Backpackinglight.co.uk Honey Stove

A great stove that has its drawbacks, but is fun, environmentally-friendly, versatile, and takes up virtually no space in your pack.

I love this stove. I asked for it as a birthday gift last year having seen them on the internet. It takes camping right back to what it should be with the smell of smoke, the sound of wood crackling, and the sight of flames licking out of the top. Camp life revolves around it.

I have used it on mountain a leader course and my kids use one each when we go camping together. It is great for family bonding while the kids build and tend their fire. Wood collecting is part of quality time as well! 

It is also very versatile. It can be used to burn wood with just five pieces of steel in its square formation (suitable for solo trips) and seven pieces in the bigger hexagonal formation (suitable for base camp or 2+ people). There is even an extension pack available to turn it into an octagon. This turns the stove into a BBQ! Several can be  placed together alongside or like a beehive (hence the name!) for a real cook up!

It can burn wood or a Trangia meths burner can be placed inside with a clever metal plate adapter. It is really well made and the family run company that makes them is a delight. It packs down flat and takes up hardly any room in a rucksack/pannier. For those people who like their packs to be as light as possible there is even a titanium version! The family run company is very helpful, has excellent after sales, and always strives to improve their innovation.

It isn't perfect. It is frankly a pain in the proverbial to fit together, especially in its hexagonal formation and when construction is being attempted with cold fingers (forget it if you have gloves on!). The octagonal one even more so! There are more efficient wood-burning stoves on the market which combust gases released in the initial combustion phase. Pots and pans get very dirty and covered in wood resin depending on what wood is being burned (oak and hawthorn are best and birch bark makes perfect kndling).

Given its versatility, environmental credentials, innovation, and quality this is a great stove and all you would potentially need. Other stoves may be more efficient but do not have the same versatility or give the same amount of joy that these do.

It is a great companion to have both camping with the kids or in serious wilderness, especially if there is something on hand to burn! If you are not too worried about getting a brew or a meal in a hurry give this serious consideration.

Background

I regularly use these for trail hiking on long distance paths in the UK and for day walks when I want a hot drink or simple meal.