire in a single easy to use unit – it cooks, it boils and it even charges your phone. Yes, really. But how exactly does it work? It’s quite simple, by taking all of the elements that are needed to create a fire and encasing them in a super-efficient canister, the result is a lightweight and easily operated unit that provides both heat and electricity. Twigs and tinder are placed into the canister and lit, and once the fire is burning you can activate the fan to intensify the fire. Once the fire is really burning the fan can be turned up a notch and then you’re at full power to use the charger unit. This clever addition is attached to the burner and uses the leftover energy not used by the fan to generate electricity and charge devices via USB.
But how does it work in the real world? Well, if you’re expecting a full charge on half an hour’s worth of burning then you’ll probably be disappointed – there’s no replacement for a mains charger but this is the best you’ll find anywhere. From 30 minutes of charging you can get just over an hour of talk time on your phone but this depends on your device and other outdoor variables but overall, we thought that was pretty good going from fire and twigs. Unlike many other stoves on the market it isn’t powered by expensive fuels and gasses but rather renewable biomass which you’ll never struggle to find on any camping site or in the wilderness. This feature alone makes it a great choice for eco-warriors and tight-wads alike, you’ll never have to worry about spending money on expensive bottles of gas that don’t last a great deal of time or carry them around on your back.
Cooking wise it’s quite easy to use and just placing a regular pan or the dedicated Biolite Kettle Pot on the stove will give you boiled water within 5 minutes, and using the foldable grille stand you can enjoy a woody taste to your food rather than gassing out your dinner. The grille attaches safely and easily and allows you to refuel the stove without burning your hands; which is always a bonus.
Available at less than £145 it may not be the cheapest stove on the market but it’ll certainly change your life in a big way, it’s got the thumbs up from us and you won’t be disappointed either.
The following code can be used for 10% off – BIOLITE10%
The post Cook and CHARGE with Twigs and Fire appeared first on Geek My Gadget.